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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: cosminprund on January 02, 2009, 02:38:23 PM

Title: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: cosminprund on January 02, 2009, 02:38:23 PM
I've only played with PIC microcontrollers, now I want to try the AVR's! I want to buy an USB hardware programmer that's capable of doing ISP (in system programming). I'm hoping to find the equivalent of the Microchip ICD2! Since I've never played with AVR's before it's difficult for me to evaluate my options, so I'm asking for your help.

Is this the programmer I'm looking for?:
AVR Dragon: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3891

It appears to support a wide range of devices, it has ISP capability and it has some debugging capability. Any other suggestions? Thanks!
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: MaltiK on January 02, 2009, 05:05:31 PM
You could get the AVR Dragon for $40, but you could also get the easier to use, cheaper USBTiny ISP Programmer

 http://www.ladyada.net/make/usbtinyisp/

Its cheaper, easier to use in my opinion (yes I had the Dragon) and is open source!!
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: Admin on January 09, 2009, 06:56:46 AM
There are many different types of programmers depending on the features you require. I remember seeing some that are $200+. Do you just need something basic or you need more?

Or if you don't want to bother buying a programmer, you can buy microcontrollers with USB bootloaders on them.

My Axon for example comes pre-loaded with a bootloader, but still allows optional ISP support.
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: pomprocker on January 09, 2009, 11:18:54 AM
I use the AVRISPMK2 and I love it. Its around $30-$35
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: MaltiK on January 09, 2009, 02:02:53 PM
Quote from: pomprocker on January 09, 2009, 11:18:54 AM
I use the AVRISPMK2 and I love it. Its around $30-$35

Where did you get it for that much?!?!?!

they go for $80-150!!!
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: airman00 on January 09, 2009, 02:20:05 PM
Quote from: MaltiK on January 09, 2009, 02:02:53 PM
Quote from: pomprocker on January 09, 2009, 11:18:54 AM
I use the AVRISPMK2 and I love it. Its around $30-$35

Where did you get it for that much?!?!?!

they go for $80-150!!!
digikey
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: cosminprund on January 09, 2009, 02:26:14 PM
Oops, my topic and I forgot to provide feedback. In the end I got an AVR DRAGON - it was the cheapest option on farnel.
Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: MaltiK on January 09, 2009, 05:45:38 PM
Quote from: airman00 on January 09, 2009, 02:20:05 PM
Quote from: MaltiK on January 09, 2009, 02:02:53 PM
Quote from: pomprocker on January 09, 2009, 11:18:54 AM
I use the AVRISPMK2 and I love it. Its around $30-$35

Where did you get it for that much?!?!?!

they go for $80-150!!!
digikey

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=ATAVRISP2-ND

thats the only AVR Programmer I could find on the site and thats not a Mk2, and it doesnt have atmega8 as a compatible MCU
Title: Re: Atmel / AVR USB hardware programmer, debugger?
Post by: airman00 on January 09, 2009, 05:55:28 PM
Quote from: MaltiK on January 09, 2009, 05:45:38 PM
and thats not a Mk2, and it doesnt have atmega8 as a compatible MCU
[/quote
Sure as hell looks like one 
(http://www.efo.ru/ftp/pub/atmel/_AVR_MCUs_8bit/_Technical_Library/tools/programmer/avrispmkii/img/ispMKII.jpg)
It is the MKII - I have that exact programmer and use it with Atmega8s , its the MKII