jrhodes Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 (edited) I have questions about upgrading my c64 to modern disk drive alternitives/replacements. Right now, i use a MMCReplay. It works ok for simple disk based games, but games like the Carmen Sandiego series don't work. I have heard the 1541-II Ultimate is great, but i can not find one for sell. How good is the SD2IEC? Would it be any improvement over the MMCReplay? How about a gotek or hxc floppy emulator, how easy it is to connect and set one up for use on a c64? Edited February 15, 2019 by jrhodes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 (edited) I think SD2IEC would only be marginally more capable than your MMC Replay. You should look into the Pi1541, which is a solution consisting of a Raspberry Pi plus a "hat" which interfaces it to your C64. The Pi1541 firmware is more capable than the SD2IEC is, and does the basic work of the 1541 Ultimate II (which though has a load of even more functionality). If you've got a spare Pi of enough capacity it is an inexpensive solution. One of the drawbacks is that you need an additional power cable, as the Pi draws too much power to be powered by the C64 itself. As far as I know, Gotek and HxC have no use at all with the 8-bit Commodores. Those are better aimed at Amigas and alike. Edited February 15, 2019 by carlsson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnuphis Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Here is a link for the Ultimate II+ and as of today they are in stock. https://ultimate64.com/Main_products It really is the best thing you can get for your 64 and even at the price you will be very happy with the results. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhodes Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 I am still undecided which to get. Is there a video or side-by-side comparison of the pi1541 vs. the 1541 ultimate II? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoestring Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Another vote for the Ultimate-II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evk Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 U2+ has a few other functions in addition to 1541 emulation. It works as an ordinary cartridge and handle most cartridge images. It also acts as a REU. Lots of other functions of varying usefulness. Well worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnuphis Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Plus now the latest version of the telnet software CCGMS now uses the network port on the UII+! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wongojack Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 I've used both the SD2IEC and the Ultimate 1541 (although I have an older model and not the '+') I'd say that the library that is ready to use for the SD2IEC is pretty vast and would be great for someone who just wants to discover what the C64 was about. However, if you used the C64 in your childhood, you will likely want to play something that is not compatible (like your example of Carmen Sandiego). I would recommend just biting the bullet and getting the U1541. I can't really say anything bad about it and the creator has continued to innovate for the C64, so there could be more updates and improvements to come. I didn't know about the Pi1541 (although it makes perfect sense) However, another solution (that I have not tried) is the Turbo Chameleon: https://icomp.de/shop-icomp/en/news.html and/or http://www.syntiac.com/chameleon.html Link straight to Chameleon purchase page: https://icomp.de/shop-icomp/en/shop/product/Turbo_Chameleon_64.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 The Turbo Chameleon though is a pretty expensive product for those who require VGA output from their C64. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wongojack Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 The Turbo Chameleon though is a pretty expensive product for those who require VGA output from their C64. I haven't used it, but it does more than that right? This would be the primary feature for the OP: MMC/SD card slot with MMC64 compatibility and full 1541-emulation. The TC64 floppy emulation goes far beyond what other flash-based mass storage solutions like the uIEC can offer; it supports speed-loaders and custom trackloaders, and if one floppy is not enough, you can switch on a second emulated drive. I did notice this after a careful read of that last link which might eliminate most US users: In cartridge mode the C64 core can be used with a european (PAL-G) or the "new" american 65-cycle (NTSC-M) C64. The "old" american 64-Cycle C64 and the argentinian "Drean" (PAL-N) C64 can not be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Yes, but I doubt the memory card solution does more than the 1541U does. Note it compares itself ($225) to the uIEC/SD ($60) rather than the Ultimate-II+ ($160). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_q_atari Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 I did notice this after a careful read of that last link which might eliminate most US users: In cartridge mode the C64 core can be used with a european (PAL-G) or the "new" american 65-cycle (NTSC-M) C64. The "old" american 64-Cycle C64 and the argentinian "Drean" (PAL-N) C64 can not be used. My googling indicated that VIC-II chips (what the c64 uses) that are 6567R8 and newer, like the 8562, are the "new" 65-cycle chips. Supposedly these are generally chips manufactured in 1984 or later. Sounds like many/most US c64 users would fall into the 65-cycle category. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertB Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Note it compares itself ($225) to the uIEC/SD ($60) rather than the Ultimate-II+ ($160). My latest SD2IEC was $42 US from Australia. Truly, Robert Bernardo April 27-28 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show - http://www.portcommodore.com/class June 8-9 Pacific Commodore Expo NW - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motrucker Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Here's one option for the Pi1541. This seller is makes very good quality projects. If you already have a spare Raspberry Pi 3+ this makes it easy. https://corei64.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=199 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhodes Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 I'm bringing this up again with the following question: Will the pi1541 work with the carmen sandiego games? I'm not about to pay for it if they will not work with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetick1 Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 (edited) I'm bringing this up again with the following question: Will the pi1541 work with the carmen sandiego games? I'm not about to pay for it if they will not work with it. The pi1541 compatibility is actually better than more expensive devices because fully emulates the 1541 disk drive in a cycle exact way fully emulating the MOS 6502 CPU of the drive and two MOS 6522 VIA support chips. By contrast, the SD2IEC runs no 6502 code at all and only simulates various disk protocols and uses heuristics to determine which fast loader protocol to emulate at a given time. Thus, the Pi1541 achieves a very high degree of compatibility by faithfully executing 6502 code as though it were a real 1541. https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Pi1541 Edited April 4, 2019 by thetick1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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