New DGT 2500 Official Fide Digital Chess Clock/Timer - JUST Released

So much easier than my late 2010 DGT clock, love everything about it especially the big display and interface navigation is quite intuitive. I figured it out just by reading the instructions on the bottom of the clock and pressing buttons lol. Can read the times from across the playing hall rather easily. Lever clacks with authority but quietly. Easy to see whose move it is. Seems durable enough, and low height, sleek. Love it.

The display is large, and the playing times are super clear. The fact that the white 'side to move' indicator is the only white part to pop up (the top of this bar and the body of the timer are red) allow a player to see whose turn it is to move from a significant distance - crucial if you're up and around getting a coffee or soda to drink. The mechanics of the timer are smooth and firm. Common playing time formats are displayed on the bottom of the timer and easily set. Non-standard time formats are fairly easy to set too. All the time formats I play were listed on the bottom of the device; I did not even have to read the (detailed) instructions.

This clock has a bright, large display. It seems to me to be lightweight for its size. The five buttons on its face are large and satisfying to press. The instructions are simple and the clock is easy to set up and adjust during a game.My issue with this clock is the levers, which use a pair of rectangular magnets. The levers are drawn down as you press them, and eventually the levers "snap" down. On the clock I received, one of the levers had an obviously stronger magnetic pull than the other, which I found to be distracting using the clock in a few 10 minute games. The experience of pressing the clock is different for the players, even the sound of pressing one lever was noticeably different than the other.I emailed DGT and asked them if I should return the clock or if the levers (magnets) were purposefully designed to be unbalanced. They kindly responded within a business day: "With normal use we have found that it is not an issue. The feedback we have gotten during testing of FIDE during tournament play was that it was approved as well."If you are a chess player who will use the clock for their own games, and has developed an expectation that the levers of a chess clock should be the same, I imagine your disappointment will be nearly the same as mine. I suspect the clock was designed for tournament organizers and arbiters who need a service tool and not a personal one.If you're looking for a similar clock the blue North American clock also made by DGT does not use magnets and works as one would expect. However it does not have an hourglass function, does not support some options, the display is not as nice, and does not show seconds until a player is below 20 minutes. I recommend going to the DGT website and looking at their clock comparison chart and using that to help you pick the right clock with the features you need.

The DGT 25000 is a really good chess clock, it may be the best one at the time of this review.Adjusting the time controls so simple and it all has also thirty six different presets. The instructions state that the included AA batteries will last for up to 4,000 hours. Finally, the digital display is large and has excellent contrast.

The contrast of the screen and size of the numbers are great. It’s also really light with massive button. Unfortunately, the clock sounds hollow when pressed.

This clock is easy to read, well made but continues DGT’s tradition of changing the way chess is played. I refer to the starting procedure, where it requires a button to be pressed on the frunt of clock. Sometimes takes two people. Clock moves around, East’s time and breaks concentration.DGT did this intentionally! Most other chess clocks, both analog & digital, allow players to start game by pressing lever or top button. DGT should be banned from all tournament play for this programming error.

I couldn't tell from the box or the Amazon description whether batteries are included. The manufacturer's web site does say it, though: It's powered by 2 AA batteries (included).

Tournament or just fun games. I love it...