Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: awally88 on September 05, 2007, 11:41:48 PM

Title: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: awally88 on September 05, 2007, 11:41:48 PM
Hey everyone,

I was wondering whether it is worth buying this Debugger/Programmer from microchip? It's worth around US$160 which is obviously a lot of money for a poor uni student but if its going to be worthwhile having it I'll just find the money somewhere, selling small children to slave labour or some other venture

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010046 (http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010046)

I just wanted to see if it is worth the money to pay for this? Or if someone has a better idea of a PIC Programmer that I could use that would be great.  Im looking at using the dsPIC's as well as the PIC microcontrollers from Microchip so something that is compatible would be nice!
Title: Re: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: hazzer123 on September 06, 2007, 12:33:00 AM
I have recently obtained an ICD2 and i must say it is very easy to use. Coding in C++ and having the realtime debugging has sped up development hugely.

I'm not sure how good all the ICD2 clones are, but if money is an issue, then i would consider one of them instead.

Check out this link - http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/inchwormplus.htm (http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/inchwormplus.htm)
Title: Re: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: snow on September 06, 2007, 06:26:13 AM
I am using ICD2 and i have to say it is really a good tool.
Title: Re: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: awally88 on September 06, 2007, 07:47:18 AM

I've just started looking at some of the ICD2 Clones now, I don't think i'd like to assemble my own though, I could do it but I would never know if my programs were stuffing up or the programmer was!

Does anyone know of any other ICD2 clones that will be compatible with the dsPIC chips?  I really like the look of the ICD2 but the price might be a bit much so finding a good clone would be nice!

Thanks for your help
Awally88
Title: Re: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: Admin on September 09, 2007, 02:27:58 PM
Quote
It's worth around US$160 which is obviously a lot of money for a poor uni student
this is why I tell people that AVR is better ;D
Title: Re: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: awally88 on September 09, 2007, 08:33:39 PM

In all likelihood that is true. However I talked to a lecturer at uni who recommended that I use the dsPIC microcontroller.  I also know that they are readily available in Australia [also can get free ones from microchip] and although the AVR is available in Australia it costs around $20 which really is too much for the same chip you get for around $3 in the states.

I got the impression from the research that I've done that PIC's are used more in industry however that could be totally wrong on that note - feel free to correct me on that.

Thanks,
Awally88
Title: Re: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: Rebelgium on September 10, 2007, 05:30:17 AM
In my experience AVR is a bit better than PIC, but PIC is used much more.
This means PICs are more available, there are more schematics to be found with PICs, ...

That's why I use PICs
Title: Re: Question about Microchip ICD2 Programmer
Post by: awally88 on September 10, 2007, 07:32:20 AM
Quote
I use PICs

What programmer do you use to flash your chips Rebelgium?