On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 8:30 AM, Xiaofan Chen wrote: > Forget about PICkit 3 now. The hardware is no issue. The firmware > implementing approach is the issue. The software/firmware stability > will easily render your PICKit 3 a brick. Microchip forum Links: 1) PICKit 3 died after updating firmware http://www.microchip.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=468826 2) My PICkit 3 connection problem http://www.microchip.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=467684 3) PK3Err0038 Failed to initialize PICkit 3 (many threads) http://www.microchip.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=474136 More about PICKit 3 Roadmap for PICKit 3 http://www.microchip.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=455556 PICKit 3 wishlist http://www.microchip.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=476648 PICKit 3 uses similar design approach like ICD 2/3 where you need to switch firmware for different family of PICs, but then ICD 3 is okay since the firmware downloading is pretty fast and the bootloader seems to work fine. PICKit 3 is not as fast and the bootloader seems to be problematic. -- Xiaofan http://mcuee.blogspot.com -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist