DSPIC Support

[GeoJoe]

Why is Mikro a rip off? It seems quite comperable to PBP. They have quite a few sweet features on the demo boards. Did you check out the demo software? I did only for a few minutes. It is very similar to PBP.

I've been busting my hump and have not had time to fully investigate Mikro. I wish someone from PBP would respond or publish their intensions.

[lab310]

You misunderstood me, I have nothing to say against Mikroelektronika, I was talking about circuit-ed site , as they are selling Mikroelektronika's board and compilers at prices 30-40% higher (169$ against 115$ for EasyPic3 board, for example). They are willing to give 30% discout on compilers withouth bying a developement board, just contact them by mail (at least they did that for me).
I have 4 different boards and 2 compilers made by them, and they are extraordinary value for money. But be aware, transfering from PBP to Mikroelektronika's Basic is anything but straightforward, since M Basic has a more Pascal than Basic way of "thinking". Now, I only use there Basic for DSPic since there isn't any alternative on the current market, and for "regular Pics PBP and Proton. I would rate Mikroelektronika's development board a pure A, but compilers not more than B. ( just for comparasion, I would rate PBP with B and Proton with A)

[GeoJoe]

I see now Lab what you are saying. What type of development are you using these tools for? Are you developing any motor controllers or DC to DC converters? Have you used any touch screens for your projects?
Have you used Hi Tech C? It is looking very attractive and robust. I'm thinking I MUST get familiar with C. www.htsoft.com
Anyway thanks for the reply and the direction for MB. For the short term I'll still be using PBP and beating my head against MPASM.

[mister_e]

Hi Tech C is certainely good. I have it but use but used it rarely... worst now

The only thing is just that it's a bit expensive.

To be honnest, i used some DSPic in the past and convert the same stuff to 18F... no big difference... just harder to figure out how to.

Be really sure that you need a DSPic before spending your cash on it. 18F are really capable... if you mind to give your brain a few hour/week/month intensive thinking.

[Normnet]

Rip-off?

CircuitED:
Easy dsPic3 board includes GLCD,LCD, & DS1820 $174.00
Compiler when purchased with above $99.00
Shipping FREE USA, USA distributor.
Total Circuit Ed $273.00

Mikroelektronika:
Easy dsPic3 board $119.00
Compiler when purchased with above $99.00
GLCD $17.00
LCD & DS1820 $15.00
Shipping worldwide $25.00
(Yugoslavia shipping could take weeks)
Total Mikroelektronika $275.00

Norm

[fanie]

Mister-e

>>To be honnest, i used some DSPic in the past and convert the same stuff to 18F... no big difference... just harder to figure out how to

The real difference would of course be the peripherals and the 40 mips you'd have to overcome with an 18 series. I bet Norm here would agree with this...

[mister_e]

Fanie,
Just a little example... how many times we saw, see and we will see in the future, people using 20 mhz or higher speed crystal for simple task where 4MHZ is often too much or just enough? How many time we see here some task that should be done without any PIC...

Same for DsPIC i guess. Yeah they're great, Fast, quite reliable about the pricing, and have tons of ring and bells (a few much than 18F). But thinking never killed anybody on this earth when capable of. Few cents, dollars much on a single parts when you build few thousand/millions units... Same for extra i/o, pcb design ... you know.

So unless i really need for extreme speed for a really specific task, i'll use them... but they're also young on the market for now. I just leave other having problems with before

Oh, how about future DsPIC support in your other compiler?

LMAO!!!!