Olimex PICKIT3 instead of Microchip???

[NuLED]

Hi guys - I have trouble finding the red pickit3 by Microchip. But I was suggested to buy this one instead

https://www.olimex.com/Products/PIC/Programmers/PIC-KIT3/

Is that the same thing?? better??

I have pretty much zero idea about this stuff; just starting to read some books on the topic and I need to buy the programmer and chips to continue learning.

Advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[(*steve*)]

The PicKit design is open source (I believe) and there are a great many sources for clones. Having said that, if price is anything to go by, this one looks to be a good one...

(If price is anything to go by)

 

[NuLED]

ok thanks Steve. that makes sense.

probably i will still get the Microchip one though as with these things, experience told me I'd better stick with the product from the vendor of the software (the IDE). anyway, still researching. They don't make it easy for you to become a customer!!! :-D