Long ago, I have used the Microchip 12C509 for many projects, but it is time to update.
In an attempt to find a PIC for some future projects, I ordered and received a few of the most popular.
- Microchip - PICkit-2 with a PIC16F690 Evaluation Proto Board ~ $40.00
- ATmel - Arduino Duemilanove Development and Evaluation Board ~ $30.00
- Solarbotics - Ardweeny Backpack (a small Arduino compatible) ~ $10.00, Requires USB-to-6Pin Programming Adapter ~ $14.00
- Texas Instruments - MSP430 Launch Pad, Development and Evaluation Board = $4.30
with shippingat Mouser (how can they afford that!!!)
- PJRC - Teensy USB Development Board - $18.00
Each Kit has a lot to offer; these are my initial reactions:
- Microchip - has a lot of supporting chips and I think they have be around longer. Multiple programs to install and/or download. This should be easy, but I am have a hard time getting anything to work. The Docs and Examples refers to different PIC than received?
- ATmel Arduino - is VERY easy to program and it is quick to have something useful running. Just download one ZIP file and execute the main program. The program contains links to read-only example files and a link to your project work space - very nice!
- Solarbotics Ardweeny - is very small and the same ease of use as the Arduino and can be reduced to just the chip. A 6-pin programmer is needed, that is - a special USB to Serial Adapter (now on order).
- Texas Instrument MSP430 - Very inexpensive (evaluation board most function per $) - a little more difficult to program, but the chip has many built-in features, like on chip temperature. Two software packages are necessary to download and install; C and the Assembler. Demo code is a little difficult to find and set up - I will have to learn more.
- PJRC Teensy - USB Development Board - It has onboard USB for programming and data transfer (I have this board on order)
I will update this post as I learn more.
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