Pic chip programing

[Paul Collins M0BSW]

I've just seen something I want to but on e-bay ,a USB pic chip programmer , now never having done this, I wonder will it be a good idea. I have many circuit diagrams here that feature pic chips, would this indeed be a good learning tool, what does any of you think.

[dr_p]

how much does it cost?
also, why not post a link to what you want to buy?

I dived into PIC programming, I liked it, then I tried MSP430 and also liked it. It's C so they kind of are the same. As far as I've seen, AVRs are the same. And I mean  easy, simple tasks. What a beginner would do. They're basically the same. I know, each type has it's way of doing things (fuses, memory, instructions etc) but for basic stuff it doesn't matter. Actually, Arduino (AVR) seems to be more user-friendly.

Bottom line, I recon you should buy a PIC programmer and an AVR one, and an Arduino. Since these are the most common in beginner (or not) projects.

AND brush up on your C code, you'll probably need that in whatever variant of micro-controller.

[Paul Collins M0BSW]

 Here is the link :-  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121101044340?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649   I have a few circuits that use  pic chip, one I particularly want to build is an antenna analyser which comes with the coding, thank you for replying.

[dr_p]

this guy is not happy with the eBay K150 programmer:

http://www.microchip.com/forums/m668494.aspx

[Paul Collins M0BSW]

this guy is not happy with the eBay K150 programmer:

http://www.microchip.com/forums/m668494.aspx

Wow thank you dr-P for pointing this out ,I run windows  7 & it won't recognise Prolific serial-to-usb drivers, the back up doesn't sound so great either. Thank you , for saving me some money , think I should follow the other routes.
Paul