Henrik

The secret in a good programmer - any programmer - is the programming SOFTWARE. Velleman are interested ONLY in selling kits in bulk. They're not interested in keeping the software updated, which means you will be stuck with that very small and limited list of PICs.

So lets take an example... yes it does the 16F876 and 16F876A, but it doesn't do it's bigger brothers (natural upgrage path) such as 18F242, 18F2420 etc etc. What about 20p PICs (16F785)? It should be capable of it, but NO. This makes it a very limited programmer with zero support.

So the answer to your question is YES, PICBasic HEX code will work with this programmer, BUT, think long and hard if you want to spend money on something so limited in it's capability from a company that has no interest in supporting the product with new PIC releases. The software you get with it, will probably be the software that will go into the bin with it.

Save your money and look for something that isn't a toy from a company that has an interest in keeping updates and support for it's programmer.

You want a GOOD programmer, try one offered by MeLabs (www.MeLabs.com) or elnec (www.elnec.com) eg http://www.elnec.com/pikprogplus.php (just look at how many devices are supported, 3620 at January 2006, and how often they bring out FREE downloadable updates supporting even more). Compare that to Vellemans pathetic tiny list. Elnec's software and support especially is superb. It is worth paying just a little more, but you get a LOT more in return.