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● Eastern Time Zones When Polling the Mount. The 3=Get Time/Loc FrMnt command (how you “poll” the mount)
now returns correct time zone values for people in eastern longitudes using the GTOCP3 control box. (GTOCP1 & 2
control boxes already returned the correct time zone values in version 4.12 and continue to do so in version 4.16)
● Shipping Notice. Because these changes only applied to eastern longitudes, a small number of keypads with v.4.12
were shipped to US addresses after the March 24, 2008 introduction of v.4.15. A larger number of keypads were
also shipped with v.4.15, which contained a bug that only affected older keypads (S#1490 and earlier). Because this
bug only affected older keypads, it was of no consequence to these new keypads. That bug, however, was xed
with v.4.16 which, unfortunately, had its own problem during initialization. Keypads shipped between March and July
of 2008 will have v.4.15. Keypads shipped between July and October of 2008 will have v.4.16 and should be re-
programmed to v.4.17. The following applies equally to all three versions: v.4.15, v.4.16 and v.4.17. For simplicity,
most references from this point on will be to v.4.17 only.
Starting in March, 2008, Astro-Physics customers began receiving GTO keypads that had been programmed with a new
version of our keypad rmware. This new keypad version – v.4.15 – and its immediate successors – v.4.16 and v.4.17 -
address some of the issues that have faced customers in eastern time zones. Other issues pertaining to southern latitudes
were addressed in the latest ROM chip version in the GTOCP3 control box: the “Q” chip. (Only people using their mounts
in the southern hemisphere need the “Q” ROM chip.) In terms of operation, version 4.17 is identical to version 4.12, and
the manual included with the keypad is, in fact, the v.4.12 Keypad Manual. This supplemental document will explain the
differences, as well as the limitations and remaining issues with this new rmware. We anticipate that all remaining issues
will be resolved in the next major rmware release which will be v.4.20.
Some of the discussion below may not make sense to new users of the Astro-Physics GoTo Servo System who are not
already familiar with keypad operations. We have therefore included references to the pages of the v.4.12 manual where
the related operations are explained in detail. If you are new to our system, it is suggested that you read the entire “Getting
Started” section of the manual before worrying about any of the details below.
Version 4.12 – 09-06-04
● GMT and LST issues for E longitude. Fixed bug. Keypad now interprets correctly all E longitude data when polling
the mount for location, time and time zone data.
● Set Date & Time. Fixed bug that caused LOC:-3 display in 4=Time/LST and error message when Set Date & Time
screen was selected under certain circumstances.
● Auto-Connect set to YES. Fixed bug. Locations 2-9 will Auto-Connect correctly.
● Reset Command. The keypad will reset all user-dened values to the default setting of 0 in real time.
● Error checking in Site Location Data screen. Only N-S-E-W values will be accepted. If incorrect, an error message
will appear.
Version 4.11 – 08-28-04
● Resume from Park. Fixed bug. Now works properly.
● Site Location Data screen. Changed name from Set Site Location to more clearly dene its function. Also xed
bug. If you press MENU when exiting Site Location Data screen, it will not impact the location display of 4=Time/LST
screen.
● Sync command in Messier, NGC and IC input screens. The Sync command was removed from this screen since it
was not valid. You must press NEXT> twice to enter the Sync command screen.
Version 4.10 – 08-26-04
● Syncing on Planets. This version now allows you to synchronize on the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and
Saturn. Press the <PREV button to take you back out to the Sol Menu if you entered from it.
● Default display of R.A./Dec. co-ordinates in Objects screen. Press the <PREV button to display the object data on
this screen. This increases the speed of the keypad and allows the function of the N-S-E-W buttons in more places.
● Sync on almost any object, before or after moving to the object. To sync on the object currently selected press
the NEXT> button. This is now common for all objects in all menus.
● Fixed a minor bug in the resumption of tracking after parking the mount. The mount now tracks at whatever
speed was last selected when coming out of park.
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