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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All Rights Reserved.

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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