Fellow PICers,

I am planning to select a PIC development system at work, primarily to
develop applications for the new 12C50X controller (for size and power
reasons).  I am a little bewildered by the choices of systems
available.  For instance, you can by the entry level system from
MicroChip consisting of the PICSTART-PLUS for assembler, simulator and
programmer, plus the ICE PIC in-circuit emulator for a total system
cost of under $1000.  At the high end, you can by the PICMASTER
development system with the MPLAB software and the PROMATE programmer,
for a total system cost of about $3400.  I did not hear a compelling
reason to spend the additional money for the higher end system from the
folks at MicroChip (perhaps because I didn't speak to the right
person), but I would guess you get something for the additional money.

Would the experienced PIC users care to offer some guidance in
selecting a development system?  My personal bias is towards ease of
use rather than the absolute lowest price.  Any help is appreciated.

TIA,

Jamie Burnside

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Jamie W. Burnside        M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory
jburnside@ll.mit.edu     244 Wood Street, Rm. D-353
Phone: 617-981-4511      Lexington, MA  02173 USA
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