Bad Elf Flex BE-GPS-5500 User manual

User Manual
V2.0
March 15, 2021

Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Introduction 4
What’s in the Box? 4
Product Overview - Front 5
Product Overview - Rear 6
Supported Platforms 7
Charging and Charge Management 7
Charging your Bad Elf Flex 7
Operation while charging 7
Compatible chargers 7
Temperature limitations 7
Low battery 8
Battery Safety 8
Basics of Operation 8
Powering On and Off 8
Using Your Bad Elf Flex 8
Status information - LCD & LEDs 8
Status Icons 9
LEDs 10
Power LED (left) 11
GNSS LED (center) 11
Bluetooth LED (right) 11
Keypad 11
Bad Elf Flex Primary User Interface 13
Main Menu 13
GNSS & RTK Feature 14
Flex Settings Feature 18
Correction source 19
GNSS Configuration 20
Display Settings 20
Charging System Information 23
Flex Information 25
Digital Level Calibration 26
Internal Temperature Display 26
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License Information 27
Logging Features 27
Log Instant Point 28
Log Timed Point 28
Log Raw GCP (Ground Control Point) 29
Start/Stop Track Logging 30
Start New Project 31
Manage Logs 32
WiFi Function 34
Bluetooth Function 35
Tokens Function 36
Connecting Phones or Tablets via Bluetooth 37
For iPhones and iPads running iOS 37
For Android phones and tablets 37
For Windows 38
Installing the Bad Elf Flex app 38
Bad Elf Flex Tokens 38
Use the Bad Elf Flex app to load tokens 39
Using tokens directly on the Bad Elf Flex 39
Using 3rd party apps 39
Using an External Antenna 40
Height Reference 40
Specifications 41
Communications 41
Positioning Engine 42
Positioning Performance 42
Antenna 42
Battery and Power 43
Mechanical 43
Environmental 43
Bluetooth RF Characteristics 43
WI-FI RF Characteristics 44
Data Storage Specifications 45
Project Container 45
Point/Track recordings 46
Raw data recordings 48
Metadata 48
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RF Disclosures 49
Class B Statement – Notice to Users: 49
Human exposure to radio frequency energy 50
Limited Warranty Terms and Conditions 51
Warranty 51
Limitations and Remedies 51
How to Obtain Warranty Service 52
Limitation of Liability 52
Document Version 52
Trademarks 53
References 53
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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Bad Elf Flex® GNSS receiver. This manual describes the basic
operation of your Bad Elf Flex as well as specifications and warranty information. For the most
recent information, visit bad-elf.com/flex.
What’s in the Box?
The following items are included in the standard Bad Elf Flex configuration:
● Bad Elf Flex
● Rugged carrying case
● Accessory case
● AC wall charger
● Vehicle charger
● 1m USB charging cable
● USB OTG adapter cable
● 5/8” x 11 to 1/4” x 20 pole mount adapter
● Quick start guide
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Product Overview - Front
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Product Overview - Rear
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Supported Platforms
You can connect a Bad Elf Flex to a phone, tablet, or PC powered by the following operating
systems:
● iOS version 11 or newer
● Android version 4.1x or newer
● Windows version 10.x or newer
● Mac OS X version 10.4 or newer
Charging and Charge Management
Charging your Bad Elf Flex
Charge your Bad Elf Flex fully before first use. Here’s how to properly charge your Bad Elf Flex:
● Using the supplied USB charging cable, insert the mini-USB connector into your Bad Elf
Flex.
● Insert the other end of the charging cable into the supplied AC wall charger or the
supplied vehicle charger.
● Charge your Bad Elf Flex until the LED on the left turns green.
Operation while charging
You can operate your Bad Elf Flex while it is charging. A charge current of 1500 maH or greater
can sustain unlimited operation regardless of the charge state.
Compatible chargers
The standard configuration for the Bad Elf Flex includes an AC charger and a vehicle charger.
Any standard USB compatible charger may be used as an alternative. The Bad Elf Flex can
support quick-charger adapters as well as standard USB charging from a PC or laptop. The
charge rate depends on the USB charger current.
Temperature limitations
Charging only occurs within the valid temperature range defined in the specifications of this
manual. Battery temperatures outside the listed charge temperature range prevent the Bad Elf
Flex from charging to protect the battery.
Note: The battery temperature may differ from the ambient air temperature as internal
temperatures vary during usage.
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Low battery
The Bad Elf Flex actively monitors the charge level of the battery. As the battery’s charge
approaches a low point, an icon appears on the screen. Using the Bad Elf Flex beyond this
point can cause it to automatically shut down to avoid over-discharge of the battery. If this
happens, you must charge the battery sufficiently to restore operation. Normal operation can
begin once the Bad Elf Flex detects either sufficient USB charging or a battery charge level
above low threshold.
Battery Safety
Charge and use the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery only in strict accordance with the
instructions. Charging or using the battery in unauthorized equipment can cause an explosion or
fire, and can result in personal injury and/or equipment damage. To prevent injury or damage:
● Do not charge or use the product if it appears to be damaged or leaking.
● Charge the product only with an approved USB power source that can provide at least
1500 maH of charging current at 5VDC.
● Discontinue charging a battery that gives off extreme heat or a burning odor.
● Use the product only for its intended use and according to the instructions found in this
document.
Basics of Operation
Powering On and Off
To turn the Bad Elf Flex on, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. It will take
approximately 20 seconds to start up and to begin searching for satellites.
To turn the Bad Elf Flex off, press and hold the power button until the display turns off.
Using Your Bad Elf Flex
We’ve designed the Flex to be as simple and intuitive as possible. See the pictures and
illustrations below for a description of the primary components of the user interface.
Status information - LCD & LEDs
The LCD display is the primary user interface of the Bad Elf Flex.
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Status Icons
The status bar at the top of the screen provides status of the GNSS engine, Bluetooth, and
battery. Each of the icons represents the current state of a particular function of the Bad Elf Flex.
The table below contains descriptions of each icon.
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LEDs
The LEDs located directly below the display show the following status information:
Power LED (left)
The power status LED indicates the battery condition, charging source type, and operating
status.
Color
Meaning
Solid Green
Fully charged
Pulsing Green
Charging, battery > 75%
~2.5 sec interval => high current charging source
~5 sec interval => low current charging source
Pulsing Red
Charging, battery < 75%
~2.5 sec interval => high current charging source
~5 sec interval => low current charging source
Fast Red
During normal operation without USB power and battery low
USB charging source not usable—invalid or low current charger
Fast Yellow
Battery temperature out of range for charging
Purple
On-the-go (OTG) port in use
None
Not charging
GNSS LED (center)
Color
Meaning
Solid Green
GNSS has a satellite lock
Solid Red
GNSS does not have a satellite lock
Bluetooth LED (right)
Color
Meaning
Solid Blue
Bluetooth connection established
None
No Bluetooth connection found
Keypad
The keypad on the front of the Bad Elf Flex provides buttons for interacting with the screens and
menus. Descriptions for each button are provided in the table below.
Button
Function
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Arrow buttons
Used to navigate the menus, submenus, and
selections found in the one of the Bad Elf
Flex features
Enter button
Used to accept an action or open a submenu
within a feature
Back button
Used to exit a submenu or feature
Power button
Holding for 3 seconds to power on or power
off the Bad Elf Flex.
Note: holding for 15 seconds achieves a
system shutdown
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Bad Elf Flex Primary User Interface
Main Menu
This feature provides detailed information specific to the
performance of the GNSS engine including:
● GNSS accuracy measures
● GNSS positional measurements
● Operating configuration
● Sky plots
● RTK statistics
● L-Band Statistics
● Orthometric heights
All logging recording features are available while using this
feature.
Navigating the GNSS & RTK feature
● Left and right arrow buttons select the previous
or next display screen
● Enter button selects the logging functions
● Back button returns to the main menu
While in the logging submenu
● Up , down , left , or right buttons scroll
throw the logging selections
● Enter button selects a logging operation
● Back button dismisses the logging submenu
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GNSS & RTK Feature
Primary GNSS Status Page
Field descriptions
● Horizontal - the reported statistical accuracy reported
by the GNSS
● Elevation - the reported GNSS elevation as configured
by the Bad Elf Flex app. This includes the specific
geoid model currently in use.
● Fix - the type of GNSS fix:
○ FIX - RTK or L-Band Fixed solution
○ FLT - RTK or L-Band Float solution
○ DIF - Differential corrected solution
○ AUT - Autonomous solution
○ NO - No solution
● Correction - the source of corrections:
○ SBAS
○ RTCM3
○ L-Band
● Bubble level - the orientation of the Flex with respect
to vertical
Note: You can configure the units used for each of these fields
by using either the Flex UI or the Bad Elf Flex app.
Detailed GNSS Status Page
● Horizontal - the statistical horizontal accuracy reported
by the GNSS
● Vertical - the statistical vertical accuracy reported by
the GNSS
● Elevation - the reported GNSS elevation as configured
by the Bad Elf Flex app
● PDOP - positional dilution of precision
● HDOP - horizontal dilution of precision
● VDOP - vertical dilution of precision
● Latitude - the current latitude north or south
● Longitude - the current longitude east or west
Note: You can configure latitude and longitude to appear in
decimal degrees, degrees with decimal minutes, or degrees
and minutes with seconds
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GNSS Corrections Page
● Fix - the type of GNSS fix:
○ FIX - RTK or L-Band Fixed solution
○ FLT - RTK or L-Band Float solution
○ DIF - Differential corrected solution
○ AUT - Autonomous solution
○ NO - No solution
● ACC - the RTK accuracy status (This is a hex encoded
field used for diagnostics.)
● Corrections in use - the source of corrections:
○ SBAS
○ RTCM3
○ L-Band
● Age - the age in seconds of the corrections source
● Distance - the distance between the Flex and the
corrections source
● Horizontal Estimate - an estimate of the horizontal
accuracy based on the corrections source
● Inbound Corrections - information about the source
producing corrections for the GNSS or No Source
RTK Status Page
This page displays text information pertaining to the quality of
an RTK fix. Any issues limiting the quality of the fix appear
here.
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L-Band Status Page
● Fix - the type of GNSS fix:
○ FIX - RTK or L-Band Fixed solution
○ FLT - RTK or L-Band Float solution
○ DIF - Differential corrected solution
○ AUT - Autonomous solution
○ NO - No solution
● Corrections in use - the source of corrections:
○ SBAS
○ RTCM3
○ L-Band
● Age - the age in seconds of the corrections source
● Freq - the frequency used for corrections. In SBAS
mode this reports SBAS L1. In L-Band mode this
reports the satellite frequency received.
● AGC, DSP, BER, NAVCON - diagnostic fields for use
by Bad Elf primarily related to L-Band reception
Orthometric Height Page
This page displays a complete picture of how orthometric
height is calculated. You can configure geoids, antenna
offsets, and final heights by using the Bad Elf Flex app.
● Model in use - the geoid model used to calculate
orthometric height, (Sats) indicates that the solution is
autonomous, (RTK) indicates that the solution is using
a geoid model based on the corrections source
● Ellipsoidal height - the GNSS ellipsoidal height as
reported by the Flex with no offset
● Antenna - the antenna height offset including any pole
height adjustments as defined in the Bad Elf Flex app
● Geoid - the geoidial offset calculated using the current
GNSS position and geoid model
● Final Orthometric Height - the orthometric height (H)
calculated using the geoid model (N), ellipsoidal height
(h), and antenna offset (A) using the formula:
H = h - A - N
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Satellite Page
This page displays a sky portrait of the approximate location
and orientation of visible satellites used in the solution.
Orientation is north-up. The outer ring represents the horizon,
and the inner ring represents 45 degrees off the horizon.
The line at the bottom shows how many satellites are part of
the solution and how many are visible.
Logging Popup
Actions
● Press the enter button on any of the pages to bring
up a popup containing logging options.
● You can scroll through the list of logging options using
the up and down arrow buttons
○ Press the enter button on an option to
activate that logging feature
○ Press the back button to dismiss the
logging popup
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No Fix Indication
When the Bad Elf Flex cannot compute a GNSS solution,
relevant display pages will revert to the message:
No GNSS Fix
Primary reasons for this message include:
● The Flex has recently powered up and has not yet
acquired a position.
● The Flex has changed location significantly, or has
been off for some time, and needs to receive
information from the satellites to derive its new
location.
● The Flex has poor orientation or has a limited view of
the sky.
Flex Settings Feature
The settings feature of the Bad Elf Flex provides the ability to
modify some of the settings directly on the Bad Elf Flex.
● Correction source selection
● GNSS configuration
● Display settings
● Charging system status
● Flex information
● Digital bubble level calibration
● Temperature monitoring
● License information
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Correction source
This feature provides you the ability to explicitly select a
corrections source. The “X” indicates the current primary
corrections source.
Note: If an option has an asterisk next to the text, this means
that the option requires a Bad Elf Flex token for selection.
By default, SBAS is the primary corrections source. However,
if the Bad Elf Flex is using a token or is in Extreme mode,
corrections from RTK via NTRIP will override the default
setting of SBAS.
To use Atlas L-Band corrections, you must have L-Band
enabled via Bad Elf Flex token or subscription, and you must
explicitly select the L-Band option.
Note: using of L-Band will reduce the battery life. See
specifications for more details.
Actions:
● Use the up and down arrow buttons to select
one of the corrections sources.
● Press the enter button on a selection to make it
active
● Press the back button to return to the settings
feature
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