Let’s discuss what I see as the two main competitors to the DGT 3000:
When I reviewed the Chronos, I noted that a big factor in its favor early on was its large display in comparison to other digital timers. Not only can other chess clocks now claim this as well, new Chronos clocks are more compact and therefore have a smaller display. I wouldn’t buy one for 110 USD today, but that’s just me.
The DGT 3000 costs roughly 80 USD. Earlier, I reviewed the DGT North American, which can be had for about half this amount.
Who needs to buy the DGT 3000? Anyone who uses DGT electronic boards and broadcasts games online! I was a DGT board operator at the Greater New York Scholastics this past February and became more familiar with this clock.
Features and Benefits of the DGT 3000
- The display is huge and easy to see from a distance; much larger than the Chronos or DGT North American.
- The plungers are large, easy to press, and not noisy.
- The DGT 3000 seems sturdier than the DGT NA, and I would expect it to last longer.
- Easier-than-expected to set. The big display provides more scope for the clock to make clear what a player or arbiter is setting. It is very easy to make a mistake setting the DGT NA, and trying to set a Chronos is downright confusing if you’ve never done it before.
- It can accommodate U.S. time delay rules which its predecessor, the DGT 2010, cannot.
- FIDE approved. This is important for official FIDE competitions such as World and Continental Championships.
This is all great, but is it worth twice as much as the DGT NA? As DGT itself says:
This is a subtlety I missed in my review of the DGT NA. My bad!
Verdict
A player only competing in USCF tournaments where delay timing is prevalent can stick with the DGT North American — it is the best clock for the money. However, I believe the additional one-time investment for the DGT 3000 is justified.
If I were buying a chess clock today, I would choose the DGT 3000.