Another good point for PICKit 2 is the PICKit 2 design team. They are quite knowledgeable and honest. Besides the good service from local FAEs in Boston area, the PICKit 2 design team is another good example of excellent service from Microchip. On customer support point of view, Microchip is way better than Freescale or Atmel.

PICkit 2 is open on its schematic, however Microchip still keep its own PCB layout and component selection private, it seems the team had pushed some component to its limit too much, like you have to "pump the Vpp" at certain situation. The design team found the issue and published the info and solution. So all the Microchip PICkit 2 user can realize the situation and either upgrade the hardware or prevent it from happening.

Our BB0703/CB0703 PCB and component design team seems have more experience and a bit more conservative on the components we choose, so we don't have any of the "pumping Vpp" issue from component design level. Also our PCB board are smaller than Microchip's design though we have more components and most of our components are larger in size to fulfill ease of DIY purpose.

Overall, the PICKit 2 is a good open-source design as the Microchip C30 compiler. Both of them will have a bright successful future.

 Funny N.
Au Group Electronics, New Bedford, MA, http://www.AuElectronics.com


      
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist