MultiPic programmer for DIY'ers

[FunnyNYPD]

This is an update for an OBSOLETE product, which is no longer sold by Microchip.

It depends. The red button was released around the middle of 2007. For distributors who sell staff very quick and have few inventory, like digikey, you might get a red button one. For those distributors who are favor of having large inventory and sell staff slowly, you might get a chance to get a black button one.

Even Microchip has no clue what the end user will finally get. It all depends. If you are luck, then no bother. If you are not, please modify your hardware exactly as the official post said.

[FunnyNYPD]

Exactly. The "needed" hardware modifications are to make the old black button model work with the new PIC's.

This might not be true, many of PIC user's manual recommend a 0.1uf cap on the Vpp pin, this will make a large Vpp initial current and slow the Vpp rise rate. (I personally think this is a users' manual mistake and never implement it on my application circuit designs. ) On this case, it requires the Vpp supply a large transient current.

This is one of the reason, the new official modification can provide up to 10~13 mA current.

As it is said, if everything works fine, then no bother. If you encounter some issue related to a Microchip designed limit, then modify your Microchip version of PICkit 2 as recommended.

[FunnyNYPD]

Their current product will work with ALL models of PIC given that their spec. for ICSP is followed. If you follow the MCLR loading recommendations (which isn't hard to do) it will work on all models.

No. Not so easy for 8 pin, 14 pin, 18 pin and 20 Pin PICs. And not easy for those application requires the ICSP pins. In particular pin MCLR/PGC/PGD.

it will work on all models.

not for this particular chip with crystals: PIC16F716, which has some silicon design issues. (p.s. the real cause is not identified yet. It might just for some old rev. of silicon designs.)

[FunnyNYPD]

Your comparison is like saying that your color TV is better than Joe Blow's B&W TV because yours is color, completely neglecting the fact that Joe Blow also has a color TV and has posted directions online how to turn his old B&W TV into a color one if you don't want to buy a new one.

Actually, I am trying to list some facts. On the compare list, it is expressed as:
"Not required v.s Maybe".

If you have better way to reflect this fact, we will be glad to take a look.

[FunnyNYPD]

Undoubtedly your programmer would not work on some PIC models if it was designed now and used a couple years later.

I am not so negative on this.
So far, the best programmer design from Microchip is the PICkit 2. It is well designed and well balanced on cost and performance. For all the function and the open-mind from the team member, the PICkit 2 will be one of the top design for quite some time.

I have used Microchip ICD2 too, the PICkit 2 provides better performance on programming. And it is very robust comparing with ICD2.

The goal for my team is: provide a perfect hardware design with a good design concept. That's something a large organization cannot easily achieved, but we can.

[keebler303]

Actually, I am trying to list some facts. On the compare list, it is expressed as:
"Not required v.s Maybe".

If you have better way to reflect this fact, we will be glad to see.

How about "Not required 99.9% of the time if using latest revision" I think that is a little more truthful.

What percentage of sales does the new 5ma Vpp series makeup? .05%? Less?

If you are using a red button PICkit2 and any one of the 99.95% of the other devices programmable with the PICkit2, Not required is probably more appropriate for the Microchip PICkit2 as well.

Matt

[FunnyNYPD]

Greeting Matt,

I said same cost, you don't have a 256K version for $35 either.

No, we don't have one like that. Neither does any other PICkit 2 supplier.
From what I knew, We are the only supplier provides PICkit2 class product with 256K EEPROM: The BB0703+256K.

So far, the BB0703+256K is the top pick of our BB0703 family, it naturally support 256K bytes of EEPROM for PTG, and it includes buck/boost circuits too.

I was specifically comparing between your BB0703 and Microchip PicKit2. I am asking what makes your model a better choice over the REAL PicKit2 for the same price.

From customer's feedback, reliability and ease of use.
Plus, For the same price, you get more features (components, of course) on BB0703:
1. It is compatible with circuit board designed for ICD2/ICD3/RealICE.
2. The RJ12 connector is more durable than the PICkit 2's Pin-header type connector for heavy duty users (plug & unplug very often); because the RJ12 spring contact design can compensate more surface wearing than the pin-headers design. (that's why all Microchip high end products used RJ12 connector. And the RJ12 connector itself cost more.)
3. Better designed hardware and components, no hardware modification is necessary.
4. dedicated power regulator for Programmer-to-go, this is an exclusive design from Au Group Electronics.
5. smaller PCB design (comparing with original design from Microchip) even with 20% of more components and 40% of more components footprints. (on BB0703+s, same smaller size but with 40% of more components and 60% of more footprints)
6. Full SMD technology

In my eyes, ... it needs to either be cheaper, or significantly better in some way.

That' exactly what our customer says, check their comments here:
http://www.auelectronics.com/CustomerComments.htm

FYI: PICkit is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology.

We have the following statement on our PICkit 2 related product web pages:
"PICkit2, MPLAB, ICD2, ICD3, RealICE and PICkit 2 programmer are trademarks of Microchip Inc."

And All PICs are manufactured by Microchip.

[FunnyNYPD]

How about "Not required 99.9% of the time if using latest revision" I think that is a little more truthful.
What percentage of sales does the new 5ma Vpp series makeup? .05%? Less?
If you are using a red button PICkit2 and any one of the 99.95% of the other devices programmable with the PICkit2, Not required is probably more appropriate for the Microchip PICkit2 as well.
Matt

That's a good thought.
You are qualified to join the special sale event on the bottom of this web page:
http://www.auelectronics.com/System-PICkit2.htm

The quality is limited and it is a first come first service.

[keebler303]

I'm happy with my Microchip PICkit2.

Cheers
Matt

[FunnyNYPD]

Here is a tutorial on understanding the PICkit 2 hardware:
http://augroups.blogspot.com/2009/05...kit-2-rev.html
It covers some basic design concept on PICkit 2, such as USB voltage, Vpp Boost, Vdd detection and generation, PGD, PGC and Aux voltage clamping, etc.