>     My question is: Can I just leave out those caps? I know the caps are
> needed for giving the oscillator better stability, but if this little
> gadget are working ok without the caps, will it do any harm? Like
> someday this gadget wouldn't startup, or will it suddenly stop...

It won't be a problem of startup, but the frequency may be outside the
crystal specification, and the crystal may be overdriven and being driven
with strong harmonics.

If you don't need that much accuracy you can ignore the first, but the
second is not a good situation.  Can't you just solder the two caps onto the
bottom of the board or someplace.  Keep the total loop distance including
the ground return path small and physically close to the crystal though.


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