Chess computers

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Date: 19 Mar 2008 12:36:52
From:
Subject: Chess computers

Hi,

I am doing some extensive traveling soon, and would like a handheld
chess computer to pass the time on extremely long flights (my notebook
computer won't due - battery life too short, too big and heavy, etc).

My main criteria would be a video screen (no physical chess pieces or
board), quality/reliability, and of course size/weight/portability. I
don't care how tough of an opponent the chess computer is, because I'd
wager that it will be plenty tough enough to beat me even if it can't
beat some other chess computer.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Date: 21 Mar 2008 10:01:33
From: Guy Macon
Subject: Re: Chess computers

(Note to anyone just joining the conversation; he is *not*
looking for the strongest machine available. If he was all
of my advice would be different.)

[email protected] wrote:
>
>Thanks for the input.
>
>In addition to what was recommended above, can anyone comment on these
>units, especially with respect to display, etc?
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH08SK/Maestro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/404ETEE/Touch_Screen_Chess_Computer.html
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH09SK/Micro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/NY22/New_York_Times_Deluxe_Talking_Touch_Chess.html

You appear to have decided on a stylus-based touch screen unit.
Are you concerned about losing the stylus or wearing out the
screen (typically plastic that gets scratches as you use it)?
I personally find button-based units easier to use after you
get used to the controls. Be aware that replacement stylii
from a PDA, etc. either won't fit the holder or will fall out.

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH08SK/Maestro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
Great display if you turn on the backlight -- but you have to
replace batteries every few hours. *No* backlit screen is easy
to read with the backlight turned off; the non-backlits have a
mirror at the back that doubles brightness. (I am an Engineer
who works in the toy industry and know what I am talking about
here).

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/404ETEE/Touch_Screen_Chess_Computer.html
The display is a bit bigger and a bit harder to read than the
unit I recommend (the Excalibur Talking LCD Chess.) This one
is better in bright light. The Talking LCD is better in dim
light. There have been a lot of complaints about the lowest
level being too strong, and thus beating average players
every time.

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH09SK/Micro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
I have never tried this one. Multiple reviewers report a really
hard to read screen. It is also, in my opinion, too small
for playing a long game..

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/NY22/New_York_Times_Deluxe_Talking_Touch_Chess.html
I have never tried this one. It does have a backlight,
so the limitations I talk about above apply. It looks
like it has a nice big screen and a lower section that
displays text, both of which are advantages.

--
Guy Macon
<http://www.guymacon.com/ >

Date: 22 Mar 2008 03:04:55
From: SAT W-7
Subject: Re: Chess computers

i do not think id want to use a stick to move , but that is me ..

Date: 22 Mar 2008 07:24:30
From: Maple Tree
Subject: Re: Chess computers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stylus

Stylus

"SAT W-7" <[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>i do not think id want to use a stick to move , but that is me ..
>

Date: 23 Mar 2008 00:21:26
From: yearlypap08
Subject: Re: Chess computers

yearlypap08;263512 Wrote:
> I've owned the Excalibur Touch-Chess model. The touch screen is great
> it has a lot of built-in options, but I guess I'd have to say that th
> display is poor. There is no backlight, just a contrast knob. Th
> chess-set is also poorly designed. The pieces are created by stacking
> new shape on top of an existing one. For example, the common base of al
> pieces and pawns is the triangle, and there appear blips over the top
> of some of the pieces to tell them apart from the others: a bishop ha
> one blip, a queen has two. Now the pawns don't have any blips abov
> them, but if your display contrast knob is a bit loose, then you'l
> always see the faint shadows of blips.
>
> You can see what I'm describing by clicking on the Touch-Chess game t
> enlarged its image. Look at the Box. There you can see the blips in th
> shapes representing bishop and queen. (The photo that links to th
> mephisto game also looks like a stacked chesset.) I think after a fe
> drinks on a plane, you don't want to figure out what the blip
> represent. What you want is a shape that represents its chesspiece.
>
> That's what I see in Excalibur's New York Times Chess computer: a roo
> that looks like a castle, and a knight that looks like a horse. That'
> nice. It comes with a backlight, which may be a necessity for overnigh
> air-travel. It's also stronger than the other handhelds at 2000+
> Finally, it looks like a PDA, so you'll look professional, hard a
> work, while you're tinkering around on the plane.

Note - Mephisto does use a stacked set. Take a look at the rook an
queen:
http://static.zoovy.com/img/thechessstore/-/C/ch08box_500 In m
opinion, 90 dollars is too much to pay for a computer that will allo
me the opportunity to mix up queen and rook in a complex position. Hav
you considered checking ebay to save money? Here are a couple o
listings for brand NEW ones, same low price:

No stylus:
LCD Chess, buy it NOW 25 USD:
http://tinyurl.com/2alame

Stylus:
NYT Chess, buy it NOW 25 USD:
http://tinyurl.com/23ztl

--
yearlypap08

Date: 26 Mar 2008 07:37:17
From: yearlypap08
Subject: Re: Chess computers

yearlypap08;263658 Wrote:
> Sorry, the NYT listed is an older model without stylus.
> This one with stylus is on auction now until Apr 01:
> http://tinyurl.com/2hnonm
>
> ed- this wasn't posted as a follow-up.

just reposting a lost message, sorry if double-post

--
yearlypap08

Date: 20 Mar 2008 18:31:51
From:
Subject: Re: Chess computers

Thanks for the input.

In addition to what was recommended above, can anyone comment on these
units, especially with respect to display, etc?

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH08SK/Maestro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/404ETEE/Touch_Screen_Chess_Computer.html

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH09SK/Micro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html

http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/NY22/New_York_Times_Deluxe_Talking_Touch_Chess.html

Date: 28 Mar 2008 02:16:15
From:
Subject: Re: Chess computers

On Thu, 20 2008 18:31:51 -0700 (PDT), [email protected]
wrote:

>Thanks for the input.
>
>In addition to what was recommended above, can anyone comment on these
>units, especially with respect to display, etc?
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH08SK/Maestro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/404ETEE/Touch_Screen_Chess_Computer.html
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH09SK/Micro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
>
>http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/NY22/New_York_Times_Deluxe_Talking_Touch_Chess.html
>
>
i have the NYT excaliber (non stylus version) and I find the screen
quite difficult to see.

I own several 'portable' chess computers but I personally use my
Nintendo DS with Chessmaster and my Palm pilot with Chess Genius the
most. Yes they are far more expensive, but I enjoy them the most.
I would also recommend you get a stylus version of whatever chess
computer you choose. I have never had a problem with screen damage,
loss of stylus etc...

just my 2cents worth :)
J.Lohner

Date: 21 Mar 2008 10:03:43
From: Maple Tree
Subject: Re: Chess computers

They are all crap, buy a Palm and you can use many chess engines on one
device, as well as all the other Palm or PocketPC functions.

<[email protected] > wrote in message
news:b7886624-b9bd-4107-9b9b-fc2fe38f9d8f@p73g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks for the input.
>
> In addition to what was recommended above, can anyone comment on these
> units, especially with respect to display, etc?
>
> http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH08SK/Maestro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
>
> http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/404ETEE/Touch_Screen_Chess_Computer.html
>
> http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/CH09SK/Micro_Travel_Chess_Computer.html
>
> http://www.thechessstore.com/c=NWYgjJhbDHkKJwSAT8Z8yZHW6/product/NY22/New_York_Times_Deluxe_Talking_Touch_Chess.html
>
>
>

Date: 21 Mar 2008 11:34:58
From: yearlypap08
Subject: Re: Chess computers

[email protected];263481 Wrote:
> Thanks for the input.
>
> In addition to what was recommended above, can anyone comment on these
> units, especially with respect to display, etc?
>
> http://tinyurl.com/26kusp
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2dnbux
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2a5lct
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2h82e4

I've owned the Excalibur Touch-Chess model. The touch screen is great
it has a lot of built-in options, but I guess I'd have to say that th
display is poor. There is no backlight, just a contrast knob. Th
chess-set is also poorly designed. The pieces are created by stacking
new shape on top of an existing one. For example, the common base of al
pieces and pawns is the triangle, and there appear blips over the top
of some of the pieces to tell them apart from the others: a bishop ha
one blip, a queen has two. Now the pawns don't have any blips abov
them, but if your display contrast knob is a bit loose, then you'l
always see the faint shadows of blips.

You can see what I'm describing by clicking on the Touch-Chess game t
enlarged its image. Look at the Box. There you can see the blips in th
shapes representing bishop and queen. (The photo that links to th
mephisto game also looks like a stacked chesset.) I think after a fe
drinks on a plane, you don't want to figure out what the blip
represent. What you want is a shape that represents its chesspiece.

That's what I see in Excalibur's New York Times Chess computer: a roo
that looks like a castle, and a knight that looks like a horse. That'
nice. It comes with a backlight, which may be a necessity for overnigh
air-travel. It's also stronger than the other handhelds at 2000+
Finally, it looks like a PDA, so you'll look professional, hard a
work, while you're tinkering around on the plane

--
yearlypap08

Date: 20 Mar 2008 09:37:21
From: PearlGecko
Subject: Re: Chess computers

On 19, 12:36=A0pm, [email protected] wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am doing some extensive traveling soon, and would like a handheld
> chess computer to pass the time on extremely long flights (my notebook
> computer won't due - battery life too short, too big and heavy, etc).
>
> My main criteria would be a video screen (no physical chess pieces or
> board), quality/reliability, and of course size/weight/portability. =A0I
> don't care how tough of an opponent the chess computer is, because I'd
> wager that it will be plenty tough enough to beat me even if it can't
> beat some other chess computer.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks.

I downloaded a chess game for my cell phone (game by EA Mobile). It
works great for my simple needs. $6.00

Date: 20 Mar 2008 07:37:29
From: RPM1
Subject: Re: Chess computers

> Hi,
>
> I am doing some extensive traveling soon, and would like a handheld
> chess computer to pass the time on extremely long flights (my notebook
> computer won't due - battery life too short, too big and heavy, etc).
>
> My main criteria would be a video screen (no physical chess pieces or
> board), quality/reliability, and of course size/weight/portability. I
> don't care how tough of an opponent the chess computer is, because I'd
> wager that it will be plenty tough enough to beat me even if it can't
> beat some other chess computer.
>
> Any ideas?

Get a Nintendo Game Boy and Chessmaster. That way you can play other games
too. I'm about a 1500 and it beats me most of the time.

Date: 20 Mar 2008 05:29:03
From: Maple Tree
Subject: Re: Chess computers

Palm or PocketPC handhelds

http://www.grailmaster.com/misc/chess/comp/chessrev/chessreview.html

<[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I am doing some extensive traveling soon, and would like a handheld
> chess computer to pass the time on extremely long flights (my notebook
> computer won't due - battery life too short, too big and heavy, etc).
>
> My main criteria would be a video screen (no physical chess pieces or
> board), quality/reliability, and of course size/weight/portability. I
> don't care how tough of an opponent the chess computer is, because I'd
> wager that it will be plenty tough enough to beat me even if it can't
> beat some other chess computer.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks.
>

Date: 20 Mar 2008 16:54:40
From: Guy Macon
Subject: Re: Chess computers

Maple Tree wrote:

Maple Tree, please don't top-post.

><[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...

>> Hi,
>>
>> I am doing some extensive traveling soon, and would like a handheld
>> chess computer to pass the time on extremely long flights (my notebook
>> computer won't due - battery life too short, too big and heavy, etc).
>>
>> My main criteria would be a video screen (no physical chess pieces or
>> board), quality/reliability, and of course size/weight/portability. I
>> don't care how tough of an opponent the chess computer is, because I'd
>> wager that it will be plenty tough enough to beat me even if it can't
>> beat some other chess computer.
>
>Palm or PocketPC handhelds
>
>http://www.grailmaster.com/misc/chess/comp/chessrev/chessreview.html

In my opinion, the above is bad advice.

You are pointing him to a device that costs a lot more than what
I suggested (Excalibur Talking LCD Chess model 375V), has a far
shorter battery life, and is far stronger than he says ne needs.

Date: 20 Mar 2008 16:18:52
From: Maple Tree
Subject: Re: Chess computers

Up yours

"Guy Macon" <http://www.guymacon.com/ > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
>
> Maple Tree wrote:
>
> Maple Tree, please don't top-post.
>
>><[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I am doing some extensive traveling soon, and would like a handheld
>>> chess computer to pass the time on extremely long flights (my notebook
>>> computer won't due - battery life too short, too big and heavy, etc).
>>>
>>> My main criteria would be a video screen (no physical chess pieces or
>>> board), quality/reliability, and of course size/weight/portability. I
>>> don't care how tough of an opponent the chess computer is, because I'd
>>> wager that it will be plenty tough enough to beat me even if it can't
>>> beat some other chess computer.
>>
>>Palm or PocketPC handhelds
>>
>>http://www.grailmaster.com/misc/chess/comp/chessrev/chessreview.html
>
> In my opinion, the above is bad advice.
>
> You are pointing him to a device that costs a lot more than what
> I suggested (Excalibur Talking LCD Chess model 375V), has a far
> shorter battery life, and is far stronger than he says ne needs.
>

Date: 19 Mar 2008 22:19:32
From: Guy Macon
Subject: Re: Chess computers

[email protected] wrote:

>I am doing some extensive traveling soon, and would like a handheld
>chess computer to pass the time on extremely long flights (my notebook
>computer won't due - battery life too short, too big and heavy, etc).
>
>My main criteria would be a video screen (no physical chess pieces or
>board), quality/reliability, and of course size/weight/portability. I
>don't care how tough of an opponent the chess computer is, because I'd
>wager that it will be plenty tough enough to beat me even if it can't
>beat some other chess computer.
>
>Any ideas?

Excalibur Talking LCD Chess model 375V $30 most places
but I have seen it below $25.

http://www.thechesspiece.com/review375.htm

BTW, I opened mine and cut one of the wires to the speaker.
It works fine without the beeps.

--
Guy Macon
<http://www.guymacon.com/ >