synscan v3 handset update lead

[astronymonkey]

Hi folks,

Ive just aquired a synscan az goto with a 127 mak but it doesnt have the lead to update the firmware on the handset. So I wondered what options there were regarding a low cost lead or even if anyone had a spare one .

Cheers

[Cornelius Varley]

This is the cable you need http://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/serial-cable-for-skywatcher-and-celestron-mounts.html. 

[jambouk]

Low cost leads of evay are hit and miss; i think mostly miss. I have nonidea why, but several of us have tried and failed. You seem to meed a reasonable quality one. I doubt anyone will have a spare.

If you are a member of an astronomical society or club no doubt someone will have one. Else maybe ask someone tonpost you theirs and return it asap.

James

[freiform]

With this cable, I don's see why you should go for anything else but cheap. It uses three wires for a basic serial protocol, there's no logic or level converter involved or high frequency transfer that would require special shielding, etc. You can build one yourself from an old phone cord and a serial cable.

You'll probably need an additional USB-RS232 converter, though, provided you don't have a rathe rated computer that still has a RS232 port?

[jambouk]

Sorry I thought you were referring to the USB to serial conversion lead.

Agree, if the other lead, cheap and cheerful.

James

[astronymonkey]

Thanks guys but my computer knowledge is pretty poor, its basically the lead from the handset to the computer which is a rj-11 to rs-232 lead ...... but are all the leads standard so a cheap one will do ?

But ..... is there not a rj-11 to usb lead which I can buy rather than having to get a rs232 to usb converter ?

Thanks folks

[freiform]

I am not aware of RJ11 to USB. But a decent RS232-USB should be less than 10 payment units, you might want to check for an original prolific chipset. 

There are adapters to bypass the hand controller entirely, though. [1]

[1] http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/reqindex.html