Customer Reviews

Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer from Mephisto

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer is an excellent idea in concept, but I have had enough problems with it that I regret my purchase, especially at the cost. First of all, I initially found it very difficult to distinguish the pieces from each other, particularly pawns from rooks, once the middle game has been reached. I like the system's automove feature for the computer, but if I set the response time to be reasonable for regular play, I often "miss" exactly what move (or capture) the computer has made. Second of all, even in "select" mode, the computer seems to have a limited book and the algorithms focus merely on capturing material, rather than overall strategy. If I ask the computer for advice on a move, it usually suggests that I capture a piece, often at a lost of points (e.g., capturing a knight, but losing a queen). Third, as an experiment, I played a game in which I asked the computer to suggest every move, and I would have lost, but I refused the final suggestion and achieved a stalemate, rather than being checkmated. (This experiment did make me wish that I had never purchased the unit, which I use as a partner for improving my chess skills; the Maestro is not proving to be a good electronic tutor, despite some excellent features.) Fourth, some of the squares are starting to fade individually, but not the "board" overall, which would indicate that I do not yet need to replace the batteries. Fifth, the unit is well made and includes a nice case and stylus. Perhaps Saitek should have spent more time developing the Maestro, or perhaps I simply do not know how to use it properly. I would buy a hypothetical Maestro II, if I could get a discount or return my current unit. It is a convenient product and well made, but I am disappointed. Thank you.

most all chess computers are strong; most all have more features than you could ever use; book openings, take backs, hints, tutors, problem solving,etc. They ALL have these great features. But, with the touch screens, the number 1 issue has been visibility. "Is that a pawn, or a knight?". This makes the game completely ruined.

I have tested many hand held games over the years and this one, hands down, is the best. The pieces are easily distinguishable and that is why it is a 5 star rating.

The overall feel of the game is one of quality with some weight to it. In an age where so much plastic feels like junk, this chess set is very well made. The batteries last a long time, and there are two backlight settings, for those times where you really need better lighting. You can play the games in complete silence (no beeps to wake up your spouse).

I have owned this for several years and it is really the best. Enjoy!

I just purchased this through Amazon last week and it arrived on Saturday June 16th. After 3 days of use, I am very pleased with the unit and do not regret the purchase at all. I have several computer chess boards as well as PC based chess programs. All are great but I wanted something more portable. So the Maestro seemed perfect. When it arrived I must admit it was a little larger than I expected but still very portable. There are plenty of levels to choose from and it offers setup functions for chess problems. I find the screen very easy to read and don't have much trouble distinguishing the pieces from one another. The backlight has 2 levels (although there isn't much difference between them) and is perfect for dimly lit rooms. It also has 200 ply (100 move) take back capability. Which is great as I don't always record the moves of my games when I play. Now if I play a particularly good game, I can use the take back function to go back to the beginning and write the moves down as I replay them. The auto book feature is nice as the computer will remember openings that you have trouble with and play them more often, hence helping you improve on that opening. It also has 3 coach settings that can warn of blunders, pieces that are in danger or opportunities to win. All in all I recommend this unit for the casual chess player like myself or people that want to learn more about chess. This is unit that will challenge you for a long time to come.

The Good:
-Nice big back lit screen, easy to read with adjustable contrast
-Plenty of levels to challenge beginners up to more advanced players
-Coaching functions can be activated to help newer players avoid blunders and traps
-Auto book mode to help improve your openings
-Choice of 2 search algorithms (selective search or brute force)
-200 ply take back
-Setup mode for special chess problems
-Mate finder, tactical and infinite levels for analyzing tough chess problems
-Info mode shows what the computer is thinking and predicts what
-Built in Chess clocks for playing tournament and speed chess games
-Self Rating system

The bad
-A little bulky, definitely won't fit in your front shirt pocket
-The CPU isn't that fast so it can take a while to solve mate in 5 to 8 moves
-Self Rating system can only be used in full length tournament games
-Only 2 sound levels, on or off
-Probably not strong enough for club level players as some estimates put it's rating at around 1600 max

Thanks for reading my review.

I love chess and I play at least one game of portable game versus me daily. When I am on frequent business trips, my chess games keep me sane on delayed airplanes. I have several Excaliber portable chess games, and although they work, the screen is hard to see in most light and the white pieces tend to be the hardest to see.

The pieces in this game are even harder to see and distinguish one from another. The black and the white look similar, and all the rest of the pieces are so similar that it is hard to distinguish a bishop from a knight.

The game is also very heavy, and since I am a small woman carrying a heavy bag, that is also a big disappointment. Not worth the price -- it seems like an old design because of the lousy graphics and weight.

Product Dimensions:as shown on amazon site 8 x 6.8 x 2.5 inches are incorrect

actual size 3x5x3/4 inches....resolution of display is very poor

much better would be the cheapest pda running chess master which i use now

My daughter is an excellent chess player so I got this for practicing on the subway and times like that. She only got about a month of use out of it before it stopped working out of nowhere. I can't believe I spent $80 for this thing and it is already completely useless. I guess you live and learn. Online chess or computer software will have to do but what I really wanted was something handheld because we spend a ton of time on the subway.

I bought some kind of chess computer back in the early 90s, and it was terrible. So when I bought this product I was worried. Turns out to be fine. The pieces are weird, but you can train yourself to get used to them in a few minutes. Visibility is fine. I don't know if this is a good chess partner for a very, very strong player, but for anybody under 1800 rating it's a nice game to have.

Seeing the mixed bag of reviews I was a bit skeptical but I gave it a go and I really enjoy this computer. At first I bought the Novag Star Opal and I learned I needed a set without physical pieces. Although I like that computer its a chore to set up as I have to thumb and finger mess the small pieces on the board and its by far not a quick and easy thing to use. The Mephisto Maestro is a Quick Draw McGraw and I play it everywhere and anywhere. After reading other reviews, I was worried about the chess pieces being distinguishable from from one another and I can say that after two minutes with the computer I have never had an issue with mixing up pieces or the colors on the board. In addition it has a nice setup mode where I can easily put pieces down in any order order and move them about as I see fit so that I can follow along in whatever chess book I may be reading. The computer has a nice range of level settings so that one can find a game that is hard but manageable. I like a challenging game where I learn and win now and then and I got it here. Its a bit bigger than I thought and a tad heavier but I carry it everywhere and its well made. I just use it and that speaks for itself.

It is very hard to distinguish between black and white and to differentiate the rook from the queen etc. You almost always need the back light on to see what is going on.
Other than that and once you learn how to use the controls, it's a great "companion".
It takes a couple of weeks to really get to like it and then you can't do without it.
Every time you win, bump it up one notch to the next level and you'll never have a dull moment. It would be nice if they could improve on the above, but I would buy it again.
Arnold

I purchased this product for my dad, who was injured and unable to play at the computer. I looked at several options and thought I picked the best option, others complained about backlight, and losing the pegs so I thought I had made a good choice. The game was horrible, the buttons un responsive, the programming ancient and slow. I returned it without ever giving it as a gift. I am pretty good at figuring out games etc, I was ready to throw it against a wall I can't imagine how my dad would have done with it!!!!

Amazon was great in the return process the game was horrible