Brenner8P9smd von Lars described at the same Link (a ready to use device).
Both work flawlessly without any issues.
But I must say that I always must read the related manuals before using them, because they are seldom in operation since I went for MIOS 32 Nexpresso LXP1769
I use the Microchip PICKit3 on both OSX and Linux to burn Midibox PICs. Using USB is nice and fast and a lot less problems than the DIY programmers I had built previously
When you buy the PICKIT3 unit, it comes with a disk that contains a version of MPLAB that supports the programmer. Any of the newer MPLAB X versions available from Microchip Technologies support the programmer. I have used the older IDE version and it was easy to find the tool. I just loaded the X version and can’t find the programmer option but it is listed in the help panels.
I still prefer PICKIT 2/3, because the Brenner8 software doesn’t run under MacOS :-/
Another reason: in future, there won’t be so many people who need a PIC programmer for the old MIDIbox projects anymore (especially since there is always the option to buy pre-burned PICs from SmashTV). Therefore I need something which is well established today, and which is a stable reference for the next years.
Everything else is a nice DIY solution for people who like the challenge, but counter-productive at my side (e.g. updating documentation, testing updates, supporting people who can’t get it running, etc).
I just loaded the X version and can’t find the programmer option but it is listed in the help panels.
After loading the MPLAB X software on my Windows 8 PC, there is a new item called MPLAB IPE (Integrated Programming Environment v1.90) on the desktop. I clicked on the application and the programming panel popped up. I then connected the PICkit3 unit to the PC USB port and it went through a down load procedure that loaded a new version of software for my PICkit3.
There is a field for entering in the .hex file name and 5 buttons labeled: Program, Erase, Read, Verify, and Blank Check. I haven’t tried it since the hardware that I used is in an organ console that is locked up in a home.
Here is a link to a YouTube video of the utility panels.