Alright, honestly I've wanted to ask this question for ages but I can't find any straight forward information. What is the difference between SWCDX2 (32mb/64mb) and another 24mb/32mb copier (like a super UFO drive 6 or a SWC 3201). I want to know in terms of compatibility (and I know SWCDX2 has DSP1). Aside from the technical details like the SWCDX2 having more memory, more features and diskdual, I can't seem to see any other difference in game compatibility from other copiers (aside from the fact that SWCDX2 can play DSP1). To my knowledge, a 24mb/32mb copier mentioned above can play about 98% of the games a SWCDX2. So why is it worth pursuing a SWCDX2? thoughts?
DX2 has SRAM limiting so games don't need cracking (provided a proper header). The DX2 has DSP passthrough, it's not built in. Other units are pretty much the same, if you got a 64M DX2 though you'd be able to use RTS on 32M games. Otherwise you'd have to track down a rare 34M SWCDX/UFO7/8/SPT which were rarely exported. Older units don't have any protection thwarting mechanisms. PFXT are pretty good too, but for a first unit I would certainly go for a GDSF6/7; they're cheap, have SRAM limiting, better ROM mapping than any other units, ability to pass through memory segments, they're easily and cheaply expandable, they can store multiple games at a time, have memory retention at power-off, standard parallel port, cheap CDROM... Yeah everyone boasts about DX2s but really the features are pretty standard.
I completely agree with you Calpis. DX2s are overrated. And sure, you can get the diskdual (which is hell expensive) for IDE (CDROM/HDD) support, but why bother when a flash cart will cost you less than half the price of the combined diskdual + swcdx2. Anyway, i just wanted to clarify the differences. I'm happy to use UCON64 to patch the protection on my collection and send to a floppy, than have the unit do it for me. BTW the GDSF6 sounds like a great unit!
It's true the SWC series has a reputation and price that doesn't match the features. The Game Doctor series is quite cheap, available, can be expanded to even more memory, has all the features SWC has and more. I never could understand why people think so highly of SWC and don't like GDSF. Maybe there was a time where the Zip Drive or DiskDual that the SWC DX units could use was appealing when it was harder to get a CDROM for the GDSF. But now that the PowerPAK for SNES is out, you'd be throwing money away buying a SWC for anything other than collecting. The GDSF is cheaper and does the same thing. But if you spend SWC type of money you could get the better than both SWC and GDSF, PowerPAK cartridge.
Pretty much. Before the influx of modern flash carts a SWC DX2 with its high capacity storage options was the shit. Now it's mostly an expensive curio. Maybe they'll come down in price.
