This mini forum is intended to provide a simple means of discussion about the Grid Compass computer. If you want to share your own experience or memories, or add relevant information about this system: post a message!

The first grid is the 1101 Compass, the next model was the 1103 which was used in a lot of military apps like testing avionics, early shuttle flights (later the 1500 series took that over) and some tactical data messaging apps that connected to radios. They are practically crashproof as mentioned earlier.

As a collectible the 1101''s are fetching huge dollars on ebay now, around 1k upto 3k for new in the box. The 1103''s still turn up also for around 300 to 1k and the 1520-1530''s turn up often for 100 to 300 bucks. They are basically the same with a larger screen and a faster processor.

1) Their main developer died of aids. Insted of viewing him as a replaceable resource (like we do today), the company used it as an excuse for YEARS when their customers wanted new features.
2) 32 computers/devices can be linked together, and you could assign a task to each one. It was pretty cool, but never really functional because developers likely were not in love with GRiD. Also, I could not divide the tasks up very well to keep that many computers busy.
3) They came out with their own GUI, Penright!. Also pretty cool, used the dos-graphics mode, and even had their own development tools. Unfortunatly, Windows got better, and people wanted windows on the laptops, etc.
4) Price! Price! Even in the 90''s these suckers were expensive. Who cares they went into space, etc.
5) I rewrote the Penright! Libs interface, and provided a non-grid solution. Would you believe, people used that to prove they were not using grid, but actually were still using them (and not paying them).
Ug.

My husband worked for a DoD contractor in the early 1980's. They were testing "off the shelf" items with combat area applications. One of the items was the Grid Compass Computer - so they all had one. I was in nursing school at the time and was one of the first students to use a "laptop" and hand in papers (and make graphs for over heads for presentations) with a word processor. I remember the dot matrix printer too. Had to tear off the sides of the paper - hated the ragged edge it left.

The Grid Compass was the first computer taken into space so the astronauts could see where they were over the earth at any time. I remember seeing an image of its screen with the earth and their route overlaid. Interestingly, the flight passed directly over the highly secure North Korean military bases.

I had one of the first Grid Computers in my lab, I had gone to LA for the big Computer show and was provided one of their units for inspection, at the ime I worked for the Bell System. Other than what has been described here, I remember the case, it was magnesium and heated nearly hot enough to cook on. It was one of the ''cons'' of this unit, but the pro''s were the innovative design, and the capability ''to take it with you''. That era was for the innovators and we saw many ideas brought to the front, most, like the Grid were short lived but added to the overall design of future units. I was glad to be there.

Your Compass description is great. Nothing to add.

I do have an old Grid Compass-II 1129 that may have an interesting history? It has a small red plate reading "Class-III NOT FOR FLIGHT". When it is booted, a boot-splash screen pops up stating:
*****************************
HAVE A GOOD FLIGHT

510I CREW OF
JOE ENGLE
DICK COVEY
OX VAN HOFTEN
MIKE LOUNGE
BILL FISHER

FROM THE SPOC GROUP
****************************

Anyway, it has two "GRID-ROM Grid-OS SYSTEM" ROMS, but the other two ROM sockets are empty.
My guess is that the SPOC ROMS were pulled when this was surplussed 30+ years ago.
I''d love to get hold of the binaries for the two SPOC ROMS (I have a VERY old EPROM burner in my collection that I use for Intel SDK-85 Trainer EPROM-Burns). It would be great to restore this for others to enjoy.

Have a great day!
Paul
pullin_gs@hotmail.com

Found one of these a few years back while dumpster diving. Knew it was cool so just kept it in the closet for a few years. Then couple of months back posted it on eBay and was sold for 2k by the end of that day. It went to the right person too because he explained it was going to make its way to the Smithsonian where I always knew it belonged. I am now sending this on my tab s 10.5 which was bought with part of the grids sale proceeds. :)

Found one of these a few years back while dumpster diving. Knew it was cool so just kept it in the closet for a few years. Then couple of months back posted it on eBay and was sold for 2k by the end of that day. It went to the right person too because he explained it was going to make its way to the Smithsonian where I always knew it belonged. I am now sending this on my tab s 10.5 which was bought with part of the grids sale proceeds. :)

Manager of compatible software developement.

I used these briefly when I worked at a military contractors in the mid 1980''s. But what''s more interesting perhaps is, Grid Compasses were the weapons used by the Space Marines to run their sentry guns, in the movie Aliens. It''s a $d scene in the directors cut.

Here''s a clip of the "sentry gun" UI in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v$HQDy-5IQvuU$feature$related

I remember Grids from the 80''s. The DOD was big on them - they *almost* were mechanically rugged - except - spilling orange juice (or any liquid) on the keyboard would damage the underlying membrane mechanism. You had to toss that TEMPEST certified puppy on the scrap heap...

I noticed a post by Len regarding the GRiD Compass computer that was NASA surplus. I am wondering if it is possible to obtain the software that NASA used on that computer for the Space Shuttle?

I would like to install it on a GRiD Compass with my NASA collection.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Dan

6 years before this computer came out and 3 years before the patent I developed a very similar item for SAI. It used a 512x256 plasma display, an 8 inch floppy, and a emulated version of the Data General Nova line of computers so it had an RTOS, Basic and Fortran. And it was built into a briefcase with the display and touch panel in the top. Funny thing was that SAI decided there was no need for it so refused to go after a patent. Even funnier was 20 years later they were ruggeding the GRiD Compass computer for military applications and paying royalties to them!

lol....I just remembered my boss STOLE a GRiD computer at a convention show....he did it so we could be the first to market with our software.....(That''s the side of the industry you dont hear about anymore).

I've just found one of these at the back of my atic.

It still boots up!!

Nice design.Μου αρεσει πολυ.How can be connected with the new printers and internet?

I remember first seeing one of these on an airplane when I was flying from New York to Denver. I was absolutely blown away by it, at the time I couldn't imagine a computer that you could carry around with you!

I want one of these!