NEIL GANDLER wrote:
>
>  I am looking for recommendations on a PIC programmer that covers the
> complete 16CXX series or atleast the 16C6x and 16C7x series.

The latest release of MPLAB from Microchip work very good for me. I can
send you a Complete vopy if u like. It's a window base program. I've
also got the DOS versions but thy're not so user friendly.

> I am
> mostly concerned about the software similators that come with these kits.

It's not so hard to learn to use the dos simulators and the Win version
is quite a bit easier to learn.

> I
> heard nightmares from people at my school who work with PIC programmers,
> that the trial and error programming approach drives them nuts and
> wastes alot of time. The only EMULATOR in my price range $200 only
> emulates the 16C5x series, which has no interrupts, A/D, not enough
> ports etc. A comprehensive similator is a must to reduce any programming
> headaches.
> I would like to keep the programmer/simulator expendature to less than $150

You can have the for free.

> I would appreciate some advice and recommendations from people who have gone
> through this before.
>
>                                 Neil Gandler