Recomendation for an inexpensive PROM programmer

[rhb]

I've got one of the CH341 based 24xx units, but I'd like to get a more capable unit. No immediate need.  I want to have one on hand when the need arises.

Device should allow me to copy a PROM and program a PROM for as wide a range of devices as possible at an affordable  (under $200) price.

[legacy]

GQ USB is what I daily use. It has support for UVEPROM, Flash, and serial flash.
Not so exhaustive list of supported device, but it works for what I need, and it cost 90 Euro + S/H from the UK.

I have support for my WindowsXP laptop, which is what I need to use for my job, dunno how it works on modern Windows machines.

[PCB.Wiz]

There is also TL866II Plus -- check the device lists, for the exact parts you want.
This one has recently added Atmel SPLDs and I've asked that they also add Vector Test support for PLDs. Now on their 'to-do' list.

http://autoelectric.cn/EN/TL866_main.html

[rhb]

I don't have a specific part I want to read or program at the moment.  I'm setting up a bench and one of the things I need is a programmer.   Reading and archiving ROMS from old T&M gear is a primary application.

Does anyone have any comments about the TOP3100 or TOP3000?

[Kilrah]

A TL866 with a ton of adapters costs <$100. Need to order one myself.

[legacy]

GQ USB is what I daily use.

Have just found that they have a forum, so we can check news et al. 

[rhb]

Lots of wedding dress spam, but I did discover that the TOP3xxxx is probably a bad choice as the company appears to be out of business.  Which explains why I couldn't find the manual, etc.

Edit:

I've been looking at the GQ electronics website.  No trace of software or manuals for the programmers. It also looks as if for general coverage I'd need 3 programmers, GQ-4X, GQ-5X NAND and GQ-5X SPI

I do know I'll need to program a 1 Gb Spansion NAND device.

At this point I'm rather baffled and confused.

[legacy]

my device is called "GQ universal". I can program UVPROM, NAND flash, and SPI flash with the same device.

[rhb]

Would you mind posting a photo?  There are so many variations, websites and prices it's mind boggling.

[PCB.Wiz]

I don't have a specific part I want to read or program at the moment.  I'm setting up a bench and one of the things I need is a programmer.   Reading and archiving ROMS from old T&M gear is a primary application.

Sounds like you need to be device-list driven.

It also looks as if for general coverage I'd need 3 programmers, GQ-4X, GQ-5X NAND and GQ-5X SPI

That's sounding cumbersome.

I do know I'll need to program a 1 Gb Spansion NAND device.

That's sounding newer...

There are also programmers like the EETools Chipmax
http://www.eetools.com/index.cfm/product/303/ChipMax2
They cost more, but support a very wide range of parts. (and they will vector test SPLD/CPLD)

[rhb]

Being device list driven would be nice.  Could you send me the device list for all the old HP & Tek gear I'm going to buy?  I'm not currently shopping for anything and am *very* poor at predicting the future even when I'm making all the decisions.

As the only thing I *know* I need to program is the Spansion device  the GQ-5 NAND looks reasonable.  I don't expect to do this enough to justify a $600 programmer.

[blacksheeplogic]

Could you send me the device list for all the old HP & Tek gear I'm going to buy?

Maybe try getting a list from eBay & Google?

[PCB.Wiz]

Being device list driven would be nice.  Could you send me the device list for all the old HP & Tek gear I'm going to buy? 

That seems rather a silly question, but if you want to support very old gear, you might want to focus on the Vpp support.
ie The more modern programmers, tend to drop the highest supported Vpp. Cheaper ones also support less Vpp.

Here is a snippet from the ChipMAX device list

3321,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27128<21V>,DIP 28,
3322,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27128A<12.5V>,DIP 28,
3323,GENERIC ALGORITHM,2716<25V>,DIP 24,
3324,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27256<12.5>,DIP 28,
3325,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27512<12.5V>,PLCC 32,PA32PL28D-YA
3326,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C512<12.5V>,PLCC 32,PA32PL28D-YA
3327,GENERIC ALGORITHM,2732<25V>,DIP 24,
3328,GENERIC ALGORITHM,2732A<21V>,DIP 24,
3329,GENERIC ALGORITHM,2732B<12.5V>,DIP 24,
3330,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27512<12.5V>,DIP 28,
3331,GENERIC ALGORITHM,2764<21V>,DIP 28,
3332,GENERIC ALGORITHM,2764A<12.5V>,DIP 28,
3333,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C128<12.5V>,DIP 28,
3334,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C128<21V>,DIP 28,
3335,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C16<25V>,DIP 24,
3336,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C256<12.5V>,DIP 28,
3337,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C32<25V>,DIP 24,
3338,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C512<12.5V>,DIP 28,
3339,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C64<12.5V>,DIP 28,
3340,GENERIC ALGORITHM,27C64<21V>,DIP 28,

Notice 21V and 25V on some of those very old EPROMS.  The TL866II Plus indicates latest model is VPP 18V max, and models prior were 21V max.

[rhb]

It was intended to be silly.  I was being asked to predict what I might need in the future.

When did the transitions from 25 v to 21 V to 18 V take place?  I'm not likely to buy anything built before 1990.  I had seen a discussion about the TL866A having 21 V support and the TL866II only going to 18 V.

Also, is the issue just the voltage level?  If so, would an outboard logic level shifter allow programming older devices if the need arose?

I really need a good reference on PROM programming.  Any suggestions?  Books preferred, but I'll take what I can get.

[blacksheeplogic]

It was intended to be silly.  I was being asked to predict what I might need in the future.

But it was reasonable to ask a forum for advice on an inexpensive programmer when you don't even know what you might want to use it for???

The lower cost programmers have more limitations so know one's going to be able to guess what inexpensive programmer might cover every chip you might one day decide you need to use. If your requirement really is that lose and you must have the programmer on hand 'just in case' it's not going to be cheap 'universal'. An expensive programmer like the Galep 5D I have is well outside of the hobby budget but it's representative of the class and cost of programmers needed meet the vague requirement you have.

[coromonadalix]

I agree with blacksheeplogic

I had the tl866, an gq4x universal, and other "small" programmers, the problem was :  always missing something again and again ...

The TNM 5000 is a huge step forward, well supported and accept very cheap adapters and the idc (isp/jtag ... ) connector on the front is doing some miracles
Bought it on Aliexpress, and received it thru DHL under 4 days loll  It was at 270$ usd for the basic system, but the prices has risen a little

http://www.tnmelectronics.com/English/5000.html

But i ended up with an Elnec beeprog for very specialised chips, bought used on ebay for 550$ usd   outch  loll

As others said,  you have to know what you need will be,   i did not, and paid $$$ for nothing until i found the Elnec, and found an software update of the tnm5000 added the missing ic's the Elnec could do     and the tnm5000 i had was sold one week before ....... lesson learned.

[legacy]

gq4x universal

like mine 

do you happen to use it with Windows 7,8,10?
here I use it on my Windows XP/32 laptop.

[rhb]

Just on documentation alone the TNM 5000 looks to be the best choice.  A bit more than I wanted to spend, but much more professional support than the others.  I could find no explanation at all of the difference between the GQ-5X NAND and the GQ-5X SPI.

My reason for asking was to avoid programmers known to be poorly supported.  The MCUmall forum tells me my email is in use already if I try to register and that it's not in their database if I try to do a password reset.

As far as devices I only know of a one device I need to program right now.  The best I can do is guess about other devices I might encounter.

So saying I should choose based on other devices is not logically useful as I would simply be guessing what they were.  Rather obviously I would not buy one that did not support the  device I know I need to program.

[coromonadalix]

I check Mcumall time to time, i was waiting for the gq5x universal model to come out, lots of requests in the mcumall forum about it

Until i bought the TNM5000 and Elnec,  the gq-4x was the best windows compatible one i had, thrown on 32 and 64 bit pcs without problems, and i loved the interface software.

I dont think the gq5x universal will ever exist ??

[rhb]

According to the tested devices list, the GQ-5X has  existed for 5 years, but is not universal.  You have to buy two units  for a total of around $300.

[rhb]

I ordered an TNM 5000 with 15 adapters.   At $398 more money than I wanted to spend, but long term it looks like a better value.  I just hope that proves to be true.

Later in the day I got a call from MCUmall.  I explained I'd already made a purchase, but explained my confusion and suggested they post a table comparing features among the various units.

I suspect that one of theirs would have met my needs, but I just wanted to get it done.  I *hate* shopping on line, especially when I am trapped with such vague requirements.   Thanks  to all for their advice and input.

[rhb]

It arrived a couple of days ago.  I don't have any devices to program yet, but shall order some soon.

I was surprised it's an Iranian product.  It came with 15 adaptors  in addition to being able to accept any DIP  up to 48 pin.

So will it spy on my cat litter box management system development and send it to the Iranians to sell to the Chinese to copy?,

[TomS_]

There is also TL866II Plus

Ive received a TL866II plus today. So far it has worked on an ATF16V8B which I programmed to act as a hexidecimal display driver as a test.

The II plus device supposedly supports 15000 different parts, so its worth looking at, and not too expensive (mine cost about £45).

I also have a TL866CS which I bought some time ago, but lacked the ability to program these more "modern" Atmel PAL/GAL type parts (but could do some of the more original parts...). They are both in a nice small form factor and so far have done everything Ive asked.