General Guidelines
Remove beeping sounds! Refer to USCF rule 16.B2a. If possible, digital clocks must be set so that when one player runs out of time in a time control, the opponent’s clock continues to run normally. (USCF only - FIDE prefers the halt option active). This capability is variously called “halt on end,” “claim mode,” or “freeze.” A digital clock that can be set to satisfy the requirement of this rule is preferable to a clock that cannot. 16B2b.
FIDE Handbook 5.4.1. In approved clocks, when one clock reaches zero in an increment mode time control, the other clock does not run further and retains its last display.
FIDE Handbook 5.4.1. In approved clocks, when one clock reaches zero in an increment mode time control, the other clock does not run further and retains its last display.
Video from Shelby Lohrman on various clocks. Very informative!
Chronos FX
G/120;d5: both buttons +center red > tn-1 > 2:00, 2:00 > 05 dl 05 > 00 in 00 > 00 fd 00 > beep 0 > led 1 > 0 bP at End > 0 Ht at End > 10 dp OPt
G/90;inc30: both buttons +center red > tn-1 > 1:30, 1:30 > 00 dl 00 > 30 in 30 > 00 fd 00 > beep 0 > led 1 > 0 bP at End > 0 Ht at End (set this to 1 for FIDE rated sections) > 10 dp OPt
G/60;d5: both buttons +center red > tn-1 > 1:00, 1:00 > 05 dl 05 > 00 in 00 > 00 fd 00 > beep 0 > led 1 > 0 bP at End > 0 Ht at End > 10 dp OPt
G/5;d0: both buttons +center red > F1 > 5:00 5:00 > 00 dl 00 > 00 in 00 > 00 Fd 00 > beep 0 > Led 1 > 0 bP at End > 0 Ht at End > 0330 dP OPt
Drawback. Increment is not added immediately starting with move 1. You can adjust and add seconds after you start the clock though.
Original Chronos Clock (long profile)
G/120;d5: both buttons +center red > dL-Sd1 > 2:00:00, 2:00:00 > 0:05 0:05 > 0-beep 1-Led > 0-Led Short > 0-beep at End > 0-Halt at End
G/60;d5: both buttons +center red > dL-Sd1 > 1:00:00 1:00:00 > 0:05 0:05 > 0-beep 1-led > 0-led short > 0-beep at end >0 halt at end
G/90;inc30: both buttons +center red > CH-P1 > 01-1:30 01-1:30 > 1:30:30 1:30:30 > 01~0:00 01~0:00 > 0:00:30 0:00:30 > 0-beep 1-LEd > 0-LEd Short > 0-bEEP At End > 0-beeP At tC > 1-HaLt At End for FIDE sections (set this to 0-Halt at End for USCF rated sections only)
G/5;d0: both buttons +center red > CH-F1 > 5:00 5:00 > 0-beep 1-LEd > 0-LEd Short > 0-bEEP At End > 0-Halt At End
G/3;inc2: both buttons +center red > CH-P1 > 01-0:03 01-0:03 > ~0:03:00 ~0:03:00 > 01~0:00 01~0:00 > ~0:00:02 ~0:00:02 > O-beep 1-LEd > 0-LEd Short > 0-bEEP At End > 0-bEEP At tC > 0-HALt At End
ZMF-II (Zmart)
G/90;inc30: turn clock on > hold middle button till both sides flashing > right button > HH:NN > hit middle button > set time to 01:30 01:30 using left, right and middle buttons > middle button > get back into settings by holding down middle button again > use left and right buttons to get to inc setting that has inc with XX (ignore the INC - FISC), hit middle button, change inc to 30 > middle button > FIDE to ON for FIDE rated sections > Sound OFF > get to PLAY & hit middle button to exit settings
G/120;d5: turn clock on > hold middle button till both sides flashing > right button > HH:NN flashing > hit middle button > set time to 02:00 02:00 using left and right buttons & middle button > middle button > hold middle button till flashing > set DEL C 05 > FIDE OFF > Play flashing > hit middle button to exit settings
G/60;d5: turn clock on > hold middle button till both sides flashing > right button > HH:NN flashing > middle button > set time to 01:00 01:00 using left, right and middle buttons > hit middle button > hold middle button till flashing again > del flashing > set DEL C 05 > FIDE Off > Play flashing > middle button to exit
This clock saves 3 defaults in its memory. Drawback: increment time is not immediately made visible.
ZMF-Pro
Same as ZMF II instructions above. PRO manual shows an increment "mode" of fisher vs bronstein but the clock I own didn't have that! If yours does, just leave it on Fisher mode.
DGT North American (blue clocks)
G120;d5: round power button on underside of clock > hit + or - sign until you get to option#19 > hit check button > adjust levers for colors > hit the middle red button to start clock
G/60;d5: hit power button > use + or - sign to get to option#20 > hit check mark > 1:00 > .00 > 1:00 > .00 > 0.05 > check mark > adjust levers for colors > hit the middle red button to start clock
G/90;inc30: power button on > option 14 > check mark > left 1:30 > .00 > right 1:30 > .00 > bonus left side 0.30 > bonus right side 0.30 > check mark > adjust levers for colors > hit the middle red button to start clock
DGT3000 (red clocks)
G/90;inc30: on/off > option 12 (hit the + or - buttons) > hit far right arrow button > adjust levers for colors > hit middle button
G/120;d5: on/off button > option 26 (use + or - buttons) > far right arrow > toggle with +/- to get to "us-dly" > right arrow > 2:00:00 2:00:00 > far right arrow > 0.05 dly 0.05 > Times 0.00 > TIMES 0:00.00 > delay 0.05 > end is flashing > sound off > freeze off
Leap
Note: bonus setting = Increment. The display is one place/digit for hours, two places for minutes and two places for seconds. Bonus and delay are two places in seconds. Press and hold center button 3 seconds to enter and exit setup mode. The power switch is on the bottom. Cycle power off/on to reset clock to most recent preset. In setup mode the +/- buttons change the current (blinking) value and center button advances to next position. Alarm silent = 0, audible = 1.
G/120;d5: Set hours to 2, minutes to 00, seconds to 00, skip the bonus setting, delay to 05.
G/90;inc30: Set hours to 1, minutes to 30, seconds to 00, bonus to 30. delay to 00.
G/60;d5: Set hours to 1, minutes to 00, seconds to 00, skip bonus setting, delay to 05.
G/5;d0: Set hours to 0, minutes to 05, seconds to 00, skip bonus setting, delay to 00.
G/90;inc30: Set hours to 1, minutes to 30, seconds to 00, bonus to 30. delay to 00.
G/60;d5: Set hours to 1, minutes to 00, seconds to 00, skip bonus setting, delay to 05.
G/5;d0: Set hours to 0, minutes to 05, seconds to 00, skip bonus setting, delay to 00.
Leap FIDE Approved KK9908
G/90;inc30: Select option #3
G/120;d5: Select option #35 > hit middle button > hold down middle button till flashing > adjust time to 2:00:00 > cycle thru till you get to delay option > modify the delay to 05
G/3;inc3: Select option #8
G/120;d5: Select option #35 > hit middle button > hold down middle button till flashing > adjust time to 2:00:00 > cycle thru till you get to delay option > modify the delay to 05
G/3;inc3: Select option #8
Basic Competition Digital Chess Clock
This clock needs little to no instructions... simply set the hours/minutes/seconds as needed. Modify either the delay or inc option as needed. This clock is only for SINGLE time controls and is the best clock for that! Clock will always save what was last programmed on it. It's a budget friendly, no frills clock that is very EASY to set and program. Hold down the middle button to modify, enter, exit setup.
If using it for a FIDE time control with increment, just make sure to add the seconds initially onto your clock... i.e. for G/90;inc30 make sure to set it for 1:30:30 initially and then add the 30 sec increment. This clock does not automatically add the 30 sec from the first move.
If using it for a FIDE time control with increment, just make sure to add the seconds initially onto your clock... i.e. for G/90;inc30 make sure to set it for 1:30:30 initially and then add the 30 sec increment. This clock does not automatically add the 30 sec from the first move.
Wholesale Chess Basic Digital Game Timer with Bonus & Delay
This appears to be the Wholesale Chess branded version of the basic digital chess clock above. Same clock features, just branded with a logo. See notes above on how to set. It does appear to be slightly cheaper online than the non-branded version.
Wholesale Chess Advanced Digital Game Timer
G/90;inc30: Select option #3.
G/120;d5: Select option #36, modify the time accordingly and the delay option.
G/120;d5: Select option #36, modify the time accordingly and the delay option.