The PICkit 2 is designed later than ICD2, so it might have "learned" some lessons from ICD2. The ICD3 is a strip-down version of RealICE. And There is a high curiosity/desire for the PICKit3 (which will be available this month) for more improvement from PICKit 2. Apparently, the PICKit2 and ICD2 has some common features. So will be the new PICkit 3 when comparing with PICkit2 and ICD2. We will see what is going on shortly. Functionally, they all working on most PICs, the end-user need making some decision on the minor differences. I personally now own a ICD2 (this probably the last ICD2 I got exchanged from Microchip free exchange program, I cannot remember how many ICD2 I have damaged. It wold cost a fortune without the free exchange program.) and some enhanced versions of PICKIT 2 (designed by my team with Full PICkit 2 circuit, some unique feature for programmer-to-go. On the new BB0703+ family, a USB buck/boost power circuit for reliable +5V supply is also added). Funny N. Au Group Electronics, http://www.AuElectronics.com ________________________________ From: Xiaofan Chen To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 3:56:24 AM Subject: Re: [PIC] PicKit vs ICD On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 4:54 PM, Xiaofan Chen wrote: > On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 4:14 PM, Forrest Christian wrote: >> I currently use a PicKit2 (along with a couple of non-microchip ICD's), >> and am considering buying another one (or a PicKit3 more likely) since I >> really like the way it operates. Like it just works, on pretty much >> everything I've tried... 3.3V, 5V, ICD-powered, project-powered, etc. >> etc. etc.. If I'm having a problem with one of the other ICD's I grab >> the pickit and it just works. >> >> I occasionally on here will see people saying things like >> (paraphrasing), "I need to get another ICD2, and in the meantime I'm >> using the PicKit2", or similar remarks that indicate that there is >> something better about the ICD2, but from everything I read, and >> especially with the newer firmware loads in the PicKit, I sure can't >> figure out what it is. >> >> Did I miss something? > > ICD 2 is better integrated into MPLAB and it supports PIC32 > debugging (barely currently but it is said that MPLAB 8.20 > will have better support of ICD 2 for PIC 32 programming > and debugging). > > If you do not use PIC32 debugging, then PICkit 2 is actually > as good (or arguable better) than ICD 2 in terms of debugging > capability. Here I mean that PICkit 2 seems to be more reliable than ICD 2. But YMMV. Technically they are basically the same in terms of debugging capability. And you do not need to switch firmware when you use PICkit 2 when changing to different family of PICs. > In terms of programming, IMHO PICkit 2 is > always better than ICD 2 since it can control target > power. Take note that PICkit 2 does support programming > of PIC32. It also has other functionality that ICD 2 does > not have (logic probe, serial function and console version > programming software: pk2cmd). > > On the other hand, ICD 3 is totally different beast than > ICD 2. It is much faster than PICkit 2 and ICD 2 for > debugging of bigger PIC18/24/32/dsPICs. > > Xiaofan > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist