DSLRUsers.com

Is there a chat for this forum eg irc?
If there is not
Is it a good idea to have one
or do you think it would detract from discussion

Another really successful site - on property
http://www.somersoft.com.au
has a few hundred thousand posts and an active chat too

It's not necessary.

The board lets messages linger. Chat does not.

Agree - while I thought at first it was a good idea, I then had a better think...

IRC has the advantage that chat is instant, but a HUGE disadvantage that those not there at the time miss out.

This board is 'almost' instant (just note the number of times three or four replies have been made before you revisit a topic a couple of minutes after posting!).
This board has the HUGE advantage that you can come back after a couple of days and catch up on what you've missed
The fact you can run a search of all posts since your last visit also makes this extremely user friendly.

Good suggestion, but I don't think it would add anything - in fact it may take away one of the great benefits this style of discussion board.

Regards,