> > Microchip's ICD2 does seem to have support for a large number of parts and a
> > price that isn't really obscene, and it adds in-circuit debugging.  But
> > clearly, at some point Microchip will decide that the latest, greatest, more
> > expensive thing supercedes it.
> 
> <gulp>  Got an ICD2 a few weeks ago.  Do you know how long they
> usually support each piece of hardware?  Have I wasted my cash?

I don't think you have anything to worry about.  They supported the
original ICD for several years, and I think (don't know, though) that a
bit of the reason for changing was USB and firmware upgradablity.

Now that the ICD2 has implemented both of those, there's no reason
they can't continue to upgrade it for many years to come.  Remember,
Microchip isn't in the programmer/debugger selling business, they're in
the chip selling business.  From that perspective, it makes sense to
support what they have as long as it meets the needs of most of their
customers.  Creating a "new" product is more work, and it wouldn't
get them away from the support requirements.

Mike H.

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