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The Vantage Pro console is designed with upgradeable firmware
(firmware being akin to software built in to the console that
controls all aspects of its features and operation). Why should upgradeable
firmware be necessary? There are a number of reasons, including:
- To allow new console features to be added, especially when a
new revision of the VP technology is introduced, such as the
enhanced wireless system of the VP2 stations;
- To accommodate new VP accessory components (eg wireless
repeaters), sensors and stations;
- In response to user feedback, which has, for example,
prompted changes to the way in which certain wind speed values
are displayed;
- In response to external events, eg changes in the details of
the formula NOAA uses to calculate wind chill values or changes
in the daylight saving time calendar in the US;
- To correct any errors. The firmware is a complex piece of coding and inevitably minor errors
can creep in, which are sometimes not spotted by anyone for
weeks or months after release.
IMPORTANT: There are different versions
of console firmware designed for the exact type of console that you
have. For example, VP2 console firmware is distinct from VP1
firmware; VP2 wireless consoles have different firmware from VP2
cabled consoles; and Envoy consoles are different from standard consoles. It is
essential only to load a firmware update of the correct type for
your console. Loading an incorrect firmware version is
likely to cause your console to stop working.
Each firmware
update revision is denoted by its release date -
thus the current revision is April 10 2006 for the
standard VP2 wireless
console (NB Cabled and Envoy consoles
may differ.]
The firmware version currently installed on your VP console can be seen on the VP ticker display
of the standard console by
pressing the Done and cursor '+' keys at the same time. (Envoy
consoles must be checked via the Weatherlink software.)
The rest of this page focuses on firmware for the VP2 range.
Details of firmware for the original (VP1) Vantage Pro stations may
be found elsewhere.
Would I benefit from a firmware upgrade?
In general, for most users, there will be no pressing need to
upgrade at all. For the great majority of console functions, you may
notice no difference whatsoever. Even if you do like the idea of
having the latest available firmware, it might be worth waiting
until a subsequent release to upgrade, so that you will be able to take
advantage of any further features that may be included. Certainly
there will often be no good reason to upgrade regularly to the latest
firmware version - just because it's there. The maxim of
'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' very much applies here.
However the detailed list at the bottom of this page records the
firmware changes that have been made for VP2 consoles since Nov 13th 2004 and you can
obviously check through this list and decide whether there is
anything of relevance to you personally. But broadly, there might be
five circumstances in which to consider an upgrade:
- If you have one of the earlier VP2 consoles then the cumulative
firmware changes may be enough for you to consider
upgrading, although the chances are still that you'll notice
little difference;
- If you are especially concerned about one of the issues
addressed by an upgrade, such as the barometer spiking in the
Nov 2005 versions or the revised Daylight Savings Time schedule
(US only);
- There are certain newer units, such as the VP2 wireless
repeaters, for which a recent firmware revision is
essential;
- If you would like to add the capability to update your
console firmware Direct From Your PC (see below for details);
- Reasons of software compatibility, where a firmware update has changed the format, even very
slightly, in which data is passed to a PC via the Weatherlink
data logger then some software packages may require a newer
firmware revision in order to function correctly. This is not
currently (April 2006) an issue with VP2 consoles since the data
format has remained unchanged since their introduction, but the
situation may conceivably change at some future date. However, beware of upgrading for this
reason unless your software specifically states that it needs a
certain firmware revision. If you upgrade too quickly to a new
firmware revision after its release, your software may not have
caught up with any format changes!
How do I upgrade the firmware?
Until recently there was only one way to upgrade VP2 console
firmware - using the special 6311VP2 Updater unit. This is a small
piece of hardware that can be loaded with a firmware revision and
used to update the console. However starting from the Nov 2005
firmware versions, the option to update firmware direct from your PC
(via your existing Weatherlink data logger connection) was
introduced.
If you have a console with firmware dated Nov 2005 or later then
you may well be able to update the firmware yourself. (NB The Nov
2005 firmware had to be loaded from an updater configured in a
certain way in order to activate the 'Direct from PC' updating
feature. If an older updater was used then the firmware would still
function perfectly well but the 'Direct from PC' feature would not
be available. In this case a 6311VP2 updater unit would still be
required to perform an update. Note also that the 'Direct from PC'
update feature is not available for VP1 consoles.)
If you do have current firmware that supports the 'Direct from
PC' feature then later firmware updates may be downloaded from the
Davis
support website. Take great care to download only the correct
firmware version for your console.
However, if your current firmware is older or you still need to
use an updater unit then this can be arranged using our firmware
upgrade services in one of two ways:
- Send your console to us and we'll upgrade it and get it back
to you promptly;
- Take advantage of our programmer loan service (sorry UK/EU
only). We will loan
you a firmware updater unit, subject to some simple conditions,
and you can perform the update yourself;
Firmware upgrade services
If you would like us to perform a firmware upgrade on your
console or to loan you a VP2 updater unit then the charge is the
same in either case at £25+VAT, payable in advance eg by credit card
and including P&P of the console or updater to you by UK Special
Delivery. (Anyone who bought a VP2 system from us is entitled to a
£5 discount on this price.) NB These prices are for UK customers
only. EU customers outside the UK please enquire for additional P&P
charges.
If you are interested in the loan of an updater then please note
the following:
The upgrade process is
pretty straightforward and needs no specialist skills, but does require
that the instructions provided are
followed carefully. We accept no responsibility if the updater is
misused.
Updater loans can only be made once we have your card number. The
updater is a valuable item and we must be sure of getting it back in
good condition and within a reasonable time. We will allow a maximum
of two weeks from the date that it is received by you to its
delivery back to us (though a quicker turnaround would obviously be
appreciated). The updater must be returned to us specifically by the
Royal Mail Special Delivery service in order that it can be
accurately tracked in transit. If we have not received the unit back
within the 2-week window and if you have not advised us of any
acceptable extenuating circumstances then we reserve the right to
convert the loan into a sale and charge the full list price of £200
to your card. Please request a loan updater only if you will be in a
position to use the updater promptly and not, for example, just
before you go on holiday!
For further details of any of these options please email us at
support@prodata.co.uk .
Firmware revision details
Below is a listing of firmware release notes for the main Vantage
Pro Console. Note that the Envoy console requires different firmware
code and may be at a different revision date. Use only the correct
firmware code for your console type - the main console should not be
updated with Envoy code or vice versa.
April 10, 2006
Corrected Issues
Fixed a bug that caused the barometric pressure reading to
intermittently spike.
November 28, 2005 (Wireless) / November 30, 2005 (Cabled)
Added
Added the capability to load future firmware directly from a
computer to the console through the data logger without the use of a
Vantage Pro2 Updater. Note: This capability
requires an updater with the latest updater Firmware ( dated October
5, 2005).
Included the new Daylight Savings Time change that becomes
effective in 2007. Currently, Daylight Savings Time starts on the
first Sunday in April and stops on the last Sunday in October. With
the new change effective in 2007, Daylight Savings Time starts the
second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.
Wireless Version Only - Improved the radio's gain and made gain
an automatic feature. Previously radio gain was controlled by
turning gain on and off in the Diagnostic Screens. The Gain Setting
that displayed in the banner of the Diagnostic Screens is replaced
with "Background Noise Level", which is used to determine if the
console should turn the gain on and off.
Wireless Version Only - Modified the keystroke combination for
displaying repeater information in Setup Screen 2 of the Setup Mode
from pressing WIND to pressing 2ND and WIND. Previously, the
keystroke combination for displaying repeater information in Setup
Screen 2 required pressing only WIND. The change in keystroke
combination makes it harder to turn on the repeater function by
accident.
Corrected Issues
Wireless Version Only - Fixed issue with temperature reading
not dashing out when the console has lost connection with a
Temperature/Humidity station.
Cabled Version Only - The default year was changed to display
2005.
May 27, 2005
Added
Wireless Version Only - Added functionality to support use of
Vantage Pro2 Wireless Repeaters (# 7626, 7627) and Long- Range
Wireless Repeaters (# 7653, 7654) previously not available.
Corrected Issues
Wireless Version Only - Fixed issue with console not entering
sleep mode when the console could not acquire the assigned station
signal from an assigned repeater but could hear the station signal
itself.
May 13, 2005
Corrected Issues
Updated the Heat Index formula used in the console to utilize
the same formula used in the WeatherLink software.
Modified Wind Chill calculations between 40şF (4.4şC) and 93şF
(33.9şC), giving more intuitive readings for temperatures above the
upper limit of the official wind chill formula (40şF). The result of
this modification is lower wind chill values in the above
temperature range than using the official formula.
Changed wind component of the THSW Index to reflect changes made
to Heat Index and Wind Chill formulas described above.
Improved forecasting techniques by applying the California Inland
criteria to the Mediterranean Sea region, which was considered as
Latitude South of 45şN and North of 30şN; Longitude East of 10şW and
West of 45şE.
Changed reporting of Due North from 0ş to 360ş to comply with the
National Weather Service reporting standards.
Revised wind direction formula to improve accuracy of readings.
Fixed error regarding the console not reporting a low battery
warning for Leaf % Soil Moisture/Temperature stations.
Wireless Version Only - Replaced the unused LOOP packet LEAF 4
field with a low repeater battery
status since the Envoy does not support the monitoring of four leaf
sensors.
Wireless Versions Only - The way the low battery status is reset
in Weather Envoy and displayed WeatherLink now takes place at
midnight. The Low Battery status for a station is not cleared once a
station's battery is replaced. Previously, once a station's battery
was replaced, the Low Battery warning would clear. In this version
of the firmware, the Low Battery warning does not clear, even after
a station's battery has been replaced until mid- night. During the
day, the station runs off solar power and takes a battery reading
which can be higher than the reading it takes during the night with-
out solar power. The Envoy keeps the low battery warning until
midnight or when the console enters Setup Mode.
January 4, 2005
Corrected Issues
Fixed a graph point that would not flash
Wireless Version Only - The default year was changed to display
2005.
Wireless Version Only - Raised the low console battery
threshold to 3.5 volts.
December 21, 2004
Corrected Issues
Wireless Version Only - Internal watchdog timer now set for 10
minutes instead of 10 hours.
December 16, 2004
Corrected Issues
Wireless Only - Fixed issue that would not allow the Envoy to
receive a station set on Transmitter ID l.
Wireless Only - Retransmit function corrected.
December 10, 2004
Initial Vantage Pro2 Cabled Envoy Firmware Release.
November 13, 2004
Initial Vantage Pro2 Wireless Envoy Firmware Release with new
radio protocol support. |
