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  • GC2 Megaflash

    I have a batch of flashes assembled, tested, and ready to go. I have worked with Tretee on the JNPG forum on this design. He is a very skilled engineer with extensive flash design experience and test equipment. Here are the highlights of the new design.
    1.) It will definitely work with serial numbers 4200 and above
    - This is the point when Foresight started shipping their newest driver circuit board. The new driver can handle more current than the old one. The Foresight Superflash requires the newest driver board because it uses a larger bulb that needs more current to flash. The Megaflash uses less current than a Superflash but more than the old style, so to be safe I am saying 4200 and above.
    - If you have a lower serial number and are interested in testing the Megaflash send me a PM for more info.
    2.) It comes with a 1 year warranty
    - If it stops working within the first year I will send you a new circuit board that goes inside the housing for free. Foresight's Superflash has a prorated 1 year warranty
    - I expect it to last several years in a personal-use setting.
    3.) The case has been designed to be reusable
    - It is 3D printed on a $200k industrial printer for the highest quality print that I could find. It has a matte texture but no visible layers or extrusions like personal printers
    - It has a glass infrared filter instead of a plastic one
    - The back can be removed to put a new circuit board in
    4.) It has a life expectancy on par with the Superflash.
    - During longevity testing, we were able to run a bulb for over 2 million flashes which equates to 200k shots.
    - Each flash is tested for brightness on a light meter that I built to be brighter than the old design for reliable readings
    5.) A complete module costs $150.
    - If you bought one of my other designs, I will give you $10 off a new one.
    - Please add $10 for shipping to the UK and understand that it will take about 2 weeks to arrive. I can ship faster but cost will go up significantly.
    6.) Additional circuit boards for inside will be $100/piece.
    - I am going to hold off on selling extra boards until I can get everyone who is interested a complete module

    To purchase a flash, please send Paypal to gc2flash@gmail.com. Include your shipping address and forum username in the notes please. I will post when the first batch is gone. I have parts to build more so I will be replenishing my stock as they sell. If you have any questions, please post them below since other people may have the same question.
    Last edited by andygg1986; 01-02-2018, 04:16 AM.

  • andygg1986 my unit says hardware rev 2. What's needed to get upgraded? I have a SuperFlash on the way from Foresight... should I NOT install that? What impact would that have if I did?

    Comment


    • andygg1986
      andygg1986 commented
      Editing a comment
      You can install it, but it is likely that the flash driver board inside will burn out at some point. The Superflash draws more current than your old flash, so it will stress the driver board. It may last a while or it may burn out quickly, it's hard to say. Upgrading it involves removing the board from inside the GC2, replacing a couple of components on the board, and reinstalling it. If you want me to do it for you, I'm flexible on what that looks like. You can send me the whole GC2 and I will do everything, or you can open it up and send me just the driver board which will save on shipping costs.

  • Hi Andy; My GC2 just took a medium ball hit and the flash stopped working. The spare I got with the unit it seems to work, but I would like to try one of yours. What do I have to send for shipping UPS or FedEx etc. to Canada (Toronto area) and do you have stock ? Just in case you know: what is the difference between the spare and the Super Flash (or yours) ? The window appears a lot smaller.

    Comment


    • andygg1986
      andygg1986 commented
      Editing a comment
      The bulb in the spare one is much smaller and has a shorter lifespan. It is meant to just hold you over while you get a new one. I do have stock and shipping with fedex to Canada is a total of $175 USD. Let me know if you have any other questions.

  • Andy, can you send the Megaflash to Asia?

    Comment


    • andygg1986
      andygg1986 commented
      Editing a comment
      Yes I can, but right now I’m only using Fedex and UPS. The US post office has managed to lose the last three international shipments that I have sent. The total cost to Asia is $185 USD

    • Antony Chang
      Antony Chang commented
      Editing a comment
      Great! Please PM me your information for me to pay by PayPal.
      Last edited by Antony Chang; 02-23-2020, 12:45 PM.

  • Do you have one of these ready now? I would like to get one.

    Comment


    • andygg1986
      andygg1986 commented
      Editing a comment
      Yes I do! You can send PayPal and I can get it shipped out tomorrow. Just let me know your shipping address in the PayPal notes section.

  • sent paypal

    Comment


    • andygg1986
      andygg1986 commented
      Editing a comment
      Got it! Will send tracking tomorrow

  • Can anyone help please. I’d like to be able to use FSX mobile (driving range) but I don’t want to have to pay the £3000 for the full FSX for the privellidge!, is there a way around this that anyone is aware of. Currently using the FS app which is great but does not give a range view or show the ball flying. Thanks.

    Comment


    • andygg1986
      andygg1986 commented
      Editing a comment
      I'm not aware of any way to get FSX mobile to work without having the full FSX license. Occasionally someone will sell their FSX license for roughly half off, but that is still a lot of money to have a driving range view.

  • andygg1986 Are aware if it's possible to sell FSX if it's linked to the PC? I don't have a dongle for FSX, the previous owner bought a Foresight package that included GC2, HMT, and FSX linked to a Dell PC tower.

    Comment


    • andygg1986
      andygg1986 commented
      Editing a comment
      I can’t say for sure since I have never done it. I think when people sell it they are really selling their login information. Then the buyer logs in as them to activate the software, and then changes the username and password. You could try installing it on another computer that you own and see if you can activate it with your login info.

  • Is there any other software that gives a range that is more realistically priced?

    Comment


    • I believe that to log into FSX MOBILE you need the username and password for an up and running FSX 2018 account.

      Comment


      • Originally posted by JSPNW View Post
        Is there any other software that gives a range that is more realistically priced?
        You can likely get ProTee Play cheap. It has a range.
        My Courses:
        World Par 3's by mthunt
        Toronto GC (L) mthunt
        Burlington G&CC by mthunt
        Weston G&CC by mthunt
        London Hunt Club L mthunt
        Park CC Lidar mthunt
        Sunningdale GC Robinson L
        Sunningdale GC Thompson L
        Muirfield Village (liDAR) First Ever Lidar course
        Country Club of Castle Pines (liDAR)
        The Sanctuary GC ProTee L
        The National GC L mthunt
        Mississaugua GC L mthunt
        Shaughnessy G&CC L mthunt
        Markland Woods CC mthunt
        Hidden Lake Old L mthunt
        Magna GC L mthunt
        Barrie CC L mthunt
        mthunt Range

        Comment


        • Hi there, new to this forum, so this is my first post. I am going to try and repair a gc2, serial no A74** . It apparently has the second flash board failure. Having read some interesting threads here I'm now suspecting that it could be a switching transistor instead. I think the gc2 is 7 years old, so possible old enough for a transistor failure. My first question is, can the other compoments be tested first before I buy one of your flash cards. Also even if the transistor is ok does that need to be replaced anyway for the new flash card.

          Comment


          • andygg1986
            andygg1986 commented
            Editing a comment
            If you take the flash driver board out, you can test the flash driver board's switching transistor with a multimeter. To take it out, you need to remove the flash, then remove the GC2 cover (6 screws). Then remove 5 hex head screws around the gold board on the top left and pull out the flash driver board. You need to put the multimeter in resistor testing mode. The diode is the biggest component mounted on the board. It is a square about 1cm x 1cm with a big metal tab on the bottom and two legs soldered to the board on the top. Measure the resistance between all combinations of pins that are soldered down (tab to left pin, tab to right pin, left to right pin). If any of them are close to zero ohms, the transistor is blown.

            If your board says N3 on the sticker and the transistor is not blown, there is no need to replace it to use with my flash. If it says N or N2, then I would go ahead and replace it anyway as a precaution since you will already have it apart.

            You should also replace the gate driver which is smaller and more difficult. It is the 5 pin part next to the top right leg of the transistor. If you don't have much experience soldering, I would not recommend trying to do that yourself. I have had a few people think they can do various GC2 repairs only to end up making it worse and having to send it to me later on. Feel free to PM me with other questions or for part numbers.
            Last edited by andygg1986; 02-26-2020, 04:55 PM.

        • Thanks. Spoke to Protee today, extremely helpful.

          Comment


          • My flash board went, and I thought I was going to have to send it into Foresight and pay probably an astronomical amount. Sent Andy an email and he fixed my board and my flash! Can't recommend his work or his flashes enough. Great guy!!!!

            Comment


            • I would like also to add my appreciation for Andy's efforts. He assisted me in replacing a faulty driver circuit board and providing a new megaflash. The new parts have been working perfectly since I recieved them a week or so ago. His assistance was invaluable to me and I would thoroughly recommend Andy's opinion and great service.
              Thanks Andy

              Comment


              • Same experience as others... Andy fixed my flash driver board for an extremely reasonable price, provided a mega flash, and my GC2 is now back up and running. Not sure what i would have done without his help.

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