I had a nice little handheld with a pegboard that Radio Shack marketed about 11 years ago (which I suspect was manufactured by Saitek, before RS got into business with Excalibur). It played roughly 1800 ish, and was a sleek design, but I ended up losing the pieces. I bought the Excalibur touch screen LCD handheld a couple of years ago. It lasted about 2 months, then the top half of the board quit responding to the stylus. I wasn't overly impressed with it anyway. I have been looking at a Saitek handheld that is being sold at The Discovery Channel Store locally. The problem is that they don't have a demo at the store, so I can't really see the display quality without buying it. It would be nice if the folks at Chessbase would market a Fritz handheld unit, with color display and lots of features...
I have Mephisto, from Saitek. It's excellent, although on some settings can take a very very long time to move, even early in the game. I tend now to play it on the blitz levels so I actually get to finish a game, and I have a fair record against it up to level 5 (of 8). There are 64 levels in total, but only 8 blitz levels. I'd recommend this item to anybody although I'm sure higher rated players may find it less challenging (unless you have time to wait for it to move when using different settings).
Originally posted by asromacalcioCan you adjust the settings mid-game? If so, why not play the first 8-10 moves at a faster setting while the machine is still in it's book, then slow it down for better quality middlegames? Thanks for chiming in, by the way. The Mephisto is the one that I was looking at, and your comments will be helpful in my decision making process.
I have Mephisto, from Saitek. It's excellent, although on some settings can take a very very long time to move, even early in the game. I tend now to play it on the blitz levels so I actually get to finish a game, and I have a fair record against it up to level 5 (of 8). There are 64 levels in total, but only 8 blitz levels. I'd recommend this item to a ...[text shortened]... less challenging (unless you have time to wait for it to move when using different settings).
Brian
I don't think you can change settings mid game. You select a level by pressing the level selector and then by selecting one of the 64 squares. I haven't tried but I don't think you can change after the game starts. The best feature of this computer is that you don't need to enter your move on a keypad, simply press the base of the piece into the hole whic activates a sensor. Then, press it into the destination hole and the move is complete.
Originally posted by asromacalcioPerhaps we are not talking about the same unit after-all. I think that the one I was looking at is a Saitek Mephisto Maestro, an LCD unit. There are no pieces.
I don't think you can change settings mid game. You select a level by pressing the level selector and then by selecting one of the 64 squares. I haven't tried but I don't think you can change after the game starts. The best feature of this computer is that you don't need to enter your move on a keypad, simply press the base of the piece into the hole whic activates a sensor. Then, press it into the destination hole and the move is complete.
Thanks very much!
I'm just getting back into this game after years of interest, but not really trying to learn it. I’ve understood the basic mechanics of chess since I was a kid, but even the most simple strategy concepts like forks and skewers were beyond my understanding. I just never took the time to get to know the game more.
Then I bought Chessmaster 10, because I remembered how Chessmaster 8000 had a tutorial mode that I never really bothered with (but should have!). I’ve been going through the tutorials, and finding that chess is well worth my time and something I should have put more time into years ago! I also have a copy of Fritz 8.
So I started using the Excalibur my wife gave me for father’s day a few years back when I had down time at work. It kept me alert when the workday got slow by keeping my mind challenged. But I dropped it and shattered the LCD screen a few days ago! Doh!!
So now I’m looking to buy a new one. Thank you for your input fellas! I will put it to good use!
edit - Oh, and yes, I mean to buy an LCD chess computer, not one wilth little pieces. Heh, heh, heh. I will keep on the lookout for the Saitek Mephisto!