Pre-built Funcard programmers

**gw1** · 03-07-09, 04:25 PM

If you aren't confident at Funcard programmer there are several commercial ones that support Funcard. Sometimes they'll call it 'Atmel AVR' mode or 'AVR ISP' mode.

These include

Duolabs (available from but some may be clones, I'm not sure)
MultiPro USB (from )
Infinity Phoenix/USB (from , or )
Mastera V (from )
Mastera IV (hard to find nowadays)
Duolabs CAS3 Plus (from , or )

Sorry if there are other local distributors that I've missed. Perhaps the moderators will permit other suppliers to post their names below?

After searching just now I've gotta say I'm surprised how few commercial products there are nowadays supporting Funcard. Where are the simple cheap (<$60) ones that just do Funcard? I couldn't find any. There are plenty of cheap tools on ebay but none with smartcard adaptors that I could see.

Many of the commercial multi-card programmers, especially USB ones, require you to use proprietary software to program cards. Some however have compatibility modes that allow them to work with commonly-used free applications. For example for Mastera IV includes nice instructions on how to operate it with IC-Prog, PonyProg and Chip-Cat. It's worth a look.

**Kavakid** · 04-07-09, 10:41 AM

Mastera and Chip Cat is my fav.

**esky** · 07-08-09, 05:29 PM

What components are used in the Infinity USB Phoenix Programmer?

**gw1** · 07-08-09, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esky

What components are used in the Infinity USB Phoenix Programmer?

It uses a , which has inbuilt USB device plus a UART for the RS232 port. Running at 24MHz, it's pretty quick. The board also has an external EEPROM for storing configuration settings. It's powered by USB, not by plugpack.

I don't have one myself so don't have internal photos to offer but you can find further information . The manufacturer's user manual is a bit crappy but their FAQ is very good. The Infinity USB Phoenix received a positive review .

I'm not aware of any problems with it. Its main limitation is it requires USB for power. That's fine in 98% of cases, but those wanting an external Phoenix for your DM500 would be better off with a traditional plugpack-powered Phoenix. To utilise the Infinity USB Phoenix in that situation you'd need a powered USB hub (they're ).

IMO the with RS232 port is definitely worth the extra money compared to (now discontinued) .

**diavalo13666** · 07-08-09, 09:37 PM

Ive always used my trusty sc-dragon but alas it has passed away.

This is the one that i will be replacing it with

**best4less** · 07-08-09, 10:08 PM

I'll have a look at it for you mate

03-07-09, 04:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
gw1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hobart Posts: 958 Thanks: 49 Thanked 596 Times in 208 Posts Rep Power: 40	Pre-built Funcard programmers If you aren't confident at Funcard programmer there are several commercial ones that support Funcard. Sometimes they'll call it 'Atmel AVR' mode or 'AVR ISP' mode. These include Duolabs (available from but some may be clones, I'm not sure) MultiPro USB (from ) Infinity Phoenix/USB (from , or ) Mastera V (from ) Mastera IV (hard to find nowadays) Duolabs CAS3 Plus (from , or ) Sorry if there are other local distributors that I've missed. Perhaps the moderators will permit other suppliers to post their names below? After searching just now I've gotta say I'm surprised how few commercial products there are nowadays supporting Funcard. Where are the simple cheap (<$60) ones that just do Funcard? I couldn't find any. There are plenty of cheap tools on ebay but none with smartcard adaptors that I could see. Many of the commercial multi-card programmers, especially USB ones, require you to use proprietary software to program cards. Some however have compatibility modes that allow them to work with commonly-used free applications. For example for Mastera IV includes nice instructions on how to operate it with IC-Prog, PonyProg and Chip-Cat. It's worth a look.

07-08-09, 09:37 PM	#5
diavalo13666 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 905 Thanks: 141 Thanked 308 Times in 166 Posts Rep Power: 34	Ive always used my trusty sc-dragon but alas it has passed away. This is the one that i will be replacing it with __________________ A wise man once said " ones life expectancy is determined by their actions and their words "

07-08-09, 10:08 PM	#6
best4less I'am Not a Bloody Joke Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Age: 45 Posts: 5,150 Thanks: 1,093 Thanked 562 Times in 308 Posts Rep Power: 130	I'll have a look at it for you mate __________________ Shut Up I Hack You

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04-07-09, 10:41 AM	#2
Kavakid Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 463 Thanks: 33 Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts Rep Power: 13	Mastera and Chip Cat is my fav.

07-08-09, 05:29 PM	#3
esky Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 73 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts Rep Power: 4	What components are used in the Infinity USB Phoenix Programmer?