Commodore 64-->advice for flash drive alternatives

[nightrnr]

I picked up a C64 system at a thrift store a few years ago. As far as I can tell, it works fine (but haven't tested it thoroughly either).
Anyways, It's been sitting in its box for a while now, and I recently had my interest ignited in the thing. I would like to get some use out of it.

I don't have a disk drive for it, and have no intention of getting one, partly because I question reliability of the aging and dated technology.

I've read several alternative options on the matter in the past, and I think a flash drive peripheral is the way to go.
Anyone know if this is a good one to go with, and what a good price point is ($70 shipped is the going price I see)?
I think this one looks promising:
http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/SD2IEC

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-Disk- ... 4d03085847

or this one:
http://store.go4retro.com/products/uIEC_SD.html

This one looks good too, but is pricier than I'd like to spend (and I think attaches to the cart slot instead of the drive plug):
http://www.1541ultimate.net/content/ind ... &Itemid=20

I would even be open to something that let you connect a hard drive:
http://www.ide64.org/
...but would prefer something lighter and portable.
Hooking it up to my PC for storage is not an option that I like (64HDD software), as I may as well use an emulator if I'm going to do that. I want to use it as a self contained system.

I remember playing on a friend's C64 back in the 80's, but am a newcomer in most respects, so if I'm forgetting something crucial (like severe compatibility issues), let me know.

--EDIT--
Ooh!, this one is cheaper and sounds like it comes with the connector(s) I need:
http://homestead.vcsweb.com/content/uie ... -available

Should I bite?

[ApolloBoy]

The best option you have is the 1541 Ultimate II, which emulates an entire 1541 drive. The problem with trying to load programs on the C64 with flash-based solutions is that some disk images use turbo loaders that depend on the functions of the 1541 in order to work (all Commodore 8-bit drives have their own CPU and BIOS), and so some disk images won't work on something like a uIEC.

However, you can easily find disk images that are compatible with the uIEC and don't use 1541-specific loaders. If you go to Gamebase 64 you can do a search for these by selecting "No" for "True Drive Emulation". I do this when I look for games that'll work on my 1581, which isn't totally 1541-compatible.

So basically the best solution will be the 1541 Ultimate II, but since you're looking for something cheap, the uIEC will suit you fine as long as you find disk images that work.

[CRTGAMER]

I picked up a C64 system at a thrift store a few years ago. As far as I can tell, it works fine (but haven't tested it thoroughly either). Anyways, It's been sitting in its box for a while now, and I recently had my interest ignited in the thing. I would like to get some use out of it.

I don't have a disk drive for it, and have no intention of getting one, partly because I question reliability of the aging and dated technology.

There are game carts as well, 8 bit computers are the forgotten game console, can plug in a regular TV Composite/SVideo. I have piles of C64 disks and they still work just fine. Magnetic media is more fragile then a CDR, but stored correctly they will still outlive you. You definitly should get a 1541 drive and a FastLoad, part of making the C64 complete. Good news is any 2600 stick or paddle fits just fine.

[ApolloBoy]

There are game carts as well, 8 bit computers are the forgotten game console, can plug in a regular TV Composite/SVideo. I have piles of C64 disks and they still work just fine. Magnetic media is more fragile then a CDR, but stored correctly they will still outlive you. You definitly should get a 1541 drive and a FastLoad, part of making the C64 complete. Good news is any 2600 stick or paddle fits just fine.

There aren't a whole lot of carts out for the C64 however, and a lot of the good stuff is on disk. I don't think I'd suggest getting an original 1541 as they're perhaps the most unreliable disk drive in the universe; I had two that stopped working and a local computer shop near me has loads of non-working 1541s that need alignment.

If you're going to go with original 5.25" floppies I'd suggest the 1541-II or 1571 along with JiffyDOS upgrades for both the C64 and disk drive, which dramatically speeds up the load times. I'm thinking of getting JiffyDOS myself for both my C64 and 1581, which is faster than the 1541 but not by a whole lot.

[nightrnr]

Thanks guys, you've given me some good info, and a bit more to think about.

I'll have to consider that 1541 Ultimate II. It's definitely more than I want to pay, but larger compatibility is very appealing to me (and not having to worry if I can find the right format of a game). Fitting it into the cart slot is also aesthetically attractive.
In the end, I think my frugality is going to win out though.

@ CRTGAMER
Yeah, I've kind of been wanting Gorf for the thing. But I'm not sure I care about too many of the others on cart.

As for getting a disk drive, absolutely not, My mind is made up on that. I've had too many corrupt disks in the past,
...and as ApolloBoy mentioned, the issues of drives themselves are too common.

No,
I like the "re-purposing" of older systems. In giving the C64 a modern tech option, it makes it both relevant and convenient for use today. I'm not worried about the "authentic experience" if it ends up being overly frustrating; in my mind, there's no reason for me to put up with all the inconveniences (and bulk) of the system if there's a way to make it better.

I do understand wanting to have it all complete and true to its original operation, but that's not all that important to me (in this case anyways)... it's just a personal preference.

I'm not sure how this is all coming off, so sorry if I sound like a dick . Really I'm just trying to state my intention with the thing:
:"May I date your Commodore?."
::"You stay the hell away from her you flashing freak!!!"

Oh, and I think I'll use a Sega Master System controller. Again, I don't care about the authentic experience, not when I have a trusty gamepad that will work.

...jamming to some awesome sid music right now , dreaming of when I'll be playing it as well.

[Jrecee]

Please post what you end up doing and how it goes. I started looking into c64 stuff a few months back but ended up not jumping on any of it due to the cost being higher than expected and being overly complicated. I'm still interested though. . . Did you look into the chameleon thing at all?

[nightrnr]

I haven't taken the plunge just yet.
If I do anything, I think it will be one of those "SD2IEC" devices. It's like $60 to $100 cheaper than the alternatives
...and looks like there's still a lot you can do with it.

I found this page interesting:
https://ilesj.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/ ... ng-sd2iec/

There seems to be some fairly user friendly solution for it anyways.

On the other hand, $70 shipped is a steep price for an archaic system that you could emulate easy enough on older PC's (as neat as it is). I'm still deciding if that's what I really want.

Anyways, I'll keep you guys posted.

[ApolloBoy]

If you're looking on eBay, C64s are horribly overpriced over there. You can find one for much less if you look around; you might have luck looking around locally too.

[nightrnr]

It's just the flash drive adapter that I would be buying and that's what would set me back the $70. It seems to be a pretty universal cost unless I'm willing to buy the kit and solder everything together (which I might be capable of, but then again might fail miserably, and I think I would have to program one of the chips, which I have no idea how to do).

As per my 1st post, I already have the base system, so I'm set there.
I agree, ebay does seem to be pricy on those.

[ApolloBoy]

As per my 1st post, I already have the base system, so I'm set there.
I agree, ebay does seem to be pricy on those.

Ah that's right, my bad. But still, getting a uIEC is well worth the price considering what you can do with it. C64 emulators like VICE tend to be good but they're so lacking compared to the real deal.