I have tried to build a simple ICD2 from http://stolz.de.be
(Is the web site still available?). It is the simplest ICD2 
clone available and is relatively easily to build. Some time
ago another PIClister tried it and said it was not working.

I tried it and found some bugs with the circuit regarding 
the MCLR connection. He is using a 1k resistor and a 5V1 zener. 
That is wrong in my opinion. I used the 1k resistor and two 
1N4448 diodes to connect pin 4 of DIN 9 connector to MCLR 
and still put a 10k pull-up resistor to MCLR pin. I also added 
some indicator LEDs. After the fix the ICD2 could communicate
with the PC quite reliably. Still I think the driving capability
of the transistors I used (BC846 and BC856) are not so
good so I still have problems to program the dsPIC chips
and the 18F2550. I can program the 8/14/18 pin PICs I have
though.  I may try to improve it a bit later. 

Some of the Chinese websites offer ICD2 clones really cheap. 
Here is one link (http://www.nbglin.com). Unassembled parts
(nice PCB with SMD parts) are selling at less than US$17 
without the 16F877. Assembled units are selling at US$30.
The optional 9V supply is US$2 and the RS232 cable + 6-pin 
debug cable is at less than US$3. Another site is selling 
a fully assembled ICD2 (USB + RS232) at US$83. However 
I am not in China and I do not know how are the clones.
The PCB looks quite okay though in both cases and they
are both using SMD parts.

I have not tried baseline programmer. I thought it was only 
meant for the x12 baseline chips but I think it is actually
the same as PICkit 1 now. However PICkit 1 is  an ICSP 
programmer as well. You just need to solder some wires from
J3. I have used it to program the 16F628A using ICSP.

----------------------------------------------
Xiaofan Chen
R&D Engineer, Photoelectric Sensor Development
Pepperl+Fuchs Singapore
http://www.pepperl-fuchs.com
Signals for the world of automation
--------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: Wouter van Ooijen [mailto:wouter@voti.nl]
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 4:33 PM
To: 'Microcontroller discussion list - Public.'
Subject: RE: [PIC]:Should I get another programmer

> I also tried a clone ICD2 before but it was not so good.

Which clone and in what aspects was it not so good?

> I like PICkit 1 the most for my 12F629 programming.

Did ypu try Microchip baseline programmer? It looks like an ICSP version
of the PICkit 1 (so without the target circuit).

Wouter van Ooijen

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