Topic: Rear Admiral ThunderDrive released!

[RobertB]

     MyTec Electronics has released the Rear Admiral ThunderDrive, a modern-day replica of the Creative Micro Designs Hard Drive.  To see photos and a blog about the ThunderDrive, go to

          http://69.47.125.137/ThunderDrive/Product/index.html  or
          http://69.47.125.137/ThunderDrive/index.html
 
     Here are the details on this new hardware:

* The first run of approx. 15 ThunderDrive units is for sale.

* Price - $599 list (eBay) or $549 direct (PayPal non-eBay).
 
* Payment by Paypal or U.s. Postal Money Order.  If paying directly by Paypal, the "Personal/Gift" option is preferred.

* Contact: workspace(at)wowway.com

* ThunderDrive case size - (L)7.6" x (W)6.2" x (H)1.5" - very compact.

* Power requirements - High-efficiency switch-mode power supply included. 12VDC / 5VDC @2A each max.  Normal load = approx. 1.45A on 5V and 0.98A on 12V.
 
* Hard drive capacity - 4.1GB of actual user space (4.29GB total drive space).

* Distributed with v1.92 of CMD HD-DOS.

* DOS is installed from the disk and resides in the ThunderDrive DOS memory area.  Kernal routines (or BIOS) are on the ROM.  In comparison to the CMD HD, there are very few differences other than init procedures and some added code for clockUP!(tm) handling.
 
* An imaged diskette of latest CMD HD utilities is provided, along with references to many on-line repositories for 3rd-party enhancements.

* No DOS improvements, but the electronics have been greatly improved. The number of discrete components has been reduced on the ThunderDrive board in comparison to the CMD HD, and MyTec has developed clockUP!(tm) doubling during non-IEC intervals, which provides increased performance with large REL files, for example, with BBS software.

* Maximum hard drive space recognized - 4.1GB. Such a 4.1 gig limit is due to the 8-bit 6502-based controller used with a 6502-based machine, the math being: 256(8-bit) max sectors x 256(8-bit) max tracks = 65536 blocks x 256(bytes per C= block) x 256(8-bit) partitions = 4.29GB HD Space.

* The ThunderDrive uses a SCA 80-Pin SCSI-3 UW eServer drive mechanism which has been short-stroked and forced into a SCSI-II mode, yielding nominal space for the ThunderDrive while still performing at 10K RPM speeds.  These drives were selected primarily for longevity and form-factor.  The drive is equipped with an internal cooling fan.

* The ThunderDrive has been tested to work perfectly with attached, external, SCSI devices - CMD HD, CD-RW, IomegaZip, Syquest, and magneto/optical devices.

* MyTec also provides complete repair service and replacement parts for CMD HD / FD units.

          Merry Christmas!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[airship]

How does this compare to the new Lt. Kernal?

[RobertB]

     Oh, you want a comparison between the two hard drives...    Wasn't there ever a comparison written about the originals back in the 1980's in one of the magazines?
     Well, off the top of my head...

Lt. Kernal (Rear Admiral HyperDrive)                             CMD HD (Rear Admiral ThunderDrive)
---------------------------------------------                             ----------------------------------------------
connects through expansion port                                  connects through serial port

limited to 320 megs                                                        limited to 4.3 gigs

not JiffyDOS-compatible                                                  JiffyDOS-compatible

extremely fast data transfer                                           fast data transfer

less compatible with commercial programs                    more compatible with commercial programs

          Merry Christmas!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[Blacklord]

This is starting to be very appealing....... especially with the exhange rate the way it is at the moment too.

[RobertB]

Here are the details on this new hardware...

     Some more details --

* The ThunderDrive has a built-in Real-Time Clock, functionally the same as the one in the CMD HD.

* The ThunderDrive uses a Western Design Center 14MHz. processor, clocked down to 2 MHz. for normal hard drive operations and sped up to 4 MHz. (the clockUP!(tm) technique) when there is no IEC activity.

          Merry Christmas!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

          http://69.47.125.137/ThunderDrive/Product/index.html  or
          http://69.47.125.137/ThunderDrive/index.html
 
     Here are the details on this new hardware:

* The first run of approx. 15 ThunderDrive units is for sale.

     Whoa!  Tonight I went to the first link above and found out that there is only one left... in black.  Those went fast.

          Merry Christmas!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[Hydrophilic]

Wow, that's amazing.  I wouldn't pay that much unless maybe I were a collector.  But these aren't originals, they're new / replicas, yes?
 
I mean for 1/10th the cost you could buy something like a uIEC which can hold 4GB or more.  Neither is 1541 nor 1571 nor 1581 "compatible" in terms of things like "M-E" or "B-E" commands, but they both support 1541/71/81 and native partitions and JiffyDOS.  And of course a hard drive is bulky.  You could build it into a C128D but not a flat C128 like you can with an SD card or similar.
 
I mean for that price, you should get something a LOT better.  If the CPU actually ran at 20MHz maybe it could be usefull for 'multi-tasking' / 'distrubtuted computing' type application.  Or if it had a cartridge / REU interface like the HyperDrive or 1541-Ultimate, it might be worth the transfer speed... but probably not...
 
Of course that's just my opinion.  But I really wish I could understand people... did anybody here buy one, and how do you justify the cost?  Please be sure your essay is at least 5 paragraphs
 

[maraud]

I did.  I got it to have one that was "new" and will hopefully live longer.  That and I like the form factor better.  But I'm a nutcase who also owns 3 originals, 2 ramlinks, 2 Lt K's and 2 of the Read Admiral LtK replicas.  And yes, nearly all of them get used.  I will be eventually selling off 1 of my LtK's and 2 of my CMDs.  Just need to get off my ass and take some pictures. 

[RobertB]

But these aren't originals, they're new / replicas, yes?

     Yes, the ThunderDrive is a "modern replica", like the micro-KIM (KIM-1 replica) and the Apple I replica.

I mean for that price, you should get something a LOT better.

     I'm just glad that there is a choice of what to use on your Commodore.  By the way, what is the going price on eBay for a classic CMD HD? 

          Merry Christmas!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Grou
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

I did.  I got it to have one that was "new" and will hopefully live longer.  That and I like the form factor better.  But I'm a nutcase who also owns...

     I, too, am tempted by the siren song of the ThunderDrive. 

Just need to get off my ass and take some pictures. 

     Yes!  More photos!

          Merry Christmas!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

...and found out that there is only one left... in black.

     It seems that the last one has been sold off.

          Merry Christmas!
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[Andrew Wiskow]

I ordered a Rear Admiral ThunderDrive, and although I haven't received it yet, I have proof that it's on its way to me...

"ThunderDrive Goes to Sea !"

[Andrew Wiskow]

     I'm just glad that there is a choice of what to use on your Commodore.  By the way, what is the going price on eBay for a classic CMD HD? 

I've seen the originals sell for up to $1000! And I'm fully confident that these replicas will last MUCH longer.

As for the question of justifying the cost that was asked earlier, I understand that these are custom-made replicas, and a lot of time and effort goes into making each and every one, not to mention the cost involved in making them. I don't think he's making a whole lot of profit on these. The way I see it, I'm getting a brand new CMD HD in a reconfigured casing that will last for a long time to come. I plan to use mine to run Cottonwood BBS on once I bring it back online following my retirement from the Navy in August of next year, so it's worth it to me to fork over some extra cash for something that isn't going to die on me.

[RobertB]

     What happened to the original CMD hard drive that you already have, Andrew?

          Sincerely,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[Andrew Wiskow]

Had, not have, Robert.

Practically all of my Commodore hardware was either sold or given away prior to our move to San Diego. I had to do a considerable amount of downsizing prior to moving into a smaller house.

[RobertB]

Had, not have, Robert.

     Ah, you must have sold it for a profit.

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

"ThunderDrive Goes to Sea !"

     Nice!  Now if only there were a Star Trek-version of it... 

          Added value,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[Andrew Wiskow]

If only we in the U.S. military were paid a wage above the poverty level, I could have afforded to put everything into a storage unit. Sadly, that wasn't possible. But nothing was thrown out, and everything made its way to good homes. And I'm confident that, little by little, I'll be able to acquire everything that I need to get Cottonwood BBS back up and running again. First step - get a working Commodore setup up and running here on my ship and teach these young guys here what real retrocomputing is all about.

[maraud]

Saw the pictures of your custom version, very nice Andrew!