Olin , could you pls describe the main difference
between ICD2 and USBProg? I do know that the USBProg
support variable voltage to test the chip which is one
of the requirements for a production programmer. The
next best thing is multiple USBProg connection to the
PC. Any other good differences that I am missing out?


John.


--- Olin Lathrop <olin_piclist@embedinc.com> wrote:

> Xiaofan Chen wrote:
> > I think the hardware design is right. The software
> is good for
> > professional use as well even though sometime a
> simple GUI would be
> > nice to have.
> >
> > I do have one recommendation: to broad the chip
> support.
> 
> Yes, of course.  Now that the USBProg is out the
> door, I'll be spending my
> PIC programmer time for a while on broadening the
> supported PIC list.  I
> recently got a bunch of PIC samples of various types
> just for this purpose.
> 
> I am even having boards fabbed right now for testing
> 64 and 80 pin TQFP
> parts.  Unfortunately some programming specs only
> include these large parts
> and this will give me a way to test them.  The
> boards include a ICD2 jack,
> pads for 64 and 80 pin TQFP, and a few bypass caps
> and the like.
> 
> > In terms of chip support, PICkit 2 is actually
> very good considering
> > it will support dsPIC30 later.
> 
> Note that the all my programmers support the dsPIC30
> now.  But if you're
> willing to go by vaporware specs, then no problem,
> I'll support all kinds of
> PICs "real soon now(tm)".
> 
> In any case, the PicKit2 and the USBProg will always
> be different.  The
> PicKit2 was designed for low cost, and corners were
> defintely cut to meet
> that goal.  While there are some serious
> limitations, I do admit it works
> most of the time.  Whether voltages within spec,
> general robustness, and
> "just works" operation is worth the extra $45 for a
> USBProg is up to each
> individual.  For hobbyists on a budget, the answer
> is probably "no".
> However I'm aiming at the professional market where
> $45 is real cheap
> compared to missing a deadline because the line
> drivers just blew out or
> looking like a monkey because the customer's laptop
> has lower than normal
> USB voltage.
> 
> 
>
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> http://www.embedinc.com/products
> (978) 742-9014.  Gold level PIC consultants since
> 2000.
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