New collector -hello to all

[Goren2]

My collection, as it grows: I'll edit to add new chess computers as I collect them. Not trying to show off, cause I have nothing to show off with - just trying to share, and maybe discuss something along the way:

1) Mephisto 1
2) Fidelity Chess Challanger 7
3) RadiophonChess Master Diamond
4) Fidelity Mini Sensory Chess Challenger
5) Scisys Chess Champion Pocket Chess
6) CXG Sensor Computachess
7) Schneider Pocket Chess
Saitek Micro Travel Chess Computer
9) Mephisto Schachschule 2
10) Scisys Chess Partner 3000
11) Scisys Travel Mate
12) Novag Super Sensor 4
13) Millenium Karpov Chess Partner
14) Krypton Chess Partner
15) Mephisto America

Storing - How do you guys store them? Any way to display them effectively?

Conservation - Anything I need to know about conserving them? Don't clean with bleach, that I know, but anything else?

Repair: I took the Diamond appart as it wasn't functioning, and found the cause to be an oxidized circuit breaker. It's perfect now, as are all the other ones. What's the most common failure in older chess computers?

Rarity: Does anyone have a reliable list of chess computers arranged by rarity, and perhaps approximate monetary values associated with a few key points within the list (ie, top 30% worth about 100E, next 30% around 20E, then rest are 5E)?

Any other input?

Cheers,
Goren

[Larry]

My collection, as it grows: I'll edit to add new chess computers as I collect them. Not trying to show off, cause I have nothing to show off with - just trying to share, and maybe discuss something along the way:

Hi Goren, I can only respond to your questions partly, I'm sure others
will have some advice for you.
Storing: line them up like books, don't stack them. At
least that's what I find best. It makes it easier to get one out.
Conserving: Fairly simple... use a damp cloth only. When you get a
wooden auto sensory machine, don't leave the pieces set up on it. You
will get nasty fade rings under the home squares. I prefer not to polish
wooden chess comp surfaces, but leave them pristine.
Repair: You seem to already have that one under control. Over time you
will need a good soldering iron and a few other bits and pieces. No big deal,
chess comps inevitably give trouble from time to time. Live with it.
Rarity: For starters, check out: http://www.elpeon.com/
but once again, over time you will quickly become familiar with the ones
that cause bidding wars on ebay.
Any other input: Have an understanding wife. This is essential... you don't
want arguments spoiling your hobby. Women just don't understand that
the world revolves around chess computers.
Finally, a big welcome to the hobby.
Larry

[Goren2]

Thanks for the welcome Larry (and Steve, from the other post on weakest Chess computers).

My GF and I are moving to China soon, so she does have legitimate fears regarding how to move the collection - but I'll try to figure something out. Aside from that, she's got a collection of face paints and powders and smelly waters and such, plus like 20 hand bags, so I'm safe from critisism for a little while.

Can peg-in sensory pieces be left in the chess boards, or should I take them out for storage?

Cheers,
Goren

[Larry]

Can peg-in sensory pieces be left in the chess boards, or should I take them out for storage?

No, leave them in normally, they won't do any harm, and that way they
don't get lost. On older peg sensory comps there is the annoyance
of peg pieces sitting loose in the holes. In that case they are probably
best taken out.
Larry
PS Just bought a Novag Micro III to complete the trio, and had to remind
the seller after waiting 11 days that perhaps she might like to send the
^#@&ing thing.

[Goren2]

New chess computers:

Previous list:

1) Mephisto 1
2) Fidelity Chess Challanger 7
3) RadiophonChess Master Diamond
4) Fidelity Mini Sensory Chess Challenger
5) Scisys Chess Champion Pocket Chess
6) CXG Sensor Computachess
7) Schneider Pocket Chess
Cool Saitek Micro Travel Chess Computer
9) Mephisto Schachschule 2
10) Scisys Chess Partner 3000
11) Scisys Travel Mate
12) Novag Super Sensor 4
13) Millenium Karpov Chess Partner
14) Krypton Chess Partner
15) Mephisto America

Additions:

1) Novag Savant
2) GK2000
3) Turbo 16k
4) Mephisto Schachcomputer 64
5) Mephisto Manhattan
6) Novag Allegro
7) Novag Agate
Scisys Sensor Chess
9) Kasparov Pocket Chess
10) Scisys Exlorer Chess
11) Toytronic Chess Electronics

Would I be rigth to assume that the most collectible items I have so far are:

Chess Master Diamond
Fidelity Chess Challanger 7
Mephisto 1
Novag Savant
Toytronic Chess Electronics ?

The reason why I ask is I need to ship these things soon, and I want to know what I should be extra careful with. I wouldn't mind letting say the Millenium Karpov take the extra scratches, if any, if that would save the Savant from taking them - but am I missing something from my list? Should I watch out for any other unit in my mini pseudo collection?

Cheers,
Goren

[Steve B]

Goren
the CC7 is the most widely sold chess computer in history with more then 700,000 sold
there are at least 5-10 CC7's available on Ebay on any given day
i wouldn't even bring it with me


as to the rest of your list....
i imagine the Savant is defective so no need to take any special care with that
if it is working perfectly then i will pay for your move to China(and back)...
in return for the Savant

as to the others I would take care with..
the wooden RFT Chess master Diamond ..
the box is pretty sturdy.. so if you have it.. just wrap it up with bubble wrap
GK2000 and the box which i hope you DID NOT toss
Scisys Sensor chess..a heavy thing to ship because the adaptor weighs a ton..but its a very collectible computer due to the recessed LED's
Only pressure sensory i can think of with an LED layout like that.(was also the first program Julio Kaplan did for Scisys)

the rest are not all that worrisome to ship i think

Idiot Savant Regards
Steve

[Goren2]

Thanks Steve,
the CC7 i got is in a nice black case, and like in mint condition (pieces in their original unopened baggies) - I think I'll take it just in case. I did keep the GK2000 box; thanks for the advice regarding packaging. Savant will arrive shortly, and I will test it out - if it's not working I'll pass it on to my Engie brother. He loves playing with challanges; we'll see what he comes up with (I read all about the savant's problems). As an aside, is 50E overpaying for a Savant with a printer? I was kinda hesitant to bid that high (my budget is somewhat lower than the wooden, phantom or robot things you guys like to get) and my GF kinda snorted in my general direction when I told her what I've done.
Cheers,
Goren

[Steve B]

The Printer alone is worth 50 Euro
the problem is that the printer connects to the Savant through a side slot
you push the two together
to get that printer to work with other Novag computers you are going to need a printer cable..which was supplied with the computer..not the printer
so if the Savant is defective(99.9999% chance) then you are not going to be able to use that printer until you find a cable

BTW..did new batteries help your Mattel problem?

Cable News Regards
Steve

[Goren2]

Hey Steve,
glad to hear regarding the savant. The Mattel unfortunatley did not work; I tried what you said to try and got 2 different king positions (at least this time it was a single king). I'm also gonna give it to my brother so he could go medieval on its lcd screen. Final purchase for a while I think - Chess Champion super system 3. Won it yesterday right after the savant. Man collecting is fun.

As an aside, I stopped playing chess for like 8 years (was about 2100 before), started Chinese chess, and now progressed to Go. Being in this collecting mood makes me want to get the following devices:

1) http://www.yutopian.com/chinesechess/eboards/xzhu.html
2) http://tchan001.wordpress.com/2011/06/1 ... nic-goban/

Cheers,
Goren[/url]

[Goren2]

So apparently during packing the Chess Champion Super System 3 broke somewhere in the middle...goddamn patzer ebay seller...although I do have this inkling feeling that the very same computer will show up in a week under a different ebay name, and if someone wins the bidding at around 10 euro do expect it to "break" during packing yet again...
Cheers,
Goren