Wouter van Ooijen wrote:
> 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...

The only nit I have is about the wall wart.  I thought the ICD2 requires a
9V regulated wall wart, although I could be wrong.  At least they ship with
9V regulated wall warts.  The USBProg is intended to be powered from USB.
You can power it separately if using the serial interface, but the power
needs to be 4.3 to 5.5 volts DC.  In other words 5V with a little wiggle
room allowed.  Basically you need a regulated "5V" power supply.

All in all I think this is a very fair and ballanced comparison.  Thanks,
Wouter.


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