High price doesn't always mean the high performance and reliability. (Windows vs. Linux?, A VDO gauge vs. Faria gauge on Marine boat?) One case here is between ICD2 (higher price) and PICKit2 (lower price) on easy of use performance: I use 18F458 and 18F4580, ICD2 and PICKit2 both work on programming and debugging under MPLAB V7.62. If I use ICD2 as my programing and debugging tool as my old days (I didn't have a second choice then), it needs downloading new os every time when I switch a chip between 458 and 4580. The process is boring and low efficiency. I don't have the same issue with PICKit2. >From easy of using point of view, the lower priced PICKit2 got a better design than the higher priced ICD2. My personal understanding is: it is the design makes the quality and performance, not the price. Funny ----- Original Message ---- From: Olin Lathrop To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:49:59 AM Subject: Re: [PIC]: Need suggestions for off board programmer Bill VanOrden wrote: > I prefer USB, want the cost to be as far under $100 as possible and be > reliable. There is a tradeoff between reliability and cost. The PicKit2 is at the lower end of both, whereas my USBProg (http://www.embedinc.com/products/eusb2) is at the higher end of both. For hobbyist the lower end probably makes more sense. For professionals the tradeoff is usually skewed the other way. ******************************************************************** Embed Inc, Littleton Massachusetts, http://www.embedinc.com/products (978) 742-9014. Gold level PIC consultants since 2000. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist