I have some proto carts that my copiers wont read as it's all proprietary carts. Anyone know a cheap programmer that isn't a willem?
http://www.hot.ee/tmeeco/DWNLOADS/MPCPSHIT.RAR Around 30$ on parts, DYI, different (flash) chips support happens when I'm being bugged about it...
Batronix has a decent entry level programmer/reader. Sports a 40pin ZIF socket and retails for $150. Supports "6596" chips. The down side is that you can't program PALs or GALs with it, but you probably don't need that feature.
I'll be looking for a programmer soon too, though I haven't started looking yet. Is there something particularly wrong with the el cheapo Willem's?
There's nothing wrong with Willems, there isn't a cheaper programmer. I had a Willem 3B or 3.5 can't remember, that lasted from 2002-2006 before dying, but your mileage may vary. This will all most people will ever need if you get adapters. It does suck that it doesn't support SPLD but with CPLD as cheap as they are today, there's no need for them in new designs, and if you need to support a SPLD device, you probably care enough to buy a more expensive programmer or build a GALBlast. Honestly though, I really don't believe any dev carts can't be read by copiers that run on the console.
The problem is you can't tell the difference from the real ones and the ultra crappy knockoffs on ebay.
Just for info it's been now three month (yeah three month) that I've orderer my willem directly at willemshop, and I got no news since 2 weeks ...
I got good service from these guys. http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_dynamicIndex.asp I prefer usb to parallel.
I've got more expensive eprom programmers, but I've usually got a cheap willem around too. I've bought from mcumall too. I recently bought one of their gq-4x's because I really wanted something willem cheap in a case that was usb. I was dissapointed that the previous willem one from mcumall did die. I only spilled a can of coke on it while it was powered... The gq-4x has worked well for me and so has everything from them. I also feel that buying cheapies does mean a little "luck of the draw" with how well or long it will work, but the gq-4x has worked well for me and so has everything else I've bought from them. When I bought the gq-4x, I asked them to make me an ebay auction with everything including shipping in a buy it now format. That way I was able to use the live cashback and got 35% back (it's 30% now and changes often). Yes, it took like 3 months to get the rebate back. Here's some more info on that: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=952519
Yeah I have been tempted to upgrade to a 4, got a 3 myself. Unfortunately microsoft don't export cashback to the uk. They ought to get their driver signed for vista 64, but apparently you can enable unsigned drivers at boot up and it works. Hopefully it's a matter of time ( it just costs them money for a signing service ). I've still got a 32bit machine though, so I can always use that.
