LCD issue with EasyPIC5

[manwolf]

Which PICs do you actually have on hand?

16F84
16F628
16F877
16F887

[skimask]

16F84
16F628
16F877
16F887

If it were me, I'd stick with the 16F887. (also pay attention with the older chips, whether or not they're the A version or not) The 84, 628, and 877 are old school. Nothing wrong with them at all.

The '887 is comparatively new, has a lot of features that the 877(A) doesn't have.
If you get used to the '887, everything it does/has easily translates down to the smaller PICs.
AND...everything the '887 does/has, can be ported to the higher end, faster, bigger, more complex 18Fxxx series.
As an example that I've used a few times with others...I build an MP3 player awhile back, started off with a 16F877A, ran out of code space, plugged in an 18F452 (double the code space), ran out of code space with that, plugged in an 18F4620.......All without physically changing ANYTHING in the circuit, just a few registers here and there needed to be changed.
In addition to that, I started out my latest project with an 18F4620, recently moved up to an 18F4685.
So...in summation:
PIC16F877A = 16K, PIC18F452 = 32K, PIC18F4620 = 64K, PIC18F4685 = 96K.
It's all about the toys

[manwolf]

It's all about the toys

ROFLMAO

So true, all older chips are A version.

Thanks for your advise I will focus on the 16F887. Time to break out the old checkbook and get a couple of spares. Guess I might pick up a couple of the 18Fs as well.

[skimask]

Thanks for your advise I will focus on the 16F887. Time to break out the old checkbook and get a couple of spares. Guess I might pick up a couple of the 18Fs as well.

Yep, get to know that '887.
As far as the 18F, if it was me...I'd grab a couple of 18F4550 (USB) and 18F4685 (lotsa code space + CAN). And if you want the smaller 28 pin package, 18F2550 and 18F2685.
There are newer ones out there...but I don't have any use for them at the moment so I can't comment on those.