New from The Future Was 8 bit - A combined SD2IEC+ and Fastload cartridge, in a special limited edition / collector's edition / founders edition known as the "Pink Windmill Edition".
This plugs into the cartridge port on your Commodore 64 and a lead plugs into the IEC socket on the C64 and you're done. No more userport or datasette port power cables, both are free for other purposes.
This is essentially two great products combined into one even greater one. And it's The Future Was 8 bit, so you know it's a nice injection moulded case, factory assembled PCB with gold plated edge connector. You know, things done properly.
In the same way the Penultimate +3 combined the Penultimate +2 and an SD2IEC+, this combines the Epyx Fastload Reloaded and an SD2IEC+.
This will suit the C64, C64C, C128, C128D and C128DCR (all in C64 mode).
The cable should suit the various different spacing on the different models.
As usual with the fastload, it is activated at boot for fastloading of files and a DOS wedge and other features.
You also have the SD2IEC+ device with a microSD card slot on the rear and next and previous disk buttons for multi-disk games.
We tried all ways, but just couldn't fit a full sized SD card slot in the C64 cartridge case, so it's microSD on this one.
You can even remove the cable if you just want to use the fastload cartridge with an external drive.
For the odd occasion where you want to load something from a 1541 etc.
You can also disable the fastload side of things if you wish.
Press £ to bring up the menu.
You can then press D to disable the fastload and you will be back to a standard C64, still with an SD2IEC attached.
From that menu, you could also access the additional file functions.
There is also a monitor program accessible by pressing ! from the READY prompt.
With various functions for viewing, changing, disassembling memory etc.
The new combo cart will be added to the range as the recommended option.
You could still go for the traditional "soap on a rope" style devices with userport or datasette port power (and even an optional, separate fastload cartridge).
But I hope you will agree the new version is a lot neater.
Shipping this week from The Future Was 8 bit:
Did I already mention that it is cheaper than the standard SD2IEC on it's own?
(n.b. this is so brand new that I have had to doctor some of the pictures to show the new label design, TFW8b are still waiting for those to be printed)
Tindie
My own Tindie store is still open, although shipping to the US is going to be tricky at the moment.
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