TL866A

[Gandalf_Sr]

I would like to add a general purpose IC programmer to my workshop, I'd be programming PICs, AVRs, and eeproms mostly, some older stuff.  The questions are:

• Is the TL866A a good choice?
• Does it handle multi voltages like 1.8, 3.3, 5?
• Does it run OK under Windows 10 -64 bit?
• What are the recommended alternatives?

Thanks

[TheBay]

I would like to add a general purpose IC programmer to my workshop, I'd be programming PICs, AVRs, and eeproms mostly, some older stuff.  The questions are:

• Is the TL866A a good choice?
• Does it handle multi voltages like 1.8, 3.3, 5?
• Does it run OK under Windows 10 -64 bit?
• What are the recommended alternatives?

Thanks

1, Yes it's great for the money if it meets your requirements, also make sure you buy a Genuine one not a clone.
2, VCC is from 3.3V to 6.5V; VPP is from 3.3V to 21V (Some REALLY old devices may be above 21V, might be worth looking in to but I haven't run in to a device that doesn't work)
3, Yes
4, Hard to recommend an alternative without listing exact requirements.

I love mine and would not be without it, I use it for everything. I have had expensive programmers in the past and this just works.
Certainly the best programmer for this money.

Here is the list of supported devices: http://www.autoelectric.cn/MiniPro/MiniProSupportList.txt

[pelule]

I fully agree - excellent cost feature relation - and it works.
There are just some fance parts, where the latest FW seems to have massed up.
There is a lot of info for here the the forum.

[sotos]

From where can I buy an original and not a clone?

[TheBay]

From where can I buy an original and not a clone?

This is the official seller: http://www.ebay.com/usr/sunwenjun

If anyone wants to get one in the UK I recommend this seller: http://www.datahardware.co.uk/ I got mine from here and also used them for other items, very friendly and helpful.

[Gandalf_Sr]

What's the difference between the TL866A and the TL866CS?

[Gandalf_Sr]

I can answer my own question, only the TL866A has the ICSP port, the CS does not have this feature.  I got this from this link http://www.autoelectric.cn/en/TL866_main.html

[vinceroger]

I have the TL866CS which seems too work fine theres a guide online with all the information to modify it so its like the a version i will order the parts soon and do the mod.

[sotos]

From where can I buy an original and not a clone?

This is the official seller: http://www.ebay.com/usr/sunwenjun

If anyone wants to get one in the UK I recommend this seller: http://www.datahardware.co.uk/ I got mine from here and also used them for other items, very friendly and helpful.

Thanks. Ill get one from UK.

[TheBay]

I can answer my own question, only the TL866A has the ICSP port, the CS does not have this feature.  I got this from this link http://www.autoelectric.cn/en/TL866_main.html

I went for the A as at the time there was no way to hack the CS.
Doesn't seem to be much difference in cost between the two so personally would get the A if you want ICSP, I use ICSP on PIC & Atmel.
It's quite useful.

[Gandalf_Sr]

I just ordered this one from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K756PB6/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[vinceroger]

I have the TL866CS which seems too work fine theres a guide online with all the information to modify it so its like the a version i will order the parts soon and do the mod.

sorry forgot too add this
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/246355-minipro-tl866-upgrade-instructions/

[Gandalf_Sr]

I bought a TL866A from eBay, the device and the free App from the OEM's website work OK on my Windows 10 64 bit PC but doesn't play well with my powered USB 3.0 hub (the hub has been troublesome with other devices too), the fix was simply to plug into a USB 3.0 port that's connected directly to the PC motherboard.  When plugged into the hub, I got communications errors indicated at the bottom of the main App screen which I didn't notice until I'd set fuses wrongly in an Atmel IC but one I was connected to the direct USB port, all the error messages went away and I was able to erase and reprogram my IC with no issues.

The App works well but, to be picky, the wording in some of the dialog boxes is confusing - often there's a [Cancel] button that really means [OK], to me 'cancel' means don't do something but the reality is that the TL866A has already done it and it's just telling you to 'cancel' from that sub-dialog box back to the main screen.  However, for the price, this is a capable programmer that meets all my needs at present and is highly recommended for those on a tight budget.

[scobay]

HI I bought a tl866a a year or so ago and mainly use it for flashing Laptop motherboard bios. I have been trying for a long time to flash the bios in circuit with no luck. Recently I came across a post that says I cannot do this without a  "25 spi adapter board" which seems to have some ic soldered on the board. Unfortunately I haven't been able to locate this board on ebay or Alixpress. Would anybody have any idea where to get one of these boards ?. I have quite a few ICp clips as I though there were the problem, any help would be much appreciated