eeprom programmer suggestions

Hello,

I know this topic has been covered on many threads, but I'm looking for a cheap eeprom programmer and wanted to see your recommendations based upon whats currently available on ebay. I saw the one below which is relatively cheap... would it be worth it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Advanced-Wi...lectrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item3a71673a25

NO.

Find one of these, either here, feeBay, or CL.

emp101.jpg


http://www.arcadesolution.com/needhams.html
 
I really like my GQ-4x... they may have something better now.

Has great drivers and chip support and runs off USB. Haven't had a problem with it yet... but keep in mind I play with games from the 90's so I can't speak to older chip support. Has come in real handy for reflashing computer BIOS chips as well with the provided adapters.

http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4312


I run it off my Windows 7 64 bit PC without any issues.
 
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I've done quite a bit of research on this. If you want an inexpensive programmer that will do the old stuff (think: 2716 eproms found in early 80's games) you're gonna need something that's serial based, with external power. Most of the programmers from the era run on Dos or Win98 at the latest. You'll need a an older PC with an ISA slot, or at the least a Serial port.

Are there machines out there today that will run on newer operating systems and use USB? Yes, but they're either not compatible with the older chips, or if they ARE compatible with the older chips, they're very expensive. The Willems programmers you find on feeBay are USB based, but they just don't have enough 'oomph' to program the older stuff. I've tried them. They don't program anything that needs 21 or 25 volts.

Because the Needhams / Logical Devices programmers are old, most times you can get a good price on them from sellers who don't care about them or need them. I picked up my Needhams emp10 for under $30 shipped and it was NIB. The stocking invoice from 2002 was still in the box. I think it was one of the last years that Needhams supported the device, so I probably got one of the last models made.

I have a NIB Shooter programmer available too, so if there's someone interested, I can get you a relatively good price on that unit.

I know some of you complain about having to use an older OS or DOS to interface with these devices, but really, if you want to program older hardware, you need to speak the language of the older hardware.
 
I really like my GQ-4x... they may have something better now.

Has great drivers and chip support and runs off USB. Haven't had a problem with it yet... but keep in mind I play with games from the 90's so I can't speak to older chip support. Has come in real handy for reflashing computer BIOS chips as well with the provided adapters.

http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4312


I run it off my Windows 7 64 bit PC without any issues.

I, too, have had the most success with this programmer. So far, it's been able to handle most of the 2716 and 2732 (also 2532) chips as long as I have an external power plugged into it. Occasionally I've had to redo a burn, but not often. No problems at all with the 2764s or the 27128s.

For the price, it really can't be beat.

FYI...

Jon
 
I, too, have had the most success with this programmer. So far, it's been able to handle most of the 2716 and 2732 (also 2532) chips as long as I have an external power plugged into it. Occasionally I've had to redo a burn, but not often. No problems at all with the 2764s or the 27128s.

For the price, it really can't be beat.

FYI...

Jon

Still, it's $150 after shipping. Not cheap, according the OP's standards.

FYI - if you're going to get into chip burning, you'd better plan on buying a UV eraser while you're at it.
 
Thanks to all who responded and thanks for helping me to not waste my money on something that won't work. I'll take your suggestions into consideration and will probably go the EMP route... now to find one super cheap... Though it always seems like if I find something that I want on ebay and bid on it, it gets bid up... but if I don't bid and watch, then it goes for super cheap... The search continues :)
 
FYI - if you're going to get into chip burning, you'd better plan on buying a UV eraser while you're at it.
I don't have much experience with the erasers, is there any point spending a decent amount of money on one or will a $10 Chinese one do the job just as well? Would you recommend building one yourself?
 
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