Digitech USB programmer
The Digitech USB Programmer: (Category Other programmers)
This is a very fast programmer. Almost as fast and just as easy to operate as the InfinityUSB. That's not strange by the way, because the software supplied with the Digitech USB looks very much like the Infinity software indeed. In fact, it looks and behaves so much similar that I looked into it more closely. I found out that the software is indeed the Infinity software. There are only a few changes made to let the software correctly communicate with the programmer.
Please notice that the Digitech will NOT work with all Infinity software. It seems that this is a very persistent myth. The Digitech will only work with the very early/old Infinity software (1.17). So none of the Infinity software versions higher than 1.17 will work with the Digitech.
Please make sure that you insert the cards with the contacts facing UP.
As said, this is "just" a first generation USB programmer, but it performs better than any serial or parallel programmer I have ever tested. And best of all, you no longer need to know what type of card you are using. Just insert it in the Digitech and it will tell you what configuration your card is. And I know a lot of people will wholehartedly welcome this feature as they have problems identifying their cards.
So just insert your card, select the files you want on it and press the Writebutton. I don't think programming can be made any easier than this :-)
But because it is a first generation product, there are some drawbacks too:
- you cannot use any of the common software like Chipcat, Cardwriter, DMSSC etc. etc.
- there is no MOSC software available for this programmer (yet)
- direct editing of keys on your card (with ISVedit for instance) is not possible
And there is room for other improvements or additions too. Although not much, to be honoust. But the Phoenix/Smartmouse mode is something a real hobbyist cannot do without.
To sum it up:
I now use this programmer for straight programming of my cards, just because its so blazingly fast. Faster even than the InfinityUSB which was the benchmark up to now.
But.... as said, the Phoenix interface is an absolute must for any serious hobbyïst. So, however great, this programmer is not an all-in-one solution.