PICKIT2 PROGRAMMER

• I bought the Pickit2 from Microchip Inc. in 2008 and still using it until now. The PICKit 2 Programmer/ Debugger is a low-cost development tool with high performance and statability, easy to use to program/debug for PIC Microcontrollers (have Flash memory). Moreover, Pickit2 can be used as a Terminal tool that helps to communicate with PC by using its UART Tool và Logic Tool Analyzer function. Pickit2 can use the stand-alone software PICKit 2 or MPLAB IDE.

• Main features: 
• The PICkit 2 uses an internal PIC18F2550 with FullSpeed USB. 
• Programmer, Debugger, UART Tool and logic tool Analyzer.
• Automatic connect and detect chip. One ore more PICKit 2 can be used in a same PC at a same time.
• Firmware is updated automatically.
• The latest is "PICkit 2 Firmware V2.32" and no longer updated by Microchip. (see Pickit 3).
• Detect and use the external power supply from target Board.
• "Program To Go" function allows to program the chip without PC.
• Program and debug most of the 8 and 16 bit PICmicro and dsPIC members of the Microchip product line (view the list).
• The PICkit 2 is open to the public, including its hardware schematic, firmware source code (in C language) and application programs (in C# language). End users and third parties can easily modify both the hardware and software for enhanced features. e.g. GNU/Linux version of PICKit 2 application software, DOS style CMD support, etc.

• You can check more detail about documentations, softwares of Pickit2 from Microchip website.
• Or you can refer to my Pickit2 "clone" version here to make yours.