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New Gemini L6.1 and Hand Controller v1.63 firmware available!

 

Hi Folks,
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An official new version of Gemini firmware Level 6.1 and Hand Controller firmware v1.63 are now available for your Gemini.
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A few ways to update to this version:

1. Use . When you launch GFU, it will automatically suggest an update to L6.1. Use the default settings to update all the appropriate files, including some web pages and firmware.
Double-check that the correct IP address is set, Gemini is turned on, and press Start:

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2. Download and copy all the files directly to the Gemini SD card, from zip archive here.
Make sure you copy the folders as well as the .bin file. Don't forget to flash NewGem.bin file from the Gemini web pages after copy.
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3. Individual firmware files are also available, if you need to update just the firmware (this will not update any of the additional files, such as web pages):?
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Here are the changes in this version from the :
  • HC: Show time to limit on the main screen, when time remaining is less than 1 hour
  • HC: Checkbox to invert the direction of gearboxes in Mount->Gearing (for McLennan gearboxes, for example)
  • HC: New page added under Mount->Flip to enable/disable and to configure meridian flip points
  • HC: Fixes screen brightness reset to 100% after restart on home page
  • HC: Fixes the Allow Speeding Up option not selectable
  • MU: Provides for better brightness synchronization with the HC
  • MU: Adds flip point configuration to Gemini web pages
  • MU: Adds serial commands :HCx to change HC settings
  • MU: Enhancements for PEC precision, drift removal
Regards,

? ?-Paul
Jim Waters
 

Great news Paul.? Thanks for the update.

-----------------------
Jim W
Phoenix, AZ USA
 

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Thanks Paul and devgroup team!
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--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
 

Just ordered the factory upgrade service, looks like my timing was good. Thanks, Paul and team.
 

Thanks Paul - can you also provide more information on how to utilize the last item "MU: Enhancements for PEC precision, drift removal"
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Ken
 

On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 02:40 PM, Oberon510 wrote:
Thanks Paul - can you also provide more information on how to utilize the last item "MU: Enhancements for PEC precision, drift removal"
Hi Ken, there is an automatic drift removal that Gemini firmware performs when PEC is trained. That¡¯s been improved, as well as, additional serial commands added to adjust for clock drift, if it¡¯s measured precisely.?
 

Paul?
If I understand correctly, does that mean an existing PEC will therefore not be affected by the change/update?

Would it be beneficial to record a new PEC with PEMPRO again? or is it only affect when PEC is recorded directly to the mount via the ASCOM PEC settings?
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Thanks for your clarification!
Ryan
 

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Hi Ryan, yes, the automatic drift correction is applied when PEC programming is completed. But unless you see noticeable, uncorrected drift after PEC, I would not recommend that you reprogram it. The changes introduced are small, at best, so if your PEC is working, I¡¯d leave it be.
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On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 06:33 PM, Ryan Noonan wrote:

Paul?
If I understand correctly, does that mean an existing PEC will therefore not be affected by the change/update?

Would it be beneficial to record a new PEC with PEMPRO again? or is it only affect when PEC is recorded directly to the mount via the ASCOM PEC settings?
?
Thanks for your clarification!
Ryan
 

Great to know! thanks for the clarification.
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Sorry to ask a really stupid question - I see how to upload an individual file to the SD - but there must be a simple way to upload folders. I just spent the last couple hours and can't figure it out.
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Kevin
 

Never mind, I found it.....?
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Kevin
 

On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 11:38 AM, <Kevinroyphelan@...> wrote:
Never mind, I found it.....?
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Kevin
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I know I'm late to the party but my favorite thing to do is connect the Gemini 2s to the home LAN using Ethernet and then map the Geminis using Windows File Explorer.? This allows you full access to the contents of the Gemini 2 SD card file structure.? Then I just cut and copy as needed.??
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--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
 

Hi Paul,
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I finally had time to set things up so that I had both the Gemini and my Eagle 4 Pro connected via Ethernet into my router. Updated everything using GFU; worked like a charm. Thanks! John
 

Hi all,
I did something "funky" and got my GFU download from the Gemini webpage, as opposed to the link in Paul's initial msg in this thread.?
I did not check the version before pressing "start" (I know it was highlighted, so go figure).? That download and install of the GFU
did not have a version 6.1 option (I presume it was not "pointing to Pauls github URL).
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I ended up overwriting the 6.02 update I did 2 weeks ago with 6.0.
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I only found this by double checking the versions on the HC (menu, HC, info).??
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All good now: I uninstalled the GFU app, & reinstalled from the link in this thread.....magic ver6.1 was the default.? Install went perfectly
(pending test outside).
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I know this was all about finger problem, and rushing......though someone else could "rinse and repeat".\
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Cheers,
Phil
 

The GFU app pulls the latest available firmware versions from the web by accessing gemini-2.com website. If your internet is disconnected or very slow, it's possible that the firmware versions listed will be older ones, those that were available when that GFU version was first created.?
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Please check the version you're installing before pressing start when using GFU.
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Regards,
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? -Paul
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On Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 07:23 AM, Phil Jones wrote:

Hi all,
I did something "funky" and got my GFU download from the Gemini webpage, as opposed to the link in Paul's initial msg in this thread.?
I did not check the version before pressing "start" (I know it was highlighted, so go figure).? That download and install of the GFU
did not have a version 6.1 option (I presume it was not "pointing to Pauls github URL).
?
I ended up overwriting the 6.02 update I did 2 weeks ago with 6.0.
?
I only found this by double checking the versions on the HC (menu, HC, info).??
?
All good now: I uninstalled the GFU app, & reinstalled from the link in this thread.....magic ver6.1 was the default.? Install went perfectly
(pending test outside).
?
I know this was all about finger problem, and rushing......though someone else could "rinse and repeat".\
?
Cheers,
Phil
 

Paul,?
Do you mind a giving a 30 second explanation to the flip point configuration on the upgraded web interface with 6.1?
There are some new fields here:
-Eastern Meridian Flip Point Distance
-Western Meridian Flip Point Distance

and two check boxes...?
-Use Eastern Meridian Flip Point
-Use Western Meridian Flip Point

The screen capture above is from my web interface right after upgrading to 6.1 and without changing anything.
I have switched telescopes with new safety limits and I want to make sure that everything is configured correctly.

Thank you in advance,
Ryan Noonan
 

Hi Ryan,
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The two checkboxes simply enable meridian flip point functionality or turn it off for each side of the mount. When it's off, Gemini behaves just like it did prior to L6.
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Flip points are similar to the old Western Goto Limit. They attempt to enforce a flip when a Goto is commanded to a position past the flip point.
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The differences between WGL and flip points are:
1. Flip points are set relative to the meridian, not safety limit
2. Flip points can be defined on both sides of the mount, East and West
3. Flip points are meant for imagers: a Goto to a coordinate past the flip point will enforce a meridian flip on either side of the mount, as long as that position is reachable from the other side after the flip.
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The Western Goto Limit was defined relative to the safety limit, and Gemini could decide not do a meridian flip in some cases, if the destination was close enough to the current position and prior to the safety limit. This was designed to help visual observers. Flip points are designed primarily for automated imaging.
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Regards,
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? -Paul
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On Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 10:03 AM, Ryan Noonan wrote:

Paul,?
Do you mind a giving a 30 second explanation to the flip point configuration on the upgraded web interface with 6.1?
There are some new fields here:
-Eastern Meridian Flip Point Distance
-Western Meridian Flip Point Distance

and two check boxes...?
-Use Eastern Meridian Flip Point
-Use Western Meridian Flip Point

The screen capture above is from my web interface right after upgrading to 6.1 and without changing anything.
I have switched telescopes with new safety limits and I want to make sure that everything is configured correctly.

Thank you in advance,
Ryan Noonan
 

Paul,?
thanks, slow internet would explain it; my VPN was delivering <5mb/s at the time (usually get ~100mb/s).? It is good to know for the future that GFU should automatically pick up the latest versions!
Phil
 

Hi Paul,
Thanks for helping with us new folks.? I think I understand this, but I need some confirmation.? Would you please confirm these statements are true for FW < 6.1:?
  1. Setting the Right Limit and Western Goto limit set a "Flip Allowable Range".?
  2. The controlling software had to either issue a flip command or a goto command when the telescope was inside the "Flip Allowable range" for the flip to succeed.??
  3. In my case, I have a Right Limit of 101¡ã and Western Goto Limit of 10¡ã.? This meant my "Flip Allowable Range" was between 1¡ã and 11¡ã past the meridian.
For FW >= 6.1:
    • I can set the Eastern and Western Flip Point Distance to 1¡ã and any flip or goto command past 1¡ã on either side would succeed in a flip (assuming the target is reachable from the opposite side)?
Thanks in Advance,
Anand
 

Hi Anand,
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1: Correct
2: The software needed to issue a flip command when the telescope was in the allowable range. For Goto, the telescope could be anywhere prior to the allowable range, but the Goto should be to a target in the allowable range.
3: correct
For FW? 6.x and Flip Points enabled, and both, East and West flip points set to 1¡ã, then a Goto to past 1¡ã would result in a flip.?
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Regards,
?
? ? -Paul
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On Fri, Dec 13, 2024 at 05:08 PM, Anand Narwani wrote:

Hi Paul,
Thanks for helping with us new folks.? I think I understand this, but I need some confirmation.? Would you please confirm these statements are true for FW < 6.1:?
  1. Setting the Right Limit and Western Goto limit set a "Flip Allowable Range".?
  2. The controlling software had to either issue a flip command or a goto command when the telescope was inside the "Flip Allowable range" for the flip to succeed.??
  3. In my case, I have a Right Limit of 101¡ã and Western Goto Limit of 10¡ã.? This meant my "Flip Allowable Range" was between 1¡ã and 11¡ã past the meridian.
For FW >= 6.1:
    • I can set the Eastern and Western Flip Point Distance to 1¡ã and any flip or goto command past 1¡ã on either side would succeed in a flip (assuming the target is reachable from the opposite side)?
Thanks in Advance,
Anand

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