PIC Programmer

[mikem]

I too could never make USB to serial converters work so I too got the PicKit2 from Uchip for ~ 35 bucks. The best money spent i have used it on desktops, laptops everything and never had a failure yet.

I even modified some old Olimex adapters to work with the Pickit2 and it also works great.

save yourself the heartache and get a Pickit 2 which also comes with a dev/eval PWB and working Pic.

[skimask]

I too could never make USB to serial converters work...

MikeM from Fairford?

[DragonBall_6]

Hi All

Thanks for the reply. I think i will decided to buy the PicKit2. There are 2 model of PicKit2: PicKit2 starter Kit and PicKit2 debug Express.
May i know which one is better and can be use for long range?

THanks

Peter.

[mackrackit]

All you need is this http://www.microchipdirect.com/Produ...mid=1&treeid=6
the basic PICKIT2. And a 6 pin header to connect the PICKIT2 to a bread board.

I purchased the DebugExpress and have never used the demo board.

[Agent36]

Hi,
If anyone is interested, there is an exclusive offer in Everyday Practical Electronics to buy a PICKIT 2 for £9.99 including postage and VAT, with a coupon from the magazine. I think this is only open to uk people, but others might be lucky.

Kind regards Nick

[mikem]

No

Mike M from Chelton Avionics in Northern Arizona

[Dick Ivers]

I have the PicKit2. Works great, but another hidden benefit is that the purchase gives you access to Microchip's Technical Support. Any questions or problems are quickly resolved.

[jessey]

I too could never make USB to serial converters work so I too got the PicKit2 from Uchip for ~ 35 bucks. The best money spent i have used it on desktops, laptops everything and never had a failure yet.

I even modified some old Olimex adapters to work with the Pickit2 and it also works great.

save yourself the heartache and get a Pickit 2 which also comes with a dev/eval PWB and working Pic.

Hello Everyone,

I just purchased a new laptop a while back that is running windows vista so I have to purchase a usb programmer. I notice that melabs sells one but the cost is much higher than the PicKit2 http://www.microchipdirect.com/Produ...Error=Quantity which sells for $34.99 as opposed to melabs http://melabs.com/products/usbprog.htm starting at $89.95 and melabs price dosn't include a case for the programmer or any of the reguired cables.

Can anyone tell me if the PicKit2 has any advantages as compared to the melabs second-generation USB programmer besides the obvious price difference?

Thanks
jessey

[mister_e]

Compare both supported device list first.

Then PICKIT 2 give you this tiny logic analyzer, USART tool, and programmer OTG feature for free... that's a really fair deal to me.

[jessey]

Compare both supported device list first.

Then PICKIT 2 give you this tiny logic analyzer, USART tool, and programmer OTG feature for free... that's a really fair deal to me.

Thanks Steve,

Yes I had a look and it seems to be compatible with all the microprocessors. I posted the wrong URL in my last post for the PICKIT 2, here's the proper one www.microchip.com/pickit2

It even comes with a free getting started in PicBasic Pro tutorial on developing and debugging in basic. How cool is that but then the price jumps from $34.99 to $49.99 for that feature but well worth the extra 10 bucks I'm certain and as Dick Ivers points out, another hidden benefit is that the purchase gives you access to Microchip's Technical Support! Another thing I was going to ask, with the PICKIT 2 can I use a breadboard for programming my micro's reliably or should I be using a ZIF adapter?

I will be purchasing the PICKIT 2 for sure in the very near future. I wonder if I can upgrade my MicroCode Studio Plus so it'll run on my laptop with Vista or if I'll have to purchase another copy, either way it'll be worth it. Now I'll also have to purchase another Cad program to design my circuit boards with that's compatible with Vista, does anyone here know of an inexpensive hobbyist Cad program for under $100.00?

Thanks
jessey

[Archangel]

I just brought my new PICKit2 online last night, got it with the Low parts count demo board, works really sweet, no more JDM ! Got a question though, Adapters for other chips, are they available? Is this ICSP, and is that Low Voltage programming? AND if so, is there a downside?
Thanks.

[mvs_sarma]

I just brought my new PICKit2 online last night, got it with the Low parts count demo board, works really sweet, no more JDM ! Got a question though, Adapters for other chips, are they available? Is this ICSP, and is that Low Voltage programming? AND if so, is there a downside?
Thanks.

It is usable as ICSP also as the user manual shows. It is normal version with Vpp.
As per the user guide, the pin6 is ised for programming some Serial eeproms, but i hope it may be of use for LVP even as the updates come up.

[mvs_sarma]

Thanks Steve,

Yes I had a look and it seems to be compatible with all the microprocessors. I posted the wrong URL in my last post for the PICKIT 2, here's the proper one www.microchip.com/pickit2

It even comes with a free getting started in PicBasic Pro tutorial on developing and debugging in basic. How cool is that but then the price jumps from $34.99 to $49.99 for that feature but well worth the extra 10 bucks I'm certain and as Dick Ivers points out, another hidden benefit is that the purchase gives you access to Microchip's Technical Support! Another thing I was going to ask, with the PICKIT 2 can I use a breadboard for programming my micro's reliably or should I be using a ZIF adapter?

I will be purchasing the PICKIT 2 for sure in the very near future. I wonder if I can upgrade my MicroCode Studio Plus so it'll run on my laptop with Vista or if I'll have to purchase another copy, either way it'll be worth it. Now I'll also have to purchase another Cad program to design my circuit boards with that's compatible with Vista, does anyone here know of an inexpensive hobbyist Cad program for under $100.00?

Thanks
jessey

I really feel and am using breadboard for programming PICs other than obviously the SMD versions. for the SMD we can follow ICSP methods.
As time passes, I only expect Microchip to bring down the Price of the PICKIT2 to may be below $27.
As regards the cad program, perhaps you may consider PCB123. It is working fine for my hobby needs.

[mackrackit]

I use KICAD on Linux and XP and VISTA.
From the web site.

Kicad binaries exists for Linux and Windows (XP, 2000, Vista)

http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/

Is this ICSP, and is that Low Voltage programming?

It is ICSP. LVP is something else

Adapters for other chips, are they available?

can I use a breadboard for programming my micro's reliably or should I be using a ZIF adapter?

All you need is a six pin header. No ZIF required.
Here is a pic of a messy setup (a bad pic)
<img src="http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2979&stc=1&d=122612567 7 />

[Archangel]

I use KICAD on Linux and XP and VISTA.
From the web site.

http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/


It is ICSP. LVP is something else



All you need is a six pin header. No ZIF required.
Here is a pic of a messy setup (a bad pic)
<img src="http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2979&stc=1&d=122612567 7 />

Attachment 2979

LOL, Hi Dave,
Yea that's what I was Hopin' to avoid
I have seen somewhere nice little flat ribbon cables attached to ZIF sockets and /or with nice little test probe ends.

[jessey]

As regards the cad program, perhaps you may consider PCB123. It is working fine for my hobby needs.

Hi mvs_sarma,

I like to design and etch my own circuit boards so I need a program that will print out the art work to the correct size, anyone know of a program that will do that and is easy to use and under $100.00?

Thanks
jessey

[mackrackit]

Hi mvs_sarma,

I like to design and etch my own circuit boards so I need a program that will print out the art work to the correct size, anyone know of a program that will do that and is easy to use and under $100.00?

Thanks
jessey

The program I told you about works fine, I etch my own boards too. And the program is FREE.

[mvs_sarma]

Hi mvs_sarma,

I like to design and etch my own circuit boards so I need a program that will print out the art work to the correct size, anyone know of a program that will do that and is easy to use and under $100.00?

Thanks
jessey

Jessy, basically you have asked for a cad that could work with Vista. now you want a program that could print out the artwork.
please tell where is the artwork work and in what format. if already you use a cad, i would suggest to make a pdf of the concerned layer at 1:1
once you make it perhaps you can take a laser print by configuring the printer with no change in set up and at 100%. you can see and measure the sample print wrt the dimensions compare with artwork or try placing few chips to check whether they fit in
this is what i do from the artwork developed using PCB123 software on WIN XP and generate a PDF at 1:1 as I have to get it printed outside.
If you have Laser printer, the software directly gives you a print of the specified layer at defined size .

OK, Vista supported CAD software, i am not sure.

[jellis00]

As regards the cad program, perhaps you may consider PCB123. It is working fine for my hobby needs.

I have used PCB123 and have to say that PCB Artist from Advanced Circuits is a much better, more professional product with superior features for part footprints. PCB Artist is downloadable for free at Advanced Circuits' web site at http://www.4pcb.com/ and gives you direct online access to submit your resulting CAD files to Advanced Circuits for fab (and assembly if you want). There prices are good and the tech support I have received from both PCB Artist and Advanced Circuits has been outstanding.