> 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?

Olin will correct me where wrong or incomplete:

ICD2:
+ debugger
+ (?) Microchip
+ USB and serial
- can't power (reliably) from USB
- single-Vdd verify
-/+ has quircks, but most are probably known and documented somewhere
- interface proprietary
+ interfaces with MPLAB
- RJ connector only
- boxed (hockypuck case)
- can be powered from an unregulated wall-wart

USBprog:
- programmer only
- USB only (RS232 with external max232)
+ can power reliably from USB
+ multi-Vdd verify 
-/+ new, as yet unproven, but: Olin design (probably almost fool-proof)
+ open interface
- does not interface with MPLAB
+ RJ and pinstrip connectors
- (?) chips support narrower than ICD2
- PCB only
- no build-in regulator for a wall-wart
+ lower price (but for both Olin and Microchip: include S/H in the
comparison!)

Note that + and - designations will depend a lot on your particular
preferences. As for target support: Olin might support all current and
future chips next week, or drop this product altogether. Same for
Microchip. If I could predict the future I'd be dealing in futures.
Pickit1 once looked like a nice littel progger... 

Overall I'd say: if you need a debugger and/or MPLAB integration it is
ICD2, if you need a variable-Vdd progger and/or an open PC interface it
is USBprog. If you need target support for a chip that is supoorted by
one but not the other you need that one. Those are the easy cases. For
all other cases you'll have to decide for yourself...

Wouter van Ooijen

-- -------------------------------------------
Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: www.voti.nl
consultancy, development, PICmicro products
docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: www.voti.nl/hvu
 

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