i tried that, or one similar. imo, it programs the chip, and quite easily. problem, you have to have a hex file. there is no compiler (i believe thats the correct term) for you to write a program in. and if you use another compiler you cant (i never could) get the program exported to a hex file without the programmer made for that compiler (liek mplabs for pickit). basically, if you have someone do the programming for you, and you just take the hex file and put it on the chip, its great. otherwise, get the pickit. i just broke down and fot the pickit3, havent tried it yet, waiting on a new 1tb hd for the pc before i install the programs.