Author: Steven Edwards
Date: 05:29:38 09/27/03
For a while now, there have been more models of digital chess clocks available than of the older analog models. I have been thinking of returning to OTB competition after a hiatus of many years and so perhaps it's time to replace my old Jerger Olympia mechanical clock. An idea here is to see how an external clock can be interfaced with a chessplaying program. Historically, I recall that one of the NWU Chess 4.x vs David Levy events used a mechanical clock with a custom electrical interface to the CDC Cyber hosting the program. At one time, I believe that Novag had a digital clock with some kind of data interface. Today, it appears that only DGT has a clock with a data interface and the use of the interface may be limited to certain hardware. After reading the reviews and the instruction manuals for the commercial models, it seems to me that the Saitek Game Clock II is the best available at the moment for OTB competition, although it lacks any data interface. It does have per clock LED on-the-move indicators that also serve as time expiration signals. The timer activator buttons are not mechanically interlocked, so that's one less point of possible failure. The extra setting control buttons compared to other models make it simple to set timing modes; this helps in part to make up for the smaller number of presets on the Saitek. The DGT models (there are two) are also nice, although my personal preference is for a push button activator over a lever action. Also, the DGT clocks have only 3 1/2 digit displays vs the 4 digits of the Saitek. A note here is that only the DGT model has FIDE endorsement. Personally, my opinion of FIDE is such that this is meaningless to me. The strong point of the DGT is that it does have a data interface and so it may be hackable to extend its use to non specific hardware and software platforms. The Excalibur Game Time II is the least expensive digital clock around. It has the most (90+) presets and a somewhat "busy" display that has can show more information simultaneously than any other clock. Like the Saitek, it has LED on-the-move indicators and push button activators, although its activators are mechanically linked and somewhat noisy, comparable to analog clocks. There is the high end Chronos model, one of the most expensive and under featured clocks. Its metal case (complete with a pair of Phillips screws in the front) is undoubtedly quite sturdy, but to me looks more like a hardware hacker's prototype than a production unit. Setting modes on the Chronos is reminiscent of the same process used on the old Kaissa digital clock, a process that is surely intuitive to those comfortable communicating with equipment via Morse Code. Also, there is the "Duel Timer" in both large and small (the "Travel" model) sizes. Executed in wood and brass, it may be the best selection for those willing to pay for esthetic appearences. ---- What is really needed here is a decent digital chess clock that also has a general data interface. And it's time to get rid of all the wires and use Bluetooth, a radio data standard that is ideal for this type of application. I already have a mock up of this using my Palm Tungsten T (acting as the clock) communicating with a pair af computers via its built in Bluetooth. Each computer has a D-Link Bluetooth module plugged ito a USB port and all involved chat with each other at 700+ Kbps within a five meter radius. Perhaps the current digital clock makers could incorporate Bluetooth in future clocks. And DGT along with any other maker of electronic chessboards could install Bluetooth on the board itself for an even more integrated product.
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