I looking to get started with pic's, can anyone tell me where to get a cheap programmer, and which pic is the best for just fiddleing around with. I'm a student, so my budget is rather tight. Thanks
the 16F series are good. Always make sure it's flashable (it has an F in the name ). For a cheap programmer I can't help you tho...
search for the "El Cheapo" programmer on Google, can't remember the exact address, sorry... but that should get you started. g
Check this baby out: http://www.microchipc.com/PIC16bootload/ It`s the ultimate for PIC development IMHO Get yourself a compatible PIC and programmer to load the initial boot loader, and you can experiment very easily. Other than that, look at the 16F84 (or the C variant) and 12C508/509. Both are cheap and easy to work with for beginners. Learn to use the free Microchip MPLAB too, the simulator is very handy for learning. Oh, and finally, take a look here: http://www.mstracey.btinternet.co.uk/pictutorial/picmain.htm MoJo
If you're starting out, don't use your Grandfathers PIC. Use something more modern, like Atmel's AVR or the PSoC stuff. I'm a big Atmel fan as they're alot faster and generally have more features then comparable PICs. Cheaper too. All are flash based so you can program them about 10,000 times. Check out www.avrfreaks.net for some good introductionary material. A cheapo programmer can be had for about $10 (US), and a full-featured development platform for about $80(US).
I've got the Kit96 programmer from www.kitsrus.com Never had any problems with it, i've got a zif socket on it as well, its nice and easy to use. As for starting, use the tutorials on www.veys.com they were very useful to me.
