Post by thread:Programmer - PICStart+ vs Others

I see the PICStart Plus programmer is available from Digi-Key for $199. There are several other high-quality programmers available from various manufacturers for ~$89-$139 +S&H assembled and tested. Is there a reason to buy one of the other prgrammers instead of MicroChip's PICStart Plus ? Do these other programmers have advantages over the PICStart Plus other than price ? -Vaso Bovan

I see the PICStart Plus programmer is available from Digi-Key for $199. There are several other high-quality programmers available from various manufacturers for ~$89-$139 +S&H assembled and tested. Is there a reason to buy one of the other programmers instead of MicroChip's PICStart Plus ? Do these other programmers have advantages over the PICStart Plus other than price ? -Vaso Bovan

Hi, my personal opinion: yes. If one hates Windoze like me, then choose a DOS-based programmer. E. g. the oldie from Parallax is very fine, or one can look for P16Pro from B. Dobaj (the device itself can be home-brewed), etc. etc. This is my 2-cent. Imre On Tue, 26 Jan 1999, Vaso Bovan wrote: {Quote hidden}> I see the PICStart Plus programmer is available from Digi-Key for $199. > There are several other high-quality programmers available from various > manufacturers for ~$89-$139 +S&H assembled and tested. > > Is there a reason to buy one of the other prgrammers instead of MicroChip's > PICStart Plus ? Do these other programmers have advantages over the > PICStart Plus other than price ? > > > -Vaso Bovan > >

>Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 08:42:26 -0500 >From: Vaso Bovan <spam_OUTVaso_BovanTakeThisOuTCOMPUSERVE.COM> >Subject: Programmer - PICStart+ vs Others >I see the PICStart Plus programmer is available from Digi-Key for $199. >There are several other high-quality programmers available from various >manufacturers for ~$89-$139 +S&H assembled and tested. No. Go lower. $45 & $42 for a full kit of parts plus software registration for my Kit 96 & 119 resp. See http://kitsrus.com for full details. >Is there a reason to buy one of the other programmers instead of MicroChip's >PICStart Plus ? Do these other programmers have advantages over the >PICStart Plus other than price ? Hey, price at 25% of the PICstart is a pretty good reason. But second, is that the software author is very responsive to any problems you may find, and I am always here if you have a problem. Third the hardware & software are proven. Fourth, you will NOT have to pay for firmware upgrades when new PICs come out. Finally, all the documentation for the programmers is online in pdf format on my website so you can read exactly what you are buying up front. regards, Peter ------------------------------------------------- Peter J. Crowcroft DIY ELECTRONICS (HK) Ltd PO Box 88458, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong Voice: 852-2720 0255 Fax: 852-2725 0610 Web: http://kitsrus.com -------------------------------------------------