What to look out for when buying PIC programmers

[amando96]

Hi, i have only used "arduinos" so far, but for some small projects, they are way overkill, so i would like to start using picaxe, and PIC, Now my doubts are...

would this programmer work for picaxe? http://cgi.ebay.com/PIC-MCU-JDM-Programmer-for-Microchip-MCU-PIC-Programmer_W0QQitemZ250581995927QQcategoryZ4663QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D20%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8960009507752264856#ht_3577wt_859

It's pretty cheap... i'm currently trying to make my own JDM programmer, but haven't gathered all the parts, and that one looks nice

If not, what can program picaxe with? preferably something cheap, and on the net.

Or would i be better of getting one of these: http://81.134.141.187/epages/Store.storefront/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Store.TechSupplies/Products/AXE001

thanks 

[cyberfish]

Have you considered making your own arduino-compatible boards?

You just need the actual chip ($5), a socket ($1), a crystal ($1), a MAX232 ($3), DB9 solder connector ($1) and a few caps.

You can even share the programmer part (MAX232 and DB9 connector) if you want to make many boards (or want to save space).

I've done it a few times (2 actually), and it's 100% compatible with the arduino IDE.

[Soeren]

Hi,

would this programmer work for picaxe?

No.

It's pretty cheap... i'm currently trying to make my own JDM programmer, but haven't gathered all the parts, and that one looks nice

All the parts? Jens' programmer is characteristic by the small number of components it uses, could be build from what you sweep from the floor (depends a bit on who's floor of course )
It won't program a PICAXE either.

If not, what can program picaxe with? preferably something cheap, and on the net.

You didn't spend long time Googling this, did you?
Go here, choose "Products" -> "Cables", choose either the one for serial port or the one for USB port.

Nope, won't work either.

You should be aware that PICAXE are slow compared to the PIC controllers, as they are just a PIC controller with an interpreter aboard. Oh, they're expensive too for the same reason.

The programmers you've found will all program (at least some) PIC controllers, but they all require a serial port! These days, it's a waste of money to buy a serial programmer, go for USB.

[waltr]

If you have been writing code for an arduino then don't bother with the PICAxe for the reasons others listed in above posts.

Go straight to PICs and assembler. The PICKit2 is a USB interface programmer and debugger that can also be a logic analyzer and a UART interface (with stand along utility). In can be bought directly from Microchip for $35 (plus shipping) and works under Microchips IDE MPLAB for programming and debugging.

[amando96]

Thanks, think i'll go for PIC's in that case, i have 4 desktops, all 4 have usb, the older three have parallel and serial ports, the good one has vista, other two have XP, and the oldest has W98, soon to be linux.
by all the parts, i mean, i'm just missing the tantalum capacitor, and some zeners...

Have you considered making your own arduino-compatible boards?

I do, i just use the arduino duemillanove board for prototyping, i like making my own boards to fit in spaces the large board doesn't 
usually use sparkfun's USB - ftdi converter...

But the picaxe software can also program PICs right?
i'm just asking because my computer currently, cannot be restarted, if i restart, it won't come back on again  saving up for some parts to fix that...

MPlab seems cool, will definitely download that when i'm able to.

thanks for the replies   

[Soeren]

Hi,

But the picaxe software can also program PICs right?

No. the PICAXE has got a boot loader (a small program that takes what's coming in and moving it to program memory before it transfers execution to it) while the naked PIC is empty and needs to be "burned" with a regular programmer - PICkit2 is priced moderately and works with the free development software.