Can't decide what programmer to buy - Page 2 - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

futz · 17th August 2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussMartin

I recommend buying your programmer assembled. That way:

1. You know it works, and

2. You can devote your energy to breadboarding and soldering your projects.

I tend to agree. Especially if you're not quite confident in your soldering skills. Experiment with your projects, but have a known-good programmer with good, solid programming cables and connectors (not hacked together home made individual wires. That way you at least know the programmer isn't the problem when you have troubles (and you will have troubles

).

nadav2605 · 17th August 2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futz

I tend to agree. Especially if you're not quite confident in your soldering skills. Experiment with your projects, but have a known-good programmer with good, solid programming cables and connectors (not hacked together home made individual wires. That way you at least know the programmer isn't the problem when you have troubles (and you will have troubles

).

OK thanks all, i guess i'll take it assembled after all. Any store recommendations to order to Florida?

Thanks!

futz · 17th August 2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadav2605

OK thanks all, i guess i'll take it assembled after all. Any store recommendations to order to Florida?

This one that I already posted.

Buy a A-B USB cable too. Then you'll need an old floppy cable or 40-conductor IDE cable to rip up (Junebug doesn't come with cables), and some 2x5 IDC female connectors to make programming cables out of. Get some extra connectors, as you'll almost for sure screw it up the first time or two. They're cheap.

For the breadboard connectors, get some 2x5 IDC male connectors and some 2-row header pins to solder together.

See this thread for more details.

RussMartin · 17th August 2008, 07:47 PM

Or you can buy the U2 programmer with accessories, including the adapter, the USB cable, and the software:

http://www.melabs.com/products/usbprog.htm

The programming cables with 10-pin headers are extra; they're shown at the bottom of the page.

Jeff and Charles at mE Labs provide great technical support and assistance, either on the telephone or by E-mail.

futz · 17th August 2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussMartin

Or you can buy the U2 programmer with accessories, including the adapter, the USB cable, and the software:

http://www.melabs.com/products/usbprog.htm

Can you do hardware debugging with the U2? Does it integrate properly with MPLAB? Just curious. If it doesn't do either then I would highly recommend to go with a PICkit 2 compatible instead.

OH!

The U2 is expensive! Better be damn good for that price.

RussMartin · 17th August 2008, 10:04 PM

Good points. The U2 runs under MicroCode Studio.

Perhaps a better choice would be the PICkit2 bundle from Microchip. It's a lot less expensive, too, at $49.99:

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/e...Doc/51570a.pdf

I've not used the PICkit products but I've heard good things about them.

I use the ICD2 "hockey puck". For other devices (non-PIC µP), I have a trusty old Needham's EMP-11.

futz · 17th August 2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussMartin

Perhaps a better choice would be the PICkit2 bundle from Microchip. It's a lot less expensive, too, at $49.99:

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/e...Doc/51570a.pdf

I've not used the PICkit products but I've heard good things about them.

I have a real PICkit 2 and a Junebug (PICkit 2 clone). They're excellent. Fast and well supported.

You can get a PICkit 2 clone for like $28.00 (bare board for $23).

Quote:

I use the ICD2 "hockey puck".

I have two ICD2 compatible's. One Inchworm+/Unicorn combo (USB ICD2) which is as fast as a PICkit 2, and a DipMicro Stella which is a serial ICD2 clone. Slow, but reliable.

It's good to have more than one. If one gives you trouble or doesn't have good debugging support (PICkit 2 w/18F248) I just switch to another one.

Quote:

For other devices (non-PIC µP), I have a trusty old Needham's EMP-11.

For non-PICs I have an Atmel STK-500 and an AVR Dragon with Ecros Dragon Rider 500

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17th August 2008, 07:47 PM	(permalink)
RussMartin	Or you can buy the U2 programmer with accessories, including the adapter, the USB cable, and the software: http://www.melabs.com/products/usbprog.htm The programming cables with 10-pin headers are extra; they're shown at the bottom of the page. Jeff and Charles at mE Labs provide great technical support and assistance, either on the telephone or by E-mail. __________________ Russ Martin "Easy to use is easy to say."

17th August 2008, 10:04 PM	(permalink)
RussMartin	Good points. The U2 runs under MicroCode Studio. Perhaps a better choice would be the PICkit2 bundle from Microchip. It's a lot less expensive, too, at $49.99: http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/e...Doc/51570a.pdf I've not used the PICkit products but I've heard good things about them. I use the ICD2 "hockey puck". For other devices (non-PIC µP), I have a trusty old Needham's EMP-11. __________________ Russ Martin "Easy to use is easy to say."