Catweasel Mk4 Plus **new**

amigakit.com · 05 October 2008, 20:57

We are pleased to announce the imminent availabilty of the Catweasel MK4 plus. This is the latest version of the popular multi-disk controller card.

All existing customer pre-orders will be upgraded to the new version at no extra charge.

Direct Product Link
CATWEASEL MK4 PLUS (PCI)

stainy · 05 October 2008, 23:14

Ok.. new? whats different to the one I bought in August ?

Marcuz · 05 October 2008, 23:59

an audio jack and a different layout, no longer low-profile PCI compliant; mostly cosmetic stuff:
http://amiga.think42.com/indexe.htm

i transferred a whoppy 20 disks to adfs of the more than 50 i tryed with the last one

the amiga joysticks work fine (on vista 32) though

vk4akp · 06 October 2008, 05:26

From the web site

Catweasel MK4plus available
The Catweasel MK4plus is available starting today. It replaces the Catweasel MK4, which has been sold out earlier this year. The main changes are cosmetic, and we have followed customer feedback in some places. The one easily visible change is that the new card is no longer low-profile PCI compliant. This feature of the old Catweasel MK4 was rarely used by our customers, so we decided to use the increased space for a better arrangement of the two SID sockets. These are more easily accessible now. Additional filters in the audio part are geared towards filtering noise from high-performance graphics cards and low-quality power supplies. Another novelty is the external audio jack and an angled internal audio connector for better accessibility. The Catweasel MK4plus is delivered only with an English manual at first, a German translation will be made available in november of this year.

http://www.siliconsonic.de/news/CWMK4plus_SIDs.jpg

---
The big question for me now is whether to purchase or not.

For me this release could not have come at a worse time with the stock market crash and all.

I will be making a decision today or tomorrow as I expect the AUD$ to fall drastically at close of business today.

Currently my best option seems to be to buy via the UK web site and avoid VAT.

Total cost including shipping coming to some AUD$175 incl paypal fee's.

But I've been waiting many years now and don't want to miss out.

Oh well, I'm happy to see it finally here at least.

TNX Guys for continuing to develop and sell such nice gear.
.-.-.

vk4akp · 06 October 2008, 05:35

Hi, Quick questions already.

What is the angled connector? It says audio, but it looks to large to be audio? To me it looks like a ps2 keyboard socket?

Also does the kit include enough cables for me to use 1x 5.25" drive & 1x 3.5" drive?

I wish to do C64, Amiga, & Apple II disks.

Also any new SID chip's available still? Price?

Can we get a picture from the back and of the included accessories like before?

.-.-.

pmc · 06 October 2008, 08:35

Quote:

Also any new SID chip's available still? Price?

You can't get new 6581 SIDs but you can get used working ones on ebay. I bought a couple recently to put in a HardSID-4U.

You have to bid obviously so the prices aren't always definite but they tend to be about £15 - £20 per chip.

You might find NOS 8580 SIDs though - I bought a couple of these with my HardSID and they were about a tenner each. Never seen any 6582 SIDs personally so I don't know about those...

vk4akp · 07 October 2008, 03:59

OK. TNX. I will have to see if I still have any old C64 boards with SID's here that the weather hasn't got to. I have quiet a few C64 and Vic-20 boards, cases and keyboards stored in the shed, but the white ants have eaten the cupboard away and exposed it to the elements.

Well I bit the bullet even at todays disgusting exchange rates, I figured it's only going to get worse. AUD$177.87 including freight insurance and paypal fee's for the Catweasel MK4 Plus.

I'll let everyone know how I go with it when it's arrived and installed.

Interestingly enough I couldn't find a developers site for the Catweasel where I could download and try the software.

Anyone got the link for this?

.-.-.

gklinger · 07 October 2008, 06:19

If anyone needs tested/working SIDs, send me a PM. I've got loads of them that I'm going to put on eBay eventually so I might as well go direct.

vk4akp · 09 October 2008, 14:02

I could be interested once my Catweasel turns up.

I went down today and checked what I still had in the old garage.

Unfortunately the old cupboard had rotted away and the mice had built nests inside with lots of Queensland nut shell's.

Very disappointing. I counted 5 or so 64 PCB's, many original cases, 6 or so keyboards. All as parts and open.

I will try and clean them up as best I can, and remove the IC's and tube them. But none would be clean enough to fit to a brand new Catweasel.

All were early PCB's with 6581 's.

Oh well thats life I'm afraid. There is only so much room one can make in the home for these things. I still can't help but to feel shame in such a waste though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklinger

If anyone needs tested/working SIDs, send me a PM. I've got loads of them that I'm going to put on eBay eventually so I might as well go direct.

amigakit.com · 10 October 2008, 21:52

The Catweasel MK4 Plus is now in stock and available here:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=842

jabsy · 11 October 2008, 00:57

Anyone in AU have any working 5.25" Floppy Drives for sale???? I only have one left in my collection, and it's of dubious quality....

jimbo100 · 11 October 2008, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabsy

Anyone in AU have any working 5.25" Floppy Drives for sale???? I only have one left in my collection, and it's of dubious quality....

Been looking for a few years, never found one!

vk4akp · 11 October 2008, 15:23

I have a few stored away. Not a lot. And I'd have to test them even to be sure. But A while ago I had to dump a lot of them for our local radio club. As usual I have regretted it ever since. I will keep my eye's out for some more.

Personally I'd love to get my hands on a couple of good 8" drives.
.-.-.

jabsy · 12 October 2008, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo100

Been looking for a few years, never found one!

There were some on ebay earlier this month, a 3 pack went for $78 to one buyer, and the other 3 pack went for $28 to the same buyer (over my max bid of $27... - I guess that would have went for around the same price if I bid higher.)

vk4akp · 12 October 2008, 04:19

Don't suppose anyone ever sees any NOS stock of 5.25 inch Drives ever?

Also is there a document anywhere that explains which are the better drives to try and get and why?
.-.-.

jabsy · 13 October 2008, 03:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by vk4akp

Don't suppose anyone ever sees any NOS stock of 5.25 inch Drives ever?

I've seen some guaranteed clean pulls in the states, a couple went last week for $US5 with $US35 freight... perhaps you wanna go halves in getting some here????

Quote:

Originally Posted by vk4akp

Also is there a document anywhere that explains which are the better drives to try and get and why?
.-.-.

Not seen one, but TEACs sound like they are the most configurable.

vk4akp · 13 October 2008, 05:49

US$55 + US$35 freight per drive?? Not likely!

Last time I was dealing with 5.25" drives it was dismantling them for our local radio club to chuck in the tip. No I'll keep my eye's open, there will be some where more local that will come up with some for next to nothing.

If I find a source I'm happy to pass them on for what I get them for. So I'll let you know.
.-.-.

alexh · 13 October 2008, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by vk4akp

What is the angled connector?

It is a MiniDIN

Quote:

Originally Posted by vk4akp

It says audio, but it looks to large to be audio? To me it looks like a ps2 keyboard socket?

It is the same family socket (mini-DIN). But I'm pretty much sure they will be the same those on a regular MK4

jabsy · 13 October 2008, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by vk4akp

US$55 + US$35 freight per drive?? Not likely!

.-.-.

nah it was $5.10 for 2 drives, and $35 freight for them both. Here is the link

He's got a couple more up for sale, but $US10 for the pair, and $US36 for post.

vk4akp · 13 October 2008, 14:10

OK, Yea it's got me beat why they would move the keyboard connector internally. Seems a bit useless.

And sorry, yes I read that wrong US$5 is more realistic. Freight is a bit harsh though. I still believe if we look hard enough there will be a computer wrecker or similar somewhere with a load of the things to get rid of.

I checked in my collection. I still have one faulty drive mech from a CBM 8250LP. I am so mad they never returned my drives.

Now they were a cool unit.

Humm, My Catweasel seems to be sitting in Limbo.

It was supposed to be dispatched on the 11th. Yet their site says it's still sitting there waiting to go. I wonder what thats all about. :|
.-.-.

05 October 2008, 20:57	#1
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,034	Catweasel Mk4 Plus new We are pleased to announce the imminent availabilty of the Catweasel MK4 plus. This is the latest version of the popular multi-disk controller card. All existing customer pre-orders will be upgraded to the new version at no extra charge. Direct Product Link CATWEASEL MK4 PLUS (PCI)

05 October 2008, 23:59	#3
Marcuz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: . Age: 48 Posts: 5,562	an audio jack and a different layout, no longer low-profile PCI compliant; mostly cosmetic stuff: http://amiga.think42.com/indexe.htm i transferred a whoppy 20 disks to adfs of the more than 50 i tryed with the last one the amiga joysticks work fine (on vista 32) though Last edited by Marcuz; 06 October 2008 at 10:48.

06 October 2008, 05:26	#4
vk4akp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ipswich / Queensland / Australia Posts: 56	More info / 2 Purchase or not 2 Purchase ¿?¿? From the web site Catweasel MK4plus available The Catweasel MK4plus is available starting today. It replaces the Catweasel MK4, which has been sold out earlier this year. The main changes are cosmetic, and we have followed customer feedback in some places. The one easily visible change is that the new card is no longer low-profile PCI compliant. This feature of the old Catweasel MK4 was rarely used by our customers, so we decided to use the increased space for a better arrangement of the two SID sockets. These are more easily accessible now. Additional filters in the audio part are geared towards filtering noise from high-performance graphics cards and low-quality power supplies. Another novelty is the external audio jack and an angled internal audio connector for better accessibility. The Catweasel MK4plus is delivered only with an English manual at first, a German translation will be made available in november of this year. http://www.siliconsonic.de/news/CWMK4plus_SIDs.jpg --- The big question for me now is whether to purchase or not. For me this release could not have come at a worse time with the stock market crash and all. I will be making a decision today or tomorrow as I expect the AUD$ to fall drastically at close of business today. Currently my best option seems to be to buy via the UK web site and avoid VAT. Total cost including shipping coming to some AUD$175 incl paypal fee's. But I've been waiting many years now and don't want to miss out. Oh well, I'm happy to see it finally here at least. TNX Guys for continuing to develop and sell such nice gear. .-.-.

06 October 2008, 05:35	#5
vk4akp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ipswich / Queensland / Australia Posts: 56	Angled connector ?? & 5.25" Floppy cables ? Hi, Quick questions already. What is the angled connector? It says audio, but it looks to large to be audio? To me it looks like a ps2 keyboard socket? Also does the kit include enough cables for me to use 1x 5.25" drive & 1x 3.5" drive? I wish to do C64, Amiga, & Apple II disks. Also any new SID chip's available still? Price? Can we get a picture from the back and of the included accessories like before? .-.-.

07 October 2008, 03:59	#7
vk4akp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ipswich / Queensland / Australia Posts: 56	New Catweasel Owner in the Making. :) OK. TNX. I will have to see if I still have any old C64 boards with SID's here that the weather hasn't got to. I have quiet a few C64 and Vic-20 boards, cases and keyboards stored in the shed, but the white ants have eaten the cupboard away and exposed it to the elements. Well I bit the bullet even at todays disgusting exchange rates, I figured it's only going to get worse. AUD$177.87 including freight insurance and paypal fee's for the Catweasel MK4 Plus. I'll let everyone know how I go with it when it's arrived and installed. Interestingly enough I couldn't find a developers site for the Catweasel where I could download and try the software. Anyone got the link for this? .-.-.

05 October 2008, 23:14	#2
stainy Zone Friend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Concord, NC, USA Age: 52 Posts: 1,712	Ok.. new? whats different to the one I bought in August ?

07 October 2008, 06:19	#8
gklinger Vegetable Lasagna Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, CANADA Age: 54 Posts: 711	If anyone needs tested/working SIDs, send me a PM. I've got loads of them that I'm going to put on eBay eventually so I might as well go direct.

10 October 2008, 21:52	#10
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,034	The Catweasel MK4 Plus is now in stock and available here: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=842

11 October 2008, 00:57	#11
jabsy Yeah Hup! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Australia Age: 54 Posts: 345	Anyone in AU have any working 5.25" Floppy Drives for sale???? I only have one left in my collection, and it's of dubious quality....

11 October 2008, 15:23	#13
vk4akp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ipswich / Queensland / Australia Posts: 56	I have a few stored away. Not a lot. And I'd have to test them even to be sure. But A while ago I had to dump a lot of them for our local radio club. As usual I have regretted it ever since. I will keep my eye's out for some more. Personally I'd love to get my hands on a couple of good 8" drives. .-.-.

12 October 2008, 04:19	#15
vk4akp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ipswich / Queensland / Australia Posts: 56	Don't suppose anyone ever sees any NOS stock of 5.25 inch Drives ever? Also is there a document anywhere that explains which are the better drives to try and get and why? .-.-.

13 October 2008, 05:49	#17
vk4akp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ipswich / Queensland / Australia Posts: 56	US$55 + US$35 freight per drive?? Not likely! Last time I was dealing with 5.25" drives it was dismantling them for our local radio club to chuck in the tip. No I'll keep my eye's open, there will be some where more local that will come up with some for next to nothing. If I find a source I'm happy to pass them on for what I get them for. So I'll let you know. .-.-.

13 October 2008, 14:10	#20
vk4akp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ipswich / Queensland / Australia Posts: 56	OK, Yea it's got me beat why they would move the keyboard connector internally. Seems a bit useless. And sorry, yes I read that wrong US$5 is more realistic. Freight is a bit harsh though. I still believe if we look hard enough there will be a computer wrecker or similar somewhere with a load of the things to get rid of. I checked in my collection. I still have one faulty drive mech from a CBM 8250LP. I am so mad they never returned my drives. Now they were a cool unit. Humm, My Catweasel seems to be sitting in Limbo. It was supposed to be dispatched on the 11th. Yet their site says it's still sitting there waiting to go. I wonder what thats all about. :\| .-.-.

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