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Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 12:46 pm
by 3D-vice
X-PANDER 3 - CARTRIDGE PORT EXPANDER WITH 3 SLOTS
C64_Peripheral_Xpander3-1.jpg
The X-Pander 3 opens up a wealth of expansion options for your Commodore 64, SX64, C128, or C128D. Utilize multiple cartridges at once, or easily switch cartridges without removal.

Features
3 individually-selectable expansion ports.
Power indicators for each port.
Ability to swap IO select lines on some ports.
Easily accessed piano-style configuration switches.
Top-loading or back-loading third port.
Reset switch.

The 3rd and 4th ports can be used at the same time, providing the ability to use up to 4 expansion ports at once.

As you can see, I've also got a 3D-printed case for the X-Pander 3 from a Canadian eBay vendor. The case has a good quality, but I encountered a slight problem:
C64_Peripheral_Xpander3-2.jpg
The guy who made the cases had an X-Pander version where the capacitors had a heigt of 6mm, so this was the template he was unsing for creating the case. However, the X-Pander version I got had a set of different capacitors with a height of about 12mm, see picture A and B.

The problem I now have is the the case won't close due to the increased height of the capacitors, see picture C and D. Since I do not want to drill holes into the case in order to make it fit the actual capacitors, I decided to buy new capacitors with a height of 5mm and replace the existing one. I still have to do this though...

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 3:34 pm
by obitus1990
Very useful writeups!

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:47 pm
by Bulletdust
I've got a question in relation to new C64 peripherals. The 1541 Ultimate II+ has a battery backed up clock/calendar that apparently time stamps DOS files...How do I actually 'see' the time stamp?

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 11:52 pm
by Mr.Toast
Oh nice. I have an XPander 3 board but unfortunately it is nekkid. I was thinking of designing a custom one but was not aware there was a case already available. Its a bit tragic that the height isn't going to match the board height with stock caps installed.

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 2:56 am
by McTrinsic
Thanks a lot for putting this together.

I wish there was a site like Amiga.resource.cx or the BBoAH for the C64 or generally the C= 8-bitters.

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 3:08 am
by 3D-vice
Mr.Toast wrote:Oh nice. I have an XPander 3 board but unfortunately it is nekkid. I was thinking of designing a custom one but was not aware there was a case already available. Its a bit tragic that the height isn't going to match the board height with stock caps installed.
Then I have good news for you! I had contacted the guy back then (a really nice fella by the way) and informed him about the new capacitor height. We had exchanged photos of the actual problem and his approach on the re-design. He then re-designed the case to fit he new capacitors, and the result can be purchased here:

Have a look at this: https://corei64.com/shop/index.php?rout ... uct_id=118

And here's the link to his eBay- and web-shop:
https://www.ebay.de/usr/my427sc
https://www.corei64.com/shop/
Bulletdust wrote:I've got a question in relation to new C64 peripherals. The 1541 Ultimate II+ has a battery backed up clock/calendar that apparently time stamps DOS files...How do I actually 'see' the time stamp?
I'm sorry I have no idea where to find that stamp. :|

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 9:21 am
by Mr.Toast
3D-vice wrote:Then I have good news for you! I had contacted the guy back then (a realkly nice fella by the way) and informed him about the new capacitor height.
Ahh, very nice and good find, Sir. Its a bit out of my price range at the moment but I have it bookmarked for later!

Really enjoyed this thread, btw. My excitement about these old machines is more oriented to modern hardware and software implementations that we could only dream of "back in the day". I'm not into collecting them. But, things like SD/Pi peripherals, modems, FPGA/CPLD replacement parts, new cases and of course, new PCB spins like the ReAmiga are what I am most interested in! Its amazing what people are doing to keep these things alive and the options available to users.

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:44 am
by 3D-vice
Disclaimer: Actually, this is not a pripheral, but a whole new C64!

I'm speaking about the Ultimate 64 (Elite) board from Gideon's Logic B.V. of course. Mine arrived some minutes ago and I am very curious to install and run it. Now I just need to think about a fitting case and keyboard.
C64_Ultimate64Elite.jpg

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 9:52 am
by intric8
Oh very cool. I'm tempted to sell my original Ultimate to get the Elite... Mainly just because I love the new logo! :D

Re: New C64 Peripherals

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 8:11 pm
by obitus1990
What makes it Elite, versus the original?