HI speed programmer

[Heckler]

No external power required... The PICkit2 is totally USB powered.

I can program 8, 14 and 20 pin pics with my setup.
I used the Microchip LowPinCount demo board and because the ZIF socket covered up where the header strip normally would be, I just soldered them in on the bottom side instead.

Also the PICkit2 has a PushButton on it that you can enable to initiate the program cycle (from inside the PICkit application)

or you can just hit enter to do the same thing.

There is a PICkit3 version that I do not have and can not comment on how it compares to the PICkit2 (others may be able to chime in on how they compare).
Make sure your specific PIC is supported if you are considering the PICkit 2 or 3