> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu 
> [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of Dr Skip
> Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2007 11:54 PM
> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
> Subject: [PIC] choosing an educational programmer kit as a gift
> 
> Greetings,
> 
> I'm looking to get a programmer and startup kit for midrange 
> PICs to give to my son as a gift. I have a serial programmer 
> that I use, and so can he, but the tools I've hobbled 
> together has a bit of a learning curve and it's used only 
> with a serial port, and we could also use a USB version 
> here... I'd like to get him his own setup, with the least 
> possible room for programming or setup incompatibilities, and 
> figure the Microchip PicKit 1 or PicKit 2 would be best, and 
> at $35 and $49, the price is right.
> 
> My leaning is towards the PicKit2. Any thoughts on either for 
> my 'educational' gift giving? He's in high school and has 
> some Lego Mindstorm experience. How are the lessons that are 
> included with it? Is it an easy to use programmer? How about 
> included language(s)? I don't get much for a description from 
> the Microchip Direct listing - more of a teeny marketing blurb.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Skip
> 

Hi Skip,

If you are not totally decided on having him start with the PIC I would
like to tell you a story about my experience with my daughter. You might
find that this is a good way to go.

Last year I wanted to start teaching my daughter some basic electronics
and programming. I also wanted to learn some basic robotics - for my own
interests and as a teaching platform for her. I wanted something simple
and self-contained that we could enjoy without a lot of overhead but I
also wanted something that I could use for more advanced studies. 

I spent some time researching educational electronics and robotics kits
and decided to take a look at what Parallax had to offer. I ended up
getting their Boe Bot package. It comes with a simple robot chassis, a
basic stamp, proto board and plenty of parts and other components. It
also includes an excellent text book. For my needs, it was pretty
simplistic but still a lot of fun. It's been phenomenal for teaching my
daughter and I use the robot chassis for many of the robot projects we
build together. You should consider taking a look at it. It will let
your son learn the basics of electronics and programming without a lot
of overhead - and the parts, robot and lessons will be useful when he
starts with the PIC. 

You could also consider buying or downloading the "What is a
Microcontroller?" and "Robotics with the BoeBot" books. The downloadable
PDF version is identical to the soft cover that comes with the kit.

The Parallax kits are appropriate for almost any age level from 4 to
adult. It depends on how much help you give and your son's age and
abilities. 

Here are a few links:
	Basic Stamp 2 Discovery Kit
http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/products/kits/starter_kits.asp.

	Parallax Boe Bot
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=910-28132.

To give you an idea of how versatile the BoeBot platform is, I am
currently using it's frame, servos and some of the sensors as part of a
PIC18 based environment mapping robot. Ultimately, the robot will live
on a more advanced chassis but for testing and development, the BoeBot
parts are working great. And, because it's the BoeBot, my daughter can
help and she is learning quite a bit about robotics and electronics.

Hope this helps!
Chris Levin



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