Getting Started with the PICAXE-28X1 Microcontroller
by Ron Hackett

In essence, the PICAXE-28X1 is like a 28X on steroids. It’s pin-for-pin compatible with the 28X and all the 28X commands will function correctly on a 28X1. In other words, if you have an existing 28X circuit, it will function exactly the same with a 28X1 installed. This is a good thing, because Revolution Education considers the 28X to be obsolete and has discontinued it. Amazingly, the new 28X1 is about the same price as the old 28X.

The PICAXE-28X1 has so many improvements and powerful new features that it’s hard to know where to begin. In order to avoid the risk of information overload, I have decided on a two-phase approach. In this installment of the Primer, I’ll present a brief overview of most of the new features and then go into more detail on a couple of them that we will be using right away. In future Primer installments, we’ll explore each new feature in depth as we have a need to use it in a project.