Collectors Corner - Bonus Buring Hole in Pocket-What to buy?

[Wardy]

OK so I appreciate that I am in a really lucky position in that I get a bonus each year for a start, but if you were in my position what current chess computer/s would be your first purchase once the payment had cleared your account

Currently I have a very small collection consisting of

Mephisto Atlanta (the jewel in the collection, which I have never beaten )
Saitek Prisma
Saitek Travel Champion 2100
Saitek Travel Champion 2080
Saitek Plus
Saitek Virtuoso
A bashed up Renaissance from an ebay deal that went wrong

I wish I'd bought a Novag Star Diamond last year before they disappeared but these rarely come up on ebay

I was thinking of adding a Novag Citrine (any long term users have any views?) and perhaps the Saitek Advanced Travel (a decently strong portable for very good money), what about the Saitek Master or Challenger for fun?

Obviously I'd love a Tasc or a 68030 London but for this topic how about currently available models or about to be released models?

I'm all ears regards

Paul

[fern]

In my humble opinion you should add some extremely essential stuff your collection lacks, that is to say, Fidelity stuff.
By example, CSC, Chess Champion Sensory Challenger, a MUST. Also, Par Excellence or Excellence, Match I or II, a Prestige or Elite.

without Fidelity Stuff any collection is lame regards
Fernando

[Wardy]

You're probably right Fernando and I'd love a Prestige or Elite but getting those kind of machines takes patience and eagle eyes on ebay I was more interested in the instant gratification of getting a brand spanking fresh from the factory computer or a short wait to a new shiny model.

Not all of my ebay purchases have gone well - hence I have a poor example of a Renaissance for example.

[MikeB]

...
I wish I'd bought a Novag Star Diamond last year before they disappeared but these rarely come up on ebay
....
Paul

I have a Star Diamond in new condition that I hardly use. If you're interested, let me know ( private message me here) what you want to pay for it and we agree I 'll set up on eBay as a "buy it now" at the agreed upon price. We also agree on the exact time for the auction to start and I will email you the url in advance to ensure that you have the first shot at getting it.

I would rather see it go to a serious collector than to somebody who would not take care of it.

Best,

Michael

[Mike S.]

Is the Renaissance broken? In that case, I think you would not go wrong with any autosensory wood board computer, in good condition. It is just so much more comfortable. You move with wooden pieces, like on a normal chess board.

If you find a Mephisto Exclusive, you could start to collect the various modules. I think the Lang modules, Lyon or later, provide somewhat more comfort than the Rebel modules (although they were of course very good either). But I don't know if the Exclusive housing requires technical changes if using one of these new superfast modules is intended, or if all Ex. versions are suitable. The 'Modular' board is also an autosensory board, but made from plastic, not with a wood surface. But it can be used with all the same modules like the Exclusive.

[Steve B]

hi Paul

Mikes offer to sell his Star Diamond is great
very strong computer
and i can tell you there CANNOT be a more honorable seller for you
i bought a Genius 030 from Mike and i can only give him my HIGHEST recommendation

Best Regards
Steve

[Wardy]

Hi Mike,

The Renaissance isn't broken, it's just not very well. The housing took a beating as the seller sent it via parcel post wrapped only in a bin liner in addition all the leds dimly glow regardless of operation, oh and the removable flap is ...........well permantley removed and has a cigarette burn to add insult to injury along with the smell of stale tobacco.

I have thought about buying an Exclusive Senator and then looking for the modules, some of these go for serious money and there's no back up anymore should anything go wrong with them, it's a risky business!

[Wardy]

Thanks for the recommendation Steve, the PM has already been sent!