Gday Ian
Once i have a working design, i find a box to fit it in
then make up a PCB to suit. Its fairly simple and only
takes about 20 min to make the pcb ( once the design is settled )
I use presensitised boards so its easy ( if the sun is out )
As to PICs, i use both raw PICs and PICAXE
The latter is a new product that uses a native PIC that has a proprietary basic interpreter built into it
look up
http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ for details on the product.
As such, it is very simple to program, but as a tradeoff, has limited functionality relative to a native PIC, and runs slower.
However, the software to program it is free, and the hardware to program it is a serial port and two resistors. It has native functions for reading digital temp sensors, onboard 10bit ADC and can send hardware generated PWM, so is perfect for one off apps to drive peltiers/heaters/focusser motors.
Ie i have a meade microfocusser. By using one of these chips, i can use ADC functions to give me infinite speed and direction control from a single pot, centre is off.
For simple one function apps, its very flexible, and only takes about 10sec to load programs. As such, if you dont like how is running, change the code, not the hardware.
Couldnt be simpler.
Andrew