Sdrive2 vs SIO2SD VS Sio2PC-USB

[V-Cool]

Hey all, I'm trying to figure out what the best solution would be for me among these 3.

 

I like the idea of not having to have my laptop there to act as the external drive. But, I was considering the SIO2PC-USB because it was less expensive as the SIO2SD.

 

Then, I just heard about eh Sdrive2. It is priced much lower than the SIo2SD.

 

How would you all compare the options?

 

Thanks for your input!

[ACML]

I've had all three, types anyway.

 

I first acquired the SIO2USB from Atarimax. Excellent device for converting real 5.25" to ATR format. I also used a 10" netbook to serve as a drive server with real hardware. You can buy little netbooks now for under $50. The nice thing about the SIO2USB with a netbook is you can easily control and select games and ATR files to mount. The downside is size, it is not as portable as the other two. Still own it, but only for 5.25" to ATR conversion.

 

Then I bought an SDRIVE and that was amazing. Every piece of Atari software on a SD card and it booted on real hardware. It can handle up to 4 drives, but the file or ATR selection can only be done on the Atari screen. The menu shows long file names, but only the one you are on. If you don't preload the right ATR after you boot your application, you have a problem. Sold both of mine and bought SIO2SDs.

 

Finally I bought an SIO2SD and the search for the perfect ATR utility ended. This is to me far and away the best of the bunch. The 2x16 LCD screen on the SIO2SD solves a lot of issues that the SDRIVE can't overcome. The menu system is superior and allows up to 8 disk drives. Drives can be configured on the fly after you have committed to an application. If you forgot to include a blank ATR to save work, the SIO2SD allows you to grab one even though you are already in Atariwriter or BASIC. Many people make the SIO2SD, but my favorite is made by Lotharek. Spend the extra and buy the best. I own seven now!

 

I've tried all three and hands down the SIO2SD has the best features by far. The one caveat is that you need an SIO2USB to convert your old 5.25" library. So if that is on your list, you need to think about that.

Edited September 18, 2017 by ACML

[V-Cool]

VERY informative response. Thank you!

 

How can you use SIO2USB to convert your old library?

[manterola]

I have a sio2pc built by myself years ago. But because of convenience I got the sio2sd, which is super cool. Using the LCD display and stiff buttons is a little cumbersome (and I know that I am getting a liiiittle too picky here, but since this Atari thing we all have, we need some excuse to get the lastest new toy). So now I am considering the sio2bt.

It sounds super convenient to use your smartphone screen to select, and change disk images, and to forget about the sio cable. There are internal and external versions. I am still waiting to get one, but I think it is the way to go.

Edited September 18, 2017 by manterola

[+Nezgar]

How can you use SIO2USB to convert your old library?

 

You setup your real Atari with a real physical Drive, and daisy changed off the physical drive (IE Drive 1) is your SIO2PC serial or USB version connected to PC with a virtual drive (IE Drive 2). Then you boot either a real or virtual disk containing a disk sector copier, and just copy from one drive to the other.

[+slx]

You can also convert your old library using SIO2SD but creating 'empty' floppy images needs to be done with an emulator as that function on SIO2SD does not seem to work properly. You should be able to use a sector copier to copy your floppies onto images on SIO2SD with both your floppy drive and SIO2SD connected to your Atari and the SIO2SD floppy drive corresponding to your real drive switched off.

 

Using SIO2PC is probably a lot more comfortable as you have a PC interface for juggling floppy images rather than those 5 buttons on the SIO2SD.

 

Can't say anything about the SDRIVE as both of them are still boxed.

 

There's also a more expensive SIO2USB from ABBUC that allows using standard USB sticks rather than the flash card type in vogue.

 

 

Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk

[+Philsan]

Using SIO2PC is probably a lot more comfortable as you have a PC interface for juggling floppy images rather than those 5 buttons on the SIO2SD.

 

SIO2SD has a powerful on-screen menu.

You don't have to use LCD display.

 

SDrive 2 has an on-screen menu too.

 

But SIO2PC is more comfortable, if you have a PC nearby and you want to use it.

[Mr Robot]

You might also consider an SIO2PI. If you don't want to be plugged into your laptop, the Raspberry Pi Zero is a $5 computer ($10 is you want Wi-Fi in the Pi Zero W) which you can wire an SIO connector directly onto (or use an existing SIO2PC cable) and store all your software on.

[TheMontezuma]

Why not all and more ?

[Osgeld]

If you are up to it one can cobble together a sio2sd fairly easily with the only special tool needed being a programmer for the act on it

[V-Cool]

thanks for the info everyone

[+wood_jl]

I really like SIO2SD and Sdrive, BOTH!!! What can "Sdrive 2" do that "Sdrive" can not? Where is "Sdrive 2" for sale? Is this the ARM-processor one in the white 3D-printed case that you can't buy, because there's no reply to the thread??

[BillC]

I really like SIO2SD and Sdrive, BOTH!!! What can "Sdrive 2" do that "Sdrive" can not? Where is "Sdrive 2" for sale? Is this the ARM-processor one in the white 3D-printed case that you can't buy, because there's no reply to the thread??

The original Sdrive(this includes the Sdrive NUXX) is limited to a 2GB SD card and only 4 drive IDs. The better micro-controller means these limitations are removed in the new version.

[+wood_jl]

Gimme Gimmie!

[Totimato]

What about Side versus SIO2SD?

I was browsing Lothareks web page and saw this flash cart.

[Calibus]

Finally I bought an SIO2SD and the search for the perfect ATR utility ended. This is to me far and away the best of the bunch. The 2x16 LCD screen on the SIO2SD solves a lot of issues that the SDRIVE can't overcome. The menu system is superior and allows up to 8 disk drives. Drives can be configured on the fly after you have committed to an application. If you forgot to include a blank ATR to save work, the SIO2SD allows you to grab one even though you are already in Atariwriter or BASIC. Many people make the SIO2SD, but my favorite is made by Lotharek. Spend the extra and buy the best. I own seven now!

 

I've tried all three and hands down the SIO2SD has the best features by far. The one caveat is that you need an SIO2USB to convert your old 5.25" library. So if that is on your list, you need to think about that.

 

For someone just getting into Atari retrocomputing with no original disks - you would recommend the SIO2SD?

 

Jim

[pixelmischief]

For someone just getting into Atari retrocomputing with no original disks - you would recommend the SIO2SD?

 

Jim

 

For convenience and compatibility, the SIO2SD can't be beaten. However, there is more to Atari retro-computing than just having an "always on" repository of software. Some people are passionate about extending the system with the most powerful possible devices; Sparta DOS carts, PBI storage interfaces, etc. All depends on why YOU have joined the community and what you are hioping to get out of your Atari.

[+Philsan]

What about Side versus SIO2SD?

I was browsing Lothareks web page and saw this flash cart.

Side2 loads ATRs only if you have Ultimate1MB internal board installed.

Check out comparison table in Topic for newbies thread.

[ACML]

 

For someone just getting into Atari retrocomputing with no original disks - you would recommend the SIO2SD?

 

Jim

As pixelmischief stated, it "can't be beaten". You can collect ATR (disk images) or just the XEX (executables) and you can store every piece of Atari software on a single SD card. Easily maintained and organized using your PC. The menu system is either on the device's LCD screen or better yet, the nice on screen menu program (preferred method). I was mistaken in my original post, you can convert physical 5.25" disks to ATR images using the SIO2SD. You just need to use real hardware (800, 1200XL. etc.) with a real Atari disk drive. You just pre make the disk image blanks and use a sector copier to copy all sectors, 1-720 for a single sided single density (SSSD) disk to the ATR blank image. Or you can just use you PC to build the library off internet downloads and organize it on the PC. Pop it in the SIO2SD and you have it all at your finger tips. No hauling out big bulky disk drives and their PSU. You have infinite disk storage and don't have the expense of 5.25" floppies. Much better solution. The real disk drive appeals to the pure nostalgia of it all, but that's just too far for me to justify anymore. The SD card floppy emulator (SIO2SD) is how it should be.

 

On Lotharek's site he has an uncased SIO2SD for less than half of what the cased version cost. Also, if you order it directly from Lotharek instead of eBay, you get it cheaper.

Edited September 20, 2017 by ACML

[Calibus]

 

For convenience and compatibility, the SIO2SD can't be beaten. However, there is more to Atari retro-computing than just having an "always on" repository of software. Some people are passionate about extending the system with the most powerful possible devices; Sparta DOS carts, PBI storage interfaces, etc. All depends on why YOU have joined the community and what you are hioping to get out of your Atari.

 

Well,

I'm not interested in juggling floppies - I have enough TRS-80 ones in my collection already - so it sounds like SIO2SD is probably perfect for me.

I see there is a ton of software on archive.org - dunno if that is "THE" place to search or not, but it will definitely do for a start...

 

I'm definitely not looking to add a ton of hardware to a system - but I did order one of these: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/249405-new-4mb-ram-expansion/- it was in my "impulse buy" price range and sounded useful.

I also couldn't resist one of these: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/263986-ultimate-atari-cart-electrotrains-purchase-thread

 

Now - what am I looking to get out of the Atari experience? Way back in the day I just had my trusty Model 1 TRS-80 and some friends had Ataris and I was quite jealous of their graphics and sound capability.

I actually bought an 800 XL in 2007, but I didn't have anything handy to use as a monitor - so it was relegated to a closet and forgotten about till recently.

(I still don't have a monitor - but I'm actively looking - and keep getting distracted by stuff I see here along the way)

 

The games interest me obviously, and I am equally interested in what makes them tick.

I've heard about the custom chips in the computers and would like to poke and prod at them via BASIC and assembler to see what I can make them do.

 

I also picked up an Apple IIgs in 2007 and blew the dust off that recently - and now I'm really interested in learning 6502 assembler since it could be applied to both families.

I figure this is my opportunity to catch up on what I was missing out in the early 80s...

 

Jim