Millenium Micro
The Millenium Micro: (Category Other Programmers & Interfaces)
When the first Millenium Micro appeared, it was rather revolutionary. At least from a software/hardware combination point of view. I guess that the software has always been the real strongsuit of the package. Of course, the programmer is real small and neatly designed, but it did have it's weak points nevertheless. Thanks to the software though, it was a good package all together.
With the later versions, several improvements were introduced, like Atmel programming capabilities, a protective underside and, in a later stage, even more card types and a new crystal to speed up programming significantly.
Here, you see 3 different versions (generations) of the Millenium Micro:
Below is the version with firmware version 4 (see Chipdrive Mini for further details)
Below, on the left, you see the version with firmware 106 and on the right, the version with firmware 206. From here on, I will call the programmers by their firmware names i.e.: MM4, MM106 and MM206.
The most obvious difference between the MM106/MM206 on one side and the MM4 on the other side, is the new protective underside of the MM106 and the MM206. While the MM4 was vulnerable due to its complete lack of PCB protection, the MM106 and MM206 are well protected.
However, in my opinion, that is not the most important difference. No, the most important difference is that the MM106 and MM206 do support several more card types. While the MM4, will only do PIC 16.... type cards (like Goldcards and Silvercards), the MM106 does support Funcards and Jupitercards as well. And the MM206 tops even that, as it will do AT-Megacards and PIC 18.... cards (like the Zencard) also.
But there is more than just different programming capabilities. The MM206 is equiped with a 20MHz Oscillator instead of a 4MHz Oscillator like the MM106. And that new, faster Oscillator makes the MM206 a fast programmer indeed. Especially when PIC card programming is involved. Just look at the performance comparison table in the menu Programmers for more details on programming speed.
So there you have it. Each new generation is a big improvement on the previous one. But do these improvements, like PCB protection, added card support, increased programming speed etc. make the Millenium Micro programmers a serious competitor that you should absolutely take into consideration?
Well, to be honoust, I think that would largely depend on its price tag. And because I simply don't have a clue of the price tags of the programmers that I review, I cannot advise you on that. But what I can do is give you some explanation, so that you can make the comparison yourself.
The lack of a Phoenix/Smartmouse keeps it out of the category of Universal Programmers. So you should compare it to the competition in the menu Other Programmers. And in that category, there is some fierce competition from a whole line up of new USB programmers. Now the USB programmers do have the advantage that they don't need external power, while the Millenium Micro's do require an external power supply and that adds to the initial costs.
But there is more. Although the Millenium Micro's are reasonably fast, especially the MM206, in comparison to the USB competition, they just cannot keep up.
So unless it is cheaper than a comparable USB programmer, or unless a Phoenix/Smartmouse mode is added, I guess that the Millenium Micro is not going to survive. There is just too much competition out there.