PIC programmer

[biff584]

I am learning to use PIC microprocessors and am starting to try to integrate them into projects. I just finished code for a 4 source A/V switch/source select with an LCD display.

I don't have any way to program PIC's yet. I would like to get something compatible with MPLab if possible. I'm a student and don't have alot of money to burn- the Microchip brand programmer costs $160 which is too much for me right now. I was looking to program the 16F877 and similiar chips.

Any suggesstions on programmers?

Thanks.

Brian

[Christer]

This perhaps?
http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpic.htm

Haven't tried it myself, so I have no opinion on it.

[jackinnj]

go to www.melabs.com and look to their support page -- you'll find links to the PICLIST -- from there someone will point you in the right direction.

I use a PicSTART Plus -- you should be able to get a student version through your college.

[Possum]

Here's a board from Olimex that is described to be compatible with MPLAB, and that MPLAB even detects it as a PicStart Plus:

http://www.olimex.com/dev/pic-mcp.html

Price is $70 (http://www.olimex.com/dev/pricelist.html).

There's cheaper boards for $20 also from Olimex if you're willing to use other software.

[jackinnj]

one of the books by Mike Preydko has a circuit board for a PIC Programmer called "El Cheapo".

[JordanG]

I'd suggest the P16PRO for programming PICs, as it is only $14.. Dunno about mplab compatibility though.

--Jordan

[rendisha]

You have a Russian clone of PicSTART Plus called PICSTARTER + with schematics so you might try to build it yourself

[peranders]

If you want to try AVR from Atmel their programmers are real cheap. STK-500 costs only 50 USD and the grey ISP-box is even cheaper. (ISP = in-circuit programming)

AVR is faster and cheaper and easier to program (in-circuit) and has better architecture but a little but worse documention.

The picture shows the big evaluation board which takes almost every processor.

[mhennessy]

Originally posted by Christer
This perhaps?
http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpic.htm

Haven't tried it myself, so I have no opinion on it.

Just to second this recomendation - it's the PIC programmer I have used for the last 3 years. Have a look at the PIC section of my website for a bit more info.

Also, I'd recomend IC-Prog - it's a windows-based programmer that is a bit easier to use than the DOS programming utilities that come with the JDM programmer...

Don't know if it's compatible with MPLAB - I don't use it. Although I've just seen the latest version of MPLAB, and it's *much* better than it used to be...

[biff584]

Thanks for all the replies, I will check all the suggesstions out and look into possibly learning the AVR. I appreciate everyone's help.

Brian