I have been asked to recommend a good EPROM programmer or data logger. Here is a list of some of the Hardware and Software packages I use. Generally they were well researched
purchases and am can happily recommend them.
HARDWARE
Olympus C3020 digital camera
A cut down version of the C3040 but does everything very well. 3 million pixels and full
manual control if you need it. Can be had for under 400 quid if you search around.
Microchip PIC ICD (in circuit debugger)
Fantastic cheap in circuit debugger / programmer for the 16Cxxx family of PIC's. This product is cheap (around 120UKP) and works
extremely well. Comes with a good development board and the Microchip database
CD's and MPLAB...which is OK and the only environment I know off for PIC development.
CCS PIC C compiler
A good C compiler for PIC's. Quite a few service releases and you only get 3 months
worth of updates...stingy gits. But better than the others I have used though. Plugs into
MPLAB quite well.
GalepIII EPROM programmer
This little baby is battery powered (rechargeable PP3) and will happily read and write 27C256's all day!
Plugging into the parellel port it also programs PICs and EEPROMS as well as quite a few other
devices. You also get the best software available with a programmer (full 32bit). Email support is very good. Costs around 120UKP. Rather
surprisingly it works perfectly under Windows XP SP2!
Pico Scope
What a smashing data logger / oscilloscope combination. I have the 100 series which, although quite
old now doesn't require a power supply (powered from the Parallel port) and offers two channels.
Very useful for in-car data logging of a couple of sensor signals. A wide range
of probes are also available, some of which specifically for automotive use.
Millenium Gold Card PIC programmer
What can I say. If you need a cheap and cheerful programmer for PIC16F84+24LC16 wafer
cards you can't go far wrong with this. Good programming software (win2000 compatible)
Dell Inspiron 4000
A range of very affordable laptops with very good battery life and high resolution screens.
I have used both
of these services for pcb prototype manufacture. I think pcb train has the edge
for price and delivery.
Tekronix TDS2000 series 'scope
Very very nice and reasonably priced!
Why struggle with
lesser soldering irons, nearly every small electronics company I have been to
used them!
SOFTWARE
Hex Workshop
This is a great little program from Breakpoint software. Can't recommend it highly enough.
Does everything you would ever want to do with a binary file.
Text Pad
Used for C and HTLM editing. Nice highly configurable text editor. With spell check.
Dial up network monitor
Nice free bandwidth monitor.
DigiGuide
Off-line TV listings, with search and reminder facilities.
Music Collector / Movie Collector
The best music cataloguing software out there.
Convert
Convert between different units. The best...and free!
HammerSnipe
Win those eBay auctions at the last minute. I used to have to stay up waiting for an auction to end...not anymore!
A
good car maintenance logging / database / service history program.
PurgeIE
Clean up after Internet explorer.
Getright
Superb download manager for those who aren't lucky enough to have a broadband connection
WinZIP
Need I say more about this!
Better that CuteFTP and better still FREE for personal use!
PC
Antec
Quiet and stylish PC cases (especially the piano black gloss ones)
Zalman
Creator of the stylish Reserator water cooler.
dabs.com
BOOKS
The C Programming Language, Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie
The C bible! Perfect as a CSS pic C compiler reference.
GARAGES
Once you find a good garage, spread the word! The one I use local to me is:
WAYLAND GARAGE
45 Thetford Road
Watton
Norfolk IP25 6PN
(01953) 882946
It offers MOT's and seem to do a really good job, the welding I needed for the Irmscher Senator's MOT last year was superb and reasonable priced.
DENTONS GARAGE
Cross Street
Oxford
OX4 1DA
(01865) 242310
Also a smashing little garage buried in Oxford, nice guys. Used them a lot when I lived in Oxford.