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BKBrown
member
Reged: 08/23/09
Posts: 53
Loc: Ashburn, VA USA
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I would like to upgrade my Synscan hand controller from Ver.3.23 to Ver.3.25;however, a minor problem has arisen. I don't have an RS-232 port for the archaic transfer set up provided by Skywatcher! Does anyone have a recommendation for dealing with this? I have a thoroughly modern Dell with plenty of USB ports but nothing resembling one for the RS-232. How can I do this? Thanks for looking, I definitely could use some guidance on this one. Very Best Regards, BB. 
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Skywatcher 100ED-5QP 100mm f/9 APO, Synscan & GPS
C8N f/5 Newt, WO 66SD ZenithStar APO
Atlas EQ-G w/ Synscan & GPS
Baader Hyperion 8-24 zoom; 31mm, 36mm ASP
TV 19, 24 Pan; Nag 9T6,13T6
Siebert 1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0/3.5 Barlow,
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow, TV 3x Barlow
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
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markan
super member
Reged: 07/13/09
Posts: 126
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Your local Radio Shack will have a USB to serial port converter. My own experience was it takes 15 or 20 minutes. I had to use the lowest data rate setting.
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Sky-Watcher 100mm ED f/9 refractor
Sky-Watcher 200mm f/5 reflector
EQ5 mount, Orion SkyView AZ
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neptun2
sage
Reged: 03/04/07
Posts: 277
Loc: Bulgaria
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One way is the usb to serial adapter. Using them to update synscan is sometimes hit and miss. One adapter can work with one computer and not work with another. For laptop i recommend to use rs232 pcmcia or express card (depending on your laptop).Price is the same and the card has much better compatibility compared with usb to serial adapters.
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Skywatcher Explorer 200P 8" f5 newtonian reflector
HEQ5 Pro Synscan Equatorial mount
Nikon Action 12x50 , Nikon D5000
Nagler type 6 11mm , Pentax XW 7mm , Televue 2x barlow 1.25"
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Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 4785
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Over the years I haven't heard any complaints about the PCMCIA serial port, but lots of troubles with the USB2Serial converters and both EQMOD and SynScan firmware upgrades.
My three computer accessible scopes all want a serial port, so I was able to order my latest laptop last year with a serial port at no extra charge! I can use the original SynScan firmware load software and be done in a minute or two.
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Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
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BKBrown
member
Reged: 08/23/09
Posts: 53
Loc: Ashburn, VA USA
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I picked up a USB to Serial adapter (Dynex) today and tried downloading the update...no dice. It kept telling me "Cannot connect to Synscan hand control" despite all connections looking good, all cables in place, and multiple attempts. Right now I'm really frustrated and not quite sure what to try next. I'd really rather not go out and buy a laptop or try to upgrade my Dell with a used card. Any other suggestions? Thanks, BB. 
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Skywatcher 100ED-5QP 100mm f/9 APO, Synscan & GPS
C8N f/5 Newt, WO 66SD ZenithStar APO
Atlas EQ-G w/ Synscan & GPS
Baader Hyperion 8-24 zoom; 31mm, 36mm ASP
TV 19, 24 Pan; Nag 9T6,13T6
Siebert 1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0/3.5 Barlow,
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow, TV 3x Barlow
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7195
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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I had the same problem with mine as well. If I remember right, I had to go into the computer and pick a specific usb port for the connection to work. This was the same with the downloads to my GPS, it wouldn't connect. After selecting a specific USB port with the adapter plugged into it, the computer recognized it and all is well. It took me a long time to do it though...I'm not to computer tech. savy.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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markan
super member
Reged: 07/13/09
Posts: 126
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After you plug in the cable to your Dell, open device manager and see which particular port was assigned. It should be available on the "Ports (COM and LPT)" branch of the tree. My own gets described as Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM4).
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Sky-Watcher 100mm ED f/9 refractor
Sky-Watcher 200mm f/5 reflector
EQ5 mount, Orion SkyView AZ
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cdndob
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/28/06
Posts: 660
Loc: The Great White North
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My prolific USB to serial works but my generic USB to serial does not, go figure. Also, the COM port number changes depending on which USB port I plug the device into.
Steve
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BKBrown
member
Reged: 08/23/09
Posts: 53
Loc: Ashburn, VA USA
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I finally got it fixed and the mount is working like a champ. Thanks for the input, Very Best Regards...BB
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Skywatcher 100ED-5QP 100mm f/9 APO, Synscan & GPS
C8N f/5 Newt, WO 66SD ZenithStar APO
Atlas EQ-G w/ Synscan & GPS
Baader Hyperion 8-24 zoom; 31mm, 36mm ASP
TV 19, 24 Pan; Nag 9T6,13T6
Siebert 1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0/3.5 Barlow,
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow, TV 3x Barlow
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
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