EPROMM Programmer Recommendations

[robert_sissco]

I know I was given recommendations before, but I cannot find it, so I am again seeking recommendations for a good EPROMM programmer/reader.

Thank you

 

[daver2]

The obvious unit is the GQ-4x. However, check the supported device list to ensure it programs the devices you want it to before purchase.

I have a couple of programmers. One, a really old one, will program really old devices that modern ones will not touch...

Dave

 

[Dioda]

I'm using xgecu TL866A for 27xx EPROMs and atmel/microchip MCUs programing, so far without any major problems. I suppose the newer versions of this programmer the T48 or T56 would be even better.

 

[norwestrzh]

I have used the TL866 II Plus quite successfully. It may not support older EPROMs, but the device support list is impressive! BUT, watch out. There are apparently a number of clone devices for the TL866 out there. Many of them are just junk. Try to be sure that the one you are interested in purchasing is authentic.

 

[Hugo Holden]

I have a BP Microsystems BP1400. It can do all sorts of vintage parts including things like the OTP ROMs used on vintage S-100 cards and the 2708 and in the OTP parts as used in the SOL-20 keyboard, it can do parts requiring negative voltage rails. It can do the MC68766 UVEPROM, also that the GQ-4x cannot do.

My GQ-4x can do everything else and does 21V or 25V parts, and more modern parts too.

The only oddball UVEPRROM I have not been able to do with these units combined was the very old MM5204 used in the SOL and for that I had to build Martin's Programmer.

There are no fakes or clones of the GQ-4x that I am aware of, but it appears there are a lot for bare board programmer fakes/copies including some that are buggy because somehow the pirated firmware doesn't suit the clone hardware.

With a programmer as exotic as the BP1400 though, it interfaces to the computers parallel port so you need a somewhat vintage computer. I use mine with a 2002 vintage HP desktop 32 bit system running XP. The BP1400 comes with a software disk, make sure to get it and the manual if you buy this programmer. The GQ-4x uses a USB interface and runs with Windows, it also comes with an installation Disk.

One thing about the GQ-4x, you can load an save the byte file as either an intel Hex file or a .bin file or Motorola S records, so the software also makes for a very handy file format converter.

 

[Malc]

There are no fakes or clones of the GQ-4x that I am aware of

There used to be, I'm going back to 2010 when i bought my older model GQ-4x, I got mine direct from the manufacture, I'd still be wary of fakes though.from other sources

 

[Hugo Holden]

There used to be, I'm going back to 2010 when i bought my older model GQ-4x, I got mine direct from the manufacture, I'd still be wary of fakes though.from other sources

The good news here is the makers of the GQ-4x were smart enough to label their units with a sticker/bar code. It would be pretty obvious if these were faked, and the image could always be sent to MCUmall for verification if the fakers put a dodgy sticker on the clones. Probably the clones don't have these stickers.

Still, the lengths that semiconductor fakers have gone to with re-labeling IC's transistors etc, joining new leads on devices, beggars belief. It is a shame they don't put these advanced skills to better use.