Collector's Corner..On Collecting Dedicated Chess Computers

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:27 am

Steve B wrote:It is in really nice condition and it is the much desired Fidelity Designer Mach IV..in its original leather koffer no less ..not to mention the shipping is free
but still...
$730???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIDELITY-MODEL- ... 0676402431

Regards
Steve

It was about five years back that I nearly bought one of these, also
good condition minus the carry case, for $750 buy it now. Rather glad
I did'nt now. If it was/is an Excel, it would be a different matter.
Larry

Post by **Steve B** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:41 pm

This even surprises me..a hardened ..jaded Ebayer

i mean come on ..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0805911489

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0805910014

How Low Can You Go Regards
Steve

Terry McCracken · Post by **Terry McCracken** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:36 pm

Steve B wrote:It is in really nice condition and it is the much desired Fidelity Designer Mach IV..in its original leather koffer no less ..not to mention the shipping is free
but still...
$730???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIDELITY-MODEL- ... 0676402431

Regards
Steve

It's not that bad a price....a Designer Mach III went for a grand! Okay, that's a bit high but a few still went for 700 US while one lucky fellow picked one up for only 300 US!

Soon they won't be found at all.

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:40 am

Steve B wrote:This even surprises me..a hardened ..jaded Ebayer

i mean come on ..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0805911489

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0805910014

How Low Can You Go Regards
Steve

Surely it's a joke auction?... it trumps an earlier auction for a
single chess piece. I've currently got a couple of Excaliburs on
auction down here, one for $20 and the other for $40 buy it now...
not a nibble after the first day. They are both in excellent shape.
When it comes to trimming your collection, you find out just how
little some chess comps are really worth.
Larry

Post by **Steve B** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:25 pm

The Fairly Rare Fidelity Septennial in its Box
apparently no manual

Sadly the auction features the dreaded "No Power Adaptor" Trick

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270941928627

Iffy Regards
Steve

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 2:01 am

Steve B wrote:
Sadly the auction features the dreaded "No Power Adaptor" Trick

Still, the "no Power adaptor" trick can help keep the bids low. Do
you feel lucky?
Larry
PS On the plus side, the proprietary adaptor fitting also helps
idiots from putting wrong adaptors on it, so it might be worth
a gamble.
PPS On the box it gives a rating of 1771 USCF, exactly the same as
the standard, non Septennial. Does'nt the Septennial run at a higher
frequency, giving a slightly higher rating?

Post by **Steve B** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:51 am

Larry wrote: PPS On the box it gives a rating of 1771 USCF, exactly the same as
the standard, non Septennial. Does'nt the Septennial run at a higher
frequency, giving a slightly higher rating?

Yes ..also ..the Septennial has a larger book then the Chess Champion
Fidelity did not release a special box for the Septennial
they just used the Champion Sensory box and slapped a "Septennial "Sticker on it and on the computer
they did the same thing with the USCF Special Edition

Cutting Corners Regards
Steve

fdimeglio · Post by **fdimeglio** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:44 am

Hello,

There is a Genius 68030 available here:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/MEPHISTO-Schach- ... 832wt_1125

Looking at the photos you can see that none of them are showing it working. Also you can see that it is quite dusty (what a shame...) and that the power adapter is said to be a 5001/5002.

Quite strange indeed as the normal power adapter for this module is a 5030.

What do you think Steve ?

Am I a real Genius Regards ?,

Fabrice

Post by **Steve B** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:57 am

fdimeglio wrote:Hello,

There is a Genius 68030 available here:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/MEPHISTO-Schach- ... 832wt_1125

Looking at the photos you can see that none of them are showing it working. Also you can see that it is quite dusty (what a shame...) and that the power adapter is said to be a 5001/5002.

Quite strange indeed as the normal power adapter for this module is a 5030.

What do you think Steve ?

Am I a real Genius Regards ?,

Fabrice

Sherlock Holmes himself would be proud of your deductive reasoning Fabrice
you are now an official 68030 Genius

You are right...many photos and nothing showing the board or module actually work
personally to me ..that dust looks like particles from the foam packing sticking to the disply module or perhaps even paint spots
none of this seems to matter to the bidders though..
bidding is up to over $1050 as i write
Still..this seller is in desperate need of a few probing questions

Proctologist Regards
Steve

IvenGO · Post by **IvenGO** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:37 am

http://www.ebay.de/itm/AUTO-RESPONSE-BO ... 3f158dc80e

Looks like a very rare unit. I thought there's only Sargon 2.5 exists for ARB.
Its interesting to know what are tech stats and ELO of this Sargon 4.0 version.

fdimeglio · Post by **fdimeglio** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:07 am

Seems like this one actually:

http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/in ... B_4.0_50_S

Maybe just an early version.

Steve, what do you think?

Fabrice

IvenGO wrote:http://www.ebay.de/itm/AUTO-RESPONSE-BO ... 3f158dc80e

Looks like a very rare unit. I thought there's only Sargon 2.5 exists for ARB.
Its interesting to know what are tech stats and ELO of this Sargon 4.0 version.

Post by **Steve B** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:27 am

fdimeglio wrote:Seems like this one actually:

http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/in ... B_4.0_50_S

Maybe just an early version.

Steve, what do you think?

Fabrice

IvenGO wrote:http://www.ebay.de/itm/AUTO-RESPONSE-BO ... 3f158dc80e

Looks like a very rare unit. I thought there's only Sargon 2.5 exists for ARB.
Its interesting to know what are tech stats and ELO of this Sargon 4.0 version.

i haven't tried this in quite some time but IIRC i was able to get all Four Sargon Modules(2.5,3.0,3.5 and 4.0 )to play in both the ARB board and the GM series boards..of course the keys take on different functions between the modules..that's why this ARB board with the 4.0 module has those unsightly black name tags glued onto the board severely ruining its collectability value(unless they can be removed leaving no foot print)
as to the difference in strength between modules
Selective Search shows the ARB 2.5 at 1320 ELO and the Wiki shows the Sargon 4.0 at 1600

YAPMCC Regards
Steve
(Yet Another Physically Modified Chess Computer)

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:05 pm

Steve B wrote:The Fairly Rare Fidelity Septennial in its Box
apparently no manual

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270941928627

Iffy Regards
Steve

Not iffy enough to deter some... went for $257. The seller shipped only
to US bidders, refusing even to accept questions from foreigners. Not a
bad price for something that may or may not even work.
Larry

Post by **Steve B** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:31 pm

How about this Fidelity Excel Mach II that went for $517
http://www.ebay.com/itm/220985953287?ss ... 1438.l2649

not even the LA version

Sheesh Regards
Steve

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:08 am

Steve B wrote:How about this Fidelity Excel Mach II that went for $517

not even the LA version

Yeah, I was following that one myself, just out of curiosity. It seems
higher shipping costs in recent times are not a problem for upmarket
units, but make the common low end units unsellable. I've got a few
cheapies I don't want, and may as well give them to my wife to put
on her flea market stall for a few bucks.
Hey, do you want a quick couple of grand? Put an Excel Mach4 up
on ebay and watch the price war.
Larry

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Collector's Corner..On Collecting Dedicated Chess Computers

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