Version “S” Firmware Upgrade for the GTOCP3 -
Required for Astro-Physics Command Center (APCC)
The EEPROM of the GTOCP3 must be updated to version “S” firmware in order to download and use our Astro-Physics
Command Center (APCC) software. It contains many new commands needed for the advanced features of APCC, including custom absolute tracking rates implemented in arc seconds per hour and new meridian delay commands and functions to name a few.
Determine your Current ROM Chip Version
There are several ways to check the version letter and date of the microprocessor ROM
chip to see if you already have an “S” version
chip.
- Open the top of the GTOCP3 control box and look for a label on one of
the large, square chips.
- V2 ASCOM Driver. The chip version can be found in several
places in the Astro-Physics
V2 ASCOM Driver. In the Setup Telescope window, click the “Check Port” button.
Assuming you have a good connection, a popup window will appear saying: “Mount
found! Firmware Rev: S (or whatever firmware is in the GTOCP3). The virtual
keypad also displays the firmware version in the upper right: “FW:S”,
and the status window displays the version in the center column of information.
- Astro-Physics Command Center (APCC) software. The chip version can be queried
in the Trial Registration window. If APCC is installed, connect to the mount.
The chip version will display in the Setup tab.
- PulseGuide software by Ray Gralak. Simply connect to the mount with PulseGuide, and the chip version
will be displayed in the connect window.
Pricing
Please refer to the information below to determine
the pricing for your chip upgrade.
APCC Beta Testers
The final version of the “S” chip will be provided to
you free of charge along with an extraction tool and instructions for installation.
We have sent e-mails or letters too all beta testers. If you haven't heard from
us yet, please give us a call.
3600GTO and 3600GTOPE owners
3600GTO and 3600GTOPE mounts shipped after October
15, 2012 already have the chip installed. If your mount was shipped prior to
that date, the “S” chip will
be provided to you free of charge along with an extraction tool and instructions
for installation. We have sent e-mails to all customers for whom we had contact
information to request confirmation of the shipping address. f you haven't heard
from us yet, please give us a call.
New 900GTO and Mach1GTO orders
When you place your order, you will have an opportunity to upgrade your mount to the new “S” version chip before it ships from Astro-Physics for the reduced price of $65. Please
request this upgrade at the time you place your order.
All mounts shipped from Astro-Physics between
August 1 - October 18, 2012
You are eligible for a reduced price of $65 plus
shipping for the chip upgrade kit (part # CHIPKITS). Please watch for the
e-mail that we will send to you to confirm the shipping address. If you don’t
hear from us yet, please give us a call.
All 1600GTO orders
The "S" version chip is already included with this mount.
All mounts with GTOCP3 control boxes that are
not included in the categories above.
The price for the chip upgrade kit (part # CHIPKITS)
is $80 plus shipping. The kit includes the “S” version chip, extraction tool
and installation instructions. Please refer to the order information below.
Installation Options
You may choose to install the chip yourself using these
instructions or send
the control box to Astro-Physics. There is an additional installation charge
of $45 plus return shipping.
Important Considerations
If your previous ROM chip was version “Q” or earlier, you MUST perform a full initialization on your first power-up, and you will also need to redo the mount’s PEM (Periodic Error Memory). To accommodate the added features of these newer chips, the location in the GTOCP3’s non-volatile memory where time, location, gear angle and PE information is permanently stored has been changed. Your previously stored data will no longer be usable. The new information you enter now, however, will be remembered going forward.
Initialization: If you use the keypad
in your first session, follow the instructions in the Keypad Manual as if you
are setting up for your first session. You will not have to setup your location data or time since that information is stored in the keypad.
If you control your mount with a PC in your first session (i.e. with the ASCOM
Driver, APCC, PulseGuide or any other computer control), be sure that the options
are selected to send all of the time, date, GMT offset and location data to the
mount. For your first time using the new ROM chip your computer software MUST
give the servo a full initialization. You will also need to reestablish pointing
and orientation by resuming from one of the AP pre-defined park positions or
by performing a Sync on a star. Note: a Re-Calibrate is not sufficient.
PEM (Periodic Error Memory): You will need to redo your PEM. Since the gear angle information is lost, the PE data that you have stored will no longer be in sync with the worm gear, so simply saving it to your computer via PEMPro and reloading it will not work. Once new PEM data is stored with the correct gear angle association, it will be remembered going forward.
Order Information
These instructions apply to all CHIPKITS purchases except
for the special categories above: Beta testers, 3600GTO and 3600GTOPE owners
or mounts shipped from August 1 - October 18, 2012.
Online Order for Version “S” Firmware
Who may order: U.S. customers may order online in the usual manner.
Part # to order: CHIPKITS, which includes “S” chip, extraction tool and instructions
How to order: Follow the normal online order process. You must provide the following information in the comments field:
- Serial number of the mount.
- Serial number of the GTOCP3 control box.
- E-mail address that will identify you when you sign up
for a future APCC trial or purchase. Make a note of which e-mail address that
you used in your file.
Fax or Mail Order for Version “S” Firmware
Who may order: All U.S. and international customers, including customers in
countries with exclusive dealers. “S” chips will not be sold through dealers since we must obtain the e-mail address that you wish to use to identify yourself for the APCC software purchase and download.
Part # to order: CHIPKITS, which includes “S” chip, extraction tool and instructions
How to order: Print the Chip
Upgrade Form.
Complete all information on the form including:
- Serial number of the mount.
- Serial number of the GTOCP3 control box.
- E-mail address that will identify you when you sign up for a future APCC
trial or purchase Mail or fax the form to Astro-Physics. Do not e-mail since
it will include your credit card information. International customers can arrange
a wire transfer, international bank draft or provide a credit card number.
Please review our international
payment requirements.
Upgrade to GTOCP3 Control Box
If you currently have a GTOCP1 or GTOCP2, you will need to order
a GTOCP3 control box.
Who may order:
- U.S. and most other customers: Contact Astro-Physics to place your
order. You will be required to answer all questions. We cannot accept any
orders from U.S. dealers.
- Germany, Austria and Switzerland: Contact Baader Planetarium,
E-mail: kontakt@baader-planetarium.com
- France: Contact Optique et Vision, E-mail: ovision@aol.com
Part # to order: GTOCP3, which includes “S” chip. Note, the final part number
on your sales order will have additional numbers or letters, depending on the
version of mount that you have, i.e. GTOCP3-912 is the proper part number for
a 900GTO, 1200GTO or Mach1GTO. Additional cables or adapters may be needed
to attach the control box to your mount.
How to order by phone:
How to order by fax or mail:
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Inc. - All Rights Reserved
This page was last modified:
November 20, 2012
Astro-Physics, Inc.
11250 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115, U.S.A.
Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847