user8570: When looking for alternate external programmers (ISPs), I am noticing that many are not Arduino Mega 2560 compatible (e.g. Pocket AVR Programmer, USBtinyISP).
I am looking for a reliable external programmer for the Arduino Mega that is compatible with the Arduino IDE. What are my options? Currently I have been struggling with the retired ArduinoISP programmer, which doesn't look like its going to work. Does anyone have proven experience with a given programmer and a Mega?
The suggested AVR-mkII doesn't seem to be available anymore either.

user28456: I have successfully used Arduino as ISP (not to be confused with Arduino ISP) on a Mega clone that has a funky FTDI-clone onboard, and would not let me upload bootloader through serial. This worked fine, and is cheap.

8570: <p>When looking for alternate external programmers (ISPs), I am noticing that many are not Arduino Mega 2560 compatible (e.g. <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9825" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pocket AVR Programmer</a>, <a href="https://learn.adafruit.com/usbtinyisp" rel="nofollow noreferrer">USBtinyISP</a>).</p>

<p>I am looking for a reliable external programmer for the Arduino Mega that is compatible with the Arduino IDE. What are my options? Currently I have been struggling with the retired <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoISP" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ArduinoISP</a> programmer, which <a href="https://arduino.stackexchange.com/questions/30946/arduinoisp-external-programmer-produces-verification-error">doesn't look like its going to work</a>. <strong>Does anyone have proven experience with a given programmer and a Mega?</strong></p>

<p>The suggested AVR-mkII doesn't seem to be available anymore either.</p>
 28456: <p>I have successfully used <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoISP" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Arduino as ISP</a> (not to be confused with <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoISP" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Arduino ISP</a>) on a Mega clone that has a funky FTDI-clone onboard, and would not let me upload bootloader through serial. This worked fine, and is cheap.</p>
