Updating firmware on SynScan unit - RS-232 connection on modern PC?

[JOC]

My SynScan unit instructions say I should check for an if necessary install a firmware update.  The cable provided for this is a RJ-11 to RS-232 (female).  So how many modern PC's/portables these days come with a male RS-232 connector.  I've got a female on the portable for connecting it to presentation equipment, but its another female socket.  Now, it's entirely possible in my 'box of useful cables and connectors' I'll have an RS-232 gender converter, but its quite a rummage.  Before I do so, does anyone know if a converter will allow this work and how necessary is it to upgrade the Firmware on the SynScan Goto unit - does anyone else do it?  I am a great fan of 'if its not broke don't fix it', so I'll happily leave well alone unless there is an excellent reason to upgrade the Firmware.  Many thanks

[daz]

That female socket is a VGA connection, not a serial one. I *think* you can do it with a USB-Serial lead but I've not done one in a very long time so may be talking out of my hat!

 

[Marci]

The only thing latest updates have added is a Solar Tracking Mode under the utilities menu. If you don't want/need this or already have that option then there's no need to update. 

Generally these days one buys a USB to RS232 converter and plug into that.

[Dr_Ju_ju]

I couldn't make it work with a gender bender, you need to use a USB to Serial device...  whether its worth it or not, depends on if you want the newer features e.g. Solar tracking etc.. 

[ecuador]

Hehe, yeah, that's not a female serial on your laptop for the projector, don't try to connect it there

Note that if you decide to get a USB to RS-232 cable and have a reasonably recent Windows version (like 8, 10 - especially 64bit) make sure you get a cable that supports et (e.g. with a Prolific PL-2303hxd chipset - they should be £10-£20).

[JOC]

Many thanks all - I'll have a look and see if the cables to my GPS unit provide some of the necessary connectivity I remember one of those required a specific Prolific chipset - I'll do some reading.

NB.  Glad to see some fellow Star Trek fans around SGL - Ecuador - That's ST First Contact :-D  and I think I noticed the Excelsior in someone else's picture earlier today

[ecuador]

1 minute ago, JOC said:

Glad to see some fellow Star Trek fans around SGL - Ecuador - That's ST First Contact :-D  and I think I noticed the Excelsior in someone else's picture earlier today

Whaat??? You mean it's not X-men???

[noah4x4]

1 hour ago, ecuador said:

Hehe, yeah, that's not a female serial on your laptop for the projector, don't try to connect it there

Note that if you decide to get a USB to RS-232 cable and have a reasonably recent Windows version (like 8, 10 - especially 64bit) make sure you get a cable that supports et (e.g. with a Prolific PL-2303hxd chipset - they should be £10-£20).

I speak as a Celestron owner, but I guess there are similarities. I mention this just in case you encounter any frustrating inexplicable difficulties....

If you buy a USB to RS232 (serial) adapter cable (as described) you might find it won't work in Windows 10 until you install a driver for the (as described) PL2303 as it's not native to Windows 10 (which has moved on since the days of 'serial').  The fairly expensive Trendnet adapter does offer one on disk, but if you buy a cheap bare cable with no documentation you will probably need to find a PL2303 driver on the Internet (here, just Google PL2303).

Also some firmware update software  (notably Celestron) requires you to have the most recent version of JAVA installed for Windows 10. Of course, that is again undocumented! So in case of any frustrations, do try  installing a driver and a JAVA update. 

 

Edited January 13, 2017 by noah4x4

[Merlin66]

I've successfully used the KEYSPAN USB to serial adaptor for many years on different computers. No issues, no drama.

Highly recommended.

 

[AdeKing]

Depending on the handset and USB to serial adaptor you might need to put the handset into low speed data transfer mode. If the update gets so far then fails like mine did the other day then it cold be that the adaptor doesn't support high speed transfer.

There is a document on the Skywatcher download area somewhere that details this.

[JOC]

What about power for SynScan unit as you upgrade - if it needs to be plugged in via the telescope mount (which I currently see as the only option then experimenting will have to wait until I get the portable out with the telescope.  I can feel the need to add a table to my outdoor setup getting ever closer!

[Cornelius Varley]

50 minutes ago, JOC said:

What about power for SynScan unit as you upgrade - if it needs to be plugged in via the telescope mount (which I currently see as the only option then experimenting will have to wait until I get the portable out with the telescope.  I can feel the need to add a table to my outdoor setup getting ever closer!

It depends on which version of the handset you have. The v3 handset has its own power socket, so you can upgrade the firmware away from the mount. The v4 handset doesn't have the power socket so needs to be powered via the mount.

[StevieDvd]

If you have a desktop PC and your motherboard has the serial header you just need one of these to add a serial port back