Author: Mike Byrne
Date: 07:32:25 12/27/02
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On December 27, 2002 at 00:43:43, Dick Maunder wrote: >I am a fairly experienced chess player but have gotten away from the game for a >few years and wish to get reconnected. Years ago I thoroughly enjoyed the >Kasparov Turbo S24 and now want to purchase a newer model. > >I am looking at the following models and would like any feedback anyone might >have on the merits of one over the other and comared to the Excalibur top end >Grandmaster. > >--Saitek Centurion $129.00 (Can't locate one in stores) >--Saitek Chess Academy $229.00 (Ready to purchase one this week) >--Saitek Cougar $129.00 (May be discontinued) > >--Excalibur Grandmaster $229.00 > >Also I can't for some reason locate anything like a review or comparison >anywhere on these board level computer chess sets. Any help on recommending one >of the above or similar would be grealy appreciated. > >Thanks, > >RL Hunter >Boston area Strength wise -- all 3 of the Saiteks listed above are stronger than the Grandmaster (by about 200-300 points ELO IMO). The Grandmaster has a full size board and auto - sensory -- a nice feature. I would be concerned about the fit and finish. I have seen older Grandmaster machines where the vinyl tournamment board has started to peel away from the plastic. The Saitek Chess Academy has 64 LEDs - one on very square - an even nicer feature. All of the Saitek "CONNOISSEUR" series - those that begin with "C" have the strongest engines of the Satiek line. There isn't widely available testing as there used to be for chess machine - but I think you'll find those in the 1900-2100 class at long time controls. At Saitek own webpage, they advertise the Academy at 100-150 ELO points weaker than the the COSMOS amd Cougar. Cougar might be tough to find - I have found a few, but none at the price I'm willing to pay. http://www.saitekusa.com/chess/consur.htm From my own experience, buying a unit with 64 LEDs is the preferred option. It provide a much better flow to the game as you don't have to read the the moves from the LCD. You just move the piece where the lighted LED shows up , press lightly and move it to the "to" square (again where the LED is lit). Saitek pressure sensory units only require light pressure The sister Mephisto line is even stronger. The Mephisto Atlanta can be purchased overseas and shipped here for about $300. It has 32 Mhz Risc processor, Fritz program , hash tables and 64 LEDs on very square. Email me if you interested. http://www.saitekusa.com/chess/mesh.htm You might call the USA Saitek company , at it appears the Mephisto units will now be offerred directly in the USA soon. Good luck, Michael Byrne
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