On 1/30/06, Byron A Jeff wrote: > So Tait style parallel programmers don't have interfaces to connect to and > serial programmers cannot be guaranteed the required environment to operate > properly. > > Hence another option is needed if someone is interested in just wiggling some > pins from their PC just enough to get a part programmed to bootstrap something > else. > > That's the niche that this device (I'm not sure I would want to characterize > it as a programmer) resides. While USB to serial cables have some issues, TX > generating a serial signal with proper timing isn't one of them. > If you want USB, PICkit 2 or GTP USB Lite will be a better solution IMHO. Adding the cost of a USB to serial converter to a simple programmer will bring the cost similar to GTP USB Lite or even PICkit 2. I know quite some people do have USB to serial converter but other may not have. For one I do not have any USB to serial converter. Take note that GTP USB Lite is very similar to Wisp628A but it is using USB port to power up the programmer. It will be actually quite cheap to build. The software is closed source though but the hardware is quite simple. It supports many PICs and even dsPICs using WinPIC800. http://www.hobbypic.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=34 Regards, Xiaofan -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist