Has anyone tried the SoftLog ICP2 (not ICD2) sold by microchipdirect?
It's billed as a standalone production programmer. At $399 compared to
$895 for the PM3 it seems like a bargain.

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Part Number:  TPG100001 - SoftLog ICP2 Production Quality ICSP
Programmer by Softlog Systems

  	The ICP2 Production Quality In-Circuit (ICSP) Programmer is a
cost-effective programmer that operates with a PC or as a standalone
unit, and programs Microchip(R) 8-bit PIC(R) MCUs and serial EEPROMs.
It features fast programming, 250mA Vdd drive current, programmable
Vdd (2.0 to 5.5V) and Vpp (2.0 to 13.5V), programmable delay between
Vdd and Vpp (0.1 to 250ms), programmable clock/data speed (500KHz to
2.5MHz) and on-board 1MByte flash memory. ICP2 is fully integrated
into MPLAB(R) via plug-in.

https://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductDetails.aspx?Catalog=BuyMicrochip&Category=Programmers&mid=13
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