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> I need to program PICs  (558) for small (30 units) production run. What
> is the problem with using Picstart programmer for this purpose?
> Microchip told me it's not recommended.
>
> Gennady Palitsky

This programmer doesn't verify the programmed part at the specified maximum

and minimum VDD voltages.  Verfication at VDD min guarantees good erase
margin and verification at VDD max guarantees good program margin.  My
guess is that if you can guarantee that in your circuit that VDD is
maintained
near the middle of the spec for this part (3.0V to 5.5V for the XT,RC, LP
osc
configurations and 4.5V to 5.5V for the HS osc configuration) you might be
ok.  If
not you might find a few of the units might not read memory properly near
the temperature
extremes for your parts (commercial range is 0 C to 70 C).  See the
PIC16/17
microcontroller data book for 1996/1997 pp.  6-50, 6-51 and pp. 17-37 thru
17-48
for more information.  Probably most people's experience on this list is
that it
won't matter under most "typical" conditions.

-Steve Henry.