Firmware Versions on the CGEM/CGEM DX Series
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Non-English Hand Control Owners - read
this. The
information below is for English-version hand controls. |
CGEM 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).
There have been two versions of hand control available for the CGEM/CGEM DX:
- Hand control version 4.X. This hand control can be updated by the
owner. Read
this
for step by step instructions on upgrading the firmware.
- The NexStar+ hand control. This hand control can be updated by the
owner and began shipping with new CGEM/CGEM DX scopes in January 2012.
It is also available for purchase since February 2012. Read
this
for info on this new hand control and
this
for step by step instructions on upgrading the firmware.
Please
email me if you have a scope with different versions than listed here.
NexStar+ Hand Control
- 5.21.2064 - Fixed bugs related to the international cities database,
tandem operation (OTA orientation), Meridian Mode, land objects and a
problem with NGC catalog entries above 5462. Also reorganized the
menu, creating a Hand Control menu to access controls for the display and
backlight.
- 5.20 - The first version for the new NexStar+ hand control. Features
are basically the same as 4.20.
Version 4 Hand Control (firmware files are named GEM)
- 4.21 - Fixed bugs related to tandem operation (OTA orientation), Meridian
Mode and land objects.
- 4.20 - Fixed a problem with a runaway slow slew if a GoTo is too near the
meridian flip point. No Response errors now give a "Press UNDO to
continue" option. For mounts with a GPS module in use, changed the
messages displayed to clarify when the GPS was still attempting a link and
when it was successful. Fixed and error when syncing on stars in
southern hemisphere via the RS-232 sync command (for example, from a
planetarium program running on a laptop).
- 4.19 - Adjust communication protocol to assist MCupdate. Added
"Custom Rate 9": the ability to set the maximum slew rate during a GoTo
(requires MC version 6.12 or higher). Fixed an error in the GoTo
RA-Dec menu item. Hand Control now reports immediately if the are
communication ("No Response") difficulties at start up.
- 4.16 - Corrects alignment system errors for use in the Southern
Hemisphere. Fixed error when using SAO stars (selected from the STAR
button) as alignment objects.
- 4.15 - Original version for the CGEM Series. This version is
largely unusable in the Southern Hemisphere.
MC Versions
- 6.17 - First version supporting the CGEM DX mount. Re-tuned motor
control feedback loop and adjusted motor acceleration to better handle heavy
payloads. Fixed problem with sudden motor deceleration for high values
of "Custom Rate 9". The final GoTo approach is now faster and
quieter. Fixed error in GoTos near celestial equator.
- 6.12 - Support for "Custom Rate 9" (introduced in HC version 4.19 - see
above). Added new "Aux" command to support better autoguiding via
RS-232 communication via the port on the bottom of the hand control.
Fixed an error that prevented some user settings from being restored when
the scope is powered up.
- 6.08 - Corrects errors with recording PEC and with GoTo accuracy after
canceling PEC training or using PECTool.
- 6.06 - Original version on the CGEM Series.
Determining Versions
Use the Version option on the Utility menu.
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