Has anybody considered OOPIC microcontrollers for controlling LEDs, switches and rotaries?I'm interested to know if anyboday uses this and in what capacity. I would like to experiment with it as an alternative to the EPIC card for controlling the above items.Anyone?Chris

Hi ChrisI'm not using OOPIC, but I am using PIC's in general, for just what you describe. They work very well, and if you dont want to develop your own code there are some pre-built units available. Take a look at www.weedertech.com they have a series of serially connected devices that you can daisy-chain and use as either input or output. Works very weel, and a lot cheaper than EPIC too.For LED displays, I'm using MAX7219 connected via parallel port, this works very well too - again, cheap is good!!Dave

Hi Dave,Thanks for your reply. Can't get the link www.weedertech.com to work though, comes up with DNS error. Any alternatives?I know nothing about PICs generally, so I'd be interested in hearing how you go about connecting them to control switches and LEDs. What about controlling 7 segment LED displays?CheersChris

Hi ChrisSorry, it was www.weedtech.com (unfortunate name but never mind!)For 7-segs, take a look at the max7219 (do a google search) - it has a serial interface that hooks nicely with PIC's, but note that its a synchronous interface so it wont work (easily) with the serial port. I have linked them to the parallel port and it works very well. You just use one of the pins as a serial port. Take a look at http://www.hanssummers.com/electronics/clo...atrix/#software for an example (its not driving 7-segs but the ideas work just as well). You can get a MAX7219 for about $5 and the 7-segs are even cheaper. PIC's drive digital I/O ports that they have on them (number differs by device type) For a good intro see www.myke.com/picmicro.htmHope his helpsRegardsDave