New Synscan firmware 3.35

[Andy01]

From the Skywatcher website.

http://www.skywatcher.com/swtinc/customer_support.php?class1=1&class2=101

>> SYSCAN FIRMWARE V3.35 ( size:404KB )
Notes: This is the firmware update from previous firmware of SynScan version 3.34. Minor changes including fix the GPS connnecting problem and minor issue. The polar (re-)alignment function has been improved with a new polar alignment algorithm. Regarding the modifications in detail, please see the included release note. This new firmware also works with AZ goto and DOB SynScan goto mount.
We strongly recommend users to update this new released firmware to the hand control for their AZ-EQ6 GT mount. Please also download SYNSCAN INSTRUCTION MANUAL for reference.

Anybody tried this yet to see if actually works this time?

Cheers
Andy

[2stroke]

lol waiting for the same, thought there would be another in the works. You can always downgrade your firmware if it doesn't, prey the fixed polar alignment haha

[Steffen]

Thanks for the heads up! I'm going to give it a spin tonight, after all, that's what clear full moon nights are for :) I really wish for the polar alignment routine to work correctly for us southerners now...

Cheers
Steffen.

[Merlin66]

Has anyone had the chance to test the latest version V3.35 with EQMod??
It seemed that V3.34 didn't work too well with the use of the handcontroller...(Version 3.27 worked OK)
Feedback welcome.

[Andy01]

Very comprehensive rewrite of the SynScan Hand Controller Instruction update for version 3.35

The file is a bit too large to attach the .pdf here - but it's well worth reading. Here's hoping they've got the Polar Alignment function working properly now. It appears there are a host of other new functions including DSLR camera control as well.

firmware.http://www.skywatcher.com/swtinc/customer_support.php?id=147&class1=1&class2=180

Check it out!

[Merlin66]

Section 9.2
PC Direct Mode is a special mode for the SynScan hand control to work with a PC. Under this mode, the SynScan hand control still uses the same hardware connection as described in Section 9.1, but the SynScan hand control becomes a repeater between the PC and the motor controller in the telescope mount. The application running on the PC controls the motor controller directly.
Currently, the PC direct mode is mainly used to update the motor controller’s firmware.
•
Access the menu “Utility Func. \ PC Direct Mode” and press the ENTER key. The screen will display “PC Direct Mode\Press ESC to exit”.
•
Press and hold the ESC key more than 1 second to exit PC Direct Mode.
•
Users can still use the direction keys to move the telescope mount.

This answers my EQMod question!

[acropolite]

Hmm I can't access V3.35 from that link, I was hoping to DL several versions in case one is less than optimal. :confuse3: .

[Astro_Bot]

I downloaded it a while back:

[Andy01]

http://www.skywatcher.com/downloads.php?cat=4

Try the new skywatcher international website link...

Cheers
Andy

[OneCosmos]

I updated to 3.35 about 3 days ago and EQMOD appears to work with the EQ8, but I haven't tried it properly under the stars yet.

Chris

[acropolite]

Thanks guys, looks like Skywatcher have files scattered all over the place, some links aren't working. That link worked for the firmware, another link at that site for the appropriate manual didn't work. I managed to get the manual from the US site.

[jakob]

Upgraded my HEQ5 Pro today and seems to work OK.
The PA function should be useful.
Looking forward to test it out, may be it will replace drift-alinement.

Thanks for posting the file. I could not get it off the Skywatcher site.
rgds jakob

[jakob]

Had a chance to run the new firmware through its paces.
Runs well. Love the polar alinement function.
Run it twice to be 20min off in Az and Dec.

No probs after initial operator error.

[h0ughy]

thats not good - can you redo it again to see if it fixes it? if not :question:you will have to report it

[Larryp]

Has anybody actually tried out the polar alignment function to see if it works properly now?

[jakob]

It worked for me.
Found it much easier than drift aligning, but then I m pretty new to eq mounts.

[jakob]

Sorry, it was operator error:mad2:

3.35 work fine on my HEQ5 Pro and Polar Alignement routine is great:thumbsup:

:thanx: David

[chiaroscuro]

Has anyone been able to update the synscan firmware on a Mac? I can't open the exe file.

Thanks
Luke

[Steffen]

Hi Luke,
as mentioned elsewhere, you need to run Windows on the Mac, either from its own partition using Boot Camp or in a virtual machine. I'm doing the latter.

I've used the firmware updater with both VMware Fusion and Parallels virtual machines. Both cost money ($50 and $80, respectively) and both have free trials (30 and 14 days, respectively). There is also the free VirtualBox VM, which I haven't tried myself but which may work just as well. With all three you need to provide your own copy of Windows (XP is fine for this purpose).

On Macs I found the Keyspan USA-19H USB-Serial adapter to work well, both in OS X and in the virtual machines.

Cheers
Steffen.

[chiaroscuro]

Thanks again Steffen. Is this the one?
http://www.expansys.com.au/keyspan-high-speed-usb-serial-adapter-121827/?mkwid=svHjLhmZB&kword=adwords_productfeed&gclid=CLOPibearLkCFUzQpAodTWQA5Q
Luke

[Steffen]

Yes, that's the one.

Cheers
Steffen.