Bob,

If I were you, I would pass on the starter kit.  Too much money for
very little function.  I would buy the AVR ISP in-system
programmer (I think about $29.00) part number ATAVRISP
and your atmel part of choice (I'm currently using a mega16
(40 pin dip)). Although I don't recommend it, if you desire, even
the ISP is not needed, as there are several very simple
programmers on the web that you could wire up in short
fashion. The mega16 has just about everything you could want,
Timers, PWM, ADC, 8x8 multiplier, general I/O with selectable
pups, etc.  The part is incredibly easy to use.  I barely read
the data sheet (skimmed for about 5 minutes) and was able to
get a LED blinky running in a few minutes (all you
really need is power, ground and a pup on reset.  It even
defaults to use an internal oscillator.

Also, get the WinAVR tools
(  http://sourceforge.net/projects/winavr ).  This includes a
GNU C compiler, AVRDude (programming software) and
toolchain with all (most) of the goodies you would expect
from a good compiler, including libraries, make utilities, etc.
The only downside is there is no debugger in the ATARISP
(I don't think there is one in the starter kit either).  The debugger
uses a JTAG interface, and I haven't seen a "free" design for one.

A good source of info about the parts and WinAVR is available
on www.avrfreaks.com .

Ken








----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert L Cochran" <cochranb@SPEAKEASY.NET>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: [PIC/AVR] PIC vs AVR (ATMEL)


> Does the AVR Starter Kit include samples? I "applied" for one a year ago
> with Atmel, and they sent me a nice information pamplet, but no samples.
> I suppose I sounded like a poor kid in elementary school to whoever made
> that decision.
>
> Also, what is a good AVR to start with? I know, Byron Jeff and others
> will advocate the high-end ones. which ones are those, and does Digi-Key
> have them?
>
> Finally, what's a good programmer for AVRs?
>
> Thanks a lot
>
> Bob
>
> Herbert Graf wrote:
>
> >>Has anyone ever considered moving from PIC to Atmel AVR's ? If so, what
> >>are good reasons to move ?
> >>
> >>I am thinking that there's a few advantages in the development tools
> >>available, but then I am making an uninformed statement... Anyone else
> >>willing to shed an enlightended opinion?
> >
> >
> >         I just received an AVR starter kit and have now looked over the
AVR
> > architecture. I've found that in many ways it's similar to PICs. I can't
> > really see a direct reason for choosing one over the other so far, the
AVR
> > is a little nicer to deal with when it comes to banks, but it's got some
> > annoyances too. TTYL
> >
> > ----------------------------------
> > Herbert's PIC Stuff:
> > http://repatch.dyndns.org:8383/pic_stuff/
> >
> > --
> > http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList
> > mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu
> >
> >
>
> --
> Bob Cochran
> Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
> http://greenbeltcomputer.biz/
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList
> mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu
>

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