Post by thread:PICSTART Lite vs. PICSTART Plus

What is the difference besides whether the documentation is included or not? Here's my analysis, correct me if I'm wrong: PICSTART Plus - Programmer board, printed manuals, soaftware, accessories. PICSTART Lite 16B - Same Programmer board with only an 18pin ZIF socket, executable software on disk, RS232 cable. PICTSTART Lite 16C - Same programmer board with only a 40 pin ZIF socket, executable software on disk, RS232 Cable. The PICSTART Lite 16B is only $69 compared to the $200 for the PICSTART Plus. Can I still program the 12c671 and 12c672 in the PICSTART Lite if indeed it is the same board? ---Will Chapman Power Brick Designs

William Chapman wrote: > > What is the difference besides whether the documentation is included or > not? > > Here's my analysis, correct me if I'm wrong: ><snip> I'd like to provide this info: PICSTART Plus, PICSTART 16B, and PICSTART 16C are three different printed circuit boards. Currently only the PICSTART Plus is being maintained with support for new chips by Microchip. Only the PICSTART Plus works with MPLAB, and only the PICSTART Plus supports all DIP PICmicro products. Only the PICSTART Plus has a molded plastic case, the others are exposed PC boards. On these postings some others are offering additional support for PICSTART 16B and 16C. These are not connected with Microchip. I don't know if they support the 12C671/672. The PICSTART Plus will support the 12C671/672 with the next release of the firmware v1.50 (expected release in March). The most recent version of software is 1.41.01 and the last firmware update was v1.20. Here is the latest support list. Note that the 16C923/924 and the 17C756 require a special adapter. PIC12C508(1) PIC12C509(1) PIC12C508A(1)* PIC12C509A(1)* PIC12CE519(1)* PIC14000 PIC16C52 PIC16C54 PIC16C54A PIC16C55 PIC16C554 PIC16C556 PIC16C558 PIC16C558A PIC16C56 PIC16C57 PIC16C58A PIC16C58B PIC16C61 PIC16C62 PIC16C62A PIC16C620 PIC16C621 PIC16C622 PIC16C622A PIC16C63 PIC16C64 PIC16C64A PIC16C642(1) PIC16C65 PIC16C65A PIC16C66 PIC16C662(1) PIC16C67 PIC16C71 PIC16C710 PIC16C711 PIC16C715(1) PIC16C72 PIC16C73 PIC16C73A PIC16C74 PIC16C74A PIC16C76 PIC16C77 PIC16F83 PIC16C84 PIC16F84 PIC16C923 PIC16C924 PIC17C42 PIC17C42A PIC17C43 PIC17C44 PIC17C756 * - New devices with this release All products are supported by firmware version 1.01 except as noted: (1) - Firmware version 1.20 or greater required Check the Microchip web page for current special pricing on the PICSTART Plus. Darrel Johansen spam_OUTdarrel.johansenTakeThisOuTmicrochip.com

> The PICSTART Plus will support the 12C671/672 with the next release of > the firmware v1.50 (expected release in March). Why on earth was this device supported on Promate (long) BEFORE Picstart ? It seems crazy to support devices on production programmers first whan the devices are only sampling! How many developers use a Promate ? - probably not many I'd guess! Is this a trend we are likely to see continue, or a temporary hiccup? ____ ____ _/ L_/ Mike Harrison / White Wing Logic / wwlKILLspamnetcomuk.co.uk _/ L_/ _/ W_/ Hardware & Software design / PCB Design / Consultancy _/ W_/ /_W_/ Industrial / Computer Peripherals / Hazardous Area /_W_/