12F683 Programmer

[Red_Stafford]

You know junk programmers are so cheap, it's not worth anyone actually building a 1-off. Sensibly what is your budget? (and don't say a fiver!). If you did a Google or eBay search, then you'd find them at about £20, which by the time you get a PCB made, add a good quality ZIF socket and decent components, you're at that price already. A kit of parts (if offered by someone like Crownhill - good idea Lester, why not do it) would still be about £20.

The trouble with eBay is most of them are from China so the shipping is long and expensive

[Melanie]

Actually I bought one of those $80 ones from China (same folks also have $40 ones) just to see, a couple of months back... band new, all accessories, and arrived in 7 days. Can't fault it... just need a UK Power Cube as mine had those angled Chinese plugs.

[Red_Stafford]

See below, would this be all I need to program the 12F683 ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JDM-40-ZIF-USB...d=p3286.c0.m14

[Melanie]

Well, it's got the PIC you want to use listed, and for the price you really can't go wrong.

[skimask]

Well, it's got the PIC you want to use listed, and for the price you really can't go wrong.

Is the PICKIT2 that hard to get over there? Is it that much more expensive or something?
I don't see why people are still buying the 'knock-offs' when the PICKIT2 is just plain ol' so much more than meets the eye...

[Red_Stafford]

Is the PICKIT2 that hard to get over there? Is it that much more expensive or something?
I don't see why people are still buying the 'knock-offs' when the PICKIT2 is just plain ol' so much more than meets the eye...

PICKIT2 is about £30 but then dont you need to buy something else to go with it to program PIC's ?

[skimask]

PICKIT2 is about £30 but then dont you need to buy something else to go with it to program PIC's ?

Nope...complete kit, USB programmer, CD with software (which you can download from Microchip), basic instruction manual (more like a pamphlet), better manual online and/or on CD.
Get the PICKIT2 Debug Express and you'll get a demo board with a 16F887 on it, along with a few goodies. Costs $50USD, don't know what it'll run you over there.

[mackrackit]

PICKIT2 is about £30 but then dont you need to buy something else to go with it to program PIC's ?

Dig up a 6 pin header and a breadboard, forget about the ziff, and do ICSP.

When you complete a PCB and want to change code a bit, and you have built a header in, ICSP.

A test rig for 18F6680, a little messy, the PICKIT2 6 pin header is on the right.
<img src="http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2881&stc=1&d=122297990 9">