C64 where do I start?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Boom
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 16
  • Views Views 425
Boom

Boom

New member
Joined
Dec 22, 2012
Posts
53
Country
Spain
Region
La Linea, Cadiz
So I never had a Commodore 64 as a kid, (I was a ZX Spectrum fanboy) but I feel like I've missed out on a lot. So I'm wanting to get hold of one.

My question is, is there a device for the C64 similar to what we can do with the Amigas. Ie add an expansion that takes a memory card to allow us to download and run a tonne of programs, demos and games without messing about with old tapes and disks? For the Amiga, I've got the IDE Compact Flash adaptor, and for the ZX Spectrum, I've the DivIDE interface. Is there an equivalent for a C64?

Any advice on the best C64 to look out for? I know there was a few versions of the ole bread bin!
 
Hi!

You have SD2IEC with an SD card adaptor, good price and good compatability.

1541 Ultimate II, SD card too, a bit pricy and perfect compatability.

(Searching in google for this two devices you will find a lot of info about them).

If I were you, I'll buy a Commodore 64C, the newer model, seems more sturdy and tend to hold better the hot...

Regards.
 
There are quite a few different SD/USB devices available for the humble C64.

They do vary in price and compatibility.

At the lower end of the scale you have devices like the SD2IEC, uIEC and C64 SD Infinity. These plug into the IEC port and allow you to access files from SD/USB like you would on a normal 1541.
They are very basic and do not emulate the CPU of the 1541, so software that uses custom loaders will not work.

At the other end of the scale you have the 1541 Ultimate-I/II and Turbo Chameleon. These devices plug into the cartridge port and the IEC port.
They contain a FPGA which emulates a full 1541 diskdrive. As a result compatibility is extremely high with games and demos.
Because they use the cartridge port they offer tons of features such as cartridge emulation, DMA load and REU emulation.

I myself use a 1541 Ultimate-II with tape adapter and it is absolute perfection!

Regarding C64s the most popular tend to be the old breadbins.
Unfortunately they can be difficult to find in a fully working condition.

More commonly available is the C64C. These can be found easily and in good condition most of the time. The only downside is that they use the newer 8580 SID chip, so samples sound very quiet unless you do a mod.
 
You also got easyflash for cart-based stuff. (1541 u2 has that too, just not r/w)

Have to say, if you want it cheap. a diskdrive is a nice place to start. just buy a setup and usually most of the disks works (i've bought c64 sets and most disks have worked so far. ironically my own had most errors)
 
Does anyone know How put Turrican 2 Game tape onto Easy Carts?:unsure:
 
Like others have said, a great starter's kit for the C64 is the SD2IEC or uIEC/SD plus an EasyFlash. The overall cost is excellent compared to the 1541 Ultimate II and it covers a good chunk of the C64 library. Of course, if you can afford it, the 1541 Ultimate II is the top end, does almost everything cartridge.

Good luck!

Heather
 
Being a 64 fan boy myself I would say that if you just want to play games then use a SD2IEC it does the job and reads most SD cards

Next could be Jiffy Dos Kernal Rom Replacement and the Easy Flash Cartridge which will allow .crt images to be uploaded directly to the Rom

My Personal Choice is the 1541 Ultimate II which does all of the above and and quite a bit more :D

Depends on your Budget and what you want from your 64 :thumbsup:

Hope this helps!!
 
And what is wrong with buying real 1541-II and transferring some stuff to 5'25" disks with XAP1541/XU1541? As far as I can remember, our mate asked for some true oldschool feeling? Still cheaper option than 1541U2 as well.

:deadhorse
 
Last edited:
i use a sd2iec and works great with all the games i have tried i also have a Easy Flash Cartridge which is nice too


but the cheapest and simplest is the sd2iec
 
F7sus4 said:
And what is wrong with buying real 1541-II and transferring some stuff to 5'25" disks with XAP1541/XU1541?
Click to expand...
LOL! Yeah, you can do that as well, but he did specifically ask about SD card solutions. :thumbsup: Plus, the X series cables require a parallel port, which many computers don't have anymore. :(

Still, a very viable option.

Heather
 
I was in the exact same position. I was (and am) Speccy mad, but felt I had to get the supposed best selling micro of the time. I started with an Sd2iec but found it shockingly slow (especially compared to the divide on the speccy and the Everdrives on my consoles).

So... I decided to splash out on the ultimate 1541 II and never looked back. Simply superb. Everything works and its very quick. Don't scrimp - buy the ultimate!!!
 
I'm also 1541 Ultimate user but don't forget Turbo Chamaleon guys.
You going to regret if you buy anything else as uiec/sd2iec doesn't load multi load games and demos which are fantastic on c64. Having real 1541 wouldn't harm, 1541-II is a nice drive.
 
uIEC does do some multiload stuff, it will work with several kinds of fastloader etc.

I have a u1541-II cart in my C128DCR and its kickass.
 
uIEC should be ok for most multi-load stuff when set to device 8
 
Wow guys thanks so much for your replies, its much appreciated. Time to go shopping soon :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Where do I start for peripherals for my A2000HD?
Replies
0
Views
78
AshleyUncia
A
Back
Top Bottom