With the endorsement of two heavy weight PIC programmer
developers, PICKit 2 will become more and more popular. ;-)
As for PICkit 2 clones, I have not seen one yet. It is also not
so easy to built by oneself as Wisp628. Commercial clones might not
earn too much as well since US$35 is the upper cap here.
However I think it can still be made under US$15 without the
casing (plastic mould is quite expensive for low quantity product).
An better clone may combine the PICkit 2 with the LPC
demo board which can be made under US$20 and selling
for US$35+shipping.
If you subscribed to pickit-devel mailing list, you will know
that even the developers have not really know the full potential
of PICkit 2.
http://groups.google.com/group/pickit-devel/browse_thread/thread/424ac875e661ab53/0b00b554aa5fd347?hl=en#0b00b554aa5fd347
I like Jim's idea of value-adding the PICkit 2. PICkit 2 is very hackable.
It can be a capable programmer. It can be a cheap USB scope
or logic analyser. It can be a USB-Basic Stamp. It can be
a USB-Python-Stamp. It is really veey versatile.
If a PICkit 2 clone is without the casing but supply an expand header,
it will be even more hackable. Providing an extra supply input is
a good idea to facilitate expansion of LCD, RS232, keyboard, mouse, ...
Regards,
Xiaofan
On 10/9/05, Jim Robertson <spam_OUTjimplTakeThisOuT
newfoundelectronics.com> wrote:
{Quote hidden}> >
> >PICkit 2 is a problem for me as third-party programmer builder. The
> >hardware is very capable, as far as I can see it could replace the ICD2
> >and add off-line programming (it has the EEPROMs and the button). So if
> >and when Mirochip creates and releases the software that unlocks it full
> >potential the PICkit 2 can seriously change the market for lower-cost
> >($30 .. ) programmers. But as yet Microchip has not done this, so the
> >PICkit 2 is still a programmer that supports only a limited range of
> >PICs.
> >
> >Wouter van Ooijen
>
> The PICKIT 2 hardware is capable enough to replace almost every PIC
> programmer. It is close to production standard only lacking the ability to push
> Vdd above 5V. Still it is more quasi-production standard than
> pseudo-production standard.
>
> It can control VPP as is now a requirement for supporting some later PICs and
> it has the hardware to support all the 3.3V range of 18F, PIC24 and
> dsPIC33 devices.
>
> It is a fast, efficient programmer that does not require an external
> power source when used as a USB programmer. It also has the capability of
> operating stand alone although it doesn't appear to have a separate
> power connector.
>
> The PICKIT 2 has a Auxiliary output that with an I/O expander (or
> three) could really open up some interesting possibilities.
>
> This makes it far more capable than most programmers that I'm aware
> off and at the low price it is been offered it is a <insert you programmer
> here> KILLER.
>
> Of course it needs good software and firmware support. Here is where
> I am looking to see if there is a opening for me. The WARP-13 USB
> firmware with its FULL list of PIC devices, and extra support including
> 24C, 25C, and 93C serial eeproms, 1-Wire interface and hopefully
> soon data flash support could easily be bootloaded in as an option.
>
> "As an option" is the part I really like and want to work on. It would be great if
> people could buy this hardware expecting only what microchip is offering, and
> relying on microchip support, with the option of trying out my additions. If they
> don't work then you don't pay. If you pay you accept my work "as is" and
> I sleep well at night knowing that I did not "dud" anyone.
>
> I really think that with a bootloader, USB, onboard switch and eeprom this
> is a really versatile unit and it will be heavily cloned, hacked, expanded and
> otherwise evilly tortured. Already I can see mine with a graphic LCD attached.
>
> Now, if I only had some money to buy one... ;-)
>
> Regards,
>
> Jim Robertson
> NEWFOUND ELECTRONICS
>
