Seeing (EasyFlash 3) Red!

EasyFlash 3 Finished Unit
EasyFlash 3 Finished Unit

The difference between a project and a product often boils down to looks. Along with a professionally designed and manufactured circuit board, a proper enclosure completes the package.

Thought we have long offered a un-machined cartridge case with 64NIC+ Ethernet cartridges, we had resisted the thought of milling cartridge cases.  In the case of the 64NIC+, the Ethernet jack machining is tough and prone to error.  A proper CNC milling machine is required to efficiently handle such a design.  However, the EasyFlash 3 did not require so complex a solution to correctly machine a suitable cartridge enclosure.  Some simple jigs on the drill press and creative use of drill bits ably substituted for a CNC mill.  As a result, EasyFlash 3 arrives in an optional fully machined enclosure.

The red color choice was somewhat arbitrary, as we have clear enclosures.  Still, translucent red and the red LED on the unit seemed to fit well together.  I hope you agree.

The EasyFlash 3 is now available in our online store.

 

Toronto PET User Group YouTube Channel

The Toronto PET User’s Group (TPUG) has placed a number of 2009 and 2011 World of Commodore (WoC) presentations online at http://www.youtube.com/TorontoPETUsersGroup.  Yours truly is in some of the 2011 ones, discussing EasyFlash 3 and ZoomFloppy.  I guess, now that presentations will be online forever, I’ll have to do a better job or presenting and ensuring all information is accurate (I think there’s a few inaccuracies in my WoC presentations).  In any event, if you’ve never met me, check out the videos and realize you’re not missing much :-).

EasyFlash 3 Manufacturing Progress

EasyFlash 3
EasyFlash 3

It’s taken a while, but EasyFlash 3 units are nearing completion.  All SMT components are installed, and the LED, switches, and jumper pins are all that remain.  I am hoping the assembly house can ship this week so I can deliver units starting next week.

I’ve asked that the first 100 units be shipped before the second 100 are completed.

Since many people have ordered cases, it looks like I have some holes to drill before shipping 🙂

EasyFlash 3 Introduction

EasyFlash 3 Prototype
EasyFlash 3 Prototype

In late 2010, a group of folks suggested the need for a KERNAL replacement cartridge.  This cartridge would allow those with socketed KERNAL ROMs to enjoy KERNAL upgrades like JiffyDOS and would also help KERNAL developers try out new ideas before committing them to EPROM.  Due to the complexity of “replacing” a ROM inside a machine without physically removing it, a Commodore Bounty was created to encourage someone to develop the solution.  Thomas Giesel took up the challenge, finding a novel solution to the complexity, and developing an economically viable solution.  Along the way, Thomas merged in some additional features, and the result is EasyFlash 3.

EasyFlash 3 offers a number of features:

  • 8 8kB slots for alternative KERNAL ROM images,
  • 7 EasyFlash I cartridge image slots.
  • Support for the following cartridge formats
  • Normal 8k
  • Normal 16k
  • Ultimax
  • Ocean Type 1
  • EasyFlash
  • EasyFlash xbank
  • USB support (for transfer of data to/from PC/Mac/Linux
  • Field upgradeable firmware and hardware configuration
  • Ability to replace/add/remove images from the C64

EasyFlash will soon be available from RETRO Innovations and can be used on the C64, C64C, and SX64.  C128/C128D use is not currently supported.