In message  <19971205150646.15213.qmail@hotmail.com> PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
 writes:
> Dear Picsters:
>
> I'm looking for people who've actually used the 12C507/8. Has anyone got
> any feedback as to the product release status, number of gotchas, or
> inventory/price? I thought these were real, but I can't seem to find
> them. Also, I'd like to know which development tools people really like
> with these.
>
Kris,

I have used the 12C508 and 509 in  a few different projects. I got a
couple of buggy engineering samples about this time last year, and
proper production pieces in Feb or March of this year.

The only gotcha that I know of is that the factory programmed osccal
value in the top of memory erases when you put the jw parts in the
earser, therefore you should read it and make a note of it before
the first erase.

I must say that I was impressed by these chips and that fact that
Microchip worked to get most of the pins as I/O pins. If they had
just slapped a 16C5x core in an 8 pin package, they wouldn't be
nearly as useable. 5/6 i/o pins in a 8 pin package is quite an
achievement.

I'm currently waiting for the 12C67x (??? 8 pin with adc) to be
released. I have a project or two lined up for them.

I use the PICStart+ for development. I have two PICs, when one is
erasing, I'm coding, burning and testing with the other. An EEProm
based device would make this a whole lot easier.


Regards,

Mike Watson