About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 11:08 pm
I have the 2 versions and their serial numbers are superior to 200000 and still they represent the 2 models:
- Obsidian, S/N 216762, Model 1016 (128Levels, H8-3214, 16MHz, 32 kbytes ROM, 1 kbyte RAM)
- Obsidian, S/N 226992, Model SW-661 (112 levels, H8-3614, 20MHz). The H8/3614 Series of single-chip microcomputers has an H8/300L CPU core.Within the H8/300L Series, the H8/3614 Series of microcomputers are equipped with five timers, a 14-bit pulse width modulator (PWM), two serial communication interface channels, an A/D converter, and other on-chip peripheral functions. The H8/3614 series includes three chips: the H8/3612, which has a 16-kbyte ROM and 512-byte RAM; the H8/3613, which has a 24-kbyte ROM and 1024-byte RAM; and the H8/3614, which has a 32-kbyte ROM and 1024-byte RAM.
Another information is interesting to use here: Solar Wide Industries bought Novag and changed the Serial Numbers of the computers: SW-661 in place of 1016 (the SW prefix means Solar Wide).
The Solar Wide units are the latest units and have the highest serial numbers and a SHORTER Library.
Conclusion, we have 2 models of the Obsidian: a true Novag model and a Solar Wide model.
It is probable that Solar Wide Industries changed the H8 chip and got problems with the library.
The Serial Number Pivot is in between 216762 and 226992. IMO, if you buy an Obsidian with a S/N less than 216762, you will get the Novag model.
This is only an hypothesis as I have only these 2 Obsidians. I would like to know from people having Obsidians what are their S/N.
At this point, I need to re-open my 2 Obsidian to analyze more precisely the microprocessor and the memory of these 2 computers.
Maybe the story is more complicated than what I found
Obsessive compulsive regards,
Maurice
- Obsidian, S/N 216762, Model 1016 (128Levels, H8-3214, 16MHz, 32 kbytes ROM, 1 kbyte RAM)
- Obsidian, S/N 226992, Model SW-661 (112 levels, H8-3614, 20MHz). The H8/3614 Series of single-chip microcomputers has an H8/300L CPU core.Within the H8/300L Series, the H8/3614 Series of microcomputers are equipped with five timers, a 14-bit pulse width modulator (PWM), two serial communication interface channels, an A/D converter, and other on-chip peripheral functions. The H8/3614 series includes three chips: the H8/3612, which has a 16-kbyte ROM and 512-byte RAM; the H8/3613, which has a 24-kbyte ROM and 1024-byte RAM; and the H8/3614, which has a 32-kbyte ROM and 1024-byte RAM.
Another information is interesting to use here: Solar Wide Industries bought Novag and changed the Serial Numbers of the computers: SW-661 in place of 1016 (the SW prefix means Solar Wide).
The Solar Wide units are the latest units and have the highest serial numbers and a SHORTER Library.
Conclusion, we have 2 models of the Obsidian: a true Novag model and a Solar Wide model.
It is probable that Solar Wide Industries changed the H8 chip and got problems with the library.
The Serial Number Pivot is in between 216762 and 226992. IMO, if you buy an Obsidian with a S/N less than 216762, you will get the Novag model.
This is only an hypothesis as I have only these 2 Obsidians. I would like to know from people having Obsidians what are their S/N.
At this point, I need to re-open my 2 Obsidian to analyze more precisely the microprocessor and the memory of these 2 computers.
Maybe the story is more complicated than what I found
Obsessive compulsive regards,
Maurice
