Novag 2Robot Chess Computer

[Dummkopf]

Hello all!

I'm a newbie on this board, my first post, and hello everybody. I was just wondering if any of you have ever played with the Novag 2Robot computer, and what your thoughts are?

Thanks to all of you, and best regards, Joe

[Steve B]

Hi John

yes i have the 2Robot
it is a remake of the famous Novag Robot Adversary released in 1982
these two Robots are the only self moving chess computers to use a Robot arm
other"Robots " use an electromagnetic system which moves the pieces from under the board

its playing strength is about 1600 but the price is really good at generally under $200

there was a fairly extensive discussion of the 2Robot when it was first released for sale in Dec 08 includiing some games it played:

http://hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic.php? ... vag+2robot

Best Regards
Steve

[Dummkopf]

I think that you forgot to answer my question! As an owner and I presume user what are your thoughts?

Best regards, John

[Steve B]

Well if you would take the time to follow the link i posted you would read the thoughts of several 2Robot owners(including myself) and get a good idea of its playing capabilities
in addition the link shows many posts/games where i am the user ..so there is nothing to presume..Joe

but in a nutshell.. i think the Price is the best thing about the 2Robot
its more of a novelty rather then a serious opponent as it does not play very strongly
if you are not looking for a strong opponent but would like a casual game then the novelty of having an Armed Robot is nice..at the low price
Steve

[Dummkopf]

Thanks, but I haven't seen it offered at $200 or less.

John

[Robert Weck]

My 2Robot had a defective arm just 2 months after i had bought it new; showed "ErrorARM" in the LCD and refused to work. I had not played very much with it.

And i know of 2 other owners which had the same problem...

nearly 30 years later, Novag still seems to have robot-problems!


regards,
Robert

[mephisto]

Hi John
If you live in the UK then you can buy it for £120 from Hamleys.
In their New Year sale, they even advertised it at under £100 but now it's gone back up again.
Here is their web page link.

http://www.hamleys.com/2Robot:_Robotic_ ... lt,pd.html

Regards
Bryan

[Dummkopf]

Hello Bryan

I checked around five chess shops on line here in the USA, and the cheapest that I've seen it was $229. However, what's even worse is that none of the shops had the machine in stock.

Maybe they're on hold due to the defective arm?

Thanks
John

[Steve B]

My 2Robot had a defective arm just 2 months after i had bought it new; showed "ErrorARM" in the LCD and refused to work. I had not played very much with it.

And i know of 2 other owners which had the same problem...

nearly 30 years later, Novag still seems to have robot-problems!


regards,
Robert

Hi Robert
since we are talking about defects..
my active graphic display module for the Res I is now defective
the display sceen is always blank and will not work with either the Res I or Res II Program modules
the Res I program module works as i can play a game but there is no display
my Res II display module does not work with the Res I but of course works fine with the Res II module

have you heard of similar probelms with the Res I display modules?

Squinting Regards
Steve

[Spacious_Mind]

My 2Robot had a defective arm just 2 months after i had bought it new; showed "ErrorARM" in the LCD and refused to work. I had not played very much with it.

And i know of 2 other owners which had the same problem...

nearly 30 years later, Novag still seems to have robot-problems!


regards,
Robert

Hi Robert
since we are talking about defects..
my active graphic display module for the Res I is now defective
the display sceen is always blank and will not work with either the Res I or Res II Program modules
the Res I program module works as i can play a game but there is no display
my Res II display module does not work with the Res I but of course works fine with the Res II module

have you heard of similar probelms with the Res I display modules?

Squinting Regards
Steve

Hi Steve,

Have you asked Ruud about the problem? If so what did he say? I have two green lcd displays from Arno that both have failed. Apparently from what I read it is because they should be used at 5V which of course does not happen with the Mephisto boards therefore apparently they burn out. If Ruud has used the same Arno displays then of course it is a concern since all the Res 1 displays might fail at some point.

best regards

Nick