Hello, I'm sorry for this post but I don't want to rant for nothing, being the optimistic guy that some people know...
I have finally got the ProAsic3 kit that I ordered in december. When powered up, it displays some stuff on a 1x8 LCD and blinks LEDs. Wow, I can do the same with a dumb PIC.
Now, I see that the kit has a 250K IC, and not a 1500K one. I just looked at the invoice and it was never clear what version was ordered (just "A3P-EVAL-KIT"). I feel really dumb, part one.
The huge box contains boxes, air, foam... they could have spared 2x the volume, hence shipping, as well as a CDROM : i get Libero 8.1 and 8.2. Thanks...... Anyway I'm sure that the 8.2 will be forced into me by Actel, while 8.1 will work on the Win2K that I reserve for EDA. Pleaaaaaaaaase don't make me install XP !
Now, what if I built a prototype board on top of the .1mil headers ? Well, Actel decided that a specific board must be done "the hard way", not using cheap and easily soldered 0.1mil pitch predrilled boards. They have shifted the headers 0.05 or 0.025mil so a predrilled board can't fit. Or was it a beginner's mistake ? (I know, I did it once). And don't tell me it's a measure of precaution because there are better ways to prevent a board from being inserted the wrong way. I feel stupid, part two.
I can stand the delay, or hack connectors. But now how do I register the software ?
I think that my patience has reached the limits. And nobody will buy this kit back, as it has already cost me almost 400 Euros. I thought that paying "the price" would provide me with something serious. Now all I got is a late, useless board with only 6,144 FlipFlop.
I'm sure that there are countless better Xilinx/Actel boards, either by the makers or 3rd parties, cheaper and immediately available. I made a choice and I stand by it, but it's going to end soon if it does not get better. It's not a disapointment anymore, it's deception.
Can anyone help me ? YG