Fair point.Their datasheets don't show max voltage or current per pin. Also there is no easy-to-understand layout of what memory is where and what memory is multipurpose.
Well they do say but they're in an awkward position where the chips are not identical. The PICAXE chip have "PICAXE" stamped on them, making them physically different. I am not disputing that the electricals are the same.They allude to the fact that they may be 'like' a particular Microchip part, but the reality is that they are standard Microchip parts flashed with Rev Ed Firmware, in my experience.
The unfortunate reality is that latest datasheets from Microchip sometimes only provide "preliminary" data for electrical specifications and no details of DC and AC characteristics. This is a matter outside of Rev-Ed's control.The only gripe I do have in this regard is the new Picaxe chips. Their datasheets don't show max voltage or current per pin.
I do exactly the same - and have some files with paper copies of quite a few so I can sit away from a PC and study them.Nope, I use google to search for the part number and put 'datasheet' after it. Most datasheets show pinouts and sample schematics.
Then I save the datasheet pdf to my hard drive so I've got it for future use.
The only gripe I do have in this regard is the new Picaxe chips.
Do the PICAXE tables provided in posts 10 and 13 here help: http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?11514-PICAXE-Memory-Map-and-SFR-Details-ChartTheir datasheets don't show max voltage or current per pin. Also there is no easy-to-understand layout of what memory is where and what memory is multipurpose.
Angie
For the newer chips they cannot do that, as I gather contractually they are not permitted to reveal which Microchip PIC is being used.I realise the chip might be proprietry but if these are designed to teach the yoot of today about 'lectronics then surely a datasheet with necessary info should be available.
You got in there while I was postingI read a pdf written by westaust55 the other day (somewhere on this forum) regarding the mapping of the memory allocation but it was all prior to the M2 series as far as I could see.
as a "guide":I've also read a reply to someone who asked which IC their specific picaxe chip was built upon. The reply was, select the chip in programming editor and it displays the IC it's buit on. The problem here is I have 20M2 chips and that says it's based on a 20M2
I realise the chip might be proprietry but if these are designed to teach the yoot of today about 'lectronics then surely a datasheet with necessary info should be available.
And now I'm done and I duck for cover
Angie
Yes I do. Not so much for the technical data, as already said Google finds it. The catalogue was good bedtime reading. Lots of ideas. I've seen a web version of it but the content isn't like it was in the "good old days"Does anyone else miss the Maplin catalog with all the transistor data, example circuits and various graphs?
Does this Rev Ed brifing sheet for the M2 parts help: as a "guide": http://www.picaxe.com/docs/picaxem2.pdfwestaust55
Post 10 was the one I referred to above. I loved the layout (read as ... I could understand it) but it was the Eeprom and scratchpad bits I was (am) a little confused over.
Is Eeprom, on the 20M2, part of the prog space (doc says 'part of prog apace in 08/18 & all M parts) or is it seperate as in 18A/18X/X1 and X2 parts.
Does the 20M2 have scratchpad (doc says '20X2 and ALL non X2 parts') but manual 2 page 12 doesn't mention the 20M2.
:
:
Angie
Contractually a chip with PICAXE on the top cannot be described as a PICxxx. It's simply a trademark legality which we have to stick to in our documentation.Especially as on the newer ones Rev Ed. wont directly admit which actual Microchip processors they really are ...........
They allude to the fact that they may be 'like' a particular Microchip part, but the reality is that they are standard Microchip parts flashed with Rev Ed Firmware, in my experience.
Simply follow the published links on picaxe.com ...I realise the chip might be proprietry but if these are designed to teach the yoot of today about 'lectronics then surely a datasheet with necessary info should be available.
Thanks westaust55, I'd seen that before.Does this Rev Ed brifing sheet for the M2 parts help: as a "guide": http://www.picaxe.com/docs/picaxem2.pdf
Only the early 18M2 and 08M2 still shared EEPROM with Program space.
The 14M2, 18M2+ and 20M2 have a separate EEPROM area.
Ok Technical, I didn't find that link before. Did I miss it or did it just arrive?Simply follow the published links on picaxe.com ...
http://www.picaxe.com/What-is-PICAXE/PICAXE-Chip-Labels/
'tis been there for a while... at least a few weeks... maybe longer. I stumbled across it while updating my PDF's on a backup machine.... Did I miss it or did it just arrive?
Thanks.
Angie
See post #3 here:Ok Technical, I didn't find that link before. Did I miss it or did it just arrive?
Thanks.
Angie
LOL Ray 'stumbled across it' and another poster couldn't find it. I don't feel so bad now
They don't call it the World Wide Wilderness for nothing!LOL Ray 'stumbled across it' and another poster couldn't find it. I don't feel so bad now
Thanks all.
Angie
I agree. And I still have a few Project Books from years ago too.Hi,
In my humble opinion, Maplins has stopped being one of the best sources of components for the hobbyist,
to one of just selling 'gimmicky toys'. The components they do sell are about three or four times the price
of pratically anyone else. I used to look forward to their project books, and I have a few.
I agree too - especially about the pricing.In my humble opinion, Maplins has stopped being one of the best sources of components for the hobbyist, to one of just selling 'gimmicky toys'. The components they do sell are about three or four times the price of pratically anyone else. I used to look forward to their project books, and I have a few. A real shame they had to go like that..
I know exactly what you mean by 'good bedtime reading'.Yes I do. Not so much for the technical data, as already said Google finds it. The catalogue was good bedtime reading. Lots of ideas. I've seen a web version of it but the content isn't like it was in the "good old days"
Dont you mean "Programming PICAXEs on a laptop that takes this ram and an AXE027"?And sure I'm going to be gaming and editing HD video on a laptop that takes this RAM.
If it takes that RAM, it'll have a serial port so the AXE027 won't be needed. The gaming and HD video editing sarcasm joke was regarding the RAM being "essential for applications such as gaming, HD video and image editing" according to Maplin.Dont you mean "Programming PICAXEs on a laptop that takes this ram and an AXE027"?
How can you tell the laptop will have a serial port, just because it uses that RAM ?.If it takes that RAM, it'll have a serial port ...
It isn't definate, it's just likely since newer laptops that don't have serial ports tend to use DDR2 and later and ones that do tend to have DDR1 and earlier.How can you tell the laptop will have a serial port, just because it uses that RAM ?.
I'm intrigued !
A REAL SERIAL PORT!!! And not just one stuck in an expresscard port!Only this week a couple of colleagues got new company laptops. They are Fujitsu, with i5 processors and all the latest goodies, and a real serial port !.
OMG there's a blast from the past, 'Tandy'. We had one of them in Southend when I lived there back in the 80's. Then a Maplin opened about 1/2 mile away and Tandy couldn't compete....Radio Shack opened in Australia around 1980 as "Tandy Electronics"
The Fujitsu is a Lifebook Series E.Can you give me a PC model number?
Did Maplin ever reply to this and were they made aware of this thread?You prompted me to tell Maplin via their 'contact us' that 'they've lost it' for most of the hobbist market, if they reply I'll let you know what they said - unlikely
Let's count that now:The company continues to invest in the hoobyist unlike any other retialer in the UK with around 8,000 products including 5,000 components in an average sized store.
"The target market is to the electronics hobbyist".This is an incorrect and untrue statement, Maplin' target audience is the same shopper as Argos, PC World and Staples have.
I think there should definitely be an entry regarding their stock, and moving away from specialising in electronics, which they definitely don't do now. You used to be able to buy all sorts of electronic components from the shop and they used to specialise in this. Now, they're targetting far more at the general market (and pretty much selling stuff that will make money rather than specialist components) - a perfect example is selling paddling pools and inflatable snowmen.
You used to be able to buy tons of individual components, kits but these have long been made "special order" items and replaced with cheap Chinese crap (inflatable snowmen?) which they can flog on for a quick profit. Maplin would rather you bought a 4 gang extension lead or an AV lead at 3000% markup than a 28p IC, especially if you're going to quiz the salesperson about it for 10 minutes.