The TAP-28 supports ICSP programmers with a standard 6-pin connector.  Any programmer capable of ICSP should work, but there are only two choices that can be recommended for functionality, reliability and cost.

Some tips on using PICkit programmers can be found here.

Microchip PICkit 2

At $35, the PICkit 2 can't be beat as an all-around programmer.  It will operate within MPLab but also features a stand-alone GUI which includes logic analyzer and UART tools.

Operation with the GUI is simple.  Programming can be set up to be automatic when the source file changes or activated by the push button on the front.

The PICkit 2, which is still available from Microchip, has been superseded by the PICkit 3.*  Some of the latest parts may not be supported by the PICkit 2, but its additional functionality over the PICkit 3 make it a recommended choice.

The PICkit 2 is an open design by Microchip and clones are available from a number of vendors.

Microchip PICkit 3

The newest addition to Microchip's line of programmers is the PICkit 3.  It's billed as the successor to the PICkit 2, but the entire design has changed and it's lost some of the functionality of the PICkit 2.  At $45, it's the next-best thing to a PICkit 2 and it will support all the latest parts going forward.

The PICkit 3 does not include the logic analyzer and UART tools of the PICkit 2.

There are also clones of the PICkit 3 available from a number of sources.




* The PICkit 3 is the subject of controversy and is considered by some to be inferior to the PICkit 2.  Here is a video about the PICkit 3 shortcomings - be sure to watch Microchip's humorous response.

Not Recommended

Programmers based on the JDM design using a serial port are not recommended.  Current computers usually lack a serial port and recent versions of Windows limit accessibility to serial ports when they do exist.  Operation via USB adapters has not been reliable.

The PICkit programmers are tough to beat in cost and performance.  No cheaper programmers have been found that work reliably and programmers costing several times as much don't work as well.