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Gents,
Labradar has updated its firmware to 1.3.3. According to Tom Mouser the sales rep it is to smooth the Bluetooth connection with your phone app.
New Phone app is also available.
There is some feedback online about it. This video from F Class John
[video=youtube;iKoMgQDHNTU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKoMgQDHNTU[/video]
Haven't used it on the firing line yet so no comment.
For some strange reason they are now selling 'Labradar Lite', which is the radar without Bluetooth.
[video]https://buymylabradar.com/products/labradar-lite-non-bluetooth-out-of-stock-no-backorders-at-this-time[/video]
Seems regressive - Is that price a discount from the earlier Bluetooth models?
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my labradar was 559.95 in october of 2020, it had bluetooth
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Quote:For some strange reason they are now selling 'Labradar Lite', which is the radar without Bluetooth.
Heard that they couldn't get the chips for the Bluetooth. Just went and checked and they aren't even offering the Bluetooth version now.
Quote:my labradar was 559.95 in october of 2020, it had bluetooth
Paid about the same in 2021 for mine.
As far as how mine is working at the range, I have not had any trouble getting my phone (Android) to connect. Also it is recording all shots from both my rifles (using a trigger) and my pistols (using the built-in mic).
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08-02-2022, 06:06 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-02-2022, 06:09 PM by Old Bob.)
Does anyone have any experience with Labradar & external interference from other radar sources? The R & P range that I'm a member of is right next to the Albuquerque International Airport & Kirtland AFB. There are several continuously operated, large radar towers on the AFB part of the airport plus weather radars. I've never seen any complaints about there being a problem with interference from other radars, but it seems like it could be something that might be possible. Is the operational frequency of the Labradar far enough off from military or weather radars that interference is a non-issue?
This is something I need to know before I spend the money for a Labradar.
I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.
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Old Bob Wrote:Does anyone have any experience with Labradar & external interference from other radar sources? The R & P range that I'm a member of is right next to the Albuquerque International Airport & Kirtland AFB. There are several continuously operated, large radar towers on the AFB part of the airport plus weather radars. I've never seen any complaints about there being a problem with interference from other radars, but it seems like it could be something that might be possible. Is the operational frequency of the Labradar far enough off from military or weather radars that interference is a non-issue?
This is something I need to know before I spend the money for a Labradar.
Since I don't know the answer to your question Old Bob, I contacted Labradar with your question today. Should have an answer today or tomorrow from them. I wouldn't think that there would be any interference but you never know til you ask.
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Update: Here is the response that I received from Labradar. That was quick.
Quote:Labradar operates at 24 ghz. We have not heard of any conflicts with weather or military radars. The only weird one I know of is a guy that shoots near a military base and every time a Blackhawk flew by it caused him issues. After the Blackhawk left, everything was okay. He assumed it was radar jamming from the helicopter.
Richard
I guess if you see any Blackhawks, take a break from shooting. 
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jasper2408 Wrote:Update: Here is the response that I received from Labradar. That was quick.
I guess if you see any Blackhawks, take a break from shooting.
Thanks Jasper. There are Blackhawks & Ospreys too at the AFB. They almost always fly at night here for their pararescue training.
I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.
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08-17-2022, 12:14 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-17-2022, 01:21 AM by Klem.)
Used the latest app on an iPhone with the Labradar 1.3.3 at the range.
The app froze twice during the shooting session. Went into an endless loop of 'data transfer' where the only remedy was to get out and delete the whole app. Then reinstall it. The Arm button on the new interface screens takes a while to figure out where this is. Also still trying to figure out how to transfer data from the app. There is now the ability to transfer info in CSV (Excel) files but have not had time to explore this.
Still no ability to go back and add shots to previous strings which is a pity.
Obviously still a work in progress.
I send this feedback to the Labradar guy, Tom Mouser.
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the easiest way to to transfer data is to use an sd card in the unit, then put that sd card in a computer
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mdram Wrote:the easiest way to to transfer data is to use an sd card in the unit, then put that sd card in a computer
The previous app did not have the ability to transfer data so a new way is worth mentioning.
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Anybody have any tips on getting the latest firmware to update? I have followed the instructions in the file, including trying different "root" locations for the update....all to no avail. It still shows the original version of firmware.
Additionally.....i have started having issues with the unit just completely turning off randomly in the middle of a string. This has been while connected to the app. I haven't tried it without yet.
This would be such a great product if it would work. Honestly, can't wait to dump it for someone who comes along with a functioning unit. Maybe Caldwell can get that done!
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keystone183 Wrote:Anybody have any tips on getting the latest firmware to update? I have followed the instructions in the file, including trying different "root" locations for the update....all to no avail. It still shows the original version of firmware.
Additionally.....i have started having issues with the unit just completely turning off randomly in the middle of a string. This has been while connected to the app. I haven't tried it without yet.
This would be such a great product if it would work. Honestly, can't wait to dump it for someone who comes along with a functioning unit. Maybe Caldwell can get that done!
Could you list the steps that you are doing once you download the file from the Labradar site so we can see what you are doing exacly?
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Key,
With the firmware update use an SD card.
Start with the card formatted with nothing on it.
Download the 1.3.3 firmware onto your computer.
Unpack the Zip file onto your SD card. So, open it up till you see three files: fwA,bin and fwB,bin and a text file. Transfer those three files to the SD Card (not the Zip folder)
Insert the SD card and start the Labradar
For connectivity issues with the phone app, the old app had this problem. But it also could be your power cord gets shifted around while shooting. How do you power the radar?
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08-18-2022, 02:20 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2022, 02:23 PM by lazyengineer.)
Re: Bluetooth hardware, I read that they couldn't get the bluetooth chips. This is real, I had to re-enginner some of my products for work, due to crazy chip supply chain issues, so I have no doubt this is true. While it may be possible for them to get new bluetooth hardware, they will have to re-engineer their main hardware and base firmware, to make it all work again, and that can be no small task. IMHO, they should have, but also IMHO, this whole product is basically a retiree's cottage industry hobby product up in Canada. He did a marvelous job with the initial engineering, but they really need to do an entire Gen 2; which they still haven't done.
JMHO.
Thanks for the udpate on the firmware and app. Personally, I would advise people to wait, and not buy the no-bluetooth version, as the physical unit interface is pretty horrible, and if they can make bluetooth reliable, that's a much more pleasant experience.
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08-18-2022, 03:01 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2022, 03:20 PM by lazyengineer.)
Not seeing a new App in the android Playstore. Jan 2022 is latest.
I wish they would pit the app on Kindle fire. As I run one of those as designated device (cheap), but onlyb1st Gen app works (I had forced it onto Kindle)
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Magnetospeed. Insert 9V battery and shoot away, no worries.
I know, I know... just couldn't restrain myself!!!
lol.
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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grayfox Wrote:Magnetospeed. Insert 9V battery and shoot away, no worries.
I know, I know... just couldn't restrain myself!!!
lol.
wont fit on my ar or my 1911............. 
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lazyengineer Wrote:Not seeing a new App in the android Playstore. Jan 2022 is latest.
I wish they would pit the app on Kindle fire. As I run one of those as designated device (cheap), but onlyb1st Gen app works (I had forced it onto Kindle)
put the google play store on the kindle, its not that difficult
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Klem Wrote:Key,
With the firmware update use an SD card.
Start with the card formatted with nothing on it.
Download the 1.3.3 firmware onto your computer.
Unpack the Zip file onto your SD card. So, open it up till you see three files: fwA,bin and fwB,bin and a text file. Transfer those three files to the SD Card (not the Zip folder)
Insert the SD card and start the Labradar
For connectivity issues with the phone app, the old app had this problem. But it also could be your power cord gets shifted around while shooting. How do you power the radar? I guess i'm going to have to call them. I have done that a dozen times or so now with several different SD cards. Including having the files in a folder, or not in a folder....i can't figure it out!
I use a usb battery pack and have the batteries onboard as well. I'll try next time disconnecting the cord and see if that powers of the unit
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08-19-2022, 12:31 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-19-2022, 12:38 AM by Klem.)
keystone183 Wrote:I guess i'm going to have to call them. I have done that a dozen times or so now with several different SD cards. Including having the files in a folder, or not in a folder....i can't figure it out!
I use a usb battery pack and have the batteries onboard as well. I'll try next time disconnecting the cord and see if that powers of the unit
Key,
Firmware Updating
Strange, as long as you don't have anything else on the card and you insert the card with new files while the machine is OFF, when you re-start it should automatically update.
Phone app
If you can't get the phone app to work you are not missing out on much. The earlier version kept dropping out, and while the newer version is more stable the phone freezes - so pick your poison. I read on another forum someone else had the same issue with the phone freezing so not peculiar to me. I've never been a fan of using the phone app so not a big issue.
Power Issues
With the power dropping out - It might be the micro-USB socket. Over time and use the port becomes sloppy. Plugging in and out and getting jerked around causes the contacts on that tiny socket to wear and expand (this is discussed on other shooting forums). For a while I attached an elastic band to the plug going in, to hold it under tension in either an up or down angle, to keep firm contact. This works, but was not a permanent solution so opened it up and added a dedicated power socket. Another fix is to carefully bend the socket back to original dimensions with a flat screwdriver. I have not done this but there are photos elsewhere where others are recommending this. Other shooters also point out that micro USB plugs are not all the same quality, and if your cable is a cheapo dodgy type then the likelihood it's on the edge of being in spec is real.
I agree with Lazy, I wouldn't buy the Labradar 'Lite' (without Bluetooth). It's the same price as the standard Bluetooth version so you have to wonder who's being played here.
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