SkyWatcher SynScan Update Firmware Handbox

Whether you're troubleshooting bugs or getting the latest features,

...here's how to update the SkyWatcher SynScan handheld.

To successfully complete the update, you'll need:

Your SkyWatcher mount
Your handheld
A power source with a guaranteed 12V output
An RS-232 cable for older handhelds + a COM-to-USB adapter
A USB cable for the newer version of the handheld
A PC with Windows 95 or higher
Internet access

Start the installation on your PC:

Download FirmwareLoader 3.3 or higher to your PC. You can get the software from the SkyWatcher website at: SynScan Firmware Loader
Install the loader or simply run the .exe file after downloading it. A simple window will appear.
Download the latest firmware version, also available on the SkyWatcher Support website: here
Unzip the downloaded zip file on your PC
Load the extracted .ssf file into your FirmwareLoader by simply clicking "Browse" and selecting the .ssf file.

1. 
   
2. Your PC is now ready to go.
   
   Mount & Hand Controller Setup
   
   Now connect the mount and hand controller as usual with SynScan RS 232.
   
   Now also connect the hand controller to the PC via the USB cable. Older versions should be connected at this point using the RS 232 cable and the COM adapter to the USB port.
   Please leave the mount turned off until then.
   
   Perform the update:
   
   If the Firmware Loader is loaded with the .ssf file, press the key combination 0 and 8 on the hand controller together, then plug the USB cable into the HC.
   If the connection is successful, the hand controller will delightedly display "SynScan Update" and the old version.
   
   Now, click the "HC Version" button in the Firmware Loader on the PC. If it displays the correct version, everything worked. It may take a few seconds for it to recognize the hand controller. So feel free to click again if it fails the first time.
   If the handheld is recognized, click "Update" in the loader.
   The update program will then start and the progress will be displayed as a percentage.
   1-2 minutes later, the loader on the PC should report "Update complete."
   
   
   
3. Turn off the mount with this message.
   
   After disconnecting the mount from the PC and turning it back on, the handheld controller should display the new firmware version.
   This completes the update successfully.
   
   An English version of the step-by-step instructions is also available on the SkyWatcher website: here.
   
   If that's too complicated for you, feel free to contact us to install/update it (for a small fee).