Thanks for the clear info Claude, seems I am fortunate in having an earlier model.

Best
Gordon

Last edited by Gordon (2010-01-11 12:19:35)

I've successfully upgraded my firmware from 02.05.81 to 02.06.81!
I've upgraded Merlin over real HW serial port. My father modified Bitchmouse card cracking module for my needs.

I am happy to report that I have also updated my Merlin to the newer firmware. I used Tronisoft RS232 to TTL converter together with serial cable connected to a PC.

Hi Liverpool
Yes that is the correct Merlin mount.
Here is a link to where i bought mine in UK as it is a bit cheaper and you get a free
large heavy steel table top A frame base which could be handy , all for £139.99 including
postage.
Check postage for your area first just in case it does not cover where you live as the box
is quite heavy and very big.
You may also find you have to update the Firmware after receiving it unless you are
lucky but its quite simple to do.

http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/merlin … eluxe.html


Steve

Hello Boris,

If you buy the head from "Teleskop-Austria" (see FAQ's), we have the formal garantee that the firmware is the right one!

"Probably" that the heads from Galileo.cc will also have the right firmware, because they just start with the selling of the Skywatcher heads.
This is in my plans to go to the Galileo store in Belgium and check the firmware version ? but I have not yet found the time to proceed ...

Anyway upgrading the firmware is a mather of few minutes when you have the right equipment (PC Windows with USB and ad-hoc FTDI convertor)
In Germany, France, Belgium and UK we have "ad-hoc FTDI convertors" in circulation and freely availlable (just to pay the shipping costs ...).
We can send one of them in Switzerland if necessary ...

I just upgraded from 2.04.xx to 2.06.81.  I can't wait to get out and take a few hundred shots now.   

I used the GMUS-03 USB to Serial cable.  Works great, and you can pick the COM port too.  I had it for years when I bought a diagnostics tool for my truck.

Hello Martin,

The Merlin Firmware version need certainly the upgrade.
The upgrade is very easy, I have assembled all needed documents, the upgrade software and the new firmware into my web site
http://www.papymerlin.com/merlin-firmware-upgrade/
The necessary FTDI cable/convertor for the UK/Eire are actually in the ned of "iamwilll" and I will ask him to send it to you ...

Last edited by claudevh (2010-05-11 00:05:49)

Hello Ozbigbeen,

I confirm that you should not upgrade your firmware ....!

BUT you should tighten the bolts of both vertical and horizontal axis ...
Not too much ... but normally it should not be possible to turn the head with hand !

ozbigben wrote:

Thanks Claude.

I'll check these.  The vertical axis is the most likely one and is a little looser then the horizontal one (which is fairly tight)... especially I guess since the camera is on the heavy side.  I'll have to buy/borrow a socket to tighten it.  I'll give it another test run on the weekend.  Everything else is looking very promising

Hey!

Generally avoid moving the head by hand in both axis - use the controller you´re workin with. That´s a bit uncomfortable, but . . . .
Horizontally it can be done easily by turning the centercolum. Vertically don´t force it to move by hand. Merlin is a clever product - but not a very sturdy one.

best, Klaus

Tightened the vertical arm but this didn't help. 

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Thanks for that explanation... I think it all makes sense now which is a big relief . 

So if I understand it correctly I should probably reset these back to their defaults (things worked well with the short moves and the speed was faster) but I should increase the inertia angle to slow it down sooner on the long moves to compensate for the weight of the camera/lens.  Since my drift was ~1° I'd want to change it from 1° to something more like 2.5°.. although I should probably double check with a fast move in the downward direction.