I'm considering getting a programmer/debugger so I can begin working with AVR chips more seriously (Arduino just isn't cutting it anymore
)
Originally I was thinking of purchasing the AVR Dragon because it's the cheapest offering from Atmel (~$50 at this time), but I realized that this device doesn't come with a any of the necessary components (cables, sockets, etc.) to begin development out-of-the-box, and doesn't have any kind of a case so I have doubts about the survive-ability of this device.
The next step up are the JTAGICE devices Atmel sells. Curiously, though, they're offering the JTAGICE3 for ~$100 while the JTAGICE mkII is selling for around $400!
As far as I can tell, both models support the exact same list of devices, and support the same range of programming/debugging interfaces. The JTAGICE3 is suppose to be the "new-comer" for the JTAGICE product line, and is advertised to be able to upload programs faster (supposedly 2x for a 256k program to an XMega via JTAG).
The other major difference I was able to find was that the JTAGICE mkII supports RS-232 and external power in addition to USB 2.0 Full Speed, while the JTAGICE3 is USB 2.0 Hi Speed only.
Included accessories with the JTAGICE mkII:
- JTAGICEmkII unit with probe attached
- RS232 Cable
- Power Cable with 5.5/2.1mm DC plug
- Ribbon cable 10-pin Male JTAG to 6-pin Female ISP
- JTAGICE Interface cable - multicolour 'squid'
- USB High Speed cable, 1.8m
- Spare 30 lead flat flex cable
Included accessories with the JTAGICE3:
- JTAGICE3 unit
- USB High Speed cable ~1.5m
- 50-mil squid cable
- 50-mil IDC cable
- Adapter kit consisting of 10-pin 100 mil, 6-pin 100 mil, and 6-pin 50 mil
The specs are so similar to each other I don't understand why anyone would purchase the JTAGICE mkII over the JTAGICE3, unless you needed RS-232 support (which I don't). Is there any reason why I should even consider the JTAGICE mkII over the JTAGICE3? Are there any other programmers/debuggers I should consider?
Lastly, do these products come out-of-the-box ready to use (provided I have the actual MCU, I can understand that not being included)? What I want to avoid is the need to have to source cables, sockets, etc. that it seems like I would need to do with the AVR Dragon.