First AVR programer?

Development Boards MicroMod
1

I’ve been saving up some money to drop of tools - done a ton of research, and will already be ordering from adafruit, and spark fun to get what I need - but I’m not far along to know what I need as an AVR programmer - but wanted to get one now and save on shipping.

What is a good first AVR programmer to buy? (for attiny’s and atmega’s 168/328’s)

Sparkfun STK500 Compatible USB Programmer $50

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=8702

Ebay “AVR STK500 V2.0 ISP Programmer” fron Sure Electronics. $32

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-AVR-STK500-V2-0 … 3a5701fc14

And of course:

Adafruit “USBtinyISP AVR Programmer Kit (USB SpokePOV Dongle)” $22

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_ … ucts_id=46

Other?

What best to start with?

What is the most standard that as I go about learning I will have the programmer I need to program the chip?

(Thanks - I’ve been doing a lot of research for shopping for parts, but ran out of time to read all about AVR programers, and it’s time to order.)

George Graves

2

Just get an Atmel Dragon, $50 IIRC. It has the great advantage that it is also a debugger. If you really do just want to get a programmer, the Atmel AVRISP II would be much better than than those other things. The AVRISP and Dragon are the standard units for low-cost AVR programming and debugging.

3

Not my post but im glad i dropped in. I hear a lot of good things about the Dragon. This just adds to it. Im new to AVR but been with PICs for a couple years now…

The Dragon seems to be the choice… A friend told me to make sure i get standoffs since the bottom is bare… thats the only advice i can pass on…

4

The first Dragons were easily damaged. Mine is OK though, and it’s easy to fix the problem. The current ones have the problem corrected.

5

Hi, I am also looking to buy an AVR programmer. What do you guys mean that the programmer allows you to debug. Can’t you do the debugging in AVR Studio?

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Only if you have a programmer/debugger like a Dragon or JTAGICE.

7

definitely: Atmel ISP MK II.

Every AVRer should have one.

Optional for starving students: NKC’s low cost gen-1 JTAG/Downloader for AVRs.

/www.nkcelectronics.com/

works with Atmel Studio.

8

hi !

over 20 years in mbed stuff, but rooky here.

it happens over and over, with every new generation of chip

I have to build project ( fast, it ALWAYS has to bo FAST ) with AT32 UC3A. at first glance there is no need for programer, bootloader set up in factory, all I need is FLIP software.

question: what else can speed develepment ( and learning ) cyclus ?

there are lot of tools on Atmel page, but question is what to buy.

is it EVK1100 evaluation kit ?

or STK600 starter kit ?

any alternative from 3rd party ?

thanks !

9

IMO: Get IAR’s compiler/JTAG. Huge leap in productivity versus GCC

10

If you want cheap ($14) you could go for this one http://www.micro4you.com/store/USBASP-A … od_93.html. I’m using its predecessor (which has a mini usb socket) and I’m very happy with it.

11

stevech:
definitely: Atmel ISP MK II.

Every AVRer should have one.

Agree, $34 at Mouser

556-ATAVRISP2 AVR INSystem mkII

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This has worked well for me - with Atmel’s AVR Studio + WinAVR.

http://www.nkcelectronics.com/avr-jtag- … r-kit.html