The Curious Case of the Radio Shack Partner 1680X

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Steve B
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Post by Steve B »

SirDave wrote:
Steve B wrote:Thanks for the Info Mike
and thank you very much for the offer of the manual
i have my eye on a Tandy 60-2175 which is up for grabs on Ebay ..
AFAIK its the same as the 60-2160 only the display is LCD rather then LED
if i win the auction i will see if that manual works for the 2160
if so.. im good to go
if not ill take you up on that nice offer

Best Regards
Steve
Congrats Steve- looks like you got the 60-2175 at a very nice $25 for a unit that looks to be in great condition.

Your Collection's Storage Space probably looks like:
The Finale Of Raiders Of The Lost Ark Regards,
Dave
Thanks Dave
actually i occasionally post photos of the subterranean vaults where i
store the collection
it is a separate album in my Flickr Collection which normally remains hidden
perhaps i will open it up to visitors again
in the Springtime Regards
Steve
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Post by Steve B »

SirDave wrote:
Steve B wrote:Thanks for the Info Mike
and thank you very much for the offer of the manual
i have my eye on a Tandy 60-2175 which is up for grabs on Ebay ..
AFAIK its the same as the 60-2160 only the display is LCD rather then LED
if i win the auction i will see if that manual works for the 2160
if so.. im good to go
if not ill take you up on that nice offer

Best Regards
Steve
Congrats Steve- looks like you got the 60-2175 at a very nice $25 for a unit that looks to be in great condition.

Your Collection's Storage Space probably looks like:
The Finale Of Raiders Of The Lost Ark Regards,
Dave
Well the 60-2175 has been accepted into the collection proper
eventually i will pit the 60-2160 Vs the 60-2175 in a game for testing purposes
strange level settings
we go from level 1-Instant Response
to level 8-100 minutes
the batteries are only good for 15-16 Hrs of play so i hope one of these computers can win in less then 10 moves if i choose level 8 for the game

Image

Clash Of The Tandy Titans Regards
Steve
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Post by Steve B »

[Date "2012.3.9"]
[White "Tandy LCD(60-2175)"]
[Black "Tandy LED(60-2160)"]
[TimeControl "2.5 Min.Per Move"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]

1.Nc3 d5 2.Nf3 d4 3.Ne4 f5 4.Neg5 Nf6 5.d3 h6 6.Nh3 e6 7.c3 dxc3 8.bxc3
Nc6 9.d4 Bd6 10.e3 O-O 11.Bb2 Ne4 12.Bc4 Na5 13.Qd3 Nxc4 14.Qxc4 c6
15.O-O Qb6 16.Rfb1 Rf6 17.a3 Bb8 18.g3 Kh8 19.Kf1 h5 20.Nf4 g6 21.Qa2 Qa6+


i found the position at this point in the game quite amusing
it seems both computers are playing a "Game within the Game"
each one trying to see who can pile more pieces into their respective lower left hand corners

[fen]rbb4k/pp6/q1p1prp1/5p1p/3PnN2/P1P1PNP1/QB3P1P/RR3K2 w - - 0 22[/fen]

22.Kg2 Qa5 23.c4 Bxf4 24.gxf4 Nc3 25.Bxc3 Qxc3 26.Rc1 Qd3 27.Rd1
Qe4 28.Qb2 Kg7 29.Rac1 b6 30.Qb4 Ba6 31.a4 Bb7 32.Qe7+ Rf7 33.Qd6 b5
34.axb5 cxb5 35.Qe5+ Qxe5 36.fxe5 Bxf3+ 37.Kxf3 bxc4 38.Rxc4 g5 39.h3 a6
40.Rd3 a5 41.Ra3 g4+ 42.hxg4 fxg4+ 43.Ke2 Rf3 44.Ke1 h4 45.Rac3 h3
46.Rc7+ Rf7 47.Rxf7+ Kxf7 48.Rc7+ Kg8 49.Kf1 a4 50.Kg1 a3 51.Rc1 a2
52.Ra1 Ra4 53.Kh2 Kh7 54.Kg1 Kg7 55.Kh1 Kg6 56.Kh2 Kf5 57.Kg3 Ra5 58.f3
gxf3 59.Kxf3 Ra3 60.Kf2 Ke4 61.Kf1 Kxe3 62.d5 exd5 63.Kg1 Kf4 64.e6 Kg3
65.Kh1 d4 66.e7 Re3 67.e8=Q Rxe8 68.Rg1+ Kh4 69.Rc1 h2 70.Kxh2 Re2+
71.Kg1 Rc2 72.Re1 Kh3 73.Rd1 Re2 74.Ra1 Rg2+ 75.Kh1 d3 76.Rd1 Rg3 77.Rf1
d2 78.Ra1 Ra3 79.Kg1 d1=Q+ 80.Rxd1 a1=Q 81.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 82.Kf2 Rd1 83.Ke3
Rf1 84.Kd3 Rf4 85.Kc3 Kg3 86.Kb3 Kf3 87.Kc2 Kg4 88.Kd3 Rb4 89.Ke3 Rc4
90.Kd2 Re4 91.Kc1 Rd4 92.Kb1 Rf4 1/2-1/2

And so the game ends in a draw

next i shall pit the Fidelity EAG 2100 in a simulatneous exhibition against both Tandy's
1 Min Per Move
lets see if they both play the same exact moves in the same time

now ..do you know anybody that would waste so much time on these two computers?

Well..Your looking at him Regards
Steve
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Post by Steve B »

As a final test of the Tandy Titans i pit them against the Fidelity EAG 2100
i also added to the party the Scisys Intercontinental Traveler
The Tandy's and Scisys IC are all reportedly clones of each other

The 2100 had the ECO book modules loaded and the Impact Printer
i hooked up the printer because i wanted to save this historic Simultaneous match for future generations
in order that my heirs when they rummage through my belongings could get a sense of how i wasted my spare time

i set the EAG for the following Printer Options:
Double Printing Height
Figurine Algebraic
Print Time with each Move

the printer will print all of the above after every move made by black
at the end of the game i will also print the final board diagram and
the complete game(normal algebraic not figurine)

The EAG 2100 was set for 1 Min per Move and the Tandy's Titans/Scisys IC were set for level 4
EAG had the dark pieces
the manual for the LCD Tandy(60-2175) shows this as 70 Sec/Avg
as does the IC Manual
i dont have the LED manual(60-2160) so not sure what the response time is

I Started the EAG off with the EOD book module loaded
this module has the double Queen Pawn openings

In the Game everyone opened with 1.Nc3
this made the EAG call for the insertion of the EOA module
the EOA module handles all openings other then 1.e4 or 1.d4

[Date "2012.3.11"]
[White "Tandy's LCD-LED/Scisys IC"]
[Black "EAG 2100"]
[Time Control "60-70 Seconds Per Move"]
[Result "0-1"]

1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bf4 Bf5 4.Nf3 Nh5 5.e3 Nxf4 6.exf4 e6 7.Bd3 Qf6
8.Bxf5 Qxf5

[fen]rn2kb1r/ppp2ppp/4p3/3p1q2/3P1P2/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R2QK2R w KQkq - 0 9[/fen]

Up to this point everyone played the same moves
here the LCD plays 9.0-0
while the LED and Scisys IC both play 9.Qd2
at this point i eliminated the LCD as it did not play the same as the other two
i notice that the Tandy LED and Scisys IC took more time for each move then the LCD and everyone was set for level 4

the game continued with the Tandy LED and Scisys IC

9.Qd2 Nc6 10.O-O Bd6 11.Ne5 O-O 12.g4 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Qxg4+ 14.Kh1 Qf3+ 15.Kg1 Be7 16.Qe3 Qh5 17.Rfc1 f6 18.f3 fxe5
19.Qxe5 Bc5+ 20.Kg2 Qg6+ 21.Kf1 Bd6 22.Qe2 Bxf4 23.Rd1 c5

[fen]r4rk1/pp4pp/4p1q1/2pp4/5b2/2N2P2/PPP1Q2P/R2R1K2 w - c6 0 24[/fen]

and now here the Tandy LED plays 24.Na4 while the Scisys IC plays 24.Nxd4
another divergence
i decided to eliminate the Tandy and finish up the game with the Scisys

24.Nxd5 exd5
25.Rxd5 Bxh2 26.Qxh2 Rxf3+ 27.Ke1 Qe4+ 28.Qe2 Re3 29.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 30.Kf1
Rf8+ 31.Kg2 Rf2+ 32.Kh1 Qf3+ 33.Kg1 Qg2# 0-1

FINAL POSITION
[fen]6k1/pp4pp/8/2pR4/8/8/PPP2rq1/R5K1 w - - 0 34[/fen]


so what can be gleamed from this exercise?
either none of the computers are clones of each other
OR
there is a random play element in the programs and they are clones of each other

my guess is the programs are probably not 100% identical

Heir Today Gone Tomorrow Regards
Steve
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Post by SirDave »

Here's an interesting matchup presently on eBay:

A Saitek Executive (apparently with no box) starting bid at $9.95, shpg $7.95:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saitek-Kasparov ... 0964604400?

And a Radio Shack Chess Partner 1680X catalog #60-2428A with box, starting bid $9.99 with $12.40 shpg:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NICE-RADIO-SHAC ... 1122018562?

Will be interesting to see where this goes since they are really the same boards (as per this thread :)).
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Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by Arlie »

I collect Tandy/Radio Shack chess computers (it's a hometown thing). I was reading old posts to "catch up" since I am new to the forum. I needed a 1680x for my collection and 2 were on eBay. One looked like a possible bidding war since a bid was made, the other a buy it now, same price/shipping. After reading the posts, I went back and started zooming in on the pics. There it was on the manual for the buy-it-now unit, the "A" in the serial number. The other was not readable. I immediately bought the "A" unit.

Thank you Sir Dave and everyone for the detective work and info. I generally give my computers names and the 1680x will henceforth be known as "Sir Dave".
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Re: Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by Steve B »

Arlie wrote:

Thank you Sir Dave and everyone for the detective work and info. I generally give my computers names and the 1680x will henceforth be known as "Sir Dave".
Hi Arlie
a well deserved badge of honor for Sir Dave
it might interest you to know that I too have a chess computer named after me

you can see it here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10261668@N ... 0922171918

Searching For Minnie Regards
Steve
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Re: Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by SirDave »

Arlie wrote: Thank you Sir Dave and everyone for the detective work and info. I generally give my computers names and the 1680x will henceforth be known as "Sir Dave".
Arlie, thankyou for the feedback. There are so many talented people on this forum who have knowledge and collections far beyond mine, but one thing they don't have is a chess computer named after them. :)

The RadioShack Partner 1680X cat: 60-2428A (comparable to the Saitek Executive), though practically unknown as distinctive from the much-different 60-2428 (comparable to the Saitek Olympiad), is perhaps one of the best values to be had on eBay. It has excellent features (such as several Level categories, 8 Study Positions and a dedicated Evaluation key) and options for the beginner and advanced player up to the club level. Not to mention that I know of no other chess computer to be had for usually much less than $50 that has both a relatively large LCD and 16 LEDs! It's interesting that the far inferior Saitek Olympiad (ie. the RS 1680X cat: 60-2428 without case) with its fancy case and flashy name usually sells for substantially more.

Your post gives me the chance to update the list of units that have very much the same form-factor. These chess computers rarely come up for discussion, but, except for the Saitek Olympiad/RS 1680X cat. 60-2428, they provide a wide range of options and challenges. As mentioned above, they stand out in having both a large LCD and 16 LEDs whereas often, other units in the same price range have only an LCD or 16 LEDs. They are very portable laptops and have a long battery life on 4 AAs.

This list has been substantially updated. The units are now listed in order of their approximate release date.

Saitek Olympiad: 1992, 68HC05, 2Mhz, 7.7kb ROM, 176 bytes RAM (Book 250, Elo 1422, Craig Barnes)
(At best, a unit for beginners. Very limited Level variety and selection.)

Saitek Executive: 1993-4, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM
(Can't find Book, Elo or Programmer info. My guess is that the Elo is circa 1600+. Rated for strong occasional players/weak club players.)

Mephisto Mythos: 1995, H8, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM (Book 6000, Elo 1897 Frans Morsch)
(Appears to be the precursor of the Barracuda and Mystery units below, but doesn't have the red keys under the LCD.)

There is conflicting information in the Wiki about the following two units. I have given the information from the Wiki individual descriptions which shows definite differences. On the other hand, the Wiki listing shows them as being exactly the same.

Saitek Barracuda: 1998, H8, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 1kb RAM (Book 6000, Elo 1900, Frans Morsch)
(Look for red keys under the LCD display.)

Mephisto Mystery: 1998, H8, 12Mhz, 32kb ROM, 1kb RAM (Book 4000, Elo 1985, Frans Morsch)
(Based on the Wiki description, it appears to be a juiced-up version of the Barracuda, but why the smaller Book, if accurate?)

Radio Shack 1680x catalog 60-2428:
The same as the Saitek Olympiad.
Radio Shack 1680X catalog 60-2428A:
Likely the same as the Saitek Executive.
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Re: Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by spacious_mind »

SirDave wrote:
Arlie wrote:
Saitek Executive: 1993-4, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM
(Can't find Book, Elo or Programmer info. My guess is that the Elo is circa 1600+. Rated for strong occasional players/weak club players.)
HI Dave,

Don't let this one trick you :) The Executive is most likely the same as Mythos (more of the GK2000 family)

Here are some example games:

[Event "1st ICMCCC - Capablanca - 30sec/move"]
[Site "Germany - USA - Austria"]
[Date "2008.03.04"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Mephisto Risc II 1MB"]
[Black "Saitek Executive"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E03"]
[WhiteElo "2231"]
[BlackElo "2027"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2008.03.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "24"]
[SourceDate "2008.03.02"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. O-O b6 8.
Nc3 Bb7 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 Qc8 12. Qa4 Bc5 13. Bg5 Bxd4 14. Qxd4
O-O 15. e4 h6 16. Be3 Rd8 17. e5 Qb7+ 18. f3 Nc5 19. Qc4 Nd5 20. Bd4 Rac8 21.
Rfd1 Ne4 22. Qb3 Nexc3 23. bxc3 Qa6 24. Kf2 Rd7 25. Rac1 Qc4 26. Qxc4 Rxc4 27.
Ke2 Kf8 28. Rd2 g5 29. h3 Ke7 30. a3 a6 31. Rd3 Rdc7 32. Kd2 Ra4 33. Ra1 Rcc4
34. Kc1 Ra5 35. Kb2 Rb5+ 36. Kc2 Kd7 37. a4 Rbb4 38. a5 b5 39. Bb6 Ra4 40. Rxa4
bxa4 41. Kb2 Kc6 42. Bd8 Kb5 43. Bb6 Rc6 44. Bd8 Rc5 45. h4 Rc8 46. Bb6 Nxb6
47. axb6 gxh4 48. gxh4 Kxb6 49. Rd7 Rc5 50. f4 Rb5+ 51. Ka2 Rb3 52. Rxf7 Rxc3
53. Rf6 Kc5 54. Rxe6 Rf3 55. Rf6 Kb4 56. h5 Rf2+ 57. Kb1 a3 58. Rb6+ Ka5 59.
Rxh6 Rxf4 60. Re6 Rf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "1st ICMCCC - Capablanca - 30sec/move"]
[Site "Germany - USA - Austria"]
[Date "2008.03.12"]
[Round "1.11"]
[White "Radio Shack 2250 XL"]
[Black "Saitek Executive"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2117"]
[BlackElo "2027"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2008.03.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "24"]
[SourceDate "2008.03.02"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nc3 {
Saitek Executive out of book} Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nf6 9. O-O Bc5 {
Radio Shack 2250 XL out of book} 10. Qg3 Qe7 11. b3 O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Bb2
Rae8 14. Rae1 Qd6 15. a4 Bd4 16. Qg5 a6 17. d3 c5 18. Nd1 Bxb2 19. Nxb2 Re7 20.
Re2 Rfe8 21. Rfe1 Re6 22. Nd1 h6 23. Qh4 e4 24. dxe4 Rxe4 25. Rxe4 Rxe4 26.
Rxe4 Nxe4 27. Ne3 Kh7 28. Kf1 c6 29. Ke2 g5 30. Qg4 Qf6 31. Qd7+ Kh8 32. Nf5
Nc3+ 33. Kf3 Na2 34. Qc8+ Kh7 35. Kg4 Nb4 36. Qb7+ Kg8 37. Qb8+ Kf7 38. Qc7+
Kg8 39. c3 Nd3 40. Qb8+ Kf7 41. Qb7+ Kg8 42. Qc8+ Kh7 43. Qd7+ Kh8 44. Qe8+ Kh7
45. Qd7+ Kh8 46. Qc8+ Kh7 47. Qd7+ 1/2-1/2

regards,

Nick
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Re: Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by SirDave »

spacious_mind wrote:
SirDave wrote:
Saitek Executive: 1993-4, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM
(Can't find Book, Elo or Programmer info. My guess is that the Elo is circa 1600+. Rated for strong occasional players/weak club players.)
HI Dave,

Don't let this one trick you :) The Executive is most likely the same as Mythos (more of the GK2000 family)

Here are some example games...

regards,
Nick
Certainly looks like that is very possible Nick. Thanks for the info. Most interesting to me is the draw with the RS 2250XL.

I Will Not Be Tricked Regards,
Dave
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2 different RS 1850 models

Post by Arlie »

I thought about posting a new thread but since we were discussing similar RS units with different model numbers, I posted here.

I noticed there are two different models of the RS 1850.

Model 60-2199 shows manufacture by Scisys on the back of the unit. It has 16 levels. Most listings show the year as 1985.

Model 60-2201 is Saitek and has 17 levels. Most sites show it as made in 1987/88 and a clone of the Chess Companion III.

I was wondering what the earlier 16 level RS 1850 was a clone of? If it possibly was still the Companion III but did not have the additional level for some reason.

Thanks,
Arlie
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Re: Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by SirDave »

SirDave wrote:
spacious_mind wrote:
SirDave wrote:
Saitek Executive: 1993-4, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM
(Can't find Book, Elo or Programmer info. My guess is that the Elo is circa 1600+. Rated for strong occasional players/weak club players.)
HI Dave,

Don't let this one trick you :) The Executive is most likely the same as Mythos (more of the GK2000 family)

Here are some example games...

regards,
Nick
Certainly looks like that is very possible Nick. Thanks for the info. Most interesting to me is the draw with the RS 2250XL.

I Will Not Be Tricked Regards,
Dave
I have finally received a Saitek Executive and have compared the manual and LCD presentation with that of the RS Partner 1680X cat: 60-2428A. It turns out that the 60-2428A is not the Executive since the Executive is not only in the same family as the Mythos (as Nick says above), but it is almost certainly the same as the Mythos.

That now leaves the question as to what the RS 1680X cat: 60-2428A is. It definitely has a different motherboard (including 2 256kb memory chips vs. 1) and totally different overall firmware and manual than the RS 1680X cat: 60-2428.

So far, I know of no comparable Saitek unit, which leaves only 3 possibilities:

1. There is a Saitek unit out there that I am unaware of that has the same motherboard, firmware and LCD presentation as the RS 1680X cat: 60-2428A

2. Just as there are two different versions (including a different motherboard and firmware) of the RS 1680X, there are actually two different versions of the Saitek Olympiad out there. (This would seem unlikely since it would seem that something like that would have been found out a long time ago.)

3. Saitek provided RadioShack with either a custom major update for the 1680X (with no corresponding Saitek twin) or with an update that had been intended as an upgrade (with perhaps a new name) for the Saitek Olympiad, but which never materialized under the Saitek name, but was given to Radio Shack instead.

At the moment, I'm tending to go with possibility #3.
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Re: Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by spacious_mind »

SirDave wrote:
SirDave wrote:
spacious_mind wrote:
SirDave wrote:
Saitek Executive: 1993-4, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM
(Can't find Book, Elo or Programmer info. My guess is that the Elo is circa 1600+. Rated for strong occasional players/weak club players.)
HI Dave,

Don't let this one trick you :) The Executive is most likely the same as Mythos (more of the GK2000 family)

Here are some example games...

regards,
Nick
Certainly looks like that is very possible Nick. Thanks for the info. Most interesting to me is the draw with the RS 2250XL.

I Will Not Be Tricked Regards,
Dave
I have finally received a Saitek Executive and have compared the manual and LCD presentation with that of the RS Partner 1680X cat: 60-2428A. It turns out that the 60-2428A is not the Executive since the Executive is not only in the same family as the Mythos (as Nick says above), but it is almost certainly the same as the Mythos.

That now leaves the question as to what the RS 1680X cat: 60-2428A is. It definitely has a different motherboard (including 2 256kb memory chips vs. 1) and totally different overall firmware and manual than the RS 1680X cat: 60-2428.

So far, I know of no comparable Saitek unit, which leaves only 3 possibilities:

1. There is a Saitek unit out there that I am unaware of that has the same motherboard, firmware and LCD presentation as the RS 1680X cat: 60-2428A

2. Just as there are two different versions (including a different motherboard and firmware) of the RS 1680X, there are actually two different versions of the Saitek Olympiad out there. (This would seem unlikely since it would seem that something like that would have been found out a long time ago.)

3. Saitek provided RadioShack with either a custom major update for the 1680X (with no corresponding Saitek twin) or with an update that had been intended as an upgrade (with perhaps a new name) for the Saitek Olympiad, but which never materialized under the Saitek name, but was given to Radio Shack instead.

At the moment, I'm tending to go with possibility #3.
Hi Dave,
On the 1850, there are also 3 versions:

1850 MODEL 60-2199
1850 MODEL 60-2201
1850 MODEL 60-2201A

I think the difference between 2201 and 2201A is that 2201A has a power connection and the 2201 is battery only, otherwise probably the same.

On the 1650 Fast Response there are also two versions although they are both labeled with the same Model Number. One is made by SciSys and the other by Saitek. These two though do seem to play exactly the same.

Why don't you try to play Test Game # 1 with both your 1680X and let us see if they perform differently?

Regards,
Nick
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Re: Many thanks on the investigative work

Post by paulwise3 »

SirDave wrote:...

This list has been substantially updated. The units are now listed in order of their approximate release date.

Saitek Olympiad: 1992, 68HC05, 2Mhz, 7.7kb ROM, 176 bytes RAM (Book 250, Elo 1422, Craig Barnes)
(At best, a unit for beginners. Very limited Level variety and selection.)

Saitek Executive: 1993-4, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM
(Can't find Book, Elo or Programmer info. My guess is that the Elo is circa 1600+. Rated for strong occasional players/weak club players.)

Mephisto Mythos: 1995, H8, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM (Book 6000, Elo 1897 Frans Morsch)
(Appears to be the precursor of the Barracuda and Mystery units below, but doesn't have the red keys under the LCD.)

There is conflicting information in the Wiki about the following two units. I have given the information from the Wiki individual descriptions which shows definite differences. On the other hand, the Wiki listing shows them as being exactly the same.

Saitek Barracuda: 1998, H8, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 1kb RAM (Book 6000, Elo 1900, Frans Morsch)
(Look for red keys under the LCD display.)

Mephisto Mystery: 1998, H8, 12Mhz, 32kb ROM, 1kb RAM (Book 4000, Elo 1985, Frans Morsch)
(Based on the Wiki description, it appears to be a juiced-up version of the Barracuda, but why the smaller Book, if accurate?)

Radio Shack 1680x catalog 60-2428:
The same as the Saitek Olympiad.
Radio Shack 1680X catalog 60-2428A:
Likely the same as the Saitek Executive.
Today I got the 1680X cat. no 60-2428. And I was a little disapointed, because I hoped it would be the 60-2428A. I found this out because I got a copy of the Olympiad manual with it, and the levels are the same. At the contrary, I found a (sort of) manual that must be meant for the 2428A at http://support.radioshack.com/support_games/17075.htm, and that states that it has exactly the same levels as the Saitek Sensor XL (which I owned already), which I hoped it would be. Searching further, I came at this post of Sir Dave :-).
And reading it, it looked like a good idea to adjust it to the latest findings so far.

So:
Saitek Olympiad: 1992, 68HC05, 2Mhz, 7.7kb ROM, 176 bytes RAM (Book 250, Elo 1422, Craig Barnes)
(At best, a unit for beginners. Very limited Level variety and selection.)

Saitek Executive: 1993-4, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM
(Clone of the Saitek GK2000)

Mephisto Mythos: 1995, H8, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 0.5kb RAM (Book 6000, Elo 1897 Frans Morsch)
(Clone of the Saitek GK2000, book probably 2000)

There is conflicting information in the Wiki about the following two units. I have given the information from the Wiki individual descriptions which shows definite differences. On the other hand, the Wiki listing shows them as being exactly the same.

Saitek Barracuda: 1998, H8, 10Mhz, 16kb ROM, 1kb RAM (Book 6000, Elo 1900, Frans Morsch)
(This is also a clone of the Saitek GK2000. So I guess that the 1kb RAM should be 0,5 kb RAM and the Book 2000)

Mephisto Mystery: 1998, H8, 12Mhz, 32kb ROM, 1kb RAM (Book 4000, Elo 1985, Frans Morsch)
(This is a clone of the GK2100, probably Book 6000 like the Saitek Centurion)

Radio Shack 1680x catalog 60-2428:
The same as the Saitek Olympiad.
Radio Shack 1680X catalog 60-2428A:
Likely the same as the Saitek Sensor XL.

Sorting out clones regards,
Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
Reinfeld
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Posts: 486
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Location: Tacoma, WA

Post by Reinfeld »

I hate it when indefatigable researchers convince me to buy another chess computer.

- R.
"You have, let us say, a promising politician, a rising artist that you wish to destroy. Dagger or bomb are archaic and unreliable - but teach him, inoculate him with chess."
– H.G. Wells
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