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> How have Futurlec treated you? IE, if you have a problem, how is their > customer service? I ask because I ordered with 2 to 4 day shipping and > tomorrow will have been 8 shipping days (discounting Sundays) since I > ordered. I had the same problem. They seem to take forever to ship items. But they are cheap, I got some prototyping boards that were much cheaper than anywhere else. |
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PIC 16F877 Development Board
Started by ●June 16, 2003
Reply by ●June 28, 20032003-06-28
Reply by ●June 28, 20032003-06-28
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I seem to recall it taking nearly two weeks but then I wasn't in a hurry. I have never talked to them so I can't say anything about customer service. Also, the units were mailed from San Diego. It is always a concern when ordering from foreign countries but, so far, I have been satisfied. I have ordered from Germany, England, New Zealand, Australia and Canada without difficulty. Just takes a few days longer. I have no idea why there is a 4 MHz crystal unless the board was developed before the 20 MHz devices were commonly available. If you order a crystal, I would recommend one specified for 20 pF more or less. These are parallel resonant and seem to start up okay. Power consumption should be lower at 4 MHz and many of the examples available on the Internet assume 4 MHz. In fact, the examples that come with the device assume 4 MHz. I just changed to 20 MHz because I don't care about power consumption and speed is always good! --- In , "Steve" <alienrelics@y...> wrote: > Based on this, I ordered a couple of these boards. Heck, that is only > about $10 more than some bare prototyping boards I've seen, and just > the 16F877 costs that much. Why would they put a 4MHz crystal on it? > > How have Futurlec treated you? IE, if you have a problem, how is their > customer service? I ask because I ordered with 2 to 4 day shipping and > tomorrow will have been 8 shipping days (discounting Sundays) since I > ordered. > > I'm really disappointed as I was hoping this would save me some work > on a current project. > > Steve Greenfield > > --- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > > > > A while back there was a discussion on the best way to get started > > with PICs. The development board from > > http://www.futurlec.com/PICDevBoard.html was mentioned so I bought > > one. > > > > This is a great board! It has: > > 1) RS232 brought out to a 4 pin header > > 2) Sockets to add RS422 and RS485 drivers for networked boards > > 3) Socket for DS1307 Real Time Clock and a socket for a backup > > battery. > > 4) Socket for 24xx serial EEPROM > > 5) 14 pin header for LCD with pot to adjust contrast > > 6) 34 pin header with most of the important ports > > 7) 10 pin header for Low Voltage Programming - software and examples > > included > > > > Ready to go - $27. Cheap! > > > > I changed the crystal from 4 MHz to 20 MHz because more speed is > > always better! > > > > I also loaded Ric Farmer's PICLoader into the upper 2k so I can > > download programs to the lower 6k via the serial port. Follow the > > MiniSumo Mark III links at www.junun.org for the PICLoader and the > > BotLoader (the part that runs on the PC). To use the PICLoader as > > delivered you must run 20 MHz! > > > > You will need a wall wort (I used 9V 300 mA) and an adapter (L) from > > Radio Shack. |
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Reply by ●June 28, 20032003-06-28
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Foreign countries? Their site lists one of their offices in New York, NY. Yet their explanation for a 38 cent difference in the price I was given and the price I was charged as "due to exchange rate movements between the time the order was placed and the processing by the bank." This makes no sense and was certainly not mentioned on their site. If I'd ordered regular mail, I'd not be worried about it but having paid them $15 for 2 to 4 day mail, I'm not happy now that it has been twice that length of time. They are not impressing me so far. I hope their product makes up for that, but as of now I find I must make other arrangements for the project I'm working on. Steve --- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > I seem to recall it taking nearly two weeks but then I wasn't in a > hurry. I have never talked to them so I can't say anything about > customer service. Also, the units were mailed from San Diego. > > It is always a concern when ordering from foreign countries but, so > far, I have been satisfied. I have ordered from Germany, England, > New Zealand, Australia and Canada without difficulty. Just takes a > few days longer. > > I have no idea why there is a 4 MHz crystal unless the board was > developed before the 20 MHz devices were commonly available. If you > order a crystal, I would recommend one specified for 20 pF more or > less. These are parallel resonant and seem to start up okay. > > Power consumption should be lower at 4 MHz and many of the examples > available on the Internet assume 4 MHz. In fact, the examples that > come with the device assume 4 MHz. I just changed to 20 MHz because > I don't care about power consumption and speed is always good! > > --- In , "Steve" <alienrelics@y...> wrote: > > Based on this, I ordered a couple of these boards. Heck, that is > only > > about $10 more than some bare prototyping boards I've seen, and just > > the 16F877 costs that much. Why would they put a 4MHz crystal on it? > > > > How have Futurlec treated you? IE, if you have a problem, how is > their > > customer service? I ask because I ordered with 2 to 4 day shipping > and > > tomorrow will have been 8 shipping days (discounting Sundays) since > I > > ordered. > > > > I'm really disappointed as I was hoping this would save me some work > > on a current project. > > > > Steve Greenfield > > > > --- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > > > > > > A while back there was a discussion on the best way to get > started > > > with PICs. The development board from > > > http://www.futurlec.com/PICDevBoard.html was mentioned so I > bought > > > one. > > > > > > This is a great board! It has: > > > 1) RS232 brought out to a 4 pin header > > > 2) Sockets to add RS422 and RS485 drivers for networked boards > > > 3) Socket for DS1307 Real Time Clock and a socket for a backup > > > battery. > > > 4) Socket for 24xx serial EEPROM > > > 5) 14 pin header for LCD with pot to adjust contrast > > > 6) 34 pin header with most of the important ports > > > 7) 10 pin header for Low Voltage Programming - software and > examples > > > included > > > > > > Ready to go - $27. Cheap! > > > > > > I changed the crystal from 4 MHz to 20 MHz because more speed is > > > always better! > > > > > > I also loaded Ric Farmer's PICLoader into the upper 2k so I can > > > download programs to the lower 6k via the serial port. Follow > the > > > MiniSumo Mark III links at www.junun.org for the PICLoader and > the > > > BotLoader (the part that runs on the PC). To use the PICLoader > as > > > delivered you must run 20 MHz! > > > > > > You will need a wall wort (I used 9V 300 mA) and an adapter (L) > from > > > Radio Shack. |
Reply by ●June 28, 20032003-06-28
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--- In , "holopoint.rm" <holopoint@r...> wrote: > > > How have Futurlec treated you? IE, if you have a problem, how is > their > > customer service? I ask because I ordered with 2 to 4 day shipping > and > > tomorrow will have been 8 shipping days (discounting Sundays) since > I > > ordered. > I had the same problem. They seem to take forever to ship items. > But they are cheap, I got some prototyping boards that were > much cheaper than anywhere else. Then they probably should not offer quick shipping if they are not going to honor it. Cheap is good, but does me no good if it doesn't get here in time. Steve |
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Reply by ●June 28, 20032003-06-28
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--- In , "Steve" <alienrelics@y...> wrote: > --- In , "holopoint.rm" <holopoint@r...> wrote: > > > > > How have Futurlec treated you? IE, if you have a problem, how is > > their > > > customer service? I ask because I ordered with 2 to 4 day > shipping > > and > > > tomorrow will have been 8 shipping days (discounting Sundays) > since > > I > > > ordered. > > > > > > I had the same problem. They seem to take forever to ship items. > > But they are cheap, I got some prototyping boards that were > > much cheaper than anywhere else. > > Then they probably should not offer quick shipping if they are not > going to honor it. > > Cheap is good, but does me no good if it doesn't get here in time. I must correct myself: $15 was for 3 to 6 day Express Shipping. Today makes 9 days, though. I'm not a happy camper. The box from Futurlec arrived today. They told me it shipped on June 20th, I emailed them the first time on June 26th and on the 27th and 28th they told me they were looking into why it was not here yet. I got it today, postmarked June 26th, the day I first asked for an update on the box status. It only took 2 days from San Diego, CA. But that is 9 days from the day I ordered it. I'm emailing them and demanding a refund of the difference of $12.38 that I was overcharged. I'll let you know what they say. I know I may sound like a real piss-ant impossible to please customer. But I'm really not. I paid for faster shipping because I needed faster shipping, I don't think that is too much to ask for, and I don't like when a company rep is disingenuous. I like the quality and the price, but I won't do business with someone I don't trust. I have not had a chance to try them yet, but the boards (16F877 development and L298 Bipolar stepper driver) look good. Excellent quality doublesided boards, lots of extra stuff. Not much breadboard area as has been pointed out, but that is because the board has pretty much everything you can think of already. ;') Steve Greenfield |
Reply by ●June 28, 20032003-06-28
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--- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > I have no idea why there is a 4 MHz crystal unless the board was > developed before the 20 MHz devices were commonly available. If you > order a crystal, I would recommend one specified for 20 pF more or > less. These are parallel resonant and seem to start up okay. Yes, the PICs are spec'd for parallel resonant. A series resonant Xtal will run off-frequency or not at all. But thanks for mentioning it. I've already got a 20MHz Xtal. > Power consumption should be lower at 4 MHz and many of the examples > available on the Internet assume 4 MHz. In fact, the examples that > come with the device assume 4 MHz. I just changed to 20 MHz because > I don't care about power consumption and speed is always good! Yep, why have all the power of a 16F877 and then not use it? I hope I can work out the problem with Futurlec. That is a good deal. Steve Greenfield |
Reply by ●July 4, 20032003-07-04
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You wouldn't happen to know the secret to getting their software to work in Win2000, would you? The WinNT4 installation gives me a permission error, and the W9x installation says it is missing mmp.dll which Microsoft's site says is something that comes with Visual Basic 3. So I think it is a missing file. I have not had any luck finding an English language page for the company that makes it. It installs fine on my wife's W98 system. Thanks, Steve Greenfield --- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > > A while back there was a discussion on the best way to get started > with PICs. The development board from > http://www.futurlec.com/PICDevBoard.html was mentioned so I bought > one. > > This is a great board! It has: > 1) RS232 brought out to a 4 pin header > 2) Sockets to add RS422 and RS485 drivers for networked boards > 3) Socket for DS1307 Real Time Clock and a socket for a backup > battery. > 4) Socket for 24xx serial EEPROM > 5) 14 pin header for LCD with pot to adjust contrast > 6) 34 pin header with most of the important ports > 7) 10 pin header for Low Voltage Programming - software and examples > included > > Ready to go - $27. Cheap! > > I changed the crystal from 4 MHz to 20 MHz because more speed is > always better! > > I also loaded Ric Farmer's PICLoader into the upper 2k so I can > download programs to the lower 6k via the serial port. Follow the > MiniSumo Mark III links at www.junun.org for the PICLoader and the > BotLoader (the part that runs on the PC). To use the PICLoader as > delivered you must run 20 MHz! > > You will need a wall wort (I used 9V 300 mA) and an adapter (L) from > Radio Shack. |
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Reply by ●July 4, 20032003-07-04
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Which is why I still use Win98! You probably need a parallel port driver installed under Win2000 that will allow the user level code to talk to a parallel port. You can download a driver that MAY help from http://www.oopic.com/dloadp.html (near the bootom of the page) - you want port95nt.exe. I have Win2000 and Linux but when it comes to doing this sort of thing Win98 is the most compatible system available. --- In , "Steve" <alienrelics@y...> wrote: > You wouldn't happen to know the secret to getting their software to > work in Win2000, would you? > > The WinNT4 installation gives me a permission error, and the W9x > installation says it is missing mmp.dll which Microsoft's site says is > something that comes with Visual Basic 3. So I think it is a missing file. > > I have not had any luck finding an English language page for the > company that makes it. > > It installs fine on my wife's W98 system. > > Thanks, > Steve Greenfield > > --- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > > > > A while back there was a discussion on the best way to get started > > with PICs. The development board from > > http://www.futurlec.com/PICDevBoard.html was mentioned so I bought > > one. > > > > This is a great board! It has: > > 1) RS232 brought out to a 4 pin header > > 2) Sockets to add RS422 and RS485 drivers for networked boards > > 3) Socket for DS1307 Real Time Clock and a socket for a backup > > battery. > > 4) Socket for 24xx serial EEPROM > > 5) 14 pin header for LCD with pot to adjust contrast > > 6) 34 pin header with most of the important ports > > 7) 10 pin header for Low Voltage Programming - software and examples > > included > > > > Ready to go - $27. Cheap! > > > > I changed the crystal from 4 MHz to 20 MHz because more speed is > > always better! > > > > I also loaded Ric Farmer's PICLoader into the upper 2k so I can > > download programs to the lower 6k via the serial port. Follow the > > MiniSumo Mark III links at www.junun.org for the PICLoader and the > > BotLoader (the part that runs on the PC). To use the PICLoader as > > delivered you must run 20 MHz! > > > > You will need a wall wort (I used 9V 300 mA) and an adapter (L) from > > Radio Shack. |
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Reply by ●July 6, 20032003-07-06
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I tried, no such luck. I decided to move the programmer to one of my W98 computers. On both a W98se 450MHz AMD and a W98 200MHz, I am unable to set Delay to greater than 100 (software says 1000 max) and cannot successfully burn a program. Any ideas? Do you know who supports this software, in english? Or if there is other freeware out there that supports the same parallel port in circuit serial programming? Thanks, Steve Greenfield --- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > > Which is why I still use Win98! You probably need a parallel port > driver installed under Win2000 that will allow the user level code to > talk to a parallel port. > > You can download a driver that MAY help from > http://www.oopic.com/dloadp.html (near the bootom of the page) - you > want port95nt.exe. > > I have Win2000 and Linux but when it comes to doing this sort of > thing Win98 is the most compatible system available. > > --- In , "Steve" <alienrelics@y...> wrote: > > You wouldn't happen to know the secret to getting their software to > > work in Win2000, would you? > > > > The WinNT4 installation gives me a permission error, and the W9x > > installation says it is missing mmp.dll which Microsoft's site says > is > > something that comes with Visual Basic 3. So I think it is a > missing file. > > > > I have not had any luck finding an English language page for the > > company that makes it. > > > > It installs fine on my wife's W98 system. > > > > Thanks, > > Steve Greenfield > > > > --- In , "rtstofer" <rstofer@p...> wrote: > > > > > > A while back there was a discussion on the best way to get > started > > > with PICs. The development board from > > > http://www.futurlec.com/PICDevBoard.html was mentioned so I > bought > > > one. > > > > > > This is a great board! It has: > > > 1) RS232 brought out to a 4 pin header > > > 2) Sockets to add RS422 and RS485 drivers for networked boards > > > 3) Socket for DS1307 Real Time Clock and a socket for a backup > > > battery. > > > 4) Socket for 24xx serial EEPROM > > > 5) 14 pin header for LCD with pot to adjust contrast > > > 6) 34 pin header with most of the important ports > > > 7) 10 pin header for Low Voltage Programming - software and > examples > > > included > > > > > > Ready to go - $27. Cheap! > > > > > > I changed the crystal from 4 MHz to 20 MHz because more speed is > > > always better! > > > > > > I also loaded Ric Farmer's PICLoader into the upper 2k so I can > > > download programs to the lower 6k via the serial port. Follow > the > > > MiniSumo Mark III links at www.junun.org for the PICLoader and > the > > > BotLoader (the part that runs on the PC). To use the PICLoader > as > > > delivered you must run 20 MHz! > > > > > > You will need a wall wort (I used 9V 300 mA) and an adapter (L) > from > > > Radio Shack. |
Reply by ●July 6, 20032003-07-06
