Nexstar firmware download?

[DavidH]

Hello Folks,

I have been contacted via the local astro group by a lady who has a nexstar scope. She says that the handpad only shows "Transmit data". Reading the Nexstar handpad manual , this would seem to indicate that the handpad is waiting to download new firmware. Is there any way to get out of this mode other than actually downloading new firmware? I haven't actually seen the scope yet.

Thanks for any help,
David.

[MikeyB (Michael)]

Without knowing which NexStar telescope it is and until you've seen it for yourself, any advice is probably premature, but I'd have thought that simply switching off and then switching on again would have done the trick. Another possibility could be that the handpiece is plugged into the wrong socket on the scope.

[DavidH]

Originally Posted by MikeyB

Without knowing which NexStar telescope it is and until you've seen it for yourself, any advice is probably premature, but I'd have thought that simply switching off and then switching on again would have done the trick.

Thanks Michael,

My thoughts were along the same lines. Maybe also the current firmware has been corrupted or half overwritten etc. Will have to wait until I see it.

Regards,
David.

[MikeyB (Michael)]

I found the following on Michael Swanson's invaluable NexStar Resource Site:

How to Upgrade Hand Control Firmware

The provisions listed about which hand controls can or cannot be upgraded are fairly confusing - another possible cause of the problem. Or maybe somebody was trying to control the scope from a PC rather than the handpiece and accidentally triggered the upgrade procedure?

[DavidH]

Well the solution turned out to be rather easy - just download the firmware to the handpad and all was well - after making a download cable and plugging an external 12v supply into the mount.

Could not get the handpad to revert to operating mode by turning off/on etc. Also, the batteries in the mount were a mix of alkaline and zinc-carbon so they did not last long.

Anyway, returned the scope to a happy owner and received a bottle of wine for my trouble.

Thanks for your help,
David.

[MikeyB (Michael)]

Nice to hear there was a happy ending - well done