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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: amiga1084 on March 08, 2018, 03:48:46 PM

Title: Squirrel vs Surf Squirrel
Post by: amiga1084 on March 08, 2018, 03:48:46 PM

Hi All,

Just wondering what’s the difference between the original Squirrel and the Surf Squirrel?
Besides the surf having the enhanced serial port! (Serial port is no use to me now days!)

Are both scsi controllers transfer the same speed or the Surf Squirrel has a faster transfer rate?

Using it in A1200 030

Thanks Merv

Title: Re: Squirrel vs Surf Squirrel
Post by: Rob on March 08, 2018, 06:08:54 PM

I expect it uses the same SCSI controller chip.  There was certainly never anything in the marketing that suggested the SCSI element was better and I'm sure they'd have made it known if it was.

I have a Whippet here which is just a Surf Squirrel without the SCSI hardware on the PCB.

Title: Re: Squirrel vs Surf Squirrel
Post by: scuzzb494 on March 10, 2018, 12:28:53 AM

Quote from: amiga1084;837128

Hi All,

Just wondering what’s the difference between the original Squirrel and the Surf Squirrel?
Besides the surf having the enhanced serial port! (Serial port is no use to me now days!)

Are both scsi controllers transfer the same speed or the Surf Squirrel has a faster transfer rate?

Using it in A1200 030

Thanks Merv

I have both set up here and I seem to recall having problems using the Surf with the old Squirrel setup. So when I set the Surf up recently I used the SurfSquirrel disk that I have and it works a treat. On the disk is a tool called DeleteClassicSquirrel so I am guessing HiSoft anticipated this as an upgrade.

The Surf is a Amiga SCSI and Serial Interface whereas the normal is just the SCSI. Also the Surf is a good 25mm bigger both side and top. The Surf was released in 97 and the classic 94/95 so all the tools on the disk are later versions. The SCSIMount guide is quite detailed and gives a whole bag of information on device issues and the like.

Both work fine and are a blessing. I also have other versions of the Squirrel type interface and they all pretty much work the same way. Only problem I ever got was with an Apollo that refused to work with the Squirrel.... say that it was an Analogic unit.

Evidently the Surf is twice as fast as the original, but don't quote me on that.

http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/surfsquirrel