SynScan V3 Updates

[JTB]

Hello, I am VERY new to Astronomy and just getting started with my Skywatcher 130 and a Meade EZ80.

 

The Skywatcher 130 has a SynScan V3 that I have updated using the SynScan Firmware Loader 3.3.

It currently has hardware version 3.06, Firmware 3.9.10 and Database 3.28.

I just wondered where the database updates for the SynScan are found and how are they uploaded?

Cheers - John

[Cornelius Varley]

31 minutes ago, JTB said:

Hello, I am VERY new to Astronomy and just getting started with my Skywatcher 130 and a Meade EZ80.

 

The Skywatcher 130 has a SynScan V3 that I have updated using the SynScan Firmware Loader 3.3.

It currently has hardware version 3.06, Firmware 3.9.10 and Database 3.28.

I just wondered where the database updates for the SynScan are found and how are they uploaded?

Cheers - John

The database is either built into the handset and cannot be updated or will be part of the firmware.

33 minutes ago, JTB said:

It currently has hardware version 3.06, Firmware 3.9.10 and Database 3.28.

The current firmware is 3.39.10. I assume that is a typo.

[JTB]

2 hours ago, Cornelius Varley said:

The database is either built into the handset and cannot be updated or will be part of the firmware.

The current firmware is 3.39.10. I assume that is a typo.

Yes it was a typo.

Thank you for the information - I was concerned that I had missed out on a possible update to this device which I purchased second hand.

I am not sure how long it had been since its last download and hopefully this will bring it as up to latest possible version for this device.

Thanks for your help.

KR John

[jambouk]

Here is the update page:

http://www.skywatcher.com/download/software/

 

[JTB]

Thank you. Everything is up to date now and I am still working on getting a 'Generic' GPS to connect to the SynScan!

Cheers John

[jambouk]

The precise time/date/altitude/latitude and longitude are just not necessary for a set up which is not permanently mounted AND parked. I wouldn’t bother spending hours trying to get the GPS thing working, rough and ready numbers will be fine (ideally within 10 degrees of your actual location north-south and east-west).

[JTB]

I agree with you but I do like my 'toys' -  And if I can get this working for less than £10 and pass away some daytime hours in this current situation, then it will be worth it to me!

[Cornelius Varley]

19 hours ago, JTB said:

I agree with you but I do like my 'toys' -  And if I can get this working for less than £10 and pass away some daytime hours in this current situation, then it will be worth it to me!

One of the firmware updates disabled third party gps units working with the handset.

[JTB]

3 hours ago, Cornelius Varley said:

One of the firmware updates disabled third party gps units working with the handset.

Yes they seem to have done this - but how? If the GPS module is putting out 'standard and proprietary' messages and it worked before the upgrade then, assuming no changes have been made to the GPS module, what is the SynScan firmware now looking for, FROM the SynScan GPS, that other modules do not send?

I have seen examples of the message stream from a SynScan GPS on YouTube and they look boringly simple.

It would be REALLY helpful to me if one of our members, who has one of these modules, could hook it up, ideally using PuTTY, and record what is now being sent to the SynScan! 

 

Cheers

 

John