Hi. Ebay is usually a good place to look for simple, less expensive units, like this:
**broken link removed**
A mere $70, plus $25 for S&H. Does 2000+ devices, check the devices-supported list link provided to see if it works on what you want. It does a fairly good job for ROMs of all sorts. PICs from the 12C series on up are here, but no 10Fs. Connects using USB, sounds fast.
I have an excellent Xeltek SUPER 3000 Pro, picked it up two years ago on Ebay for $800. It now retails for $1200, can probably be had for less. This does 20,000+ devices, and is well supported. I highly recommend it, but it defies most beginner budgets. Xeltek makes other devices that are less expensive, but do much fewer devices. This unit can store HEX code and device parameters on a CF card, which allows the user to program devices in the field away from a PC. But, you have to have to have external power, like an AC adapter or rig a battery with cable and DIN connector.
We had a Data I/O 2900 at work some years back. Cost $1400 to fix when it broke, then broke again five weeks later, outside of the repair warranty period. Junk.
It was replaced with an EETools SuperMax for $600, now obsolete. This worked well enough. We recently started using some esoteric Phillips processor which wasn't on their device list for this or its latest replacement programmer. They wanted us to spend another $600 to buy the new device before even considering to ATTEMPT to add the Philips chip. I took my Xeltek to work and we're using that now to program prototypes.
It comes down to what you want to program NOW versus what you want to do later and, of course, your budget. You can find $13 Olimex programmers on ebay that will do a handfull of PICs and some SEEPROMs. The device mentioned at the top looks like a good starter unit. USB seems the way to go, but most of the cheap units use serial ports, and there are models out there that use the parallel port. The last two ports are no longer found on most PCs or laptops.
If you have the budget, I recommend the Xeltek from personal experience.
kenjj