ZX Spectrum Next Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spectrumnext/zx-spectrum-next-issue-3-0?ref=discovery&term=spectrum%20next&total_hits=13&category_id=52)
I already have a couple of Issue 2's so I went with the 'ZX Spectrum Next Upgrade Board'. I'll swap the board on one of them.
For me it's sod's law. Every time the ZX Spectrum Next kick starter kicks off, money is always tight. And by the time I have the cash spare, they are out of stock in the online shop.
Aw that's a shame. I was actually going to sell one of my Spectrum Next's, but they now have an option to replace the board with the latest revision so I'll do that instead. Plus there's always Ebay and I imagine the prices of versions 1 and 2 will now come down in price.
There's the N-Go ZX Spectrum Next clone too, and you can get a case and mechanical keyboard for it.
After I receive and install the latest board I will ofcourse have a spare board, but unlike the N-Go there's a main board and a daughter board so if you're interested in that option, getting a case might be tricky.
So it got funded in 7 minutes beating all records! :o
The stretch goals were hit quickly so 3 free games, Deathchase Next, Captain Square Jaw and Target Renegade. :D
@Steve Elliot, I suppose i could look but what have they done different to make you part wifths Ze cash!? An issue 3, for me maybe they fixed the HDMI and using the rubber keyed membrane issue after all.
Because I have a back-up Next v2 and this time they're offering cheaper board only options. The new board has a more powerful chip to deal with the QL and enhanced C64 cores. And because of a stretch goal a Sam Coupe core too.
So I'll swap out the previous board and then have all 3 board revisions in my 3 Nexts.
There seems to be an added C programming language for the next!?
Be nice to have that booting straight out of the box!
Thats interesting as the Basic they bundled the Next with is hard to get on with ::)
As much as i love Sinclair, Next etc.. Its fully capable already to run the so called cores there entising you into. Its just a money spinner now they got on a band wagon that there now going to milk! ::) Just saying Like!
Heaven forbid people actually make money on their hard work for the computer they produced and selling software for that computer. 🙄
But they might be thinking of the future! New cores that require the extra power. Plus there is clearly a demand for the (final) ZX Spectrum Next Kickstarter as it's looking like the most successful of the 3 Kickstarter Campaigns.
Designed by the original designer now sadly passed (Rick Dickinson) it's a lovely sleek looking machine with a very comprehensive manual and a very nice looking box and built-in support for several languages out of that lovely box.
Plus if you're natively coding C and Assembly Language on the Next then you're gonna need a bigger boat, I mean a more powerful chip.
@Baggey regards HDMI I don't use it. I can use RGB either through that cable or like me I use a Scart connector to my Checkmate Monitor:
Monitor (https://checkmate1500plus.com/)
Do I need a few more monitor input options lol? The top 'podule' was going to be a MiSTer FPGA for arcade 'cores'.
Yes that input above the Scart input is RF, it has a built-in tuner as in the 80's tv's lol. The middle section has a built-in scaler (the resolution of the monitor goes up to 1280 x 1024) so 80's/90's computer resolutions need to be upscaled or you'd have a tiny picture.
@Dabz, this 1200px image should be bigger than twice the size of a postage stamp when clicked on!
Front of the monitor:
Steve, you said final Kickstarter? There won't be another one?
Yes Mike, the team have said that this will be the last kickstarter.
Sad, but it is what it is.
Yes, but there will be Ebay Nexts for sale or clones like the N-GO.
Its actually a shame you cant just by the keyboards.
Quote from: Steve Elliott on Aug 02, 2025, 02:59 PMYes, but there will be Ebay Nexts for sale or clones like the N-GO.
I avoid Ebay like the black plague and was interested in this current original version but till christmas no chance of having money for it.
It's ok, sometimes you can't have things you like to get.
Quote from: MikeHart on Aug 02, 2025, 07:09 PMQuote from: Steve Elliott on Aug 02, 2025, 02:59 PMYes, but there will be Ebay Nexts for sale or clones like the N-GO.
I avoid Ebay like the black plague and was interested in this current original version but till christmas no chance of having money for it.
It's ok, sometimes you can't have things you like to get.
I have one make me an offer!? Baggey
Quote from: Baggey on Aug 02, 2025, 07:10 PMQuote from: MikeHart on Aug 02, 2025, 07:09 PMQuote from: Steve Elliott on Aug 02, 2025, 02:59 PMYes, but there will be Ebay Nexts for sale or clones like the N-GO.
I avoid Ebay like the black plague and was interested in this current original version but till christmas no chance of having money for it.
It's ok, sometimes you can't have things you like to get.
I have one make me an offer!? Baggey
Let me spell it out for you. I have no money atm.
Plus I don't want to get a used version, am interested in this current revision. But thank you for your offer anyway.
I have two if anyone is the slightly most interested! ::)
All but one stretch goal have now been revealed on stretch goal batch 2. Perhaps 'The Secret Core' will be an Amstrad?
(https://i.kickstarter.com/assets/050/192/839/e7e6e08f61607359381bb1c35890ccb5_original.png?fit=scale-down&origin=ugc&q=100&v=1753649149&width=680&sig=XTbO9IHyZBwnBJAmaK8Y7hYGeQlIv9YhIuHEw0trT%2F8%3D)
(https://i.kickstarter.com/assets/050/309/722/190d68d71464072665582b0d1c9baf9d_original.png?fit=scale-down&origin=ugc&q=100&v=1754421438&width=680&sig=H6zlDBx40Xv%2Fe6lB9V5p8AFWsIkf8N0OTk2EGBtx%2BF4%3D)
With my Checkmate Monitor I worked out how to add scan lines and scale up so I have minimal borders.
Gorgeous. Simple gorgeous.
Thanks Mike, I did reset the scaling after and just kept some subtle scan lines (you can set the intensity).
Because some games use screen modes that fill more of the screen - like the Next version of 'Atic Atac' or 'Way of the Exploding Fist'. It near fills the screen because of the more square Checkmate screen (and the larger number of pixels used by some Next screen modes) not something you could achieve with a modern widescreen.
I'm still experimenting with the resolutions and scaling settings.
Yeah lol they're trying to get the Amstrad CPC running on the FPGA too:
(https://i.kickstarter.com/assets/050/323/386/e4e8c2e40b910dc8afc715c11cd2c335_original.png?fit=scale-down&origin=ugc&q=100&v=1754502403&width=680&sig=m3qvqdPlxdbZKhxjDdq%2Bw1XkJLJtItZDRbH9p2nbWw8%3D)
ok I upgraded my pledge to an accelerated Next from an upgrade board pledge...Anybody want to buy an issue 1 for a great price lol?
It's an issue 1 board, not a 2 or the new 3 board, but all run the exact same software with 100% compatibility.
I'm just asking £50 as 'mates rates'. Now postage will bump up the price and I'm dubious about shipping outside the UK.
And @ Dabz I'm not trying to turn SyntaxBoom into Ebay, this is just a one off, people can pm me in private.
I seriously think about a issue 3 with everything!? But i have a1, a2 and will there be a4 ???
I may just hold out theres the rp400 and the rp500. Its a matter of retro fiting into a next case!? There maybe be some Chinese entruprener who may produce the cases. ;)
They passed the 2 million mark: £2,000,938 :D
Amstrad CPC Core will now be added too! :D
(https://i.kickstarter.com/assets/050/410/042/0c5907d816847779ccfd24eea10120bd_original.png?fit=scale-down&origin=ugc&q=100&v=1755088760&width=680&sig=Fl%2BgkWlAn%2BrV4mYZmr0IROPlP9aAciWFZMUlMginUWc%3D)
I didn't think there'd be a Kickstarter 3 so I acquired 3 Spectrum Nexts over time as backups, the original and 2 series 2's. It's not like you can pop down to the shops and buy one, or get one online from Amazon if a machine develops a fault.
You can get the clones like the N-Go board and pair it with a keyboard but there's nothing like a premium product. The impressive box with a hefty printed manual, the Sinclair logo on the quality keyboard designed by the same person who designed the aesthetic for all Sinclair machines. But designed as if the late Rick Dickinson actually had a budget!
With the new Kickstarter I decided to sell one of my Kickstarter 2 Nexts, that went in the post today. So I've ordered the upgrade board option for KS3 and will put that into the KS1 keyboard/case. The latest version of the manual will be available for purchase apparently. So that leaves me with just 2 machines (KS2 and KS3)...And a KS1 board only for 'historical significance' lol. I think I can justify that after earlier spends!
It's a lovely machine where you can get down to the hardware if you choose (unlike modern systems). And with C now being an alternative to assembly language or BASIC it's time to take another look at coding properly there. Rather than some early experiments with assembly/machine code.
QuoteWith the new Kickstarter I decided to sell one of my Kickstarter 2 Nexts, that went in the post today. So I've ordered the upgrade board option for KS3 and will put that into the KS1 keyboard/case. The latest version of the manual will be available for purchase
I think the issue 3 is already different and wont fit the case! They already thought of that one! :o ::) :-X
Don't talk shit, it says on the Kickstarter it's designed for KS1 and KS2 owners. You're talking about the board only, not the upgrade board. The clue is in the name!
Easy tiger.
I watched one of the videos or i read somewhere in the email olifers sent about the new Kickstarter. That the issue 3 wont fit in the earlier cases.
If im wrong i appoligize!
If im right please dont f++cking sell anymore! ;D
Kindest Regards Baggey Always!
Totally ruining my spiel lol. :P
From the Kickstarter 3 "ZX Spectrum Next Upgrade Board:
The ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 board and daughterboard for those who already own an Issue 1 or Issue 2 Next and want to upgrade their innards to Issue 3. Screwdriver required!"
Quote from: Steve Elliott on Aug 14, 2025, 07:09 PMTotally ruining my spiel lol. :P
From the Kickstarter 3 "ZX Spectrum Next Upgrade Board:
The ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 board and daughterboard for those who already own an Issue 1 or Issue 2 Next and want to upgrade their innards to Issue 3. Screwdriver required!"
if that's for real! Id like to buy just the board then ;)
A new stretch goal was added, Melkhior's Mansion. There's a completed PC version available but the Spectrum Next version was never finished. It will be now:
The final amount was £2,612,335 (bigger than KS1 and KS2 combined) :D
All stretch goals were met:
(https://i.kickstarter.com/assets/050/192/839/e7e6e08f61607359381bb1c35890ccb5_original.png?fit=scale-down&origin=ugc&q=100&v=1753649149&width=680&sig=XTbO9IHyZBwnBJAmaK8Y7hYGeQlIv9YhIuHEw0trT%2F8%3D)
(https://i.kickstarter.com/assets/050/458/538/8ffd7f6fe84f779dabfb8a62e0de9dc6_original.png?fit=scale-down&origin=ugc&q=100&v=1755472090&width=680&sig=rNDRZ89shIBTTJ4Jk39XFBXeSswJcSgTjW9qhL4DLCY%3D)
Quote from: Steve Elliott on Aug 17, 2025, 07:23 AMA new stretch goal was added, Melkhior's Mansion. There's a completed PC version available but the Spectrum Next version was never finished. It will be now:
Didnt Adam do this one?
No Adam didn't but his art style was very similar.