[sdiy] PIC / Atmel Programmers

[Brian Hoogerbrugge]

> Think I'm gonna make the plunge and buy a PIC programmer.
> I'm also thinking of getting into the ATMEL micros too
> (these seem to be more popular amongst the DIY crowd).
> I'm looking for suggestions for what hardware and software
> I need to get started.
As I am also *just* getting into working with PICs, I can't
say much, but I'll tell you about the little experience I
have had.  I just finished building the "El Cheapo" programmer.
It doesn't program ATMEL's, and won't program "newer" PIC
chips.  I have yet to get a 25-pin gender bender I need, so
I haven't tested it, but I think it'll work out for me.  If
you're going CHEAP, cheap it is.  The kit with all the parts
(no circuit board) was 10 bucks (although you'll need a 16V
wall wort also ~$10) at glitchbusters dot com.  He also sells
pic chips and other nifty auxiliary stuffs (crystals, caps,
trannies, and other passive components).  I am reading Myke
Predko's book and it looks like the experiments and projects
will be oodles of fun (and you don't need an uber PIC chip
to get going on those).

Another cool thing to look at is the PicKit (Digikey has
'em).  It's a little board with a PIC12F675 on it.  The
board has a switch, pot, 8 LED's, and a USB connector.
It includes a USB cable, CD's with programming software,
including a copy of MPLAB and a "lite" version of hi-tech
C compiler, 7 tutorials, and a little HOW-TO booklet.
It's 36 bucks!  The board can program 12F629, 12F657,
16F630, and 16F676 (any others?).  Worked like a charm!

Finally, ebay has several programmers at any given moment.
PicStart Plus is there now (5/27) for $90.

Brian H