I own two LABX-USB boards, and a number of the proto-boards from MELabs, and I highly recommend them. You could save some money by just starting with the PicBasic compiler, and wait until you need the Pro features. MELabs will let you upgrade from the basic compiler to the Pro version at a later date, you just pay the difference. This is a great way to get started without a great expense. I keep one of the Proto-18 boards with a ZIF socket and a 20MHz crystal with a 16F88 powered by a 9 volt battery that I use a lot for quickie hardware tests, I put SIP sockets on all the port pins, so I can plug in a serial LCD and use one of those Radio Shack push in prototype boards.

Some of the folks here also like the mikroElectronika boards, worth a look.


Good Luck!
Jerry