PIC or STAMP Startup Kit

[Rodney]

I am considering getting the necessary equipment to experiment with either the STAMP or PIC Microprocessors. I am having some problem trying to determine the minimum list of equipment required to do this, i.e. programmers, assemblers, breadbords etc. Is there a packaged setup where no necessary add on's will sneak up and cost me? Which is the recommended unit for the novice to start with, Stamp or PIC? My primary interest is fabricating automated test equipment like battery checkers, recording watt-hour meteres etc.

[bwts]

Try www.epemag.winbourne.co.uk they have a build your own programmer plus software might be a good start its what I use + I like it loads but there are plenty of other gizmos out there it depends on how much you want to pay and how fancy you want it <p>B)