Pic programmer recommendations

[ctmal]

For many years I have been using the official Microchip programmers to program the pic 16f688 and and the pic16f1825. For the last couple of years I've had horrible luck with them, some only lasting about 6 months before they die.

Does anyone have any recommendations for pic programmers? I'm tired of spending top dollar on the official ones only to have them stop working. As for chips, I generally only need to program the 16f688 and 16f1825 chips.

 

[ChiefWarrant]

Chris,

It’s been several years since I last programmed a PIC device. Back when I was doing it regularly, I went through a couple of PICkit units before I finally bought this PICkit 3 in January 2020. Since then, it has worked reliably without any issues. I’ve successfully used it to program the PIC16F688, PIC16F1825, PIC18F2525, and PIC18F4520.

-Tony

PS: I know you probably dont need the bread board

 

[EMKLLK]

I historically haven't done much PIC programming, but had to do some this year. I bought a PICkit3 from Amazon, one of the chinese versions not Microchip branded, and it worked fine. I can't speak for longevity, because I've only had it a few months. It looks just like the one ChiefWarrant posted (minus the breadboard), but the brand was Comidox - looking on Amazon it's still available today for 29.99 (Comidox 1PCS PICkit3 Electronic Chips Emulator for the search). You probably have the other pieces you need if you program PICs regularly, but I also bought a Comimark 1Pcs PIC ICD2 PICKit3 Programming adapter for about 7 bucks. All worked fine for me.

 

[ChiefWarrant]

Comidox - looking on Amazon it's still available today for 29.99 (Comidox 1PCS PICkit3 Electronic Chips Emulator for the search). You probably have the other pieces you need if you program PICs regularly, but I also bought a Comimark 1Pcs PIC ICD2 PICKit3 Programming adapter for about 7 bucks. All worked fine for me.

On that note… I also had an XCSOURCE PICKIT3, which I bought a week earlier — a total piece of junk.