We’ve got a double whammy of Ego upgrades for you! Version 1.00 firmware for the Ego is now ready for release, and the new Ego grips have come into stock at long last! As of 14th March 2005, all Eclipse Ego markers leaving our production line will have Version 1.00 firmware installed, and will come with the new Ego rubber grips. The new features and details of how you can get the upgrade if you are an existing Ego owner are described below:
New Features of Version 1.00:
The Mode (MODE) Parameter
It is now possible to select from a number of different firing modes using the Mode parameter –
SEMI – This is the default firing mode which produces one shot for every pull of the trigger and is uncapped with the Break Beam Sensor System (BBSS) enabled. This mode is NPPL compatible.
PSP – This mode allows the rate of fire to ramp to a maximum of 15 bps (balls per second) once the trigger has been pulled four times at a minimum rate of 5 pps (pulls per second), and allows this rate of fire to be maintained as long as trigger pull rate is maintained. After the last trigger pull, the ramp can be restarted with a single pull if that pull occurs within one second. This mode is PSP and PA compatible.
MILL (Millennium) – This mode is the same as the PSP mode but without the 1 second ramp restart. This mode is compatible with the Millennium Series.
CFOA – This mode is the same as the Semi mode but the maximum rate of fire is capped at 15bps.
TRNG (Training) – This mode is the same as the Semi mode but the rammer is prevented from striking the exhaust valve, the BBSS is permanently disabled and the rate of fire is uncapped. This mode is compatible with the neighbours!
The current firing mode is displayed at all times on the main screen.
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Maximum ROF with BBSS switched off (OFF ROF) Parameter
The Max ROF parameter has been renamed to remove any confusion. The maximum possible value for this parameter has been reduced to 15bps to maintain compatibility with the rules of the major leagues. Training Mode has been provided to allow you to practise firing your marker at uncapped rates of fire.
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Break Beam Sensor System (BBSS) Operation
Earlier versions of firmware were able to detect when the BBSS was prevented from operating correctly and switched the sensor off. This new firmware is able to detect when the BBSS starts to operate correctly again and will switch the sensor back on. The BBSS icon on the main screen is used to indicate the six possible states of the BBSS as follows –
Fig A – The BBSS is enabled and a ball is detected. The Ego can be fired at the maximum rate of fire determined by the firing mode.
Fig B – The BBSS is enabled and no ball is detected. The Ego cannot be fired.
Fig C - The BBSS is disabled. The Ego can be fired at a maximum rate of fire set by the OFF ROF parameter.
Fig D - A BBSS fault has been detected and the sensor is disabled. The Ego can be fired at a maximum rate of fire of 10bps, regardless of the selected firing mode.
Fig E - A BBSS sensor fault has been cleared and the sensor is enabled. A ball is detected and the Ego can be fired at the maximum rate of fire determined by the firing mode.
Fig F - A BBSS fault has been cleared and the sensor is enabled. No ball is detected so the Ego cannot be fired.
After a BBSS fault, the fault indication will remain until either the BBSS is switched off or the Ego is switched off.
The ‘ball present’ indicator in the centre of the BBSS icon has been increased in size in order to improve readability.
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Game Timer
Any changes to the game timer settings are now implemented instantly. In previous versions any changes would only come into effect when the game timer was reset.
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Bug Fixes
Earlier versions suffered from an intermittent start-up problem which caused corruption of the information on the LCD and prevented the Ego from firing. This problem could be rectified by turning the Ego off and on again however it was a bug and has now been fixed.
How can I get upgraded to the new software and new grips?
You have some options here, the easiest and fastest way of getting the upgrade is to come to the Eclipse booth at the Huntington Beach NPPL on 18th – 20th March 2005 and we will upgrade your Ego firmware and rubber grips for free by exchanging your existing Ego circuit board with a new Version 1.00 equipped circuit board, and swapping your old grips for some new Ego rubber grips.
Secondly you can send your Ego circuit board and old rubber grip into either Planet Eclipse HQ in Manchester, England or Planet Eclipse LLC in Rhode Island and get them exchanged for a small fee. When sending your Ego PCB and old rubber grips into us please remember to include a covering letter detailing the work that you would like done and contact details so that we can return your new board to you ASAP. Address details and prices are specified below:
UK and Europe.
Planet Eclipse (UK and Europe)
Units 5-8 Southfield Industrial Estate,
Praed Road,
Trafford Park,
Manchester,
M17 1SJ,
England.
Upgrade cost of £10.00 plus shipping. Please note that sending a complete Ego marker into us will incur a greater amount of shipping.
USA
Planet Eclipse LLC,
84 Cutler Street,
Suite No.4,
Warren,
Rhode Island,
02885,
USA.
Upgrade cost of $20.00 plus shipping. Please note that sending a complete Ego marker into us will incur a greater amount of shipping.
The third and final option is to call into Planet Eclipse, Manchester and we will upgrade you whilst you wait. This service will cost £10.00 as specified above.
Please note you cannot take your marker into our Rhode Island office, it will have to be shipped there instead.
The future?
Once the sand has settled from Huntington Beach 2005, we will release full details of Eclipse Service Centers that can swap your existing circuit board to one with the latest firmware version and exchange your old grips for new Ego ones. In the meantime if you are an Eclipse Dealer then please contact your Eclipse Representative for further information.
Kindest regards,
Planet Eclipse.
New Ego Grip just in case you were wondering
New Features of Version 1.00:
The Mode (MODE) Parameter
It is now possible to select from a number of different firing modes using the Mode parameter –
SEMI – This is the default firing mode which produces one shot for every pull of the trigger and is uncapped with the Break Beam Sensor System (BBSS) enabled. This mode is NPPL compatible.
PSP – This mode allows the rate of fire to ramp to a maximum of 15 bps (balls per second) once the trigger has been pulled four times at a minimum rate of 5 pps (pulls per second), and allows this rate of fire to be maintained as long as trigger pull rate is maintained. After the last trigger pull, the ramp can be restarted with a single pull if that pull occurs within one second. This mode is PSP and PA compatible.
MILL (Millennium) – This mode is the same as the PSP mode but without the 1 second ramp restart. This mode is compatible with the Millennium Series.
CFOA – This mode is the same as the Semi mode but the maximum rate of fire is capped at 15bps.
TRNG (Training) – This mode is the same as the Semi mode but the rammer is prevented from striking the exhaust valve, the BBSS is permanently disabled and the rate of fire is uncapped. This mode is compatible with the neighbours!
The current firing mode is displayed at all times on the main screen.
---
Maximum ROF with BBSS switched off (OFF ROF) Parameter
The Max ROF parameter has been renamed to remove any confusion. The maximum possible value for this parameter has been reduced to 15bps to maintain compatibility with the rules of the major leagues. Training Mode has been provided to allow you to practise firing your marker at uncapped rates of fire.
---
Break Beam Sensor System (BBSS) Operation
Earlier versions of firmware were able to detect when the BBSS was prevented from operating correctly and switched the sensor off. This new firmware is able to detect when the BBSS starts to operate correctly again and will switch the sensor back on. The BBSS icon on the main screen is used to indicate the six possible states of the BBSS as follows –
Fig A – The BBSS is enabled and a ball is detected. The Ego can be fired at the maximum rate of fire determined by the firing mode.
Fig B – The BBSS is enabled and no ball is detected. The Ego cannot be fired.
Fig C - The BBSS is disabled. The Ego can be fired at a maximum rate of fire set by the OFF ROF parameter.
Fig D - A BBSS fault has been detected and the sensor is disabled. The Ego can be fired at a maximum rate of fire of 10bps, regardless of the selected firing mode.
Fig E - A BBSS sensor fault has been cleared and the sensor is enabled. A ball is detected and the Ego can be fired at the maximum rate of fire determined by the firing mode.
Fig F - A BBSS fault has been cleared and the sensor is enabled. No ball is detected so the Ego cannot be fired.
After a BBSS fault, the fault indication will remain until either the BBSS is switched off or the Ego is switched off.
The ‘ball present’ indicator in the centre of the BBSS icon has been increased in size in order to improve readability.
---
Game Timer
Any changes to the game timer settings are now implemented instantly. In previous versions any changes would only come into effect when the game timer was reset.
---
Bug Fixes
Earlier versions suffered from an intermittent start-up problem which caused corruption of the information on the LCD and prevented the Ego from firing. This problem could be rectified by turning the Ego off and on again however it was a bug and has now been fixed.
How can I get upgraded to the new software and new grips?
You have some options here, the easiest and fastest way of getting the upgrade is to come to the Eclipse booth at the Huntington Beach NPPL on 18th – 20th March 2005 and we will upgrade your Ego firmware and rubber grips for free by exchanging your existing Ego circuit board with a new Version 1.00 equipped circuit board, and swapping your old grips for some new Ego rubber grips.
Secondly you can send your Ego circuit board and old rubber grip into either Planet Eclipse HQ in Manchester, England or Planet Eclipse LLC in Rhode Island and get them exchanged for a small fee. When sending your Ego PCB and old rubber grips into us please remember to include a covering letter detailing the work that you would like done and contact details so that we can return your new board to you ASAP. Address details and prices are specified below:
UK and Europe.
Planet Eclipse (UK and Europe)
Units 5-8 Southfield Industrial Estate,
Praed Road,
Trafford Park,
Manchester,
M17 1SJ,
England.
Upgrade cost of £10.00 plus shipping. Please note that sending a complete Ego marker into us will incur a greater amount of shipping.
USA
Planet Eclipse LLC,
84 Cutler Street,
Suite No.4,
Warren,
Rhode Island,
02885,
USA.
Upgrade cost of $20.00 plus shipping. Please note that sending a complete Ego marker into us will incur a greater amount of shipping.
The third and final option is to call into Planet Eclipse, Manchester and we will upgrade you whilst you wait. This service will cost £10.00 as specified above.
Please note you cannot take your marker into our Rhode Island office, it will have to be shipped there instead.
The future?
Once the sand has settled from Huntington Beach 2005, we will release full details of Eclipse Service Centers that can swap your existing circuit board to one with the latest firmware version and exchange your old grips for new Ego ones. In the meantime if you are an Eclipse Dealer then please contact your Eclipse Representative for further information.
Kindest regards,
Planet Eclipse.
New Ego Grip just in case you were wondering
