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Date: 02 Nov 2006 14:45:33
From: Patrick
Subject: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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My little Excalibur handheld chess computer died recently, so I've been
using my Novag Sapphire II. I get tired of having to key in every
move, though (especially when I play Black and often key in the wrong
coordinates by mistake). So, I'm looking at other options.
I'm just a beginner, so I don't need anything particularly strong. I'd
just like to be able to play a game of chess over lunch on weekdays for
practice and diversion.
The Saitek Maestro looks like a pretty good choice; it's backlit and
seems to have enough beginner levels to keep me busy till I'm ready to
jump up to intermediate.
But I just noticed the Palm Z22--an inexpensive PDA. It doesn't cost
much more than the Saitek; it comes with a chess game; and I'd have the
option of installing something like HIARCS onto it. Plus I'd be able
to do other things with this gadget.
I've never owned a PDA, or even wanted one. I don't even use a pocket
calendar. I rarely use my cell phone or the iPod my wife bought me.
I'm not exactly a technophobe, but I don't like the clutter and expense
of carrying around a lot of gadgets I don't use (and having to recharge
their batteries and all). I'd love to have some kind of all-in-one
device (phone, camera, mp3 player, game player, etc.) so that I'd only
have the one gizmo to carry around and take care of--but that'd be too
expensive for my budget.
So--any suggestions?
--Patrick
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Date: 10 Nov 2006 07:49:54
From: Patrick
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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laocmo wrote:
> Speaking of the Palm Z22, how is its battery life compared to the Zire
> 21? And does its greater memory make it play the 21's programs better?
> I have Hiarcs, Chess Tiger, and Chess Genius now on my old 21. If I
> don't keep a close watch on the battery charge, everything is wiped out
> and I have to reinstall.
I don't have mine yet. But here's something I just read in an online
review:
<<Well, for starters, the battery life on the Z22 is nothing short of
incredible. I have had many color PalmOS PDAs, but the Z22 by far is
the best. At the end of the day, with showing pictures, beaming
information from my other PalmOS PDA, and an occasional alarm, the
battery meter is still at full. How full? Filez (a 3rd party file
management program) reports it at 99%. This is practically amazing in
this day and time where items need to be recharged every night. I could
easily use this for one or two weeks and not have any problems with
power. And with the non-volatile memory, even if the power goes down to
nothing, I will not lose my information. >>
You can read the rest of the review at:
http://www.brighthand.com/?newsID=2690
--Patrick
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Date: 08 Nov 2006 07:14:11
From: Patrick
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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Dave (from the UK) wrote:
> I've personally found it desirable to have a few chess programs on my
> PDA. Pocket Fritz 2, Pocket Grandmaster, CE board and Thinker all have
> their uses. All have their particular strengths. If I had a dedicated
> chess computer, I would not have the choice of software.
Speaking of that, how 'bout recommendations for PDA chess software?
I've read some glowing reports on HIARCS, and that looks attractive to
me. Then again, some swear by Pocket Fritz 2 (though I think it's only
for Windows CE).
For my purposes, probably any half-decent chess program will do. My
main concern is whether it can be "dumbed down" enough for me. But of
course I'd also appreciate a nice interface and some room to grow.
I've just ordered a Palm Z22, and the first phase of my plan is to
simply try the chess program that comes with it. If it looks and plays
OK and can be set to a level I can handle, I may stop right there.
It'll be good enough for practice at my beginner/novice level.
But if it has any of the big drawbacks I've encountered in computer
chess over the years (e.g., much too slow; too awkward to play; or so
st that I get tromped mercilessly every time even on the easiest
setting), then I'll be looking for something better.
--Patrick
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Date: 09 Nov 2006 09:00:22
From: laocmo
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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Speaking of the Palm Z22, how is its battery life compared to the Zire
21? And does its greater memory make it play the 21's programs better?
I have Hiarcs, Chess Tiger, and Chess Genius now on my old 21. If I
don't keep a close watch on the battery charge, everything is wiped out
and I have to reinstall.
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Date: 06 Nov 2006 10:07:29
From: Patrick
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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Ange1o DePa1ma wrote:
> If you buy a dedicated chess computer you'll have to carry it around, eh?
>
> Get the cheap Palm. The dedicated computers have very little functionality
> and the graphics are terrible.
Thanks. I decided to take your advice. (Guess I had sort of made up
my mind that way anyhow; I just didn't like the answer I gave myself,
so I had to hear it from somebody else.)
Seems odd that we can't expect more from dedicated chess computers,
doesn't it? What ever happened to "We do just one thing, and we do it
well"? Since the *only* thing a chess computer has to do is provide a
great experience to a chess player, I would think it should do an
especially good job of it.
Instead, the best computer chess is found in multi-platform software.
--Patrick
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Date: 06 Nov 2006 22:50:22
From: Dave (from the UK)
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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Patrick wrote:
> Ange1o DePa1ma wrote:
>
>>If you buy a dedicated chess computer you'll have to carry it around, eh?
>>
>>Get the cheap Palm. The dedicated computers have very little functionality
>>and the graphics are terrible.
>
>
> Thanks. I decided to take your advice. (Guess I had sort of made up
> my mind that way anyhow; I just didn't like the answer I gave myself,
> so I had to hear it from somebody else.)
>
> Seems odd that we can't expect more from dedicated chess computers,
> doesn't it? What ever happened to "We do just one thing, and we do it
> well"? Since the *only* thing a chess computer has to do is provide a
> great experience to a chess player, I would think it should do an
> especially good job of it.
>
> Instead, the best computer chess is found in multi-platform software.
>
> --Patrick
>
I guess that since the hardware for multi-purpose PDAs sells in much
higher volumes than for dedicated chess computers, one gets better
hardware. Then there is many people writing chess software, so perhaps
these are the reasons.
I've personally found it desirable to have a few chess programs on my
PDA. Pocket Fritz 2, Pocket Grandmaster, CE board and Thinker all have
their uses. All have their particular strengths. If I had a dedicated
chess computer, I would not have the choice of software.
--
Dave (from the UK)
Please note my email address changes periodically to avoid spam.
It is always of the form: [email protected]
Hitting reply will work for a few months only - later set it manually.
http://witm.sourceforge.net/ (Web based Mathematica front end)
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Date: 06 Nov 2006 16:25:43
From: Ange1o DePa1ma
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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"Patrick" <[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ange1o DePa1ma wrote:
>> If you buy a dedicated chess computer you'll have to carry it around, eh?
>>
>> Get the cheap Palm. The dedicated computers have very little
>> functionality
>> and the graphics are terrible.
>
> Thanks. I decided to take your advice. (Guess I had sort of made up
> my mind that way anyhow; I just didn't like the answer I gave myself,
> so I had to hear it from somebody else.)
>
> Seems odd that we can't expect more from dedicated chess computers,
> doesn't it? What ever happened to "We do just one thing, and we do it
> well"? Since the *only* thing a chess computer has to do is provide a
> great experience to a chess player, I would think it should do an
> especially good job of it.
>
> Instead, the best computer chess is found in multi-platform software.
>
> --Patrick
Don't be too hard on the handheld chess guys. They're in a bad situation.
They can't charge more than "toy" prices because their sales volume is very
low compared with Palm or WindowsMobile devices. Hence the lousy screens.
Think of it this way: would you buy a personal information manager, or a
dedicated calendar, that's the same size as the Palm Zire? You'd probably
spring for the extra $40 and get something with a lot more capability.
Whatever you do, don't make the same mistake I made and buy an expensive PDA
if all you want it for is chess. The batter life and power management on the
HP handhelds is god-awful, and their screens aren't *that* much better than
cheap palm devices. Plus I believe the strongest micro chess program these
days was written for the Palm.
Angelo
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Date: 04 Nov 2006 00:54:39
From: Jon
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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"Patrick" <[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> But I just noticed the Palm Z22--an inexpensive PDA. It doesn't cost
> much more than the Saitek; it comes with a chess game; and I'd have the
> option of installing something like HIARCS onto it. Plus I'd be able
> to do other things with this gadget.
>
> I've never owned a PDA, or even wanted one. I don't even use a pocket
> calendar. I rarely use my cell phone or the iPod my wife bought me.
> I'm not exactly a technophobe, but I don't like the clutter and expense
> of carrying around a lot of gadgets I don't use (and having to recharge
> their batteries and all). I'd love to have some kind of all-in-one
> device (phone, camera, mp3 player, game player, etc.) so that I'd only
> have the one gizmo to carry around and take care of--but that'd be too
> expensive for my budget.
Palm also do a range of Treo stphones which you might consider. They have
a phone, PDA, camera. You can put your MP3s on an SD card. I don't know what
your budget is but the new entry level ones (Treo 680) due out are rumoured
to be starting at $199.
--
Remove numbers from email address to reply
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Date: 03 Nov 2006 10:53:56
From: Anon User
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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Patrick wrote:
> their batteries and all). I'd love to have some kind of all-in-one
> device (phone, camera, mp3 player, game player, etc.) so that I'd only
> have the one gizmo to carry around and take care of--but that'd be too
> expensive for my budget.
Sounds like the iMate K-JAM (except for the budget bit). See:
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/i-mate_K-JAM.htm
That should run Pocket Fritz, Genius and Crafty, Fruit, Toga and other
engines.
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Date: 02 Nov 2006 18:21:56
From: Ange1o DePa1ma
Subject: Re: Advice request: handheld chess computer
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If you buy a dedicated chess computer you'll have to carry it around, eh?
Get the cheap Palm. The dedicated computers have very little functionality
and the graphics are terrible.
"Patrick" <[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My little Excalibur handheld chess computer died recently, so I've been
> using my Novag Sapphire II. I get tired of having to key in every
> move, though (especially when I play Black and often key in the wrong
> coordinates by mistake). So, I'm looking at other options.
>
> I'm just a beginner, so I don't need anything particularly strong. I'd
> just like to be able to play a game of chess over lunch on weekdays for
> practice and diversion.
>
> The Saitek Maestro looks like a pretty good choice; it's backlit and
> seems to have enough beginner levels to keep me busy till I'm ready to
> jump up to intermediate.
>
> But I just noticed the Palm Z22--an inexpensive PDA. It doesn't cost
> much more than the Saitek; it comes with a chess game; and I'd have the
> option of installing something like HIARCS onto it. Plus I'd be able
> to do other things with this gadget.
>
> I've never owned a PDA, or even wanted one. I don't even use a pocket
> calendar. I rarely use my cell phone or the iPod my wife bought me.
> I'm not exactly a technophobe, but I don't like the clutter and expense
> of carrying around a lot of gadgets I don't use (and having to recharge
> their batteries and all). I'd love to have some kind of all-in-one
> device (phone, camera, mp3 player, game player, etc.) so that I'd only
> have the one gizmo to carry around and take care of--but that'd be too
> expensive for my budget.
>
> So--any suggestions?
>
> --Patrick
>
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