The ICD2 is so incredibly cranky to make use of.  The
problem is not so much the hardware as the firmware,
which provides such cryptic error messages that it is
almost useless.

Why doesn't Microchip release the debug code for
the chips so that a USEFUL piece of equipment
can be designed and sold? There needs to be a
product priced somewhere in the middle of the range
($250-300) that will work properly. The jump from
ICD2 to the ICE4000 is a jump from $150 to $4000.

Here are my specific complaints:

1. ONE ICD2 per Host PC is really not enough. I
am frequently involved in development where more
than one PIC needs to be developed AT THE SAME
TIME. Yes, I now use two PC's, and use a switch to
switch the mouse, keyboard, and video. But there is
no need to, in fact.

2. The GROUND system between the ICD2 and the
unit being developed is too weak. The convenience
of the RJ12 is overshadowed by its poor ground. At
the very least, the unused 6th pin should have been
a second ground pin. A better method is simply a more
solid connector with more contact surface area.

3. The error messages are useless. Its ridiculous that
the ICD2 can't realize that it's device has no clock, for
example. Or that the error "Can't Enter Debug Mode"
can't simply say that the debug firmware was never installed
into the chip... disgraceful.

4.  The round shape of the ICD2 has no advantage whatever.
It simply falls off the bench easier.

5. The USB interface, either the driver, the chip used, or both,
seems to be inordinately finicky. At least once a day, I have to
reboot the system to get the USB driver to start working
again. It might be $MS problems, haven't discussed this with
anybody using Linux.

6. Using the DB9, a top speed of 57.6Kb with the FIFO buffer
disabled is just poor design. It should be able to accept 115kb
at the very least and make use of the FIFO buffers; this would
effectively triple the thruput when not using USB. In fact, a
custom speed of 250Kb should be realistic, although the
PIC16F877A  will probably have to be replaced with a 40Mhz
PIC.
 
Open for flames.

--Bob

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