MAGINT missing on setup menu

[glider4]

OK, I'm in the middle of setting up my D-180. Came to the compass part, got my NOAA values, then went into Setup. Set the MAGINC value with no problem. But the MAGINT menu item is no where to be found anywhere in Compass Setup.

My Dynon D-180 was installed in my RV-8A 5 years ago. I am just now getting ready for the first flight. I haven't updated the firmware because I don't want to buy a $400 laptop solely for a Dynon firmware update. I have absolutely no other need for a laptop.

The D-180 uses firmware version 01.08. Any suggestions on what MAGINT might have been called in 01.08? Or do I need to pull the unit out and ship it back to Dynon for the firmware update? As silly as that sounds, it's probably still cheaper than buying a laptop dedicated to D-180 firmware updates

Al in Ashland
RV-8A 
Ready for flight (almost)

 

[dynonsupport]

We've had 14 software updates since 1.08, with approximately 200 changes, so we'd highly suggest you update. One of those updates was the improvement of or compass algorithm, which added the use of MAGINT, so it is expected it would not be in 1.08.

We'd be happy to update the unit for you. Please give us a call or send us an email at support (at) dynonavionics.com so we can schedule that. One thing to note is that you will need to send us your remote compass as well, since that must be updated at the same time.

One other possibility is to buy a cheap used laptop. I looked in the Portland area on Craigslist and there are many that would work for under $100, some closer to $50. It all depends what process is easier for you. You don't need a new, modern laptop, anything made in 2000 or newer will work fine.

Here's a $60 one with free shipping on Ebay that would work great:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Lenovo-...13808048?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item2ec16f89b0

 

[glider4]

Thanks for the response.

I threw in the towel trying to set-up under the old firmware. Even with the 2007 install manual there were too many issues that I couldn't resolve in set-up. A couple of set-up issues that I figured out were actually quite bizarre! (e.g. only being able to set the clock in the Zulu time mode and not in Local time mode.)

I've rented a laptop ($40 for 4 hours) from a local business and completed the firmware update. The update does seem to have wiped out a fair amount of the set-up info I had already entered. I'll have to go back item by item to sort everything out.

Would be a lot easier if you could use a flash drive loaded with the latest firmware update files on it and use the Dynon to command the firmware update process. Or perhaps even a way to do it using an iPad or iPhone or Android phone....

I've purchased and owned new and used laptops for work in the past. That's the main reason I don't own one now. They are expensive, extremely slow and break easily compared to a desktop pc.

I like the D-180 - I just don't like this firmware update process...There has got to be a better way!

Al Thomas

 

[dynonsupport]

The hardware architecture in the D10/ D100 series isn't ideal for modern computers, that's for sure. SkyView actually uses a USB stick, which is a lot easier.