So my exposure to the world of PIC Microcontrollers has been just over a week now, and I've explored most the FAQ's and tutorials I can find, I've downloaded and installed MPLab, and even gotten a few (really) basic programs to run within the MPLab simulator.
Where to go now?
I'm quite happy with the MPLab IDE for initial development and debuggering, but so far everything is theoretical, I want/need to start building working circuits.
So what sort of programmer would be best for me? There seem to be hundreds to choose from, Serial, parallel, usb, ICSP...
What I want is:
something that'll work with MPLab
Something that'll work from my workstation which has every port known to mankind
and also from a oldish laptop (that I've yet to aquire) which may be limited on serial/parallel type stuff
Preferably a 1 box solution (i.e. no trail of boards chained together)
I'd like the capacity for In-Circuit programming, as I'm known to tinker.
Gotta be cheap (obviously)
I don't mind self assembly (quite enjoy it actually)
Needs to be able to program most stuff (as I haven't chosen any particular types of chip yet)
So, am I asking too much? Is there a single product to suit my needs, or a whole slew of them? Any recommendations? Shall I shut up now?
I did a bit of research when I was getting into this myself a couple months back, with almost identical specs as you've described. Nigel's right: the Inchworm+ is hands down the best deal for assembly-required products that fit your requirements. Based on what I've seen on this forum alone, the Inchworm+ has the best post-purchase (and for that matter, pre-purchase) support of any commercial programmer on the market.
Hello, I have used the ICD2 clone (I got mine from ebay). However I have found that the Mchip PicKit2 is very good, very quick, only needs usb, cheap (approx 26GBP from farnell with chips etc), ICD, ISP etc etc.
It can work as a stand-alone programmer and is very well supported, even into mplab now with the latest release.
The Mchip guys are really on the ball updating this programmer.
blue, I would not go with ebay, they will end up taking 10% of the money. Unless you do not want to set up and maintain your own site. If you cannot set up a site on your own, it may expensive to get someone else to. I would check out Amazon. But they take a percentage as well. But at least that way you avoid paypal taking their cut on top of ebay's cut.
blueroom: have you thought about approaching the Sparkfun guys?? I know they have the Olimex stuff, but I don't think Nathan is averse to providing choices.
Just a thought,
Paul
PS: www.sparkfun.com for those not familiar with them... plenty of PIC stuff and good gadgets and sensors etc. to hang off them.
All their software and schematics are free... if that's what you're asking? And Google is your friend for free schematics and software too, as many projects are open.
Personally I don't think $US30-50 for professionally made breakout boards with various cool chips for bluetooth etc. is very expensive... but maybe I'm spoilt?