peter green wrote:
>> - How does the limited edition compare with the 'unlimited edition' 
>> (tm)?
>>
>> - Is this good value. Does the loss of functionality (whatever it is) 
>> represent a loss of value that makes the $99 unattractive compared 
>> with buying the 'full' real thing from Microchip or a clone?
>>     
> you've pretty much answered your own questions with the quote you post below
>
>   
>> a Microchip man says, from his memory:
>>
>> The ICD 2 LE is an ICD 2 in a PICkit 2 package. It looks like a blue 
>> PICkit 2 (no silk screen of Steve) but it functions like a standard 
>> ICD 2. In other words, MPLAB IDE does not distinguish between an ICD 2 
>> and an ICD 2 LE.
>>
>> Important differences between an ICD 2 LE and a full ICD 2:
>> + LE is USB only, No RS-232 serial connection
>>     
> hardly ever going to be an issue, from what i can gather ICD2 on serial is painfully slow anyway.
>   
>> + LE cannot power the target board.
>>     
> I can imagine this being a bit of a pain sometimes.
>   
>> + LE uses a PICkit 2 style connector rather than the RJ-11.
>>     
> Far more ready made boards have the ICD2 connector than the pickit2 one. The pickit2 connector is also not polarised significantly increasing the risk of mistakes especially if using it with a cable rather than directly onto the target. Making cables for the pickit 2 connector will be a bit of a pain.
>   
>> + No SAR support for the LE. (No replacements.) *
>>     
> Judging by the normal ICD2 i hope you like SMT rework if anything goes wrong.
>
> personally i think a clone like http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Full-Speed-USB-Microchip-ICD2-Debugger-and-Programmer_W0QQitemZ120119443154QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4661QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem is probablly better value.
>
>
>
>   
Agreed. I own several. They work VERY well. More rugged than the MC 
ICD2; I have not broken one yet.

--Bob
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