Synscan upgrade fail

[Flyingfuzz]

Just tried to update my Synscan V4 handset and it has failed.

Connected to my non serial port pc via a usb to serial adapter. the pc can see the handset via the skywatcher firmware loader and starts the upgrade but fails on 1.8 or 5.04 or 11.05 % of the update . Now the handset is us less and does not turn on. I can get into the "update firmware" by pressing 0 and 8 together but the update fails every time.

I have tried slowing the port and handset down but still no luck.

Words fail me as to why a 1 year old telescope has a 10 year old connector that has been phased out 5 odd years ago.

Anyone else had this issue? did you fix it?

Edited November 26, 2016 by Flyingfuzz
picture added

[ronin]

Unfortunately a few have this problem.

As you have slowed down the rate it may be the adaptor (well something like that) memory says there are 2 driver options and one is generally succesful, the other is not. I presume that the USB-Serial uses one or the other and that perhaps you have simply got the not good one.

The problem is one of speed, the serial port was slow enough that no handshake used to occur, now the speed is so fast that data gets lost and is not re-requested.

You could try another USB-Serial or if really stuck buy a serial card for the PC. Any friends with old PC/laptop that you used to take the micky out of for the age of their machine ?

Not sure the usefulness of slowing the handset rate down, it is the PC rate that is too fast.

[Flyingfuzz]

Purchased a "special" usb to serial adapter for just doing this. It works because the update fails at some point in the upgrade/download part. I suspect as you suggest the link is too fast for the process. Why Skywatcher insists on this old tech I dont know.

Now looking at an upgrade and this experience has put me off Skywatcher completely. 

Has anyone got earlier software than V4_38 ?

Edited November 26, 2016 by Flyingfuzz

[Flyingfuzz]

Sorted.

Had to buy a Serial PCI card and install into my Desk Top PC, worked first time.

Now is there a SynScan V4_38 manual online?

[Cornelius Varley]

16 hours ago, Flyingfuzz said:

Purchased a "special" usb to serial adapter for just doing this. It works because the update fails at some point in the upgrade/download part. I suspect as you suggest the link is too fast for the process. Why Skywatcher insists on this old tech I dont know.

Now looking at an upgrade and this experience has put me off Skywatcher completely. 

Has anyone got earlier software than V4_38 ?

The "old" technology works and is still found on a lot of equipment because it is simple and stable. Flakey usb/serial adapters are the main problem, not all adapters work.

[Cornelius Varley]

41 minutes ago, Flyingfuzz said:

Sorted.

Had to buy a Serial PCI card and install into my Desk Top PC, worked first time.

Now is there a SynScan V4_38 manual online?

No manual available as yet.

[Flyingfuzz]

1 hour ago, Cornelius Varley said:

The "old" technology works and is still found on a lot of equipment because it is simple and stable. Flakey usb/serial adapters are the main problem, not all adapters work.

Agree and I expect it has been said before, why are Skywatcher using Serial ports? we have 3 pc's in the house and not one has a serial port! Now I am pc savey and could install a Serial port card but there are plenty who are not.