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Subject: Re: Choosing a Travel Chess Set?

Author: D Ridge

Date: 18:26:14 09/14/99

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On September 14, 1999 at 10:52:19, Thomas Curry wrote:

>Hello!
>
>I need your help. I am trying to select an inexpensive travel chess computer.
>There are many choices, so perhaps some of you could let me know your opinions
>and experiences with the following:
>
>Excalabur    Viper 120E, Escort 127E
>Novag        Amber, Amethyst Plus
>Sapphire     Opal Plus, Cosmos, Bullet
>
>Any info, opinions, experiences greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Tom

Tom, I have owned many and tried most. There are two big questions I need to
know before recommending a machine. What is your strength and how big a machine
can you live with.

Personally, I can't stand the calculator-style units like the Sapphire II. From
my experience many keying errors occur when you must punch several keys per
move. But it's small and strong.

My preference for a medium size portable with good features, strength and a
decent size playing surface is the Cosmos (formally Travel Champion 2100).

If you want something that will fit in your shirt pocket and can live with a
1500-1600 rating then you can't beat a Palm Pilot running Pocket Chess-LCD
screen-no fuss.

I enjoy my Opal Plus because the overall unit size is small enough to be really
portable yet the pieces and playing surface are a fair size. But I would place
it's rating around 1500-1600.

Stay away from things like the Jasper or the Avalon-total junk-I have them both.

Dave



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