1541 Ultimate II vs. chameleon 64

[Motormouth]

Which is of these is the better product?

Chameleon 64
can run Minimig Core
Docking Port option
can act as a accelerated CPU

1541 Ultimate II
can load .d64 images as disks
can act as two disk drives
can work with 128 mode

Is this correct?


Which do people feel as the better product?

[Motormouth]

Thanks for all the input.  This actually adds significant clarity to the products.

I kinda wanted a a faster processor/REU/flash hard drive like unit for my commodore 128d. I would be cool to run wheels in 80 column mode.

But I like the faster emulated processor/VGA/miming capability of the chameleon.  Ahhh if only the chameleon worked on the 128

[Motormouth]

The Chameleon64 also runs D64 and T64 images, plus certain CRT images... and a lot more too.

However, like you said, it is a pure C64 cartridge and won't work with a C128.

I can't comment on the 1541 Ultimate as I've never owned one, but I did have a MMC Replay.  Once I got the Chameleon64 I put my C128/MMC aside and now I just use a C64C/Chameleon combo.

Don't forget the Spectrum core.  I have it loaded on my Chameleon along with the Minimig core, but I've never used a Spectrum and so I don't know what to do with it.  

I have both.

The U2 works better at drive emulation but the Chameleon offers a lot more functions and you can actually order it.  It took 8 months for me to get the U2 and the Chameleon I got in less than 1 month.

I expect big improvements in the Chameleon in the new few updates.  It already has been updated a lot since I got it and works a lot better than it did!

yep, I have it as an reu in my c128dcr. I've disabled my internal drive on the motherboard so I can use the drive on u1541ii as #8.

if you think you want all the goodies on the chameleon, I'd def get an fpgaarcade over chameleon.

If you have a C=64/128 CPU, then much better the 1541U II. You know, you only will emulate the 1541/1571 Disk Drive, in fact you get more, becouse have many others features, and rember, you will run all the soft in the Real Machine.

But if you dont have the C=64/128, then, maybe better and practical the Chameleon 64.

If the 1541U II had the CPU acceleration, together with the REU and floppy drive emulation, I would buy it hands down.  I really want and accelerated CPU to use it in the C128d 80 column mode.

However, Like Darrin, I have both a c128 (128d) and a C64C.   I really like the idea of an accelerated C64 with REU, VGA and the ability to run separate cores ie Miming.

I do plan to buy one or the other............................

[Motormouth]

 I am not sure that an accelerator on the C128 works 100% from the cart port without internal hardware though.  Didn't the SuperCPU128 require an internal daughterboard?

I wonder how long it will be until we get a C128 core for the Chameleon64.  Then you can make your C64 act like a C128 (minus the keypad, but then you could use a PS-2 keybaord for that).  

Really, if you look at it.  The C128 has nothing over the c64 in 40 column mode with a Chameleon.

With the Chameleon you get:

REU (more memory that c128)
Turbo (with C128/C64 $D030 bit support)
COP (chameleon object processor)
Kernel changes via ROM image (enhanced basic or jiffydos type things)

COP allows direct access to the VGA mode on the Chameleon with things like Blitter support and 65k colors.  COP is being redone at this point so we are waiting for what the latest build will have.  I think this is one of the main reasons the we are lacking a Chameleon update for the last few months.

One thing I forgot to mention in previous posts is PAL!

In standalone (if your c64 is NTSC) you can run PAL mode!  So many good demos and games that never worked on NTSC in PAL land!

Yep, I run my NTSC C64C as PAL.

The main thing the C128 had was (as you say) an 80 column mode, plus a better BASIC.  However, if I want to play around with BASIC then I have SIMONS BASIC on a cartridge and a *CRT file on the Chameleon64.  

@Omnicron  You make a point about SuperCPU and the need of an internal board.  I don't know as much about the c128 hardware architecture as I do about the different amigas out there.  But I would guess that the 1 to 2 mhz switching on 8502 and the subsequent  Z80 switch for CPM would make a CPU accelerator tricky without an internal board.

@Omnicron and Darrin:  You both make a very good argument for Chameleon 64.  The question really can I live with GEOS/Wheels in 40 column mode or do I really need 80 column mode.  Alas, I have only set up GEOS/Wheels more/less for fun (isn't that what we do with our Amigas nowadays)  and I really don't use it for any real applications.

You never know with COP maybe we will get c65 emulation (I don't really know enough about the c65) out the Chameleon 64?

[Motormouth]

Thanks all,

I have learned quite a bit from this thread!

[Motormouth]

You have talked me into it.  I am going to get the chameleon 64!!!

[Motormouth]

Looks like the Chameleon is out of stock... sad face...

Darn

Well, it looks like amigakit says it is:    
Stock Expected: (overdue)

This is better than out of stock or T. B. A.

[Motormouth]

One last quick question.

How does one get Minimg core on the Chameleon without a Minimg?
I see there is a Minmig to Chameleon 64 cable that connects through the docking station.

Is this necessary?

[Motormouth]

Darn

Well, it looks like amigakit says it is:    
Stock Expected: (overdue)

This is better than out of stock or T. B. A.

Amigakit is taking preorders for the chameleon 64.  They expect to ship on Monday June 4.

You do know it won't work at all with your c128d?

Yes.

I also have a C64c.  
There are so many things it can do.  Not being able to use it with the c128d is a small price to pay.