Retroleum SMART Card

[PeterJ]

Reading the recent posts about some games struggling to work with DivIDE/DivMMC made me think about the Retroleum SMART Card..

I purchased mine some years back mainly for running diagnostic checks, but its a very good (as long as you accept the limitations) at loading games, and because its not DivIDE/DivMMC based, you don't get any of the associated issues. Its also under £30. Its popular so regularly gets sold out.

Things to remember (Both bad and good)

It only supports 16/48K Games
Built in diagnostic tests with a number of different options
Low cost
Is not cased
Supports TAP and Snap only
Has long filename support with an attractive browser
Folder support
Supports pokes and multi-load games (I have not tested this)
Allows you to take snapshots of games
The firmware is subject to regular updates, and the update process is easy

Have a I missed anything?

[MrClump]

Have a I missed anything?

It's also an absolute steal for what he charges, there are a couple of other features you didn't mention:

• It has a joystick port

• You can load alternative ROMs into it and swap them with a switch on the back (I switch between ZX Diagnostics and the built-in diags)

Quite possibly the best £30 I spent on Speccy hardware.

[MrClump]

Is not cased

There is a design for a 3D printed case on GitHub, but I suspect it might then only allow the Smart card to physically plug into a 48k.

https://github.com/SM7I/SmartCardv2

[PeterJ]

Quite possibly the best £30 I spent on Speccy hardware.

I quite agree!

If you are happy with 48K games only (which is potentially a big issue), I would say it blows the divMMC devices out of the water. Far better UI, no need for adapted versions of some troublesome titles, long file support and low cost.

[TomD]

I've got a v1 and probably use it more than my DIVMMC, well on my 48k machines anyway. The ability to use alternate ROMs is it best feature and I've regularly used it as a Diagnostic Cart. Good way to get Shadow of the Unicorn working

[TomD]

I also designed a case for the v1 so it fits on the plus models.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4629173

[Sparky]

They are always sold out when I check, and I've been checking for quite a while.

[PeterJ]

They are always sold out when I check, and I've been checking for quite a while.

The website says the store is closed from the 5th to the 13th March. Maybe send him an email when he is back open and ask if he will reserve one for you in his next batch.

[Sparky]

That's good to now, but I've been checking since February.

[PeterJ]

That's good to now, but I've been checking since February.

I'm sure if you email him he will reserve one for you. I don't think he has been open much over the pandemic. Do I recall correctly that he was closed when you wanted to order those memory chips?

[patters]

Isn't the issue with some games not working more to do with turbo loaders being outside the spec of TAP files, more than it's a specific issue with DivIDE/MMC devices? Alessandro has fixed a large number of these here.
I don't disagree that the Retroleum device is good though.

[Sparky]

I can't recall, but I did need memory for my 48k Speccy, but I bought another one.

[PeterJ]

I'm sure you are right [mention]patters[/mention]. I just know I can just use the standard TAP files with this device and they work (at least with the ones I have tried).

[hellraiseruk]

Not sure if you guys realise, but the V3 SMART card supports Spectrum 128 games....

[PeterJ]

Not sure if you guys realise, but the V3 SMART card supports Spectrum 128 games....

Thanks. Yes, it was mentioned here:

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5761&p=77996&hilit=SMART#p77996

I have one and am very pleased with it.

[hellraiseruk]

Thanks. Yes, it was mentioned here:

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5761&p=77996&hilit=SMART#p77996

I have one and am very pleased with it.

Yup, finally got one for myself and very pleased - it's a fantastic piece of kit for less than 30 quid, I'd highly recommend it to anyone. Just make sure your M1 line works, or you'll have to budget for a replacement Z80 as well

[albertoevt]

I can say it was the best money spent for check /repair all my spectrums.
I have a V2 and it's more than useful, you need to have a well cleaned and working edge connector or else it will have obviously problems
I am tempted to get asap a V3 because of the 128K support, let's see.