user490: Is the Atmel STK500 worth using as a AVR programmer and Dev board? I am starting to get to into AVR programming with Atmel studio. I plan on purchasing the AVRDragon and also looking into purchasing the Atmel STK500. This might be too broad of a question, but are their any benefits in using the Atmel STK500?
Atmel STK500


user3878: Benefits of STK500? Sure:
- It has push buttons
- It has LEDs
- It has easy accessible connectors to any controller pin

Actually that's all. If you want/need to make use of this, buy both. Use the STK for "rapid prototyping" and the Dragon for debugging.
But if your budget allows it, have a look at the STK600 instead of 500. It's more expensive, but not so "old-fashioned", and it has much more features.

490: <p>Is the <a href="http://store.atmel.com/PartDetail.aspx?q=p:10500070;c:100114#tc:description" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Atmel STK500</a> worth using as a AVR programmer and Dev board? I am starting to get to into AVR programming with Atmel studio. I plan on purchasing the <a href="http://store.atmel.com/PartDetail.aspx?q=p:10500053;c:100112#tc:description" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AVRDragon</a> and also looking into purchasing the Atmel STK500. This might be too broad of a question, but are their any benefits in using the Atmel STK500?</p>

<p><strong>Atmel STK500</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/blQAZ.jpg" alt="Atmel STK500"></p>
 3878: <p>Benefits of STK500? Sure:<br>
- It has push buttons<br>
- It has LEDs<br>
- It has easy accessible connectors to any controller pin<br>
<br>
Actually that's all. If you want/need to make use of this, buy both. Use the STK for "rapid prototyping" and the Dragon for debugging.<br>
But if your budget allows it, have a look at the STK600 instead of 500. It's more expensive, but not so "old-fashioned", and it has much more features.</p>
