The official Microchip PICkit products are more robust, and not so
expensive if you buy just the device itself, without the "starter
kit" that includes a CD-ROM and demo board.
Search the Microchip store for PG164120. Unfortunately, it seems that
the price has gone up from $25 when I bought my PICkit 2 to $39.99 now.
"PICkit 3 only" is part PG164130 for $44.95
Both are less than the eBay price of $66.
I recommend against the clones. I started with one, only saved $5,
and it burned out on me. The low quality is not worth the $5 savings.
Brian Willoughby Sound Consulting
On Oct 21, 2013, at 23:42, Mark Webb-Johnson wrote:
Rob,
If you are not developing code then a PICKIT2 is easier.
The original is here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microchip-PG164120-Programmer-Pickit-2/dp/ B0040ZRGCQ/ref=sr_1_4? s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1382423740&sr=1-4&keywords=pickit2
but as it is 'open source', there are lots of much cheaper clones.
For example:http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000018/1002200-pickit-2- compatible-programmerdebugger
Personally, I'd go with the clone.
Regards, Mark.