Atmel AVR Programmers/Debuggers

[helloworld922]

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.

[Bored@Work]

The mkII still works with the old Studio 4, while the 3 requires Atmel Studio 5 or 6. And many people are not ready to deal with the Studio 5/6 mess, although Studio 4 lacks features. Further people still buy the mkII because they trust it. And in light of the fact that Atmel doesn't warrant their tools people like to stick with what they know.

But in general the mkII is on its way out and Atmel keeps the price high in order to convince people to move to the 3.

[alm]

Is the mkIII supported by third party software like avrdude yet? Last time I checked it was only supported by AS 5/6, nothing else.

[McMonster]

Is the mkIII supported by third party software like avrdude yet? Last time I checked it was only supported by AS 5/6, nothing else.

It isn't. Personally I'd buy Dragon just because it's much cheaper and I use Eclipse for AVRs, I don't think any other Atmel dev tool is worth the money where there is so many alternatives. I'll get Dragon when I start playing with Xmegas and have some spare money.

[aluck]

Personally I'd buy Dragon just because it's much cheaper and I use Eclipse for AVRs

Is it already capable of debugging via JTAG?

[McMonster]

Is it already capable of debugging via JTAG?

The manual says it is.

[ales22]

Dragon supported devices: http://support.atmel.no/knowledgebase/avrstudiohelp/mergedProjects/AVRDragon/AVRDragon.htm
I use Dragon for debugging ATMega32 at this board http://zestawyuruchomieniowe.pl/en/11-evb-43v4-atmega644p-profesional.html and it works excellent.
But Dragon doesn't have the best I/O ports protection, so be careful when connecting target board via ISP or JTAG, especially if the target is self powered. Also you shouldn't have mess at your table, like cutted part's legs or solder wire. Dragon comes in nice paper box which can be used as improvised protection.