It is plug-n-play and it is "cheap". It is also quite
easy to build as well but one will need an ICD2 or similar
to bootstrap the 18F2550. Actually for the chips it supports,
I would prefer PICkit as a programmer than a ICD2.

I strongly believe that PICKit 2 will be upgradeable through 
the USB bootloader. I would hope that they will release the 
firmware and host software source as soon as the product becomes
available. I am quite sure that they will do this but I am
not so sure how fast they will do it.

The release of PICkit 2 will also confirm that new 16F (which
will be the low end chip after they reduce the price of 18F and
release 24Fxxx 16-bit chips) will be mostly 8/14/20 pins.

Regards,
Xiaofan

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Rages [mailto:markrages@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 9:05 AM
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
Subject: Re: [PIC] PICKIT 2 (was PICKit1 & PIC18F2550)


I think the attraction of the Pickit is that it is "plug-and-play". 
If you already have another programmer to program the 18F2550 etc.,
then maybe you aren't as interested in the PicKit 1.

I am hoping the PIckit 2 will be self-programmable or at least capable
of programming the full speed USB parts.  Then the beginner can get
enhanced functionality with a software upgrade.


-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist