Pic programmers - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Zumber
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 05:17:13 am
content: It's been a long time since I've been into electronics. I know the basics and I can do my own diagnostics. But I've not used a pic programmer in years. I had a programmer which programmed the 12C508, but that was lost years ago. So I'm wanting a programmer which allows me to program the widest variety of chips as possible and is reasonably priced. This will be used primarily for retro console restoration. So can anyone give me a recommendation please? Thanks in advance.Not really related, but when I was hunting around for my old programmer I found my old Vx programmer for programming smart cards for my satellite system, is that any use for anything these days?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 06:19:04 am
content: PICKit3 and ICD3 are popular and reasonably priced for new chips. There are probably more clones for the PK3 than for the ICD3. They are what I use. I do not have experience with any non-Microchip programmers.If restoration of old video consoles will involve programming some of the older chips, you may need a PICStart Plus or something of that vintage. I ran into that problem when I needed to program a 16Cxx chip last year. If you need to go that route (which I doubt) be sure to check back. There was a major revision of that programmer during its life cycle and you will want the revised version. I got a new version on eBay for about $20 for that project.John

author: Zumber
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 04:57:17 pm
content: Hi John, looking at Dave's review of the Pickit3, he was disparaging. Wouldn't something like this be just as good:https://tinyurl.com/ybwepre4

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 05:40:24 pm
content: I don't have any experience with the K150 programmer. Search on K150 programmer problems. There have been more than a few; although, some of them may be related to getting it from an unreliable source. Of course, PK3 clones can also be had from unreliable sources and give problems too. Some people prefer the PK2 to the PK3, but you will need to check chip compatibility to decide between those two. The PK3 lacks the logic analyser capability that the PK2 allows.As for the ZIF socket vs. the ICSP of the standard PKx devices, sellers on eBay have adapter boards that contain a ZIF for most chips and plug directly into the PK. I typically do ICSP, but when I need to do the bare chip, I can use my PicStart Plus (if the chip is covered) or my ZIF adaptor that I got from this seller:http://stores.ebay.com/Joshua-1-SystemsI am simply relating my personal experience, my intent is not to promote any particular device.John

author: igendel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 05:51:15 pm
content: I've been using eBay PICKit3's for a couple of years, all work fine for small-scale development. An original is ~$50 + shipping.

author: Moondeck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 06:13:19 pm
content: Spare yourself the grief, and just buy the original PK3. It just works. Dave also explained in a video that it does't suck as such, its just lacks some features that PK2 had. Keep in mind that PK2 is out of support, and you won't be able to program the newest devices with it.

author: rcbuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 06:13:29 pm
content: I use both ICD3 and Real Ice for programming. I have a PicStartPlus in the drawer but never pull it out.If programming a bare DIP chip, I plug it into a breadboard. I then connect jumpers like these:http://www.ebay.com/itm/40Pcs-10cm-Male-To-Male-Wire-Ribbon-Cable-Dupont-For-Breadboard-Arduino-Jumper-/192183802818?hash=item2cbf0c1bc2:g:IDoAAOSw4CFYq9rlbetween the chip pins and the programmer socket. My breadboard has one of these cheap power supplies:http://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-MB102-Breadboard-Power-Supply-Module-3-3V-5V-for-Arduino-Bread-Board-/182501119959?hash=item2a7dea17d7:g:Im0AAOSwSlBY0OwBso power to the DIP is no problem.I don't know if the PicStartPlus is even compatible with MPLAB X. Never tried it.

author: Zumber
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 07:50:29 pm
content: The PK seems overpriced as well. I can't remember the PIC programmer I used to own, it was just a bare board with a few chips on it. You put a PIC in it and pressed program and hey presto, it worked.But I'll keep on looking. Thanks for the suggestions, I don't want to appear ungrateful.

author: Moondeck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 08:07:52 pm
content: Alternatively, you can build PK2 yourself, and i would be happy to program the PIC18F2550 for you should you want to go that way.

author: endevor100
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 08:15:47 pm
content: PICKit3 comes with cables that are breadboard compatible and makes for easier reflashing once you're dealing with hardware on a PCB. If you want to go cheap there are several DIY tutorials out there, but the real deal will be faster, easier, and have better long term support.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 05:53:17 am
content: Quote from: Zumber on June 08, 2017, 04:57:17 pmyeah, dave sometimes love to ramble. PK3 had problems, mostly already solved even at the time of his video.I'd never go back to the pickit 2i need to program low voltage chipsi need the debugger capabilitiesi need to program < 10 yo chipsi need to use it on osx without quirks.(microchip did make a responce video, probably the only time they did such a thing)to program as much pics as you can you need a pickit 3 (get the original, or at most the olimex clone, not the chinese crap) for 95% of the stuff and a pickit 2 for the very old chips (the clones are ok and dirt cheap)this will probably leave out some really ancient chips, but it will cover > 99.5 %get a genuine pickit 3 so that whenever you will have any problems with it microchip WILL try to help you with support and if it doesn't work (socket wears out, internal failure of logic translators, bricked during firmware change) they will send you one new for free. They do that to both businesses AND individualsall the diy programmers? crap. made by one guy for a handful of chips... the software doesn't work anymore, you can't add new chips anymore, no debug support, ...

author: forrestc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 06:09:21 am
content: Quote from: Zumber on June 08, 2017, 05:17:13 amIf you're looking for development of PIC software... my recommendation would be to just go buy a genuine PicKit3. I've used those and the PK2's quite a bit and they just work. Anymore I use an ICD3 but that's more because of the programming cables I use anymore (tag-connect) than anything specifically wrong with the PK3. Oh, and the the stuff Dave was ranting about was either fixed or isn't really relevant anymore.I understand the cheap knockoffs either work or they don't. If you're willing to gamble, I guess that might be an option, but I'd rather have a real microchip product so there is some hope of getting support. If I did decide to cheap out, I'd definitely try to stick with something which is compatible with MPLABX for debugging purposes. Plus, the free compilers from microchip are definitely sufficient for most hobby needs so staying compatible with MPLABX has a fair bit of value in my estimation.