SIO2USB (ABBUC device, not SIO2PC-USB) v's SIO2SD

[morelenmir]

I wonder if anyone can outline the major differences between these devices? I have read a number of posts which list both as worthy floppy replacements, but none that directly contrast their features, I now have an "SIO2SD", would it be worth getting hold of the "SIO2USB" also? That in itself is a slightly vexed question though as I cannot seem to find a source for it anyway, the link provided the ABBUC page is 404'ed for me at least.

[Marius]

Sio2usb abbuc has a much better user interface (thanks to Stefan dorndorf who wrote Yash).

 

Sio2usb also has built in RTC. This is handy: you can have right time on atari and modifying disks (atr) means time/date on atr file are updated too (very handy)

 

I find swapping disks easier on sio2usb and it's very convenient to enable/disable disks on the fly.

 

Sio2usb also has internal flash.

 

SIO2SD is faster though (faster Sio) and supports more drive numbers (sio2usb is limited to d1: to d3:)

Sio2usb is rather picky when it comes to compatibility with flash drives. You have to find an us stick that is compatible which can be hard.

 

SIO2SD newest firmware doesn't accept every sd cards either so that's not a real difference between these two interfaces.

 

SIO2SD also boots xex files and also mimics a dos 2.0 disk with that xex on it. Two features I miss on sio2usb.

sio2usb also has an issue with speed and large images (slower on higher sectors)

 

They build the sio2usb when they have enough orders.

 

There was a reason for them not being around anymore on Internet but they are still active. Very nice people. True atari 8bit enthusiasts.

 

I love my sio2usb and although there are some small downsides I find myself grabbing this interface everytime again.

 

I also have sio2ide sio2bt sio2pc sio2sd 1050 XF551 and all type of harddisk interfaces. Sio2usb abbuc is one of my most favourite interfaces.

[morelenmir]

Sio2usb abbuc has a much better user interface (thanks to Stefan dorndorf who wrote Yash).

 

Sio2usb also has built in RTC. This is handy: you can have right time on atari and modifying disks (atr) means time/date on atr file are updated too (very handy)

 

I find swapping disks easier on sio2usb and it's very convenient to enable/disable disks on the fly.

 

Sio2usb also has internal flash.

 

SIO2SD is faster though (faster Sio) and supports more drive numbers (sio2usb is limited to d1: to d3:)

Sio2usb is rather picky when it comes to compatibility with flash drives. You have to find an us stick that is compatible which can be hard.

 

SIO2SD newest firmware doesn't accept every sd cards either so that's not a real difference between these two interfaces.

 

SIO2SD also boots xex files and also mimics a dos 2.0 disk with that xex on it. Two features I miss on sio2usb.

sio2usb also has an issue with speed and large images (slower on higher sectors)

 

They build the sio2usb when they have enough orders.

 

There was a reason for them not being around anymore on Internet but they are still active. Very nice people. True atari 8bit enthusiasts.

 

I love my sio2usb and although there are some small downsides I find myself grabbing this interface everytime again.

 

I also have sio2ide sio2bt sio2pc sio2sd 1050 XF551 and all type of harddisk interfaces. Sio2usb abbuc is one of my most favourite interfaces.

 

Many thanks ProWizard - that is a very comprehensive list!!! It sounds like the SIO2USB is the superior piece of hardware. I think when another batch is put together I will look at picking one up.

[+Philsan]

I have other storage devices but I don't have a SIO2USB so I cannot compare it with SIO2SD.

 

Some questions for my friend ProWizard:

 

- SIO2USB doesn't load XEX files? This is an important feature, many games are in XEX format (you can put them on an ATR with the PC but it's unhandy).

- What is the actual price of SIO2USB?

- Do you have a photo of the on-screen file selector? I have never seen it.

[+MrFish]

- SIO2USB doesn't load XEX files? This is an important feature, many games are in XEX format (you can put them on an ATR with the PC but it's unhandy).

- What is the actual price of SIO2USB?

- Do you have a photo of the on-screen file selector? I have never seen it.

 

You can get a look at the file selector screen here (and a ballpark price): SIO2USB For Sale

[+Philsan]

 

You can get a look at the file selector screen here (and a ballpark price): SIO2USB For Sale

Thanks but with on-screen a mean TV/monitor on-screen file selector.

[+MrFish]

Pictures here are of an early version of YASH, but it's pretty much the same now: SIO2USB Production Run. It's part of XDOS 2.4.

[Marius]

I have other storage devices but I don't have a SIO2USB so I cannot compare it with SIO2SD.

 

Some questions for my friend ProWizard:

 

- SIO2USB doesn't load XEX files? This is an important feature, many games are in XEX format (you can put them on an ATR with the PC but it's unhandy).

- What is the actual price of SIO2USB?

- Do you have a photo of the on-screen file selector? I have never seen it.

 

Hey Friend Cookiemonster!

 

Indeed it's a limitation that Sio2USB does not (directly) load XEX files. For me it was never a downside, since I always keep all my XEX files organized in an up to date ATR file with MyPICOdos. But yes, with Sio2SD (and SDRIVE) this is a powerful feature.

 

I have no idea what the price is of Sio2USB at this moment. I remember they were reasonable priced, but that Sio2SD is cheaper (even the nice boxed versions from Lotharek are cheaper).

 

@morelenmir

 

I would not call the Sio2USB the superior. It's one of the many choices. For me personally it is the most ideal SIO2xxx device, but I do not think in terms of superior. So far I have zero devices that do meet all the atari 8bit needs in one solution.

 

As long as my financial situation let me to buy (a lot) of a8 stuff, I keep doing it. I want to support inventors and creators in the a8 scene as much as possible (except for software creators who only release their titles on cartridge only) and that gives me a rather versatile and definitely powerful atari 8bit setup.

 

My main setups are:

Atari 600XL - 576KB - MyIDE ][ - Sio2USB

 

Atari 130XE - 576KB - Turbo Freezer 2011 - IDE+ 2.0 - Sio2SD

 

Atari 800XL - 1088KB - Ultimate 1MB with new BIOS (by FlashJazzCat) and Side2 - Sdrive Nuxx.

 

For games and demos I use mainly The!Cart which is absolutely excellent.

When I'm on my way I use Sio2BT a lot (really cool gadget, you should check it out!)

 

And when I'm coding I'm using SIC! a lot.

 

So I can not say what is superior or the best choice. I simply want it all (Yes I'm spoiled when it comes to a8).

 

And my opinion changes. I am pretty sure ... a few years ago I would have shouted that The BlackBox is the only thing I needed... and although I'm still a huge fan of The Black Box I do not have anyone in use at this moment.

 

 

From the HD interfaces (on stock atari) I think IDE+ 2.0 is the best choice

On atari's with U1MB SIDE2 is awesome (especially with FlashJazzCats new bios).

 

So much choices...

[+DrVenkman]

What exactly is the ABBUC SIO2USB and how does it differ from other such SIO-to-USB devices?

[Marius]

What exactly is the ABBUC SIO2USB and how does it differ from other such SIO-to-USB devices?

It's comparable with a sio2sd but the abbuc sio2usb uses an usb flash storage.

 

In my first post in this thread you read comparison points.

 

Interesting detail is that the internal flash of the sio2usb is a common SD card (well an sd to mini (or is it micro?) sd adaptor).

[morelenmir]

It's comparable with a sio2sd but the abbuc sio2usb uses an usb flash storage.

 

In my first post in this thread you read comparison points.

 

Interesting detail is that the internal flash of the sio2usb is a common SD card (well an sd to mini (or is it micro?) sd adaptor).

 

Who would I need to get in to contact with in order to see if there is any stock/learn when a new batch was being made? As I mentioned before the usual link quoted to the ABBUC people seems to be out of commission and the third run of gear was done way back in 2009.

 

At ~£75-100 It is significantly more expensive than an SIO2SD, but every example I have seen is pre-cased which brings it in to the same territory as Lotharek's own cased units. Do they just sell bare-bones circuitry so we can build our own cases?