On Aug 21, 2008, at 9:09 PM, Vitaliy wrote:

> peter green wrote:
>> Peter Loron wrote:
>>> I've got some things I'm tinkering with now that will use mixed SMD
>>> and thru-hole components. I've used some of the SMD adapters (SOT-23
>>> to DIP, etc), but those aren't really practical once you get  
>>> beyond a
>>> few components and are sorta klunky.
>>>
>>> Any pointers to good mixed type prototype boards? I've been  
>>> looking at
>>> this unit from SparkFun, but I don't need the power supply + USB  
>>> stuff
>>>
>> One possibility is to either use adaptors or readymade demo boards to
>> check out the chips suitability then go straight to PCB from  
>> there.  Of
>> course the practicality of this depends on your confidence, how the
>> time/money tradeoff works out for you and how quickly you can get  
>> PCBs
>> made (at uni I can generally put the designs in to our departments  
>> PCB
>> facility one day and pick up the boards the next).
>
> I agree with Peter Green. I think that even for hobby applications,  
> it makes
> sense to prototype the parts of the circuit you aren't too sure  
> about, then
> order (or build) the PCB. Lately we've had good success with Advanced
> Circuits' "barebones" PCBs. It's possible to place the order on  
> Monday, and
> get it by Friday -- for under $100. If you're in a real big rush,  
> you can
> pay for overnight shipping and get the boards in 2 or 3 days.
>
> https://www.barebonespcb.com/!BB1.asp
>
> Even if you mess up the first time, cuting traces and greenwiring the
> changes is easier and a lot less frustrating than trying to use SMT  
> parts on
> a protoboard. And if time to market is of any concern, this is the  
> way to
> go -- you may end up with a fully functioning board the first time,  
> or make
> a couple of small changes and move to production within a couple of  
> weeks
> (since you have the gerbers already).
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Vitaliy

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll just push through the rest of  
the PCB design, then.

-Pete
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