EQ6 Pro Firmware...Where??

[JD2439975 (Justin)]

In preparation for my equipments arrival I ventured off to the Skywatcher website for firmware updates, only to find broken links for all the more recent files eg: update procedure instructions pdf, firmware V3.20-V3.24 & firmware loader V2.8 all dead.

Found an American guys site with V2.8 loader & V3.21 firmware to download (no altered procedure instructions) & interestingly he states "It is not recommended that you use a USB to Serial adapter to do the update".

Now neither my lappy nor desktop has a serial port...

Has anyone experienced problems with an adapter & upgrading?
& where could I find the latest version firmware?

Any help greatly appreciated.

JD

[lacad01 (Adam)]

Justin, I upgraded mine to 3.23 about 5 weeks ago with a Belkin USB to serial adaptor on a Dell Inspiron laptop and the upgrade went well without any hitch. Only thing I needed to ensure was my port set to 119K as this is the default setting of the hand-controller serial port (better than 9600 in any case :-)).
PM me if you would like me to email you the files i.e. loader, firmware, etc.
cheers
Adam

[marki]

I had a problem with the loader not the cable. About a year ago I tried to update my firmware and everything went well until it was time to re-boot the controller. Nothing, zilch bugger all, as dead as a door nail. I took the controller back to the shop and it was exchanged as the retailer did not know what had happened either. I brought the new one home and tried to load the new firmware and the same thing happened . This time I pressed and held the 8 key (I think its been a while) and the controller came back to life but had no software on it. Turns out the loader would scrub the original firmware then not load the new stuff. I found an older loader which worked just fine and installed the new firmware so it all worked. This was from ver 3.12 - 3.21. I have not been game to try since. Pity as I always update my meade scopes with no problems at all.

Ciao Mark

Originally Posted by JD2439975

In preparation for my equipments arrival I ventured off to the Skywatcher website for firmware updates, only to find broken links for all the more recent files eg: update procedure instructions pdf, firmware V3.20-V3.24 & firmware loader V2.8 all dead.

Found an American guys site with V2.8 loader & V3.21 firmware to download (no altered procedure instructions) & interestingly he states "It is not recommended that you use a USB to Serial adapter to do the update".

Now neither my lappy nor desktop has a serial port...

Has anyone experienced problems with an adapter & upgrading?
& where could I find the latest version firmware?

Any help greatly appreciated.

JD

[JD2439975 (Justin)]

Hi Mark

Yours is the kind of story that worries me a bit, would hate to get this thing home & try to upgrade only to have to send it off to be fixed or muck around for ages trying to do it myself.
Nice to know how you solved your problem in case it happens to me, thanks.

And hello Adam

I've got the loader but if you could send me the 3.23 firmware & the updated loading procedure pdf (if you have it) that would be fantastic mate.
You mentioned a Belkin adapter, I seem to remember someone mentioning they were a reliable piece of hardware...must hunt one down.

Check your PM for my Email, thanks you're champion.

JD