Stamp or PIC?

[phrontist]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

the PIC programmer pods are not expesive - and Im pretty sure you can program some PIC devices with a serial link without the need for a pod.

Okay, I've deciced to go with PICs, but now the question is: What programmer? Any good ones available commercially for the 8-pin pics? I have modest soldering skills, but no PCB capability, can I make one?

[velocipenguin]

Originally Posted by phrontist

Okay, I've deciced to go with PICs, but now the question is: What programmer? Any good ones available commercially for the 8-pin pics? I have modest soldering skills, but no PCB capability, can I make one?

Take a look at this one:
http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpic.htm

It can program many PICs, including some of the 12-series 8-pin ones and the ever-popular 16F84. It's easy enough to build on perfboard if you don't want to make a PCB, and the parts cost is negligible.

Some PICs, such as the 16F877, have "self-programming" capabilities; that is, they can be loaded with special bootloader software that allows them to accept new programs via a serial link to two I/O pins without any fancy programming hardware. Unfortunately, they have to have the bootloader installed before they can do that, which requires a working programmer...

[Rickertsen2]

Choosing a programmer can be onfusing. I ahve tried several and talked to many people. A great programmer that programs most of te Microchip product line is:the Melabs EPIC programmer. This is what i use. You can get JUST the programmer by itself for $59 I would recommend you get the package deal for $99 which comes with the programmer, the AC adapter, parallel cable, and your choice of either a ZIF socket for 8,18,or 20 pin devices or 28 and 40 pin devices. Chose either ZIF socket, and buy the other one seperately. With this setup you can program most any PIC currently in production. Hmmm... that sounded sortof like an oxiclean comercial or something.

Btw.. If you are still interested in Basic stamps, the exorbitantly priced developement boards that parallox sells are nothing more than a serial cable, and a voltage reglaor all put together on a pretty looking PCB. You can build your own for under $15.

[Kevin Casper]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

Choosing a programmer can be onfusing. I ahve tried several and talked to many people. A great programmer that programs most of te Microchip product line is:the Melabs EPIC programmer. This is what i use. You can get JUST the programmer by itself for $59 I would recommend you get the package deal for $99 which comes with the programmer, the AC adapter, parallel cable, and your choice of either a ZIF socket for 8,18,or 20 pin devices or 28 and 40 pin devices.

I'll second this. It's what I use as well. It's one of the more reliable programmers.

Btw.. If you are still interested in Basic stamps, the exorbitantly priced developement boards that parallox sells are nothing more than a serial cable, and a voltage reglaor all put together on a pretty looking PCB. You can build your own for under $15.

Really? I thought there is a built in programmer on those as well. I could be wrong.