1541 Ultimate-II - Is this the ultimate device for a C64/128? [Hardware Review]

09 January 2015, 11:53

Here it is as promised! The big 1541 Ultimate-II review!

Quote:

With every review that we had done last year, from the C64SD to the SD2IEC nearly every bit of feedback we've had from our readers so far is, "you should get a 1541 Ultimate!". So thanks to Gideon of Gideon's Logic Architectures we now have that device and tape adapter in our hands for a very special review

http://www.indieretronews.com/2015/0...-ultimate.html

09 January 2015, 13:23

Nice read

I've had the Ultimate-II for about a year now and found a lot of it's functionality pretty vague, I had to search the internet to find out more. One important thing I`m waiting for in a possible firmware update is the ability to save with easy-flash cartridge games, other than that I couldn't be happier with it.

09 January 2015, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofchaos View Post

Nice read

I've had the Ultimate-II for about a year now and found a lot of it's functionality pretty vague, I had to search the internet to find out more. One important thing I`m waiting for in a possible firmware update is the ability to save with easy-flash cartridge games, other than that I couldn't be happier with it.

I had the same issue regarding using fastload, the instructions clearly explained it was integrated but not how to use it. Thankfully a quick word with the developer and I was up and speedy

09 January 2015, 14:34

I take it you guys never had a speeder/freezer cartridge for the C-64 in this case?

That's all the 1541u is. A 1541 emulator with emulators for various freezer cartridges. Then it's just like using your c-64 with a cart + 1541. Then there's the added benefit of it being able to inject the file you want off the disk directly into RAM from the ultimate's own freezer menu, so in reality you don't usually even need to use the cart's fast load routines (in the action replay's case f7 + %0:* .. also try the function keys in fastload mode, there's shortcuts for some commonly used things. also read the ar6 manual)

Choose your favourite cartridge from the ultimate's setup menu and download its manual off the net. Then all will be revealed. :-)

09 January 2015, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jope View Post

I take it you guys never had a speeder/freezer cartridge for the C-64 in this case?

Never

Also I've never had a C64 as a kid, everything we've had so far is new and the review will come across as a new user. Rather than someone with X amount of knowledge

09 January 2015, 14:53

It's funny, back in the day I was completely up to speed with the C64..Ten years of non-use and now I feel like a newbie all over again :-) So glad these beautiful machines are still developed for. Had heard about the freezers carts but was blissfully unaware of there potential.

09 January 2015, 14:57

I feel sorry for Gideon when I was talking to him, he must've thought oh crap I've sent it to someone who doesn't know much about C64 disk drives and carts

Thankfully I put his mind at ease with the review

09 January 2015, 14:59

I'm more an EasyFlash 3 junkie. We need more multi-part games patched for cartridge use. I don't want real disks and i don't want to emulate disks.

09 January 2015, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro-Nerd View Post

I'm more an EasyFlash 3 junkie. We need more multi-part games patched for cartridge use. I don't want real disks and i don't want to emulate disks.

Gets my vote

09 January 2015, 15:18

By the way guys, if you have any tips, extra instructions please kindly reply to my article on the site in comments. This would be really helpful for both myself and other new purchasers

Thank you

09 January 2015, 20:26

- Update (09/01/15) Thanks to a helpful tip from Simon Scott, another way to load the disk instead of typing Load"*",8 and then typing run. is just pressing the F1 button while on the FastLoad/Retro Replay Screen (after you have mounted the disk as per my paragraph above).

This has since been adjusted to the article

09 January 2015, 20:35

I want to know how compatible it is with G64 files created with Kryoflux, can it deal with copy protections like V-MAX!, RapidLok, Vorpal, CYAN, Para-Protect, Securispeed, XROM, Ocean, XEMAG, etc, etc! Did you try any G64 files? I have some if you want to test!

09 January 2015, 20:54

Go for it!

EDIT : No matter, I got some http://www.kryoflux.com/ and more from another site

09 January 2015, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryB View Post

I want to know how compatible it is with G64 files created with Kryoflux, can it deal with copy protections like V-MAX!, RapidLok, Vorpal, CYAN, Para-Protect, Securispeed, XROM, Ocean, XEMAG, etc, etc! Did you try any G64 files? I have some if you want to test!

Defender of the Crown - Kryoflux .G64

09 January 2015, 23:16

DotC uses V-MAX!, but can you go raiding as that is one part where the copy protection stops you? Bounty Bob Strikes Back is akin to Spiratrak!

I have quite a few Kryoflux generated G64 files with nearly every flavour of Copy Protection on them if you need any!

10 January 2015, 00:17

I wont be able to test any more until Sunday now if not Monday, I'm exhausted

However if you want to put up some files somewhere for me to test when I get back I'd be grateful

10 January 2015, 01:26

1541- Ultimate II using Audio Output playing Fantasy World Dizzy

[ Show youtube player ]

10 January 2015, 06:25

You should also try going inside a t64 or d64 and see the context menus for the individual files in the disk image or t64. The review does not touch this at all.

Single loaders can just be run, multi loaders need to be mounted and run.

You could also expand it a bit more and show the setup menu of the cart and perhaps even try/showcase the different freezer carts that this thing supports. Perhaps also touch the REU emulation that is in the cart too (there were a few demos in the last years that stream loads of animation off the REU).

Now you've just scratched the surface of what it can do.

10 January 2015, 11:14

You bring up the setup with F2.

Nostalgia usually supports REU in their cracks, look for R tagged releases.
http://csdb.dk/group/?id=146

10 January 2015, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jope View Post

You should also try going inside a t64 or d64 and see the context menus for the individual files in the disk image or t64. The review does not touch this at all.

- Mainly because we review as a new user and a C64 user who just wants to play games and what the manual provides in a how to

Single loaders can just be run, multi loaders need to be mounted and run.

We already mentioned about mounting in command screen and mounting when a game asks for an extra disk or flipped disk

You could also expand it a bit more and show the setup menu of the cart and perhaps even try/showcase the different freezer carts that this thing supports. Perhaps also touch the REU emulation that is in the cart too (there were a few demos in the last years that stream loads of animation off the REU).

We did mention the different carts it supports, such as the EpyX Fastload Cart. Again we know nothing about REU emulation it wasn't explained in the manual, so again from the eyes of a new user. Not someone who has had years and years of growing up with a C64

Now you've just scratched the surface of what it can do.

Indeed and only last night we learned about the SID Emulation and the fact it needed to be flashed with a different firmware. Again not manual covered

09 January 2015, 20:54	# 13
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,981	Go for it! EDIT : No matter, I got some http://www.kryoflux.com/ and more from another site Last edited by Neil79; 09 January 2015 at 21:00.

10 January 2015, 06:25	# 18
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,880	You should also try going inside a t64 or d64 and see the context menus for the individual files in the disk image or t64. The review does not touch this at all. Single loaders can just be run, multi loaders need to be mounted and run. You could also expand it a bit more and show the setup menu of the cart and perhaps even try/showcase the different freezer carts that this thing supports. Perhaps also touch the REU emulation that is in the cart too (there were a few demos in the last years that stream loads of animation off the REU). Now you've just scratched the surface of what it can do. Last edited by Jope; 10 January 2015 at 06:32.

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09 January 2015, 13:23	# 2
lordofchaos TinkerTailorContentMaker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bedfordshire Age: 45 Posts: 1,205	Nice read I've had the Ultimate-II for about a year now and found a lot of it's functionality pretty vague, I had to search the internet to find out more. One important thing I`m waiting for in a possible firmware update is the ability to save with easy-flash cartridge games, other than that I couldn't be happier with it.

09 January 2015, 14:34	# 4
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,880	I take it you guys never had a speeder/freezer cartridge for the C-64 in this case? That's all the 1541u is. A 1541 emulator with emulators for various freezer cartridges. Then it's just like using your c-64 with a cart + 1541. Then there's the added benefit of it being able to inject the file you want off the disk directly into RAM from the ultimate's own freezer menu, so in reality you don't usually even need to use the cart's fast load routines (in the action replay's case f7 + %0:* .. also try the function keys in fastload mode, there's shortcuts for some commonly used things. also read the ar6 manual) Choose your favourite cartridge from the ultimate's setup menu and download its manual off the net. Then all will be revealed. :-)

09 January 2015, 14:53	# 6
lordofchaos TinkerTailorContentMaker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bedfordshire Age: 45 Posts: 1,205	It's funny, back in the day I was completely up to speed with the C64..Ten years of non-use and now I feel like a newbie all over again :-) So glad these beautiful machines are still developed for. Had heard about the freezers carts but was blissfully unaware of there potential.

09 January 2015, 14:57	# 7
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,981	I feel sorry for Gideon when I was talking to him, he must've thought oh crap I've sent it to someone who doesn't know much about C64 disk drives and carts Thankfully I put his mind at ease with the review

09 January 2015, 14:59	# 8
Retro-Nerd Missile Command Champion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Germany Age: 52 Posts: 12,453	I'm more an EasyFlash 3 junkie. We need more multi-part games patched for cartridge use. I don't want real disks and i don't want to emulate disks.

09 January 2015, 15:18	# 10
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,981	By the way guys, if you have any tips, extra instructions please kindly reply to my article on the site in comments. This would be really helpful for both myself and other new purchasers Thank you

09 January 2015, 20:26	# 11
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,981	- Update (09/01/15) Thanks to a helpful tip from Simon Scott, another way to load the disk instead of typing Load"*",8 and then typing run. is just pressing the F1 button while on the FastLoad/Retro Replay Screen (after you have mounted the disk as per my paragraph above). This has since been adjusted to the article

09 January 2015, 20:35	# 12
BarryB Amigaholic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UK Posts: 4,745	I want to know how compatible it is with G64 files created with Kryoflux, can it deal with copy protections like V-MAX!, RapidLok, Vorpal, CYAN, Para-Protect, Securispeed, XROM, Ocean, XEMAG, etc, etc! Did you try any G64 files? I have some if you want to test!

09 January 2015, 23:16	# 15
BarryB Amigaholic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UK Posts: 4,745	DotC uses V-MAX!, but can you go raiding as that is one part where the copy protection stops you? Bounty Bob Strikes Back is akin to Spiratrak! I have quite a few Kryoflux generated G64 files with nearly every flavour of Copy Protection on them if you need any!

10 January 2015, 00:17	# 16
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,981	I wont be able to test any more until Sunday now if not Monday, I'm exhausted However if you want to put up some files somewhere for me to test when I get back I'd be grateful

10 January 2015, 01:26	# 17
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,981	1541- Ultimate II using Audio Output playing Fantasy World Dizzy [ Show youtube player ]

10 January 2015, 11:14	# 19
Retroplay Lemon Curry ? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Denmark Age: 49 Posts: 4,122	You bring up the setup with F2. Nostalgia usually supports REU in their cracks, look for R tagged releases. http://csdb.dk/group/?id=146

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