Fidelity Excel Mach3 versions

[Larry]

It must have been eight years or longer since we discussed this.
There are at least two versions, and to tell which yours is there is
a certain control key sequence. Anyone remember what it is?
L

[Steve B]

It must have been eight years or longer since we discussed this.
There are at least two versions, and to tell which yours is there is
a certain control key sequence. Anyone remember what it is?
L

You press the Options and NEW GAME buttons
i dont recall offhand if you have to hold them both at the same time or
pressing OPTIONS first then pressing and holding NEW GAME
fiddle around with the pressing sequence

Fiddle While We Work Regards
Steve

[Larry]

You press the Options and NEW GAME buttons
i dont recall offhand if you have to hold them both at the same time or
pressing OPTIONS first then pressing and holding NEW GAME
fiddle around with the pressing sequence

Fiddle While We Work Regards
Steve

Many thanks! your memory beats mine. I've had an excel m3 for many
years and had the option of a second one at a hard to refuse price.
They are a good machine. I think all later ones, including mach4 and all
the later EAG's were basically overclocked mach3's. I'm partial to the
earlier LED displays. Not as much info on them but they don't lose their
contrast over time. Off to start fiddling regards...
Larry

[Lars Sandin]

You press the Options and NEW GAME buttons
i dont recall offhand if you have to hold them both at the same time or
pressing OPTIONS first then pressing and holding NEW GAME
fiddle around with the pressing sequence

Fiddle While We Work Regards
Steve

Many thanks! your memory beats mine. I've had an excel m3 for many
years and had the option of a second one at a hard to refuse price.
They are a good machine. I think all later ones, including mach4 and all
the later EAG's were basically overclocked mach3's. I'm partial to the
earlier LED displays. Not as much info on them but they don't lose their
contrast over time. Off to start fiddling regards...
Larry

I also prefer the earlier Mach/Avant-Garde LED-display over the later ones. I don't have a Mach III, but a Mach IIc and the red LED's (and the old board) are a retro-feast for the eye and a pleasure to use. Only thing missing on both the old and new Mach-designs (except for the Avant-Garde series) is memory to store the game when the unit is powered off. That annoyingly missing feature, makes testplaying on full tournament level a bit cumbersome, especially for long games.

Best regards

[Dave C]

Many thanks! your memory beats mine. I've had an excel m3 for many years and had the option of a second one at a hard to refuse price.
They are a good machine. I think all later ones, including mach4 and all
the later EAG's were basically overclocked mach3's. I'm partial to the
earlier LED displays. Not as much info on them but they don't lose their
contrast over time. Off to start fiddling regards...
Larry

Hi Larry - the Mach3 is among my favorites too. The playing surface is responsive and easy to use during play. This is even more true of the Designer series. With most pressure sensitive boards I usually end up pressing on a square with my finger to make the contact.
Also, having an LED on each of the 64 squares is so much easier to use for me. Having LEDs only on the columns and rows is not as good for my old eyes.

What is the difference between the software versions: F8 06 and E2 dA?

regards,
Dave

[Dave C]

.... I think all later ones, including mach4 and all
the later EAG's were basically overclocked mach3's. Off to start fiddling regards...
Larry

Hi Larry - looking at Mike Watter's timeline the Mach3 was released in 1988 and the last EAG (Premier) in 1992. Do you think that Fidelity and the Spracklens did not continually, and significantly, update/improve the software during this four year period?

Saitek released the SPARC module by the Spracklens in late 1993 so they must have been finished with Fidelity in 1992?

Curious...regards,
Dave

[Larry]

What is the difference between the software versions: F8 06 and E2 dA?

I'm pretty sure it's not a playing strength difference. Just a curiosity
for us, but relevant for a service guy when there's a problem during
the warranty period, probably.
Regarding your other question, I did read somewhere that the Spracklen
program had run it's course with the Mach3. EAG versions ran faster and
had expanding opening books, but that's about all. Of course if Ron Nelson
reads this he might have a comment.
Re: the Sparc, I've never had any experience with that program.
L