SCSI cards for IIgs

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SCSI cards for IIgs

What is considered to be the best SCSI card to get for the IIgs? And are there any to actively avoid? Thanks!

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Modern or retro?

Modern or retro?

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No preference, just what can

No preference, just what can still be found/purchased!

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Others might have a personal

Others might have a personal choice but I’d do it in this order. I’d consider the first 3 the best choice. I sort of collect Apple II hard drives and have all of the below along with other hard drives.

Ramfast SCSI (fastest)

Apple Hi-Speed SCSI (almost as fast)

Apple Rev C SCSI

CMS SCSI

AMR SCSI card

Cirtech SCSI

Cirtech Insyder

If you just want a hard drive then the Microdrive Turbo is an excellent choice and currently in production. There have been lots of cards that used SD, CF and ide. There's some advantages to having a card like the CFFA.

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Thanks, that helps a lot! I

Thanks, that helps a lot! 

I do have the MicroDrive (and a CFFA3000 in another IIgs), the SCSI card is more to play with  an Apple SCSI CD-ROM drive and a bunch of hard drives. Nothing for practical purposes, if we can use that word with a IIgs these days :)

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I’ve used an Apple CD drive

I’ve used an Apple CD drive with the RamFast and the Apple SCSI cards. The Apple cards would be easier to find and less expensive than a Ramfast. I’m sure the Cirtech cards won’t work for this. I’ve never tried the CMS or AMR with a CD drive. The AMR is pretty rare anyways.

I don’t use CD drives too often nowadays. Last time was a year ago when I wanted check out a backup of my drives from the 1990s on CDR. CDs were still good after more than 30 years.

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I managed to get an Apple

I managed to get an Apple High Speed SCSI card, just waiting for it to arrive. Let the fun begin soon!

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Getting the fastest card isn

Getting the fastest card isn't really that important if the main purpose is for a CD-ROM drive since they are fairly slow devices.  These days most people are using some kind of solid state storage instead of hard disks.

 

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I'd also highly recommended

I'd also highly recommended getting a BlueSCSIv2 if you are going to mess around with SCSI on your IIgs. They work great. I have a massive GSOS install on mine, along with the What Is The IIgs game launcher library. It can emulate CDs too, and they are working on an add on board to get audio out. 

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Yes, I got the external

Yes, I got the external BlueSCSIv2 version on order as well from Jay, so should be all set! 

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I got the High Speed SCSI

I got the High Speed SCSI card and new BlueSCSI v2 external today, and everything works great when I power the BlueSCSI externally. 

 

I did the mod per instructions (as supplied with the BlueSCSI), connecting the diode, unfortunately I cannot get the BlueSCI to power up with connecting it to the MicroUSB. I've rechekced my work, there are no broken traces I can see... Any ideas where to look next?

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Let me answer myself :) Found

Let me answer myself :) Found that there was a trace cut on the fron of the board, right by the ribbon connector. Not sure why, but after reconnecting everything is working great!

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