$8 k150 pic programmer???

[rickselectricalprojects]

hi everyone!
i am looking to program avr and pic microcontrollers and i really dont want to fork out $40 for a clone pickit 3 and the k150 is only $8 ($40 is alot for me because i am only 14) and i know that it would be a pain to use and or it wouldnt work. so has anyone got one of these and or used it? if so how was it?
also last question: can i still use a clone pickit 2 in 2015? will it still be supported or will i have to install an older version on mplab ide or a different program? and even then will i still be abel to program pics? (i know not the newest ones)
thanks.
link to ebay listing for k150 programmer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-PIC-Microcontroller-USB-Automatic-Programmer-Programming-K150-ICSP-Cable-/110950932739#shpCntId

[Monkeh]

Why pay $40 when you can pay $19?

http://www.banggood.com/Pickit3-Pickit-3-Pickit3_5-Kit3-Emulator-Programmers-Programmer-p-88947.html

[picandmix]

For AVR programming there are  USBASP devices you can purchase on ebay for just a few dollars; they cover a good few of the popular chips.

The K150, never used one, but it does some of the 16F and 18F chip but that seems about it.

The Pikckit2 works fine with MPlab old IDE v8.92 in programming and debug mode.

It works ok in MPlabX as a programmer but have not tried it in debug mode, don't think it does ?

The Pk2 is good, but its firmware development has ceased and officially no new devices will be added.
 

Recently got one of those Banggood Pk3  to complement my Pk2 and so far it works fine'
 The Pickit3s, clone or Microchips,  biggest problem is being aware of the need to download its firmware each time you change from one program to another,  eg X , V8.92  etc. and one device family to another.

One option you may want to look at, if you went for the K150 it seems to be able to program a pic18f2550, that is the heart of a pickit2.
Forum member Bill from Canada has a good diy PK2 circuit that you could build  or search the web for blueroom Pickit2

[jimon]

Maybe you should try arduino nano counterfeit : http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Nano-V3-0-ATmega328P-Improve-Controller-Board-XTWduino-USB-Driver-Fr-Arduino-/371215911158?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item566e3148f6
They cost couple $ and could be used as simple AVR programmer (AVR chips supported from arduino IDE) or as not so simple PIC programmer (you need to do 12V http://hackaday.com/2012/05/02/arduino-can-program-pic-too/). Note this counterfeits are using CH340 instead FTDI IC, so you need to download special driver.

PS. Personally I'm often using bus pirate to do it. http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Bus-Pirate-v36-universal-serial-interface-p-609.html + http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Bus-Pirate-v3-probe-cable-with-labels-and-male-pins-p-1827.html = 34.15$, and bus pirate counterfeits are even more expensive but well, on other hand it's universal tool that will help and rescue you from almost all scary situations Maybe you can ask your parents to make you a present or something. V4 version (http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Bus-Pirate-v4-p-740.html) is more expensive, and I'm not sure if you really need it.

[dannyf]

can i still use a clone pickit 2 in 2015?

as long as it is not expired,

[rickselectricalprojects]

Why pay $40 when you can pay $19?

http://www.banggood.com/Pickit3-Pickit-3-Pickit3_5-Kit3-Emulator-Programmers-Programmer-p-88947.html

thanks, i will get one from that seller (although the name of the website is a bit... odd) and just give up one the cheap programmers.

[Rendon]

I had a K150. Biggest piece of crap I ever owned. The picKit 2 is far superior. It's more stable and the biggest thing, I guess, is that it gives you in-circuit control of the reset line after programming. The K150 leaves it floating. Also, the picKit 2 is self-powered via its usb cable. No auxiliary power supply needed.

[dannyf]

Yeah, bang good.

What self-respecting persons would name their site "bang good"?