I have just acquired some of the newish PIC12F1822 and 1840 chips and to my dismay my programmer (PicFlash) does not support them. Then I also noticed that it doesn't support the 12F508 that I have a few of.
My programmer is built into my dev board (MikroE Easypic5) and while looking on the ME site I noticed that now they are using a different programmer built into the new Easypic7 dev board, so I expect that even if they keep updating the PicFlash software it won't be with the same urgency as the new programmers software.
I now see that error of my ways in getting a dev board with inbuilt programmer and have become very dissillusioned with the makers. So what is best to do? I need to think about a new programmer, one that WILL do ALL the current PICs and be covered swiftly when new PICs are released.
I don't expect anyone to update the software the same day that a PIC is released but when they have been out for a month or two I do expect that I should be able to use them in the programmer that I have after all paid good money for.
So rant over, what is the best covered and supported programmer out there?
Opinions are welcome as I don't want to make the same mistake again.
I don't expect anyone to update the software the same day that a PIC is released but when they have been out for a month or two I do expect that I should be able to use them in the programmer that I have after all paid good money for.
I can't believe the number of PICs supported, I didn't even know they made that many! hehe
One question though, on the supported list thE heading among other ones shows PK3P and PK3D. I am guessing this means Programmer P and Debugger D, yes?
Also do the clones like the ones on ebay work ok? They are a LOT cheaper than the real ones.
To the best of my knowledge the clones on Ebay do not offer firmware updates (thus support for new chips), and you would be in the same boat that you're in now. Do yourself a favor and buy a Microchip programmer/debugger of your choice, and you will thank yourself in the not too distant future
PS: No such thing as a free lunch Buy the real deal
I have heard a lot of great things about the PICkit3, but I've heard that the PK2 is actually better in many ways. I think the PK3 has a wider range of supported devices, though. **broken link removed** is a list of some of the devices supported the by the PICkit2. I am having trouble finding a supported device list for the PICkit3, and I have heard there are a lot of issues with it. I would just try a PK2, first.
Der Strom
From the PicKit3 webpage "The PICkit 3 can now also reprogram any PIC microcontroller with a simple push of a button" so that covers all PIC's, but as DerStrom pointed out, many folks prefer the PicKit2.
I have heard a lot of great things about the PICkit3, but I've heard that the PK2 is actually better in many ways. I think the PK3 has a wider range of supported devices, though. **broken link removed** is a list of some of the devices supported the by the PICkit2. I am having trouble finding a supported device list for the PICkit3, and I have heard there are a lot of issues with it. I would just try a PK2, first.
Der Strom
Not quite sure I agree with that. The PK2 is still very effective and works on a huge range of chips. It is also easy to use.
I can't really compare it with the PK3 because I haven't used one, but I have used the PICkit2 and still find it very useful. It is definitely not obsolete.
DS8!! He's right... Microchip are "recommending" users to go for the pickit3 rather than pickit2 AND ICD3 instead of ICD2 as the product isn't being maintained.
Not quite sure I agree with that. The PK2 is still very effective and works on a huge range of chips. It is also easy to use.
I can't really compare it with the PK3 because I haven't used one, but I have used the PICkit2 and still find it very useful. It is definitely not obsolete.
Okay, thanks everyone for your information. I take back what I said about the PK2 not being obsolete. I suppose I misunderstood to some extent what you meant. I apologize for the confusion
From what I've seen on this thread so far, it looks like the PK3 would be a better choice.