Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!rice!uw-beaver!Teknowledge.COM!unix!hplabs!hpl-opus!hpccc!hpcc01!hp-ses!hpbbn!hpbbm!prakt
From: prakt@hpbbm.HP.COM (#Praktikant)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: Re: Re: SIDECAR OR BRIDGEBOARD?
Message-ID: <4680002@hpbbm.HP.COM>
Date: 24 Nov 89 09:35:42 GMT
References: <89111609053174@masnet.uucp>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard W-Germ, Boeblingen Medical Div.
Lines: 48


Some additions to SideCar vs. BridgeBoard :

>As far as I could tell, there was no way to use
>the mouse with the sidecar as input to MS-DOS applications. 

  I think there is a way to use the mouse. You need the new JANUS
  software. ( I don't know how to install it )

>The box is BIG and HEAVY, 

  It's a solid metall case with an internal power supply, well done !
 
>As far as I know, no more are being made, 

  That's right.        

>and the ones that exist only work with an Amiga 1000.

  That's wrong. I'm working with the SideCar on an Amiga 500. You have 
  to turn the SideCars front to the back because the A500 expansion port
  is on the left side ( in the A1000 it is on the right side ).
  A better way I think is to turn the A500 an remove the keyboard.  
  It is much better to work with an external keybord ( you also need a
  longer keyboard cable and a keybord case ).  

>       What is the cost of the sidecar?

>Last price I saw was about $700 American.

  The last they sold in Germany were 500 DM ( less than $250 ).
  Now, a year after I bought it, the price for used SideCars is
  in that range ( what a great deal ! )
  This price was the main reason to buy it. Another reason was
  the use of a low cost PC harddisk in the SideCar for the PC and
  the Amiga. The only problem I have is that the SideCar only 
  works when it is directly connected to the Amiga. The use of 
  bus cable failed ( see note A500 + SideCar ).
 
>My opinion:
>       NEVER BUY A SIDECAR FOR ANY REASON

    If you can get one for the price I got it, do it !!
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Martin Burkhardt       Student at HP Germany
(sorry for my poor school English)
------------------------------------------------------------------