Unless you are a casual player, and just want to play chess at home without seriousness, you must have heard about the ZMF Pro Chess Clock. It is considered to be one of the most discussed chess clocks currently available with both club players and tournament veterans in its praise. Whether it is worth the price tag, however is a question. Here, in this ZMF Pro Chess Clock review, we will discuss all the above, its design, functionality, specifications, and how it compares to DGT 3000 and whether this clock is a good fit for you.
What Does ZMF Pro Chess Clock mean?
ZMF Pro Chess Clock is a high-quality digital chess clock that is produced by a company called ZMF Games, and it is located in the United States. It was created with the serious chesser in mind and its interface was clean, and its build was solid, and it supported a great variety of time control over classical, rapid, blitz, and Fischer increment. It has become extremely popular following the support of chess streamers and club organizers, and is currently in use in both USCF-rated and non-rated club tournaments.
ZMF Pro Chess Clock
A brief outline of the technical specifications of the ZMF Pro Chess Clock is: Before getting into the detailed analysis, the following is a brief overview of the technical specifications of the ZMF Pro Chess Clock:
Display: huge backlit LCD display that is easy to read.
Time Modes Classical, Rapid, Blitz, Bullet, Fischer Increment, Bronstein Delay, Simple Delay, Hourglass.
Time Range: 0- 99 hours, 59 Minutes, 59 seconds.
Battery: 2x AA (included in battery)
Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches.
Weight: Around 8 oz
Material: plastic housing of ABS and rubberized side panels.
Buttons: Huge physical buttons that have a good clicking action.
Price: The product can vary in price, which is about 50 to 60 USD.
Design and Build Quality
Specifications
The first thing that you will come to know about the ZMF Pro Chess Clock is how heavy it is in your hands. The ZMF Pro is heavy and solid, unlike the cheap plastic clocks that are hollow or cheaply built. The rubberized surface panels ensure that it does not slide in case of tough blitz games and the housing does not creak or bend when you press the buttons.
The buttons are also worth particular attention. They are huge and have an arrow on them clearly marked and when pressed they make a solid just tactile click. This is easy to punch the clock fast in a game of blitz and bullet games without missing the button and not pressing to hard. The travel of the buttons is neither too tough nor too soft.
The LCD screen is seldom used and is brightly lit and readable even in the dark tournament halls. The size of the font is large such that players on the other side of the board can easily look at the clock without making any effort. The design is overall professional and minimalistic, which is exactly what the tournament players desire.
The ZMF Pro Chess Clock has several features that are important.
Multiple Time Control Modes
The ZMF Pro accommodates almost every time control format that you shall ever require. The clock copes with a leisurely classical game of 90 minutes plus 30-second increment, a game of 15+10 rapid, as well as a fast blitz game of 5+3. There are also the Bronstein Delay and Simple Delay modes which allow those who would like time controls based on delay (as used by the USCF-rated events) the option.
Fischer Increment Support
The current trend in online and over-the-board tournaments today is the usage of Fischer increment with a fixed number of seconds added to your clock after every move. The ZMF Pro copes with Fischer increment perfectly, with the timing right and no discernible delay between the action of pressing the button and the increment showing up.
Easy Setup and Programming
Installation of a time control on the ZMF Pro is easy. The menu navigation is only based on three buttons: Mode button and the two player time buttons to increase the values. The time control can be programmed to a new time in less than one minute time. The clock also has several presets to enable you to remember your favorite time controls.
Battery Life
ZMF Pro uses two regular AA batteries. A new set of batteries will give many months of normal play in normal usage. The clock also automatically enters the sleeping mode after some time of inactivity and this also helps to further increase battery life. The display also has a low battery indicator to alert you when you are in the middle of a game and the batteries begin to run out.
ZMF Pro vs DGT 3000: Which is better, Chess Clock?
When comparing the ZMF Pro with other models, the most popular is to refer to that of DGT 3000 as the official clock of FIDE and used in international tournaments. Here is how they stack up:
Construction: The two clocks are solidly constructed although the ZMF Pro seems a bit higher quality because of its rubberized grip panels. DGT 3000 has more institutional feel of plastic.
Button Feel: The ZMF Pro takes this category. Its buttons also feel better and have an appealing responsive click than the slightly soft buttons in the DGT 3000.
Time Control Modes: The two clocks do accommodate all time control modes. The DGT 3000 is slightly better on FIDE tournament certification, although in club and USCF events, the ZMF Pro can do it all.
User Friendliness: The ZMF Pro is typically regarded as easier to program and navigate, particularly when a first time player is configuring it.
Price: ZMF Pro and DGT 3000 have comparable prices but are typically within a range of $10 -15 of each other. It is slightly pricier depending on the place of purchase of the DGT 3000.
Tournament Acceptance The DGT 3000 is FIDE-approved and is used in the most competitive level. ZMF Pro is sanctioned by USCF. The DGT 3000 can be necessary in case you play FIDE-rated international tournaments. The ZMF Pro is a great option to most club players and players in the USCF tournament.
Volition: The ZMF Pro Chess Clock is the more desirable option as far as most club and tournament players in the United States are concerned, going by the fact that it has a better button feel and is easier to program and just feels more well built.The DGT 3000 is the go-to for FIDE international events.
Advantages and Disadvantages of ZMF Pro Chess Clock.
Pros:
A good build quality and good feel in hand.
Very sensitive and touch sensitive buttons.
Supports the Fischer increment, Bronstein delay and Simple delay time control formats.
Simple to write for and easy to navigate menu.
Bright backlit LCD display that is easy to read.
Prolonged battery life with automatic sleep.
USCF-rated tournament approved.
Low cost but high quality clock.
Cons:
Uncertified to be played internationally (preferably the DGT 3000)
None of USB connectivity or digital tournament pairing functionality.
The plastic case of some of the players is not as high quality as the metal clock of higher end.
Few colors to choose (only black available)
Should the ZMF Pro Chess Clock be Purchased?
The answer is both yes and no its significance is completely justified to purchase the ZMF Pro Chess Clock to the appropriate player. These are the ones who will be the greatest beneficiaries:
The ZMF Pro will be the perfect buy to those players who would like to have a safe yet easy to use clock, which they can use during regular practice and local tournaments. It is in the middle ground between cost and quality.
The fact that the ZMF Pro is officially sanctioned in the USCF and the durable construction will make tournament players happy to know that it is durable enough to last several years of competitive play.
The simple programming interface will not be difficult to learn and the large display makes time keeping instinctive to beginners learning timed chess.
The ZMF Pro will provide any chess enthusiast with a gift that is well thought out and well made, so any gift buyer searching a chess gift to present to a chess player will find the ZMF Pro a high quality and well thought-out present.
When you mostly play FIDE-rated international tournaments, you will possibly need to look at whether the ZMF Pro is allowed in your particular tournament, as there are very many higher international FIDE tournaments in which DGT clocks are mandatory. However, the ZMF Pro is an excellent clock to the great majority of chess players.
Final Verdict
The ZMF Pro Chess Clock has a high recommended rating. It has a strong construction, touchable buttons, all major time controls and a simple system with easy to program built in that is reasonably priced. It is not flawless, the FIDE certification and the USB connection may be real but it is not very important to the majority of chess players.
The ZMF Pro is one of the best chess clocks on the market today in terms of its ability to last many years, deliver good results in the tournaments, and impress your opponent on the board. It is a timepiece constructed by chess players, of chess players, and it is reflected in everything in the design.
You are preparing a tournament in the USCF next or just in your chess club and you want to play your games faster and the ZMF Pro Chess Clock provides you with the performance and reliable service you require.
