Crystals

[skimask]

the PIC16F877A-I/PT QTFP 44 pin is in stock and costs $5.70, I just ordered 4 for now, just to have in stock here at the office. But isnt there another chip with a few less features that is cheaper ???

Quantity 1000 should get you a decent price break...

< pic16f877a? PIC16F874...1/2 the flash, 1/2 the eeprom, 1/2 the ram, same # of I/O's... PIC16F870, 871, etc,etc.
Go to Microchip.com and do a parametric search...find the chip YOU want. Only takes seconds...
Why so many I/O?

[jason]

The PIC16F914-I/PT is a good price and it has a PLVD module which would save me $2. Just need to figure out how to use it

It also talks about a "Precision" internal Oscillator. Is this good enough for serial comunications in picbasic pro? That would save me another $0.50

Thanks for the tip on the Parametric search at microchip.

[skimask]

It also talks about a "Precision" internal Oscillator. Is this good enough for serial comunications in picbasic pro? That would save me another $0.50

Generally not. Unless you can come up with a method to continuously recalibrate the internal clock everytime the temperature, voltage, humidity changes.