Collector's Corner..On Collecting Dedicated Chess Computers

Post by **Steve B** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:58 am

Monsieur Plastique wrote:Thanks so much for the introduction Steve. And for the months of December and January only, I am offering free counselling to any HIARCS forum members who are have difficulties with plastic. Whether it be small plastic portable boards, big plastic boards or even the worst affliction of all: Plastiphobia. No one needs to go through this alone.

PS: I've been playing against my Chessmaster Gameboy for the last 5 hours using a wooden board and pieces. I am flexible and proud of it. But not as flexible as the wonderful plastics out there.

Well you know Jon
for me as a collector i do not prefer wood over plastic
just as i do not prefer a 2800 Elo Computer over an 1100 Elo computer
or a computer with Infinite levels over one with 2 levels
for me...they are all equally collectable just as long as they remain in the same unmodified state as our Creator Intended when released for sale
They are ....

All God's Creations Regards
Steve

BlackSails911 · Post by **BlackSails911** » Fri Nov 28, 2014 5:59 pm

The Saitek Mephisto Master is a version of Fritz? I had no idea. I assumed it was some Mephisto module version.

Carl Bicknell · Post by **Carl Bicknell** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:17 am

BlackSails911 wrote:The Saitek Mephisto Master is a version of Fritz? I had no idea. I assumed it was some Mephisto module version.

Well it's by the same programmer and the Atlanta is a slightly later version of the Master (which is basically the same as the Milano Pro). The Atlanta is similar to Fritz 3.0 I believe.

So maybe the Master is Fritz 2 or 2.5 or something. Someone here will know.

Post by **Steve B** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 12:00 am

This Auction has several major errors in it
makes for a good pop quiz
how many can you spot?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111534873851?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Errata Regards
Steve

Post by **Steve B** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 4:08 pm

Steve B wrote:This Auction has several major errors in it
makes for a good pop quiz
how many can you spot?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111534873851?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Errata Regards
Steve

The seller has since corrected the numerous errors (obviously he is lurking here in the back round)

so this post is now

Moot Regards
Steve

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:07 pm

Steve B wrote:

The seller has since corrected the numerous errors (obviously he is lurking here in the back round)

It was me who tipped her off about the wrong computer name. It was
wrong for a couple of days, and I got sick of waiting for someone else
to tell her.

Post by **Steve B** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:18 pm

Well the bidding on the HOS Montreux has been hot n heavy...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mephisto-Montre ... 35e169b138

Montruex Madness Regards
Steve

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:55 am

Steve B wrote:Well the bidding on the HOS Montreux has been hot n heavy...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mephisto-Montre ... 35e169b138

Montruex Madness Regards
Steve

It's been on that price for a few days now... And that's with only a single
photo, not even showing it working! No picture of the box or owner's
manual.
The serious bidders are arranging their sniper bids.
~US$1400 regards....
L

Carl Bicknell · Post by **Carl Bicknell** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:08 pm

I wish a company would start making these old machines again, there's clearly a market for them.

I'm guessing it'll go for $1200.

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:27 pm

Carl Bicknell wrote:I wish a company would start making these old machines again, there's clearly a market for them.

I'm guessing it'll go for $1200.

The risc2500/Montreux machines were made in China, and the mould for
the plastic casing would be sitting out the back of some factory now.
The circuit diagram would be tucked away in a filing cabinet. The
electronic components with the possible exception of the CPU would
be readily available. If they could get suitable CPU's they could easily do
another production run. The ARM6 processor will easily clock from
it's 14mhz to 30mhz. Nowadays they could include an endgame database
and make them all 2mb RAM as standard. It could be called the Montreux Pro
and a production run of 2000 units would sell out as long as they don't get too
greedy with the price.
Dreaming on regardless ....
Larry

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:14 pm

Carl Bicknell wrote:I wish a company would start making these old machines again, there's clearly a market for them.

I'm guessing it'll go for $1200.

This montreux will be very expensive going for 1500$. The second will be considerably cheaper.

Carl Bicknell · Post by **Carl Bicknell** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:20 pm

Theo wrote:
Carl Bicknell wrote:I wish a company would start making these old machines again, there's clearly a market for them.

I'm guessing it'll go for $1200.
This montreux will be very expensive going for 1500$. The second will be considerably cheaper.

True, but it would still make a fortune. I think to manufacture such a unit today would cost less and it would still be possible to sell at >$800

xchessg · Post by **xchessg** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:31 pm

Steve B wrote:Well the bidding on the HOS Montreux has been hot n heavy...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mephisto-Montre ... 35e169b138

Montruex Madness Regards
Steve

Hi,

Just had a look. Are those pieces in the picture the original ones?

Xavier

Post by **Steve B** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:35 pm

xchessg wrote:
Steve B wrote:Well the bidding on the HOS Montreux has been hot n heavy...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mephisto-Montre ... 35e169b138

Montruex Madness Regards
Steve
Hi,

Just had a look. Are those pieces in the picture the original ones?

Xavier

i think so
my Montreux pieces are the original silver and Black Plastic magnetic pieces
so i think the pieces in the photo look the same

Real McCoy Regards
Steve

Larry · Post by **Larry** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 4:49 am

Theo wrote:
This montreux will be very expensive going for 1500$.

$1528.... you were close....real close...
L