Firmware Versions on the Advanced Series with
GoTo
Celestron AS-GT scopes have two sets of processors. There are processors in
the hand control (HC) and there are processors in the base of the scope in a
section known as the motor control (MC). The MC firmware can be updated by
the owner (read
this). Hand
controls prior to version 4 can NOT be updated, but if you have a version 4
hand control (owners of older versions read
this
for info on purchasing the upgradeable hand control),
the firmware can be updated (read
this).
For additional details about features on newer versions, check the
Manuals section of this web site.
Please
email me if you have a scope with different versions than listed here.
HC Versions
- 4.13 - This version allows the motor control (MC) firmware to be upgraded
via the port on the bottom of the hand control.
- 4.12 - The most significant change in this version is variable brightness
control for the display and buttons - values are from 0 (off) to 8 (full
brightness). There is also a fix that reduces (but does not eliminate)
the chance that the display comes up blank the first time you power up, a
problem much more prevalent in cold weather. The fix on those occasions
when it does still come up blank remains the same - turn off the power, wait a
couple of seconds and turn on the power again. The Version menu item has
been changed - it now displays the mount model after displaying the HC and MC
versions.
- 4.10 - The most significant change in this version is Sync and multiple
mount calibration stars. Sync is available both via the hand control and
via PC software (TheSky, Starry Night, etc.). This provides very
accurate GoTo pointing in the area of the sky where the Sync is performed and
it allows the PC software to match with the actual position the scope is
pointed to. Multiple mount calibration stars take the place of the
previous use of one calibration star for determining cone error and the Dec
switch/index mark offset resulting in much improved pointing accuracy.
Other new features: a display of the polar alignment error, Solar System
Align routine, the Sun is now available as a GoTo and alignment object, and
"RA" and "Dec" are used in most places in the menus rather than "Alt" and
"Azm".
- 4.0 - The most significant new feature of this version is that it is
user-upgradeable. Other changes from previous versions are simply minor
bug fixes.
- 3.04 - The differences between this
and 3.03 are unknown.
- 3.03 - Original version on the AS-GT mount.
MC Versions
- 5.14 - Corrects a potential problem with the cordwrap prevention feature.
Re-enable the RA Slew Limits.
- 5.07 - An official version. Minor changes - rate 1 is now 50% of
sidereal while rate 2 is 100% of sidereal. This makes manual guiding
much easier.
- 5.06 - First official version available for download from Celestron. Improved
anti-backlash, fixed runaway slews during normal use and when when
autoguiding, general improvements to autoguiding, fixed occasional slow motion
slews that never seem to reach their destination, improved sidereal tracking
rate.
- 5.04 - Original version on the AS-GT mount.
Determining Versions
Use the Version option on the Utility menu.
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