Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!brl-adm!umd5!eneevax!iarocci
From: iarocci@eneevax.UUCP (John Iarocci)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: BMS controller package
Message-ID: <1147@eneevax.UUCP>
Date: 23 Dec 87 03:31:38 GMT
References: <3217@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu>
Reply-To: iarocci@eneevax.umd.edu.UUCP (John Iarocci)
Organization: Univ of Md, Aerospace Engineering Department
Lines: 41
Keywords: SCSI, Adapter, BMS
Summary: An alternative to BMS

In article <3217@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu> engst@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu (Adam C. Engst) writes:
>
>Has anyone had any experience with BMS and the package they sell that allows
>one to use a cheap IBM-PC style drive to hook to an Atari ST?  I'm

I have seen the various replies to this original query and am amazed that
nobody even mentioned an alternative to BMS. Well... here goes:

Being the owner of two BMS kits (one for a Micropolis 1325 on a 1040, and one
for a Seagate ST506 on a 520+), I have seen how Berkley Microsystems has
improved over the last year or so. I think their present-day package is well
put together and easy to build. I have only had two reservations about the
kit: 1) The non-standard format used on the disks, and 2) THAT SHORT CORD!!

Until a recent (fairly) Atari Fest in the area, I was under the impression
that the BMS kit was the only one out there. At this fair, I was introduced
to ICD, Inc.  (I don't know what it stands for.) and their ST Host/Controller
Kit. Among its advertised features are:

	- built in battery backed-up clock
	- 7 SCSI devices and daisy chaining
	- 100% compatible with Atari and Supra
	- built in verify and error retry

They answered my "short cord" problem with their three (3) foot cord!
Anyway, I was quite impressed with their presentation and brochures.
(If only I had known about them earlier...)

Finally, I'm not really knocking BMS. I'm letting you people out there
know there is an alternative.

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 John Iarocci			I am not affiliated with any company
 Aerospace Engineering		mentioned in the body of the message
 University of Maryland		above.
 College Park, MD, USA

	UUCP:   [seismo,allegra]!umcp-cs!eneevax!iarocci
	ARPA: iarocci@eneevax.umd.edu
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