Author: Peter Berger
Date: 13:27:09 06/20/03
Go up one level in this thread
On June 20, 2003 at 13:14:06, Ben Weeston wrote:
>Even though Novag promotes this model as it strongest yet, when I opened the
>package and looked at the chess pieces and the "cloth" that was the "sensitive"
>chess board, I was somewhat disappointed at the quality vs. the price I paid for
>the product. I've even noticed "bubbling up" around the edges of the board
>since it isn't a hard surface. I know they designed it to be more sensitive for
>pressure moves, but the more I look at the pieces and the chess board itself the
>more I feel like I paid for the stronger program in ROM rather than a quality
>looking table top chess computer.
>
>I know they give you a carry bag and the serial cable for the chess computer,
>but I don't think that compensates for the workmanship of the casing surrounding
>the internal computer components.
>
>In all honesty, when I set my CXG SuperEnterprise up with its pieces and board,
>I wish I could transfer the chess playing computer components of the Star
>Diamond inside that case.
I recently bought the Star Diamond, too, and I am _very_ happy with the product
so far.
You pointed out the only major flaw IMHO ( besides the price, but whoever buys a
dedicated chesscomputer these days should know that it is pure luxury ) - the
production quality of the board ("bubbling up") - that's correct, but it isn't
_that_ bad. It only hurts the eyes of perfectionists. I can only see it on
square d1 here (and I am sure many people wouldn't notice at all), but I agree
it could and should have been done better.
And are you really fair when it is about the add-ons? The "carry bag" is in fact
very impressive (similar to the usual notebook suite-cases), and it really
turned me on ;).
The pieces are Novag style - they are still the same as with the very first
Constellation computer - they are fine with me, but that's a matter of taste of
course, just as the elegant silver colour of the casing.
And when it is about playing strength and chess features I am quite impressed so
far.
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