New PIC Programmer

**DynamoBen** · - 6th February 2007, 04:52

I'm currently in the market for a new programmer. Several years ago I started out with the P16PRO. While it did its job for a few years I got tired of swapping pics and eventually it quit working. Instead of fixing it I decided to buy a JDM style ICSP programmer from sparkfun. It never really worked consistantly and it finally stopped functioning the other day.

So now I'm in the market for a new programmer. I'm not really interested in spending a lot of money since this is my hobby, but I still want a nice programmer. I've seen several posts about the pickit 2, and have see several ICD2 clones on ebay.

What's the best way to go? Is ICD2 worth the extra expense? Any clones worth looking at?

Finally it might be nice to find something that also does eeprom programming, and possibly other microcontroller types (AVR etc.). Now I'm pushing my luck.

**mvs_sarma** · - 6th February 2007, 09:44

Hi,
your statements are confusing-- what is wrong with the first one you had-- bored of it and want a change. you went to JDM version from sparkfun OK. you say thaT IT NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND FAILED FINALLY-- WHY NOT TRACE AND FIX THEM INSTEAD AGAIN DUMPING MONEY-- IF THIRD ONE FAILS, god forbid, you will go for 4th.

I for one, feel there may be issues with programmers-- we have to sit down analyse and set right. the issue may be silly and small . Let us use the oppertunity to learn hardware debugging useing this case.

please take in right perspective as you yourself told, we the hobbists cant waste money even of we can afford. for the same money you may purchase newer ICs --

**websmith** · - 6th February 2007, 10:37

Hi
I agree, I have built several of my own Olimex design (JDM) see http://www.olimex.com/dev/pic-pg1.html
and it has been working perfectly for ages. There are some limitations to understand which may lead you to think it is mal-functioning:

1) The programming signals and power is derived from a limited +-12V supply serial port on the PC and can not supply a target board with big demands and shunt loads. ie having a fan or something daft on the 5V rail on the target board will pull down the volatages.

2) The ground is floating and so the pic target board can not be ground referenced to the PC - ie connecting a scope for example to the pic while programming will cause it to fail. - The same thing if the Pic target board has a PSU that earths the 0V rail

3) Keep the ICP lines from the programmer to the PIC reasonably short (<30cm)

4) Use a decent prog s/w eg IcProg.exe and follow the instructions to set up if you use XP.

**DynamoBen** · - 6th February 2007, 15:08

First off I know exactly what is wrong with both programmers and I don't know that I'm interested in repairing them. I was taking this oppritunity to "upgrade" to something a little more robust. While the JDM worked well it became a problem when I was prototyping due to the reasons websmith gave.

**bbarney** · - 6th February 2007, 15:34

For the price I don't think you can beat a PicKit2,the Icd2 is 4 times the price.It really depends on what you want a programmer or debugger which the pickit2 now does(limited)

**DynamoBen** · - 6th February 2007, 15:39

Well I've never done any debugging so this is all new to me. To be honest I'm a bit fuzzy on how ICD2 works.

I'm really looking for the best value, PICKit2 might be the best of both worlds...thats why I'm asking.

**mister_e** · - 6th February 2007, 16:07

Pickit 2 is really fine. I said it often here. <50$ for a USB programmer, well supported and made by Microchip. O.K. work only in ICSP, but come on, if you want to build your own Ziff socket adapter, it's not a big deal. You could often hack to already made one (olimex if my memory serves me well).

Can't be cheaper than this for a well supported Programmer witch already beat the supported device list of most(see all) freebies ones,

Oh sure the ICD is limited, but do you really need it? Could a simple serial communication or a LCD could do the same job? Well to me, this solution is working almost daily.

Go for it!

**bbarney** · - 6th February 2007, 16:19

It's just a hobby for me too and I kicked the same question around for a long time and decided I could always buy an ICD2 later but I need a programmer first even though my 16Pro40 still works like a charm it didn't do some of the chip's i wanted so I got a pickit2.All I can say is it work's great and it's a steal compared to some of the other programmers out there for the same or more money,the best part is it's USB.I think Mister E could fill you in on an ICD2 better than me so I leave at that and hope I've helped a bit.

**mister_e** · - 6th February 2007, 16:30

I won't push anybody to buy an ICD2 if not needed. I buyed it in the past ONLY because Picstart didn't had 18F4550 in their list and Microchip said to me that they haven't plan to include them. And while my BK844A was out for repair, i decided to buy an ICD2. used it few time, never used the ICD feature (or maybe 1-2 times) and now, he's gathering dust.

As long as the Pickit 2 device list fit to your need and you don't want to spend too much money, it's probably the smartest choice.

I buyed Pickit 2 for curiosity first. Wanted to know how good a <50$ programmer could be. I'm impressed.

**bbarney** · - 6th February 2007, 20:49

I was impressed with the package of goodies that came with mine,sure you can download mplab but it's nice to have it and datasheets on a cd that's handy and beside's there's 20 or so free icd2 plans out there only problem is you need to program the chips.here's one icd2 clone with an adapter board for a zif socket and hex files everything you need to make it

Try this one