tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881574431924666276.post1198001670110136535..comments2024-03-28T09:16:38.186+00:00Comments on Retro Treasures: Swiftly grab a Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2gnomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497613771780431048noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881574431924666276.post-45638950430433289482012-03-10T09:16:38.058+00:002012-03-10T09:16:38.058+00:00When I get rich I'll have you hired as a speci...When I get rich I'll have you hired as a special retro gaming consultant, you know :)gnomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03497613771780431048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881574431924666276.post-39773226770025333172012-03-10T04:01:19.135+00:002012-03-10T04:01:19.135+00:00Always a pleasure, O Mighty Gnome. Happy to oblige...Always a pleasure, O Mighty Gnome. Happy to oblige.<br /><br />Cheers.Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881574431924666276.post-79855005140168968292012-03-09T16:40:04.065+00:002012-03-09T16:40:04.065+00:00I stand in awe and thank (again) you dear Bob. Inv...I stand in awe and thank (again) you dear Bob. Invaluable info, especially considering I haven't ever touched any of Amstrad's Speccies.<br /><br />Cheers!gnomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03497613771780431048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881574431924666276.post-56369584934862930772012-03-09T15:14:21.346+00:002012-03-09T15:14:21.346+00:00That was my first Speccy!
Ah, now I feel I have t...That was my first Speccy!<br /><br />Ah, now I feel I have to make a slight correction here, O mighty Gnome. That particular model is actually the ZX Spectrum +2A. Granted the badge only says +2 (you can thank Amstrad's cost-saving measures for that), but for all intents and and purposes, the +2A is actually a disk-based +3, housed in a black +2 casing, complete with built in cassette recorder.<br /><br />Through the simple addition of a floppy disk drive through the expansion port on the back of the computer would in effect, turn the +2A into a +3. Indeed, the Loader menu would change from ZX Spectrum +2A to ZX Spectrum +3.<br /><br />Actually, the +2A with a disc drive was probably a better option for many Speccy owners than a +3, as it meant you weren't limited to Amstrad's obscure 3" discs, and could use the much more widely available 3.25 or 5.25" floppy discs instead, depending on your particular disc drive. You could even run CPM on it, bringing a whole new world of software to the humble Speccy.<br /><br />Anyway, the +2A is a great model. Yeah, it's not as classic a design as the Sinclair-built Spectrums, but it's a fine machine nevertheless, with a proper, full travel keyboard, two joystick ports, an RS232 port for use with a Light Gun, and an expansion port for Kempston interfaces, etc. If you're looking for a decent joystick, you could do worse than track down a Cruiser, which came with a dedicated Sinclair lead for use with the Amstrad Spectrums.<br /><br />Oh, and get an RGB to Scart lead off eBay to enjoy much better quality pictures than the RF modulator allows for.<br /><br />http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sinclair-ZX-Spectrum-3-HQ-RGB-Gold-Plated-Scart-Lead-/260830045368?pt=UK_Video_Games_Cables_and_Adaptors&hash=item3cbaaea4b8#ht_3169wt_1398Bobnoreply@blogger.com