At 03:22 PM 3/10/98 +1200, you wrote:

>We are a small R&D company.  We are in the process of buying an
>Emulator and C compiler for PIC uP's.  Is it worth paying heaps more
>for the PICMASTER system or is the Advanced Transdata RICE the one to
>buy?

I've used both and I strongly prefer the RICE to the PICMASTER for the
following reasons:

     1) The RICE17A can be run at 3.2 volts.  This mode is unsupported
        by microchip, and the timers do not work at this voltage, but
        for emulating non-timer related code in low voltage products, this
        is your only choice.  The picmaster will supply its own 5v or
        accept your design's 5V supply, but will not work at any other
        voltage.

     2) The Rice 17A works from the parallel port.  You don't have to
        open your case or find free i/o space to install it.

     3) The RICE17A drivers are now available for Windows NT.

     4) The case is smaller, the cable is thinner, and the whole package
        less unwieldy (more wieldy?) than the picmaster.

     5) The cost is less.  This shouldn't be your primary concern, but
        it is always nice when the best product costs the least.

>Any strong opinions of choice of C compiler?

I've used CCS and Bytecraft.  I haven't used Hi-Tech.  CCS supports a
floating-point type and inlining (manual or automatic) of functions, which
Bytecraft does not, so, again, you get more for less.  I understand that
Hi-Tech support floating point, but don't know about inlining.  The
command-line version of the CCS compiler is $99.

Bart

====Bart Addis====================================================
                             Software Engineering/Hardware Design
                             Voice 610-974-8870, Fax 8890
====bart@fast.net=================================================