MPLAB X heads up

[granddad]

Microchip MPLAB® X IDE v6.25 ( Currently 6.20) Will Discontinue Support for 3rd gen tools (Pickit3 / ICD3)

 

[augustinetez]

They can discontinue support for what ever they like, there's more than one way to skin a cat

Textpad and third party programming software for these things works fine

 

[Beau Schwabe]

I still use v5.25 for the MPASM support. A lot of bad decisions here on Microchip makes you wonder who is really driving the boat.

 

[Ian Rogers]

Same here... I use the IDE built into Proteus, and have for years.. I just use the IPE for chip programming, even that's on its way out as I have one of those TL866 II and it does all the chips I need.

Never really got to grips with MPLABX just didn't feel right..

 

[Dan Soze]

It seems obvious that Microchip has way too many small users demanding support resources that their large quantity customers want exclusive access to.

The best way to sort out the riffraff is to make old tools useless and charge a lot more for the new stuff.

 

[aliarifat794]

Microchip MPLAB® X IDE v6.25 ( Currently 6.20) Will Discontinue Support for 3rd gen tools (Pickit3 / ICD3)

So, is it our time to leave Pickit3 altogether?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

So, is it our time to leave Pickit3 altogether?

Only if you want to upgrade to MPLABX v6.25, otherwise just stay as you are. I'm still on v6.0, I've never seen any reason to change?.

Bear in mind that future devices may not be supported though.

We aren't still playing wind-up gramophones, time moves on

 

[chopnhack]

I don't know if this tool will replace the PicKit3, but I found it when I saw the notice of discontinued support. For only $15, it seems reasonable if it can replace the capabilities of the PicKit. Seems to me like it does.

 

[tumbleweed]

The SNAP programmer can't power the target, and doesn't do HV programming so it can only be used to do LVP.

 

[Beau Schwabe]

So here is an example of who this hurts .... The company that I used to work for deals with custom industrial automation where we have several hundred embedded micro's (all programmed in MPASM) running on various platforms and various machines out in the field throughout the world. I can tell you, that they are not about to migrate all of their software spanning years of development "moving forward with the times" to the latest and greatest because some bean counter at MicroChip realized they can remove a LEG and still survive, not fully understanding the fundamentals. It's only a matter of time before the other leg is removed before you realize there is no foundation to stand on.

 

[chopnhack]

The SNAP programmer can't power the target, and doesn't do HV programming so it can only be used to do LVP.

That's interesting, I wonder if there is a workaround in the future because the 12F that I have doesn't have a LVP setting.

 

[tumbleweed]

That's interesting, I wonder if there is a workaround in the future because the 12F that I have doesn't have a LVP setting.

If by workaround you're talking about the SNAP then no, since it doesn't have the HV circuitry to boost the voltage.

If you're talking about support for the PK3 then there are some third-party programs that add support for newer chips, like pickitminus (free, http://kair.us/projects/pickitminus) or pickit+ ($, https://pickitplus.co.uk).

They don't integrate with MPLABX though. Like Beau, I either use MPLABX 5.35 or even MPLAB 8.92 if I can with older devices.

 

[granddad]

I am still using MPLAB 6.05. and have not used many older PIC devices in recent years ,I have 2 PK3 for PIC16 etc that need high voltage programing. although i have a box full of them I started with PIC16F84 and PK2 in assembler, seems an age ago now, ! Snap is a good low cost programmer with its limits as mentioned , I have also got a couple of curiosity dev boards, with onboard programmer, ( PIC 18F57Q43 ).

 

[Jon Wilder]

Y’all do realize Microchip maintains an archive for the entire MPLAB Ecosystem, going back as far as MPLAB 5? Even their HITECH C and C18 compilers are archived there. They’re still available. Just no longer supported.

MPLAB® Ecosystem Downloads Archive | Microchip Technology

 

[Zonetronik]

Yes, we are aware that Microchip maintains an archive for the entire MPLAB Ecosystem, including versions going back to MPLAB 5, as well as archived HITECH C and C18 compilers. It’s great to know that these older versions are still available, even though they are no longer supported. However, we’re looking forward to transitioning to more up-to-date tools for continued support and better performance.

 

[Jon Wilder]

Yes, we are aware that Microchip maintains an archive for the entire MPLAB Ecosystem, including versions going back to MPLAB 5, as well as archived HITECH C and C18 compilers. It’s great to know that these older versions are still available, even though they are no longer supported. However, we’re looking forward to transitioning to more up-to-date tools for continued support and better performance.

Agreed. But some old timers just won't let go of the old tech.

I keep the old ecosystem around for support purposes, but not for new designs.