PIC 16F84A vs Arduino for Population Counter Project: Which Is Better to Use?

I discussed my project here sometime ago ( Population counter ), and I have been studying the PIC 16F84A to achieve the project, but lately I have also been coming across the Arduino, I don't really know how it works, but it seems to have a lot of edge over the PIC and also seems cheaper....

I would like advice on which one is the best to go with....
please i need advice

Picking a controller can be challenging. You'll want to look at how much processing power, IO's, timers, etc, you really need to finalize the project. (Assuming feature creep has not set in.) That might point you in the direction of the "Microchip":http://www.microchip.com/ products, which are many. However, the development platform is somewhat to be desired.

I have found after using both that the "Arduino":http://arduino.cc/en/ was much faster as far as development and had many more options that could be implemented more quickly. The open community supporting the Arduino is difficult to compete with.

Although I also think the "MSP430":http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MSP430_LaunchPad_(MSP-EXP430G2) is worth a look at (even though it is a 16-bit controller), not to complicate things for you. Good luck.

"PIC16F84A":http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/35007b.pdf
* 8-bit, Flash memory=1.75KB, 5 MIPS, 68 RAM BYTES, 64 EEPROM BYTES, 1x8-bit timer, 2-6 vdc, 18 pins

"ATMEGA328":http://www.atmel.com/Images/doc8161.pdf
* 8-bit, Flash memory=32KB, 20MIPS, 2KB SRAM,1KB EEPROM, 2x8-timers, 1x16-timer,1.8-5.5 vdc, 28-32 pins

"MSP430G2xxx":http://e2e.ti.com/group/msp430launchpad/w/default.aspx
* Has a variety of flash, memory, and timer configurations too numerous.

The PICAXE microcontroller is a PIC microcontroller that can be programmed using the BASIC programming language (as used in schools), thereby making it by far the easiest chip to program and use.
It is available in versions from 8-pin to 40-pin, just choose how many inputs and outputs you need.

The only necessary hardware is the USB programming cable and a breadboard with a couple of sockets and resistors. All the information and necessary programming software are available as free downloads.

In the UK:
Information: rev-ed.co.uk
Supplier: techsupplies.co.uk (= shop for rev-ed)
Technical Support Forum: www.picaxeforum.co.uk

In the US:
http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/ Supplies both the chips and helpful information.

If you want to learn more about the Arduino without having to invest, give these tutorials a try:

http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/index.html

i have seen that arduino is using avr micro controller.then why not to use simply avr.low cost ,all software are open source and free programmer circuit can find on net .because if u go for pic then main problem is software and big is programmer.and on the other hand arduino is costly and also you have to learn how to program it,so i suggest go for avr.

Thanks I would go check them out.......