Radarspotting

Mode-S Receivers => Kinetic's SBS-3 => Topic started by: bigskybirds on December 14, 2012, 07:40:07 PM

Title: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: bigskybirds on December 14, 2012, 07:40:07 PM
I purchased a new SBS-3 10 days ago from a Kinetic Approved Dealer and it was delivered with firmware 116 installed. Today I decided to upgrade to V118 and it has killed the box. At one point I was able to recover by going back to an earlier firmware but when I tried V118 again after discussions with Kinetic the SBS-3 would no longer connect to Basestation.

A word of warning for people thinking of purchasing an SBS-3 Kinetics web site state they offer support for direct sales only. The suppliers of my last two SBS-3s have pointed me at Kinetic as soon as I have contacted them for advice. At the moment Kinetic are willing to help and I am awaiting an RMA for my £500 dead blue brick.

Merry Xmas
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: Anmer on December 16, 2012, 08:15:25 AM
Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the retailer (in this case the dealer) is contractually obliged to resolve the issue and can't abdicate responsibility.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: bigskybirds on December 16, 2012, 08:55:39 AM
Quote from: Anmer on December 16, 2012, 08:15:25 AM
Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the retailer (in this case the dealer) is contractually obliged to resolve the issue and can't abdicate responsibility.

Thanks for the reply I will contact Citizens Advice consumer service for advice.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: bigskybirds on December 16, 2012, 11:53:27 AM
Any one thinking of purchasing a new SBS should read the support details which is clarified on Kinetics web site.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: Anmer on December 16, 2012, 12:06:42 PM
Buying from a dealer/retailer shouldn't have any detrimental affect on one's statutory rights regarding defective goods.

Retailers will sometimes try and avoid responsibility for goods they supply and advise the consumer to approach the manufacturer.  Fortunately they can't get away with that trick.

Sale of Goods Act 1979 protects the consumer and makes the retailer responsible:

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/sale-of-goods/understanding-the-sale-of-goods-act/your-rights/

Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: bigskybirds on December 16, 2012, 12:13:57 PM
Thats great on paper but who really wants to get in to a legal fight to get support for a new product.

I did try to purchase via the Kinetic direct channel but they were not available at the time.

I was also told that I should not update the firmware but this is a software defined receiver so that should be an accepted procedure.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: Anmer on December 16, 2012, 12:19:54 PM
I've never had a legal fight over faulty goods.  Just tell the delaer that you want your money back or you'll see him/her in the Small Claims Court.  That usually works.

Whilst this isn't the place to resolve your particular complaint, I don't think we should be advising members not to buy from Kinetic's dealers who have a legal duty to support their customers.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: bigskybirds on December 16, 2012, 12:30:01 PM
I am not advising people not to buy from dealers and will modify that, the majority I am sure want to help but in two cases I have been referred back to Kinetic so my experience has not been what was expected.

I just want to highlight what Kinetics statement says about support on their web site.

I hope that clarifies the issue.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: G4UMW on December 16, 2012, 06:40:34 PM
FWIW my SBS-3 wouldn't connect via ethernet after updating to firmware v118 and BaseStation v178. Reverted to v115/175 and all well.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: Anmer on December 18, 2012, 11:14:48 AM
Just updated my SBS-3 firmware to V118 and Basestation software to V178.

Basestation connects OK using either USB or Ethernet.

My SBS-3 serial number = 03030*.

Maybe it's a problem with a later batch of SBS-3?

I see Kinetic hasn't responded to this or similar threads on its own forum?
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: G4UMW on December 18, 2012, 12:15:38 PM
Mine's a much later s/n - 03107*.

Chris called me yesterday; he is awaiting the return of another box which exhibits the problem and they will do some testing to identify the cause and come up with a solution.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: Anmer on December 18, 2012, 12:25:47 PM
Thanks Rob, keep us posted.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: apgphoto on December 18, 2012, 06:49:53 PM
Mine is 03048* and works fine after update but I connect only via USB
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: G4UMW on December 19, 2012, 11:07:55 AM
Looking at the Event Log for a failed connection reveals the following:

MainSocketError: error on connection 192.168.1.170:10001 (10061)

Googling on the error code gives a number of possible reasons (corrupt registry etc) so I suspect it's a generic catch-all but that doesn't explain why the older firmware/software still works.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: Anmer on December 19, 2012, 12:19:55 PM
I'm assuming you have the right network address in Basestation, both Hardware and Non-Volatile Memory Settings?
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: G4UMW on December 19, 2012, 12:34:56 PM
Yes Mike, I haven't changed anything. All works normally with firmware v115/BaseStation v175 but not with v118/178. I can ping the box and get no data loss with the new firmware/software but can't connect. The NVRAM settings are not visible without a connection.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: Anmer on December 19, 2012, 12:51:21 PM
Thanks Rob.

All down to Kinetic looking at this I guess?
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: G4UMW on December 19, 2012, 03:04:45 PM
Looks that way.
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: airladysmith on December 20, 2012, 08:34:09 PM
Hi ,

I just checked the Kinetics updated site and can not see were 178 and v118 are showing  .

All I see is the older version  .

Is there another site to down load the new updates .

I still using 1.2.3.175 and 116 Firmware 

Whats in the new updates ?

Thanks

Tony
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: MIXISM on December 20, 2012, 08:40:11 PM
look in the tab "Beta"!
Later
Title: Re: SBS-3 Upgrade woes
Post by: airladysmith on December 20, 2012, 09:26:01 PM
Thanks - Found it   ;D

Tony


;D