IC Reader / Burner Recommendations

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Hey all,

I'm looking to pick up a device that will let me burn arcade ROMs, read/dump them, and ideally test chips to confirm they're still good. I'd prefer something that connects via USB to a modern desktop PC (Windows 10/11), and I've seen a lot of recommendations for the XGecu TL866II Plus programmer.

From what I understand, it supports a wide variety of EPROMs (like 27C128, 27C512, etc.), EEPROMs, some logic chips (74/4000 series), and even some RAM. I also saw there are adapter kits available for PLCC, TSOP, and other formats.

Before I pull the trigger, I just wanted to ask:

Is the TL866II Plus still a solid, reliable choice for arcade use in 2025?

Any caveats when it comes to compatibility with older chips commonly found in classic arcade PCBs?

Are there any must-have adapters or accessories I should grab at the same time?

Lastly, is there any chip testing functionality I shouldn't rely on with this unit?


Appreciate any insight. Just want to make sure I get the right tool for the job!
 
Hey all,

I'm looking to pick up a device that will let me burn arcade ROMs, read/dump them, and ideally test chips to confirm they're still good. I'd prefer something that connects via USB to a modern desktop PC (Windows 10/11), and I've seen a lot of recommendations for the XGecu TL866II Plus programmer.

From what I understand, it supports a wide variety of EPROMs (like 27C128, 27C512, etc.), EEPROMs, some logic chips (74/4000 series), and even some RAM. I also saw there are adapter kits available for PLCC, TSOP, and other formats.

Before I pull the trigger, I just wanted to ask:

Is the TL866II Plus still a solid, reliable choice for arcade use in 2025?

Any caveats when it comes to compatibility with older chips commonly found in classic arcade PCBs?

Are there any must-have adapters or accessories I should grab at the same time?

Lastly, is there any chip testing functionality I shouldn't rely on with this unit?


Appreciate any insight. Just want to make sure I get the right tool for the job!
the Wellon VP598 is the best programmer I've ever used but it comes at a bit of a premium price (but totally worth it)

I have a GQ-4x4 which is kind of dodgy with stuff like 2532(A), 2732(A), 2764 (or "older chips" as you described). they program everything from 2764 on up pretty slow. sometimes you have to get creative with the device types, sometimes generic works better than the actual brand/type. I have like an industrial eraser that can blank anything in about 4 minutes if in the event I do have a rom goof up, which happens often with GQ-4x4 until you get more experience using it. it also requires an external 9V transformer which doesn't come with it.

I also have an old Xeltek SuperproZ, which is better than GQ-4x4 with the roms like 27C100x to 27C801 like you find on Midway Y-unit and later games.

if you want chip testing capability though I would get the Backbit chip tester V2. you can probably get GQ-4x4 and Backbit chip tester for about the price of the Wellon VP598.

otherwise I know nothing about the TL866II Plus, it could've come out last week or 20 years ago and I wouldn't know the difference. lol
 
I've had success with the TL866, but I think it is called the T48 now. The T48 is a decent overall programmer and is adequate for hobby work. I particular like it's chip testing functionality for 74 series and 4000 series ICs.

Where it struggles is with older chips. It doesn't do 2532s for example, which were found frequently on early 80s games. It also struggles with some single voltage rail 2716s and cannot do the trivoltage 2708 and tms2716.

There are plenty of other programmers out there, but for the occasional test T48 is good enough. If you get into older and oddball stuff you will need something more substantial. I'm quite fond of the GQ4X but to me it isn't much different than the T48 at this point. The superpro programmers are nice as well, Inhave a 680. But I don't like using it as I need to bust out the old computer for it. My goto for really old stuff has been a DataI/O 29A. Fun fact: despite being ancient at this point, I can still talk to the programmer from my windows 10 computer over serial using dosbox. Who knows whether or not 11 will work though, I haven't tried.
 
Just get a GQ-4X. It's a good intro burner that does most of the stuff you're likely to see. And I have no problems doing 2716's, 2532/2732's with it.

It's not a TTL chip tester, but you can buy other tools if you want that. It's a good, solid burner that is USB, Windows, and still supported.

If you're in the hobby longer and want to go deeper, you'll get other tools eventually, because no one thing does everything.
 
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What Andy said (not that I have a GQ-4X), but start with something basic that'll meet your core needs, and then go from there if you're just getting into it.

I started with a programmer on my Apple //e that only handled three sizes, then to a Needham's PB-10 (and still have it hanging off a Windows 98 box), then to a Pocket Programmer III, a few others (a couple of EP-1's in a closet), and currently using a BK Precision 864 that I love. Burns everything (including some bipolar PROM's and microcontrollers - no triple voltage stuff w/out an adapter), does chip testing (TTL & CMOS), some RAM testing - a nice solution, but hard to find and not that cheap when you find them.

If you are going to need to burn older stuff (2716's, 2532's, 2732's), you can probably pick up an older programmer that's cheap and will handle those - but it may not be USB (PP III does handle those however, and it's USB).

I picked up an RCT kit that I assembled from scratch (also available in the US, and fully assembled for a higher price) for chip testing when it's not convenient to use the BK Precision. Again, not cheap, but a nice piece of kit. There are other options for TTL testing as noted that are probably cheaper, but don't do as much.

Nice tools are nice if you can take full advantage of them; just avoid buying more tool than you need ideally...
 
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GQ-4X will do 95% of your programming needs, with a few exceptions like tri-voltages and proms like @SNESNESCUBE64 mentioned.

Everyone has their own method for troubleshooting (scope/testers, etc) and it comes down to whether you're a "fix the problem" or "troubleshoot the issue" kind of mind. For 74LS testing, I like the Slice tool to test in circuit or the Retro Chip Tester - but the Aliexpress tester will do the job for beginners/casual use.
 
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The Chip Tester that KazooBR refers to ,,, gives me problems testing some 74XXX series chips ,,
like the 74395 for instance,,, display says its "NOT SUPPORTED".
There's others unsupported as well...
Qoestion?
?? If GQ-4X Will work for 2532 , 2732 , 2716 , does that infer that my GQ4X4 ( think its the newer version) would work as well ??.
 
The Chip Tester that KazooBR refers to ,,, gives me problems testing some 74XXX series chips ,,
like the 74395 for instance,,, display says its "NOT SUPPORTED".
There's others unsupported as well...
Qoestion?
?? If GQ-4X Will work for 2532 , 2732 , 2716 , does that infer that my GQ4X4 ( think its the newer version) would work as well ??.
I actually have a 4x4 and yes it works. Just burned three 2716s last week. You need the extra power supply though.
 
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