Labradar and SAmsung bluetooth problems

[JimSC]

I sent mine back today. Yesterday the USB port started to act up. I had a fully charged power pack and tried two USB cables and it would only stay connected when I physically held the connector in at the Labradar end connector. Thank God that Brownells has a good return policy. I iwill use the money to buy another $100 Pro Chrono, my last one lasted over 8 years before it started to to act screwy. As far as the dopplar goes I will switch from optical one day, it's just that today is not that day. Until Labradar version 2.0 or a competitor comes out with a improved version based on dopplar I will stick to my optical.

It's a shame too, I really wanted to like this thing but it was nothing but one annoyance after another. I could have just got a lemon and but I won't chance it again. I go to the range to relax, not fight my equipment.

 

[JMS597]

The app doesn't work on my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 either, it keeps getting "communication error". However it works like gangbusters on a Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet.

 

[DDRH65PRC]

Old thread I found through search.

I've been and still am having Bluetooth disconnect issues. After updating to v1.24, while at home, I don't have much issue connecting the the LabRadar. Currently using a Pixel2 and Pixel3. Previously used a Blackberry, Note3 and 2 different tablets Nexus7 (2013) and NVIDIA Shield (8" Tablet). All will work for a bit then disconnect and will have trouble staying connected and it gets worse to error and won't connect.

Yesterday at the range it worked fine for about 5 series, then started acting up. Today, I tested it again at home and seems to work fine. Tried 2 different size battery packs (Ankor), still same issue.

I'm wondering if muzzle blast is somehow causing the electronics the get wacked out. Putting the LabRadar forward of the muzzle brake seems to help a bit.

Emailed with a rep a year ago, got one or two replies, and never heard from them again.

I did suggest to them, for a few improvements.

call it a "FieldRadar" instead of "Lab".
Make it less sensitive for field use, better material. Maybe some soft-touch type rubber.

And quit using micro-usb, those things break easily...switch to USB-C.

 

[JW74]

I just got a new Labradar and while I was setting everything up I also downloaded the iphone app (iphone 8) and like many others was not able to connect via bluetooth, "communication error". After several attempts to connect I was still not having any luck. I even uninstalled and reinstalled the app on my phone. In the end I discovered that my phone being connected to my Garmin watch was the issue. I disconnected the watch from my iphone and I was able to connect to my Labradar without issue repeatedly. Possibly this may be of help to others that have had connectivity issues as well.

 

[dmoran]

Since I'm not a cell phone addict, and from what I've read here, I'll just continue using my Labradar with out ever pairing it and avoid app withdrawals altogether. The spread sheet data output/export is all I need for my data logs.

 

[mjl650]

I just got a new Labradar and while I was setting everything up I also downloaded the iphone app (iphone 8) and like many others was not able to connect via bluetooth, "communication error". After several attempts to connect I was still not having any luck. I even uninstalled and reinstalled the app on my phone. In the end I discovered that my phone being connected to my Garmin watch was the issue. I disconnected the watch from my iphone and I was able to connect to my Labradar without issue repeatedly. Possibly this may be of help to others that have had connectivity issues as well.

Same here..... I have an iPhone 6s and if I'm connected to any other device the LR won't connect unless I disconnect from the other connected device.

 

[243Mendoza]

I connect through my Samsung Tablet or cellphone. Connections is flaky but I can reconnect, most of the time, by either making sure the Labradar screen is on or that radar is turned off. Their bluetooth software seems to be wanting.

 

[jamesh]

I recently acquired a Labradar and planned on using one of my Samsung devices for remote control. The bluetooth worked ok at first, an occasional disconnect from the unit 2 feet away from the Labradar but today it quit working entirely. I have tried on 2 Samsung phones and a Samsung Tab A and cannot connect. The devices see the Labradar and even pair with it but I keep getting "communications error" when attempting to connect.

So far the best I have gotten from Labradar CS is Samsungs have bluetooth issues and reset the communications on the devices. I did that on the phone w/o a sim card that I normally use for drone flying and did not cure the problem. Also reinstalled the software, reset the Labradar to factory settings etc and it refuses to connect. I re emailed them but it's a small company so I am pretty sure they closed shop a few minutes after they emailed me and went home. Hopefully I will get a response Monday as to what else we can try, if anything

I have connected my Samsung devices to drones, external speakers, my audio system as well as to each other and never had issues.

Anyone else have a Samsung and a Labradar and figure out how to get them to work together reliably ?

Same issue here. I got it to work one time with a Samsung Tab A and then never again. Tried two Tab As and 2 Samsung phones connection error even though the phone shows it's connected. I just gave up.

 

[DDRH65PRC]

Did you guys:

1. exit the app and close app
2. turn off bluetooth on your phone/mobile device
3. power down (or power cycle) Lab Radar

then turn everything back on and tried to reconnect?

it's been working better for me. it'll still disconnect sometimes during mid string shots and i just have to go through to reset.

Although a few months ago i had alotta issues, but there were 3-4 Lab Radars and that may've caused some Bluetooth issues.

Oh, and one other issue.

Sometimes going in to "Settings" to change bullet weight, it shows up blank. You can't go in to change anything. I'm not sure if it's this...at my local range i have no mobile cell signal, so i turned off mobile to save battery. this seems to cause issues with the "settings"

I turned on "mobile" signal, even if i don't really get any, and i'm able to change settings.

This has only happened a few times, so i'm not sure if having your mobile connected/disconn is the issue.

 

[JimSC]

Did you guys:

1. exit the app and close app
2. turn off bluetooth on your phone/mobile device
3. power down (or power cycle) Lab Radar

then turn everything back on and tried to reconnect?

I think I tried pretty much everything up to and including prayer. I have seen at least a half dozen or more people at the range using them since my original post, no one uses the bluetooth. My 125 dollar Prochrono catches every shot and sends it to my tablet and phone perfectly, needs no special adapters for any firearm or bow, and a 9V battery lasts months. I will be forever grateful Brownells returned my money, the Labradar was just a 500 dollar headache for me

 

[46and2]

I think I tried pretty much everything up to and including prayer. I have seen at least a half dozen or more people at the range using them since my original post, no one uses the bluetooth. My 125 dollar Prochrono catches every shot and sends it to my tablet and phone perfectly, needs no special adapters for any firearm or bow, and a 9V battery lasts months. I will be forever grateful Brownells returned my money, the Labradar was just a 500 dollar headache for me

Had mine for 5 range trips and had calibration error then returned it, the bluetooth worked though. Got it back and never connected to devices again. Spent a long time with customer support and dozens of emails back and forth to the developers...nothing.

Someone really really really needs to give Labradar some competition and develop a better unit.
When this unit errors out again I'm going to send a 3150fps 230gr 30 cal into it !

 

[Big_Daddy]

And then there is my LabRadar…..Has worked perfectly for 2+ years.
No Bluetooth issues at all. I use a Galaxy Note 5.
I use a magnetic micro usb in the unit itself for the external battery. Never have to remove it from the unit.
Works great.

 

[jamesh]

Like Donovan I just download everything to my laptop. it's just disappointing that one of the features is totally worthless

 

[JimSC]

Someone really really really needs to give Labradar some competition and develop a better unit.

I'll second that. Or Labradar could do a complete redesign. Labradar II should include a bluetooth system that works, built in rechargeable battery, have the control and power units separate from the antennae/transmitter/receiver unit for ease of control, perhaps have the microphone trigger detachable as well. I can think of a few other improvements as well for ease of operation and reliability. The original is just "clunky" at best in my opinion. Just like in auto's never buy the first year a new model comes out

 

[Linko]

I would much prefer a wired remote control. arm on/off, next series, power on/off.

With a 30" barrel shooting prone requires getting up and down to do anything. if Bluetooth is too much just make a wired remote (old school) IMHO

Can we do that without LR since they don't care/

 

[46and2]

Get someone who will develop an Improved Doppler and watch them "care" all of the sudden.

 

[JimSC]

Get someone who will develop an Improved Doppler and watch them "care" all of the sudden.

Personally I think I will wait for Caldwell/Franklin Arsenal to come out with a model. I bet it will be reasonably priced and work. I have a target cam and a tumbler from them and neither broke the bank. Both have been used hard for several years now and are still doing what they were advertised to do

 

[muleman69]

Really like my lab, had my computer tech grandson update some stuff and now the blue tooth and unit performs great. (knock on wood)

 

[golong]

I would not look to Samsung being the problem. My Google Pixel has the same problem.

Going to give the latest FW a try (thanks @Davey Boy )

 

[Overwatcher]

I too was having problems, so I called LabRadar,and got it connected using an Iphone7.
I was getting a communication error,and the bluetooth signal would flash on the Labradar and the Unit would show up as "connected" on my bluetooth in the settings on my Iphone.
Make sure your Labradar is the LATEST version. (Currently V1.2.4)
1)For connecting for the FIRST time go to settings>privacy>Location Services and turn Location to ON.
(You can go back and turn it back off after first connection, and won't need it enabled thereafter)
2)Make sure there are NO other bluetooth devices connected..(I had my fitbit connected) He recommended not having any other devices connected on your phone when using the app. Also if the Labradar shows as "connected" on the bluetooth on your phone, go to bluetooth in settings and hit "forget the device".
3)Turn on Labradar
4)Open app and hit the re sync circle..If the device shows up already in "known devices" hit the device and the connection process should begin.
5)You should now be connected and not getting a communication error,this worked for me.
He also did mention that there will soon be an updated app that's much easier to connect too, with some other cool features added.