Sky-Watcher Synscan Hand Control - Manual (Page 16)

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PART IX : CONNECTING TO A COMPUTER
9.1 Working with Astronomical Applications
9.2 PC Direct Mode
After the SynScan hand control is initialized, it can communicate with a computer via the RS-
232C connection on its multi-purpose port. The computer must have a RS-232C serial port;
otherwise, a USB-to-Serial adapter is required. Connect the SynScan hand control and the
serial port with the PC-Link cable (the RJ-12 to D-Sub 9 cable) which comes with the tele-
scope mount.
The most popular astronomical applications which can work with the SynScan hand control
are:
• Planetarium Applications: Users can click on an object on the sky map to command the
telescope to point to the object.
• Autoguider Applications: Corrects minor tracking error dynamically for long exposure as-
trophotography.
Note: The SynScan hand control cannot work with the above application when it is in the fol-
lowing status:
• When checking GPS information (Section 12.2).
• During the PEC training process.
• When working in PC Direct mode (Section 9.2).
PC Direct Mode is a special mode for the SynScan hand control to work with a PC. Under
this mode, the SynScan hand control still uses the same hardware connection as described
in Section 9.1 , but the SynScan hand control becomes a repeater between the PC and the
motor controller in the telescope mount. The application running on the PC controls the motor
controller directly.
Currently, the PC direct mode is mainly used to update the motor controller’s firmware.
• Access the menu “
UTILITY FUNCTION \ PC Direct Mode ” and press the ENTER key. The
screen will display “ PC Direct Mode\Press ESC to exit ”.
• Press and hold the ESC key more than 1 second to exit PC Direct Mode .
• Users can still use the direction keys to move the telescope mount.
PART X : UPDATING FIRMWARE
10.1 Hardware Requirements
10.2 Preparation
10.3 Updating Firmware
1. A SynScan hand control with firmware version 3.0 or above.
2. A computer running Windows 95 or a later version.
3. A RS-232C serial port on the computer, or a USB-to-Serial adaptor.
4. The PC-Link cable (D-Sub9 to RJ-12) which comes with the mount.
1. Create a new folder in the computer (for example, C:\SynScan ) to save relevant files.
2. Download the application package “ SynScan Firmware Loader ” from http://www.skywatch-
er.com/ and extract the file “ SynScanFirmwareLoader.exe ” to the above folder.
3. Download the latest firmware package and extract the “ .SSF ” file to the above folder.
1. Connect the computer and the SynScan hand control with the PC-Link cable.
2. Connect the hand control to the telescope mount.
3. Press and hold the “ 0 ” and “ 8 ” keys simultaneously, and then turn on power of the mount.
The hand control will display “ SynScan Update ” on the screen. Release the “ 0 ” and “ 8 ”
keys.
4. On the computer, run the SynScanFirmwareLoader.exe . An application window is show in
Fig 10.3a.
• Use the “ Browse ” button to load the latest firmware file (“ .SSF ” file)
• Check the “ Enforce database update ” to enforce updating the hand control’s database.
Clear it to let the application determine whether it is necessary to update the database.
Fig. 10.3a