Thank you Andy...as a newbie to astrophotography...I feared I would not be able to accomplish the Update. But with your excellent Presentation, and I followed along with the same instructions, I received a Green "UPDATE COMPLETE...First time..I feel almost competent..Thank you again.
I just bought the HEQ6-Pro and the handset is NOT like shown in the Instructions for the update of software/firmware. There is NO power supply plug to the handset. What is in that position is a connection socket that looks similar to those found on printers (squarish). Before doing what you said to do, I just used a USB cable (lets call it a printer cable) to the PC and the handset. Then I hit 0 and 8. What popped out was the version number of firmware, Version 4.39.15. So it looks like I have the latest. If I do what you say by holding those keys AND THEN putting in the USB cable that connects from the PC to this plug while holding 0 and 8, what popped out was the text "SYNSCAN UPDATE VER. 2.6". Looks like what you have. From this point on I did not continue as I have the latest. I assume what you did from this point on would work if my firmware needed to be updated. Thank You for the effort to show what to do. It is very clear !!!!
Thank you. I'd no idea how to even start to do this, not a single reference to it in the manual that came with my SW Dob. Do you have a link for that cable?
Dear Sir. I would like to update the motor controller of my DOB Goto 14" SynScan. My dobson telescope has a built-in Wi-Fi module, therefore the proper loader is: Windows program: Motor Controller Firmware Loader - WiFi, Version 1.79 But, I don't know what is the proper firmware for updating the motor controllers. There are several files on the Motor controllers page, but any of them talk about my DOB Goto 14" SynScan. Please, could you tell me what is the proper firmware? Thanks in advance
I am having a real issue trying to update my v4. It has no power port (just the two "ethernet" cables of different sizes). I have a USB to 8 pin ethernet cable but can't get my computer to detect it
What was the cable you plugged in to the hand controller? I've done everything as you have but it is just saying 'can not connect to synscan hand control'. My only guess at this point is that I have the wrong cable, even though it fits into the middle port of the HC and clicks.
Hello, my one is a serial to usb cable for skywatcher mounts. Unfortunately they stopped producing them. Therefore if you Google skywatcher serial control cable, you should find a RS232 cable with the skywatcher pinout, then get a usb to serial converter. Best wishes and I hope this helps.
I have a laptop with no RS232c communication port, but two USB slots. I’ve downloaded the Skywatcher synscan manual but lost it on the technical details of which cable to get etc. I’ve gone back to basics and just looked at both pieces of equipment required to ,transfer data (using big words here). Would the item below work to connect the laptop with synscan controller:.
Hi, the only cable I've found to work is the Hitec astro cable which has the FTDI chip built in, give your local astronomy shop a call to get the right cable for you. Hope this helps.
@@AndyofAstro Sounds like good advice. As a newbie I’m trying to learn but even the simple things seem to be complicated. Thanks for you advice. I’ll be phoning the shop I brought the equipment from at the weekend.
Hello, The hand controller and the mount have separate software/firmware to each other. The mount has motor control firmware which is separate from the Hand Controller. If you don't use a hand controller then you probably don't need to both updating it - this is normally catalog updates and functionality improvements. For the mount, if it is working as you expect it to, and you are happy with its functionality and performance then I would probably not bother updating it. There is always a risk from updating it and I would hate for anyone to have problems. I did however have an old Eq5 Pro (very old) which used to guide and then it would just crash and drift off after a few minutes - I decided to update the firmware and now it is amazing and works all night long and guides so much better. Therefore, if you are currently happy I probably wouldn't update, but if you are having issues then an update might help - but be very careful as it may cause issues. Hope this helps.
Normally I like to identify the com port in pc management and set it myself. Sometimes it seems works more reliably, but usually the auto detection is ok, I guess it depends on how many serial devices are attached and if it gets confused.
Thank you Andy...as a newbie to astrophotography...I feared I would not be able to accomplish the Update. But with your excellent Presentation, and I followed along with the same instructions, I received a Green "UPDATE COMPLETE...First time..I feel almost competent..Thank you again.
Very helpful, especially for guys not reading the instructions in the manual to the end (low data transfer rate). Kind regards from Germany!
For EQ6-R Synscan V4 you would use the same cable that you would connect your PC to the USB-B port on the mount head.
Yes the newer hand controller comes with a USB type B for update - which is great!
Great job Dude...it really helped Me
thank you very much
I just bought the HEQ6-Pro and the handset is NOT like shown in the Instructions for the update of software/firmware. There is NO power supply plug to the handset. What is in that position is a connection socket that looks similar to those found on printers (squarish).
Before doing what you said to do, I just used a USB cable (lets call it a printer cable) to the PC and the handset. Then I hit 0 and 8. What popped out was the version number of firmware, Version 4.39.15. So it looks like I have the latest.
If I do what you say by holding those keys AND THEN putting in the USB cable that connects from the PC to this plug while holding 0 and 8, what popped out was the text "SYNSCAN UPDATE VER. 2.6". Looks like what you have. From this point on I did not continue as I have the latest. I assume what you did from this point on would work if my firmware needed to be updated.
Thank You for the effort to show what to do. It is very clear !!!!
It would be a ftdi USB to rj45 serial converter cable?
Thank you. I'd no idea how to even start to do this, not a single reference to it in the manual that came with my SW Dob. Do you have a link for that cable?
Dear Sir.
I would like to update the motor controller of my DOB Goto 14" SynScan.
My dobson telescope has a built-in Wi-Fi module, therefore the proper loader is:
Windows program: Motor Controller Firmware Loader - WiFi, Version 1.79
But, I don't know what is the proper firmware for updating the motor controllers. There are several files on the Motor controllers page, but any of them talk about my DOB Goto 14" SynScan.
Please, could you tell me what is the proper firmware?
Thanks in advance
I am having a real issue trying to update my v4. It has no power port (just the two "ethernet" cables of different sizes). I have a USB to 8 pin ethernet cable but can't get my computer to detect it
What was the cable you plugged in to the hand controller? I've done everything as you have but it is just saying 'can not connect to synscan hand control'. My only guess at this point is that I have the wrong cable, even though it fits into the middle port of the HC and clicks.
Hello, my one is a serial to usb cable for skywatcher mounts. Unfortunately they stopped producing them. Therefore if you Google skywatcher serial control cable, you should find a RS232 cable with the skywatcher pinout, then get a usb to serial converter. Best wishes and I hope this helps.
My handcontroller does not have this roundish power connector
I have a laptop with no RS232c communication port, but two USB slots. I’ve downloaded the Skywatcher synscan manual but lost it on the technical details of which cable to get etc. I’ve gone back to basics and just looked at both pieces of equipment required to ,transfer data (using big words here). Would the item below work to connect the laptop with synscan controller:.
Hi, the only cable I've found to work is the Hitec astro cable which has the FTDI chip built in, give your local astronomy shop a call to get the right cable for you. Hope this helps.
@@AndyofAstro Sounds like good advice. As a newbie I’m trying to learn but even the simple things seem to be complicated. Thanks for you advice. I’ll be phoning the shop I brought the equipment from at the weekend.
Is the software for the mount or hand controller. I have never used the hand controller, is there still an update I should do for the mount?
Hello, The hand controller and the mount have separate software/firmware to each other. The mount has motor control firmware which is separate from the Hand Controller. If you don't use a hand controller then you probably don't need to both updating it - this is normally catalog updates and functionality improvements. For the mount, if it is working as you expect it to, and you are happy with its functionality and performance then I would probably not bother updating it. There is always a risk from updating it and I would hate for anyone to have problems. I did however have an old Eq5 Pro (very old) which used to guide and then it would just crash and drift off after a few minutes - I decided to update the firmware and now it is amazing and works all night long and guides so much better. Therefore, if you are currently happy I probably wouldn't update, but if you are having issues then an update might help - but be very careful as it may cause issues. Hope this helps.
Can the synscan HC be updated using a mac instead of a PC?
I looked on Skywatcher's website and could only find pc software. Could you run a Windows emulator on the Mac to enable the update?
I take it yours didn't auto detect the com port either.
Normally I like to identify the com port in pc management and set it myself. Sometimes it seems works more reliably, but usually the auto detection is ok, I guess it depends on how many serial devices are attached and if it gets confused.
Ridiculous, i just use the phone app .