Let's make a closely MXT like detector!

[Carl-NC]

Even then, use an F-series chip that is reprogrammable and debuggable.

[KRinAZ]

Why would you want to use a C-series micro? They are OTP and non-debuggable. If you want to stick with PIC use a more modern chip with plenty of flash and MPLabX support.

Agreed 100%
This bit of the conversation - with any talk about a PIC or MPLab - is purely about the effort to get the code from the PIC16C76 from my MXT. Believe me, I am sold on using a modern micro for this project, and over in post #113 I cover my choice of STM32's for this project, and why I chose the ones I did. If I do ever mess around with PIC micros it would be with F (flash based) ones, but I don't see myself messing with PICs - other than trying to read code from them when the need arises - e.g. Altra's desire to get the code from the PIC in his CNC machine...but that is off topic for this thread...

The talk about the debugging capabilities of the PIC16Cxx only relates to an easier vs harder route to getting the code from the PIC (if possible) for potential use of code bits in this project.

Thanks for making this point - this project is STM32 based for sure, 100%, no worries, I already have a NUCLEO-F303K8 to use for the early breadboarding and prototyping for this project. The schematic and control board won't use a NUCLEO though, but a (currently) STM32F303K8T6 LQFP32 chip.