I have had an EPIC parallel programmer for several years, hadn't used it 
a lot until recently, but never was able program 16C711 (UV erasable), 
even with several calls to Micro Labs. Last was they offered to get on 
in house and figure out what the problem was, but I decided to switch to 
the 18G1320 for I/O reasons, so  3 or 4 of the 711's are setting here. 
Would throw them in mail to a US address to someone who could use them. 
Have been programing 16F84, and  the 18F1320 with very good results. I 
use their Beta software that's available on the web. Have used their 
PICPROTO boards, like them as a step between breadboard and etching 
board. Made up a Picproto18 with incircuit cable and header to 
programmer, it doesn't work, probably missing a capacitor or resistor 
somewhere, set it aside for the time. For the programmer board, would 
get a ZIP socket (think it comes nowdays with one) since you will be 
removing the PIC a zillion times. THe Textool ZIPs like their own 
special socket since the projecting pins are flat and won't go into just 
any socket, in particular the machined collet pins.

Royce Simmons wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I would appreciate any comments on the MELABS PIC programers from anyone
> on the list.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Royce 
>   
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist