Microchip Development Boards -> does it worth it ???

[codemaniac]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. And I think that every newbie in developing projects with PIC MCU's is asking this question. So it will be good if people with your experience tell us how to chose the right one, and does it really worth choosing one.

[bbarney]

What exactly do you want to know?
try to explain what you want a little better

[codemaniac]

I want to know does it worth to buy one. Or you can start only with one PCB with a PIC on it. And if it worths, witch is the best for beginners. And what is the best sync between money and quality (peripherals and so on). 10x in advance

[Stefkeb]

Hi,

If you are a starter and not so sure if you can build your own boards you won't be disappointed. The quality of the boards I got from them is very good.
I mean the hardware will not be the problem if you run in to crazy situations and are not sure the problem comes from hardware or software.

What board to pick simply depends on what you want to do, a high pincount device, USB, Can, for nearly all PIC's you can find a board at Microchip.

Rgds,

Stefkeb

[samomni]

When I started learning to control and develop application program uSing PIC microcontroller, I do it the oldway "breadboard" the good thing about it, you dont need a big amount of money to start learning, I use the free version of MikroBasic and look at the examples and started working with it.
I still remember the first LED blink of that PIC16F84A very nostalgic .  By this way also you can practice your troubleshooting skills and PATIENCE (especially patience ).   

[bbarney]

Don't forget that some of Microchip's boards are 4-layer because of signal noise while most are just double-sided and can be made there are a few that can't at least at the hobby level so just download the files for the board's your interested in and read up on them before deciding to buy or make it, all the gerber files are usally supplied with the files which you can view with something like Gerbview

[margo]

if you are new to builing pic based projects why not start with a breadboard??..mistakes are easy to put right, and you will make plenty of them,,,,Ive used them up to 20MHz without problem..so 4MHz should be no problem..and there cheap...ebay has loads, with the money you save invest in a decent power supply, a 20x4 lcd perminatly wired to the breadboard, and hook up a RS232 link to a bootloader........a bit of time/money invested up from will pay back many many times..good luck

[msnm4]

Chek this site in spanish: http://picmania.garcia-cuervo.com/Proyectos_RRBoard2.php
It is a small development system fully documented with schematics and even the pcb´s and all necessary to make a lot of experiments which are described in the rest of the site. It implies a very small investment and you can just equipp those peripherals you actually need. I think it provides an excellent service for a low cost.

msnm4

[codemaniac]

I was planning to begin with DV164120 that will be the best way i think to gain experience. And then to make my own PCB. That was my plan.I think that it's better not to worry for the hardware first

[bbarney]

I think that is a good joice as you will recieve an awsome package for the price and for add on's you can look at mikro-E's schematic's and make your own board's from them just goto the bottom of the page and you will see all the add on boards
http://www.mikroe.com/en/tools/easypic5/

[anuraggoyal221]

For 8, 16, 32bit micro-controller development board in India visit:

www.agileworldwide.com

They have very good boards for all range.

[carlos789]

But of that page , I cannot be seen the circuits schematic

[johnri]

only hobbyist websites give circuit schematic for free,

a beginner only needs a breadboard to start making simple projects.

If you need info. on interfacing things to MCUs then there are many books for that,
just search the ebooks section.

[jenya7]

As long as Proteus exists you don't actually need hardware development board.

[zed]

As long as Proteus exists you don't actually need hardware development board.

LOL, you don't do real hardware for living, don't you?

[jenya7]

I can draw schematic, to debug it with Proteus without need to use any development board, then i do real hardware.

[zed]

I can draw schematic, to debug it with Proteus without need to use any development board, then i do real hardware.

Sure... try to design and debug a PLL (for example).