I received yesterday the PicKit2 clone kit I had ordered the previous day. Thank you so much for sending it by courier due to the postal strike/lockout. You really went that extra mile for a customer and I sincerely appreciate it.

It is built and works. I've already reprogrammed two devices that needed upgrades.

Perhaps it would be helpful in the assembly guide to indicate the polarity markings on the tantalum capacitors (C5, C12, C14). I assumed the white bar was the cathode but I was wrong and smoked the tantalums.
I replaced them with electrolytics from the junk box so the programmer works. The OMG moment was only brief.

Thanks for your speedy service.

Sincerely,

Ken (Posted on 6/18/11)