Chess is a game of precision, timing, and pressure. And nothing emphasizes that pressure like the tick of a chess clock, especially in blitz and tournament play.
For this review, we turned our attention to one of the most reliable and widely recommended digital clocks available today: the ZMart Fun II Digital Chess Clock.
After examining this amazing clock and its features, we have a solid verdict. Read on for the full breakdown.
Introducing the ZMart Fun II
The ZMart Fun II may not come in a wooden shell or carry the vintage appeal of analog clocks.
Still, its bright LED display, responsive stainless steel touch sensors, and durable plastic casing make a strong case for modern functionality.
This clock doesn’t try to dazzle with unnecessary decorations. Instead, it focuses on usability. And in that regard, it delivers beautifully.
The case is low-profile and compact, which gives it surprising stability during gameplay, especially with its anti-slip rubber feet.
You can place it on a table with a tournament board, school desk, or even a picnic bench without worrying about it sliding out of place mid-blitz.
The build quality is solid, with a rugged feel that gives confidence that it can survive long-term club use or a few accidental knocks in a backpack. The design is lightweight but sturdy and proudly made in the USA.
Setting Up the ZMart Fun II
Setting up the ZMart Fun II is straightforward once you get the hang of it. Here’s how to do it step by step:
Start by pressing and holding the center button for about five seconds. Once the display begins to flash, you’ve entered programming mode.
From here, you can begin customizing your settings. Use the center button to cycle through the different time controls: hours, minutes, and seconds (some modes may only show minutes and seconds).
To adjust the values, tap the side buttons until you reach the time control you want.
If you want to use increment, select the increment field and adjust the number of seconds added after each move using the side buttons.
To set a delay, go to the delay setting and choose how long the clock should wait after a player presses their button before the timer starts counting down.
Once you’ve finished setting everything up, press the center button again to save your changes and exit programming mode. You’re now ready to play with your custom settings in place.
Features of the ZMart Fun II
Here are the standout features that make the ZMart Fun II such a favorite:
Bright LED Display
The display is large and crisp, easy to read under normal lighting. However, we should note that some users report slight difficulty reading it in direct sunlight.
Stainless Steel Touch Sensors
These sensors are highly responsive and quiet. Unlike analog clocks that require you to slam a button, a gentle tap here is enough.
Delays and Increments
Both Fischer delay and Bronstein delay are supported, a rare combo in many digital clocks in its price range.
Extra Game Modes
Whether it’s Go, Shogi, or even Scrabble, this clock has you covered.
Customizability
You can create your own time controls, making it tournament-ready or casual-friendly depending on your needs.
Battery Life
With 4 C batteries, the clock offers an impressive 1600 hours of use, thanks to its efficient power consumption. That’s a full tournament season or classroom term, and then some.
Size
The clock’s dimensions: 7″ wide, 3.5″ long, and 2.5″ high, make it compact enough to pack and carry without hassle.
Multiple Color Options
Going for the ZMart Fun II Digital Chess Clock means you’d be spoilt for choice. There’s a wide variety of colors to choose from.
Minor Downsides
While the ZMart Fun II is a top-tier digital chess clock, it’s not perfect. A few things to note:
Sunlight visibility
As mentioned earlier, the LED display can struggle in bright outdoor light. If you play outdoors often, this could be an issue.
On/off switch
Some users have reported minor quirks with the on/off switch. It is nothing major, but it is worth mentioning.
Sound in Silent Rooms
While quieter than most, the clock does emit a faint sound, which might be noticeable in complete silence.
Lastly, a user mentioned the rubber bumpers falling off over time. This is a minor inconvenience and can usually be fixed with a bit of glue, but ZMart may want to address it in future builds.
The Final Verdict
If you’re in the market for a digital chess clock that doesn’t cost a fortune but delivers tournament-level functionality, the ZMart Fun II is a smart buy.
It’s fast, lightweight, highly customizable, and easy to use. Whether you’re teaching kids, hosting a tournament, or just playing blitz with a friend over the board, this clock performs well across all levels.
While it has a few minor quirks, the overall experience is positive. In our opinion, it’s a functional and fun clock that lives up to its name.