Commodore VIC-Switch by Handic
The VIC-Switch allows up to 8 Commodore computers to connect to a single disk drive, printers, plotters etc.
The VIC-Switch keeps track of who is currently using the device and prevents access to all other computers who might be requesting it at the same time.
Once the first computer is done using it, the VIC-Switch will then give access to the next computer.
The peripheral was made in Sweden by Handic and some models carry the Commodore logo but it doesn’t look very Commodore style
and for that reason i think they were branded by Commodore but not manufactured Commodore .
Gallery:
Download: Commodore VIC-Switch by Handic Manual (607)
Categories: Commodore Peripherals, Gallery, Handic, Retro Computers and other stuff...
Nice!
Worth knowing is that there were a later version produced which has logic to enable the C128 burst mode. This is interesting as Hansic/Datatronic at that time had lost the contract to distribute Commodore computers and Commodore had founded their own daugher company in Sweden.
There were a IEEE488 version for the PET range of computers called MBS100, in the same kind of case but different connectors and labels. Strangely enough the name MBS100 seems to be a german abbrevation, MehrBenutzerSYstem = multi user system. That system used smaller client boxes at each compuer with a daisy chain 25-pin d-sub cable system between the clients and to the “server” box. I’ve seen two different versions of the “client boxes”. Both connects directly to the edge connector so won’t work (without an adapter) with the 8096SK, 8032SK and the B/P series.
Datatronic also made another product in the same kind of case, called SCIP, which has an IEEE488 port and a serial port, to be able to connect serial port devices to a PET.
The relationship between Commodore and Datatronic/Handic seems to had been a bit strange as Datatronic/Handic used the Commodore brand on various stuff they made themself, and they also made clones of various Commodore carts. On the other hand, Commdore at least in a list of programming languages for their computers acknowledged Datatronic/Handic by stating “Sweden has” regarding Forth. In addition to importing Commodore products Datatronic/Handic is prehaps mostly known for Calc Result and somewhat also their Forth implementations for the PET, VIC 20, C64 and the B series (although I’m not sure if they actually sold Forth for the B series or only used it for their internal software developement). They also did a range of business software for the PET and the B series, like book keeping, inventory database, invoice handling and similar stuff. They also renamed the separate keyboard PETs and the B series, the 8032SK got named PET 200, the 8296 and maybe also the 8096SK got named PET 600 and the B series high profile computers got named PET 700.
@MiaM
Many thanks for the detailed explanation.
Dave.
Could I get a list of the chips in the unit to see if it can be duplicated.