Paul's arguments for single purpose micro controllers (uC) have
convinced me. So I am converting
my code to multiple single purpose micro controllers. I plan to continue
to use the PIC 16F887
uC as its cost is probably less than the circuit board to mount it, and
associated circuitry, on.
And it is lower cost (single unit) than the PICAXE 18X, which surprises me.

There is a BASIC for the PIC series of uC.

The PIC 16F887 from Mouser is $3.72 (industrial temp, dip package). The
PICAXE 18X from
phanderson is $8.50, and direct from www.techsupplies.co.uk
<http://www.techsupplies.co.uk> is 3.70 pounds, plus import hassle.
phanderson says his price is the lowest in the US.

The PIC 16F887 is available in the extended temperature range (-40C to
125C) which is what should go in an airplane. For ground
experimentation, the industrial range is OK.

The extremely low prices of these devices is amazing! The actual cost of
production must be
pennies!

Doc Custer
Retired Software Engineer and sometime Audiologist

I have not had much luck with phanderson.
He won't answer the phone and will not take phone orders.
I don't use PayPal. And I don't put my credit card numbers
on the Internet.

I prefer:

http://www.tinmanrobotics.com/  Ask for Brian and tell him Paul sent you.
or http://world-educational-services.net/

Check out the PicAXE BASIC as it is free and the software simulator
is also free. Compliments of the British people.

PicAXE BASIC has certain enhancements that make it much better for
our use.

The big dif in the PicAXE compared to other Pic's is the PicAXE has a boot
loader and com program in ROM. It is always in communication with
the PC. You send it a program and the boot loader stores it on board in
EEPROM. You hit the reset button and the code runs. Super simple!!!!
Super quick!!!!

BTW PicBASIC automatically compiles the code before it is sent to the PicAXE.

This simple idea and implementation is why the PicAXE is taking over.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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