> That said, the RJ12 chosen for the ICD2 was a matter of trade offs (as
> almost every engineering decision is). A "standard keyed header" is MUCH
> larger footprint wise on a PCB then the RJ12. Also, the cables are more
> expensive to make. It does have the longevity element, and is more
> hobbyist friendly. They made the choice to use the RJ12, and that's
> done.


According to the pictures posted earlier of the ICD2, the board does in fact
have a provision for a 6p header.  To what cables are you referring when you
say more expensive?  There are a plethora of choices that could have been
persued with regard to cable style.  Personally, I would have gone with the
6p 3x2 .1" header and a "3m" style plug-in keyed connector as were used on
the IDE interface of hard disk drives.

Of the two choices, I would have probably chosen the keyed header since
> PCB space during development isn't much a concern. Longevity also isn't
> much of a concern for me since I don't regularly plug and unplug boards
> from the ICD2. A project is plugged into the ICD2 until it works to the
> point I can move to the next project, so it can be weeks before the ICD2
> is moved to another board. However, in my opinion, calling the keyed
> header a "much better choice" is not true, both options have their
> benefits.


That was my opinion and was stated as such.  Opinions are not fact and
accordingly can't be considered true or false.

Perhaps I should have made an argument about the quality of the connector
instead of the design of the connector.  I have had my ICD2 for only a few
weeks and already the 6p connector does not maintain a quality connection to
the cables I have.  That's my basis for declaring the 6p connector on the
ICD2 as "ridiculous" and a poor choice.  In the beginning I was in favor of
the RJ-11/12 style connector, but seeing as how it no longer works reliably
I fail to see the benefit of the design choice.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ridiculous&db=*


-- 

Shawn Wilton (b9 Systems)
http://b9Systems.com  <- New web page
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist