Best PIC Development Board Compatible with PICKIT4 and MPLAB IDE for Multiple PICs

Hi
First post to the forum so HI to everyone.
I'm starting to get into PICs having been spurred on by the articles in EPE and recent receipt of a PICKIT4.  My question is what is the best development board/module  to use with the PICKIT4. i know there are the curiosity boards but they seem type specific. What I would like is a board that works with the PICKIT4 and the MPLAB IDE and can take a range of different PICs.
Is there such a thing??
Thanks in advance
Craig

Hi Craig,Welcome to the forum.I think it's fair there's going to be a bit of a learning curve but if you stick with it, I personally think you will find any of the development boards a bit restrictive. Either they don't have all, or enough of the devices you want to experiment with, or they don't support the PICs you can afford or obtain easily in your area etc. If you have one of those solderless plug in breadboards, you can construction a simple arrangement that only requires a single row header connector and some jumper wires, a single resistor and a PIC of course.You can then connect LEDs or whatever to the PIC and off you go.Microchip have a quick start guide that you may find helpful. http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/50002721A.pdfThe top of the second page gives you the circuit; it really doesn't get any simpler than that. Make sure that the PIC(s) you decide to use are supported by the PICKIT4 (which they almost certainly are, but check all the same). 
Regards,Joe

Hi JoeThanks for your reply,  I hadn't realised it could be that simple. I had assumed there was some additional  driver circuitry necessary but clearly the PICKIT provides all that. I see on Ebay there are some tiny development boards for the PICKIT3  with a ZIF socket and a few jumpers. Might be a good starting point even if it needs a few mods. and additions.I'll let you know how I get on !CheersCraig

Hi Craig-If you want to go with Microchip's Curiosity boards, now is a good time because Microchip just announced discounts on many of their development boards.  If you can afford it, and you really want a development board that does it all, take a look at the development boards from MikroElektronika.  They do it all, and have on-board programmers.  They also have an affordable  line of "starter" development boards.FYI- I've got a Pickit 4 sitting here, and so far, I'm not impressed. I went back to the Pickit 3,  and in some cases, the old trusty Pickit 2. -Rick

Thanks Rick, the MikroElectrika boards look pretty impressive but probably one step too far at this stage, but certainly something to consider later.  All I want at this stage is to get started and  some switches and LEDs, maybe a pot for analogue input should get me going. I have programmed in C on other platforms so the structure is familiar but i am in no illusions as to the PICs steep learning curve.Yes I've heard mixed reviews on the PICKIT4 but the limitations are probably way above my current demands on it. I have an ageing Velleman P8048 programmer which I haven't seem to manage to get my PC to talk too (RS232) yet. Anyone know if the MPLAB IDE works with that ?Ta Craig

Hi Craig,I'm delighted to hear you're getting started with PICs. Those articles in EPE are great, but I might be a little biased. As for where to start, the Curiosity boards offer the ability to swap out the microcontroller for a range of 8/16bit PICs. They're handy enough boards. Some have the mikroBus connectors, which support a wide variety of plug in boards. Going up from that, you've got the Explorer dev boards, which are a bit more expensive but include much more complicated interfaces for 16/32bit PICs. Both of these boards have their own PICKit on board (PKOB). If you want to use your brand new PICKit4, why not purchase a 8/16 bit PIC in a PDIP package and plug it into a breadboard.The PICKit4 supports nearly all the PICs (except for some of the older PICs). It works almost exactly the same as the PICKit3/PICKit2 with a few differences.It's a pity Microchip have stopped making the PICKit3/PICKit2 starter kits. They were really handy and they came with great getting started guides to walk you through all the peripherals of the PICs. If you're lucky, you might be able to purchase one of these on eBay.
Good luck with your search and do let us know how you get on.-Mike

Hi AllHas anyone experience and /or  able to help, with a project which receives DMX 512 protocol?  We are struggling with a problem, which I  believe is to do with timing.  The design uses a MAX 485 interface chip driving a  PIC18F2550 and  with the PIC  driving LEDs for testing purposes.In the meantime we will battle on........

Craig I have seen a few articles about DMX512 in Elektor magazine, they may be of help to you.  Go towww.elektormagazine.com
And put DMX512 into the search bar (part way down on the right) and you'll get a few articles.  Some of them are behind a paywall, though.