The Xtronics Pocket Programmer 2 is a versatile EPROM burner frequently utilized in automotive ECU tuning. It supports a wide range of memory chips and microcontrollers (MCUs) through the use of various add-on adapters.

Specifications and Compatibility#

• Software Support: Compatible with both Windows and DOS environments.
• Device Support: Capable of programming a wide variety of EPROM and MCU chips.
• Historical Context: Historically bundled with early Hondata tuning packages.

Note

The Pocket Programmer 2 requires specific hardware configurations to function reliably. Users have reported compatibility issues with certain laptop hardware, specifically regarding parallel port timing and power delivery.

Operational Considerations#

While the Pocket Programmer 2 offers a polished interface and consistent software updates from the manufacturer, users should be aware of the following:

• Hardware Sensitivity: The device can be sensitive to the host computer's hardware configuration. If programming fails, verify the integrity of the parallel port connection and the host system's power management settings.
• Adapter Requirements: Programming specific ECU chips may require proprietary add-on adapters provided by Xtronics.
• Support: Xtronics provides technical support and maintains software compatibility for the device.

Tip

If you experience intermittent errors during the burning process, attempt to use a different host computer or a dedicated desktop workstation to rule out port-specific timing issues.

Comparison#

For users requiring higher reliability or faster programming speeds for professional tuning environments, alternative hardware such as the Super Pro Z is often recommended as a more robust solution.