New G2 firmware available.

[midnight (Darrin)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

After updating the new firmware which I did my way as it's simple and works, I had trouble setting the time offset and location co-ordinates from the handset they kept changing after I entred them. I connected via ethernet cable and used the web page to set them and they held.

Cheers

Trevor, I had a similar issue except it was just the timezone. After a cold start, I query the GPS and it correct sets my lat and long and I notice the timezone is set to -8hr. I forgot to check this initially as I then did a slew to Sirius and that's where it went down in the opposite direction.

I would then realise it is -8hr and then set it to +8hr and it would not accept it. So I would try again (not accepted) and then cycle a warm start and it would then have 8hr for the timezone which is correct for WA. I rarely use the web interface due to my setup but this is where I believe Gemini 2 is using the timezone to calculate instead of say UTC and then adjust based on longitude. I might flick this question on the Gemini II tech groups.

Andrew, this was with the Dec 24 firmware where I regularly check on the Yahoo tech site which is a fantastic resource. Apart from that, the G11 and Gemini 2 are worth every dollar and it's great to see it develop and that it has a huge potential.

Cheers,
Darrin...

[midnight (Darrin)]

I got a reply from Tom over in tech groups and his response appears to link with Andrew's indication of using UTC only.

I did not think of this because my brain was assuming that Gemini was relying on the local time to work out object locations.

By entering UTC and a timezone of 0 removes issues like daylight saving, +'s and -'s etc. So Gemini must calculate the observer's location objects from the longitude starting from UTC.

This makes sense and far more accurate.

This question really began in my mind back when I had a LXD55 Autostar where I would enter my co-ordinates and local time. Then slewed to a bright star and noted its position. Then I would repeat the exercise using the same co-ordinates but then recalculate my local time by simply extrapolating from UTC the longitude as a ratio of 12hrs (eg when I was in living in Yarraman at the time ~151East, so I would add 12 x 151/180 onto the UTC and enter that in my time). Then I would slew to the same object and remarkably the position was closer to the centre. Ie Autostar at the time appeared to use local time in its calculations somehow!!!

A long and interesting observation.

Darrin...

[danny.h (Danny Hoffman)]

Hi G2 users,

I am new to the Gemini 2, had it delivered about 8 weeks ago.
Do I have to do a firmware update given that the unit is new?

[mill (Martin)]

Hi Danny.

Yes you have to flash new firmware, the newest firmware is from Dec 31 and has a lot of enhancements.
Go here http://www.gemini-2.com/updatefirmwaremethods.html for an explanation how to do it.

Martin.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by danny.h

Hi G2 users,

I am new to the Gemini 2, had it delivered about 8 weeks ago.
Do I have to do a firmware update given that the unit is new?

Danny, join the Yahoo Gemini 2 group. There was another G2 software release in the last day or so as Martin says.

[danny.h (Danny Hoffman)]

Thanks for the info. I'll try my luck in updating.

[TrevorW]

Danny fairly straighforward the simplest and I know it works way is to remove the SD card from the main unit delete the existing files on that via a card reader then copy the new files over onto the SD card

remember to put a piece of cardboard under the battery clip in the main unit before removing the SD card and only remove it after you've put the SD card back

Once the new firmware is uploaded you'll have to re-set mount, location and time details

instructions etc on how this is done are on the G2 User group site

Nothing too it really just follow the instructions

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Y! G2 user group - http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini-II/

Tom Hilton's G2 web site - http://gemini-2.com/

As long as your G2 has moderately recent firmware (and a new one should have) you don't have to pull anything apart. There is a program to load firmware via the ethernet port on the G2.