The Autostar II hand controller is reported to be very sensitive to cold temperatures.
1) Around the freezing mark the first symptom is a fast scrolling display or digital gibberish in the display. The display can also go completely blank.
2) Some have reported their ASII controller will lock-up and display UPLOADING MODE on the screen. First try just turing off the scope, waiting a few minutes, then turning it back on. If that doesn't fix the problem then you need to power off the scope and back on while pressing the key "9-9-9" while the scope is powering up. This will then allow
the scope to enter default upload mode and allow your computer to connect with the Autostar Uploader program. You can then upload v2.2i or later to get the hand box working again. CAUTION: Uploading the firmware in this manner is EXTREMELY slow and will take a couple hours. You will need to have a 120v/12v adapter or brand new alkaline batteries for the upload so the scope does not lose power! Also your computer must not be allowed to enter Sleep Mode while uploading or that will interrupt the transfer!
Solutions to the cold problem include keeping the ASII Hand controller inside and hot-plugging it into the cold scope base just prior to use. You may also purchase a ASII hand controller cover from ScopeStuff. Using a small hand warmer is also possible or small dew heater wrapped around the ASII.
Someone posted that the IC chips in the ASII hand controller can be upgraded to a set that is not impacted by the cold. I do not have the link as of yet.
Pesse (Nothing worse than a finicky scope at 10 below zero.) Mist
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