PICAXE 08M Microcontroller (8 pin)

Replacement:COM-10803. We no longer carry this chip. We now carry the 08M2 in its place. This page is for reference only.

PICAXE-08M microcontroller chip. Supports 5 input/outputs including 3 analogue inputs.

PICAXE is a neat entry-level microcontroller system that is relatively cheap to get started with. The chip is programmed with a simple serial connection and the BASIC development environment is free! PICAXE has some excellent educational applications and support, and is a great entryway into more complicated embedded systems. If you're looking for a place to start with microcontrollers, PICAXE is a great way to go!

Comments

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  • nutz4hs / about 16 years ago / 2

    I'm not new to picaxe, i've used the 18 pin ver on a 360 hack before, but nothing to really mess with, i have used basic stamp, arduino and vex but pic has to be one of the easiest and smallest, this chip is perfect for standalone projects, 5 pins doesn't sound like enough, but to think that the only external piece this needs after programming is a 5 volt source, it can easily fit in to any tiny project, and budget.

  • Member #24839 / about 17 years ago / 2

    WOW! My first foray into microcontrollers was with this part and I am SOOO happy. The use of BASIC programming language, the great (free) manuals, and the great (free) development environment made it all possible.... especially since I never learned C-coding. I successfully made a sophisticated alarm to tell when the kids leave the bathroom light on (with different alarms, a pause button, a battery save mode, etc. etc.) Great part and I am very happy with it.

  • Krb686 / about 13 years ago / 1

    ^^ Agreed ^^ And also, the M2 line of PICAXE's is out as everyone already knows, which would be great if stocked here :D

  • Young Maker / about 14 years ago / 1

    Maybe sparkfun could get the SMD version of these, to try out SMD soldering for the first time?
    Thanks

  • mman1506 / about 14 years ago / 1

    i use this in grade 6 to great a simple robot that drives around on 2 wheels and i have now graduated to arduino system. it is easy to program and basic is easy to use. highly recommend for any body starting with microcontrollers

    • Hey, I'm in 6th grade too! I shouldn't have bought an ATTiny85 before finding out about this. I'm makin' a line follower.

      • Oh wait I'm in 5th grade because I was born in January. I like the Arduino too, it was my first really programmable device.

  • Ivan747 / about 15 years ago / 1

    3 analogue inputs? I though you where americans. Anyway this thing is great for starting. Possibilities are endless. It can handle a servo, or a PWM pulse while receiving data from a Sony remote (using the SIRC protocol). One of the coolest projects i have done with 5 i/o pins is a remote controlled light dimmer. Well, LED dimmer, wich could be easly adapted to drive a big load conected to the mains.

  • slinger / about 15 years ago / 1

    I am a little confused with this product. The data sheet says it has a serial out and serial in but can these be used as a UART (tx/rx)? I need this to communicate with a serial RFID reader at 2400 baud.

    • Ivan747 / about 15 years ago / 1

      Yes you can. Look on the guide #2 for the commands "serin" and "serout".

  • WHI / about 15 years ago / 1

    Great price, but one thing to consider - the datasheet for this part shows you can go to a clock frequency of 8 MHz. However due to the BASIC compiler/assembler the instruction cycle time is considerably slower. Fastest high to low output transition I could achieve was 400 micro seconds at 8 MHz CPU clock. Trying to do something with MIDI (need 32 u-sec) but this chip is completely inadequate in this regard, maybe there's a way but I haven't found it yet. Guess I'm going to have to go with the assembly code & the standard PIC and cough up some cash for the programmer....

  • PresidentOfAwesomeness / about 15 years ago / 1

    Is this pre-bootloaded?

    • Greeeg / about 15 years ago / 2

      Yes, just connect it via serial to a PC, write some BASIC code, upload. very simple and straight forward.

  • RoboKaren / about 15 years ago / 1

    I graduated to the PICAXE from the Basic STAMP and couldn't be happier!! Instead of $30~40 a chip, I'm paying an amazing $3 for something that has more features (full time PWM; 10 bit ADC). If I need all the inpus, I just get the 14 or 18 pin versions.
    Fantastic! I can put PICAXEs everywhere!

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