ION PATHFINDER GO User manual

2
User Guide
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the PathfinderTM Go speaker. At ION, your entertainment is as
important to us as it is to you. That’s why we design our products with one thing in mind—to
make your life more fun and more convenient.
Note: Before you first use the product, please fully charge the batteries. Your unit was
purposely shipped with a reduced battery charge to ensure safe transit. For optimal charging,
power off the speaker while charging.
Use the included USB-A to USB-C®cable to connect the unit to a 5V, 2A power adapter (not
included) connected to a power outlet and let it charge for up to 3 hours (depending on the
specifications of your adapter). This helps ensure the longest life for your battery.
Box Contents
PathfinderTM Go
USB-A to USB-C®Charging Cable (3.28 ft / 1 m)
Quickstart Guide
Support
For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system
requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit ionaudio.com.
For additional product support, visit ionaudio.com/support.
Setup
Outdoor Use and Care
Though PathfinderTM Go is water-resistant and able to tolerate splashing water, please review
the tips below to get the best performance from your PathfinderTM Go:
•Bring PathfinderTM Go indoors during extreme weather.
•Please do not place PathfinderTM Go in standing water.
•Please do not connect the power adapter to a PathfinderTM Go in a wet environment. Make
sure the power input, power adapter, and power outlet are all completely dry before
making any connections.
•WARNING: Keep any non-water-resistant devices (phones, music players, etc.) in a dry
place where they will not be affected by water and cause a risk of electric shock.

3
Charging & Battery Information
For the quickest charging time, power off PathfinderTM Go and use the included USB-A to
USB-C®cable to connect the USB-C®charging port on the rear panel of the speaker to a USB
power adapter (DC 5V 2A, not included) connected to a power outlet, or your computer
(powered on). A full charge can take up to 3 hours, depending on the specifications of your 5V,
2A adapter.
The lightning bolt icon on the display will light up when PathfinderTM Go is
connected to a power source and charging. The battery icon will fill to
display the battery life percentage. When charging is complete, the lightning
bolt icon will disappear, and the battery icon will be completely filled.
If no audio is played through the PathfinderTM Go speaker for 15 minutes, the unit will enter a
standby mode to conserve battery life. This may mean the Bluetooth signal is paused, no
audio is coming through a device connected to the aux port, or the volume is set to 0. To
wake the unit, simply resume audio signal or press any button.
Here are some other recommendations for getting the longest life from the internal battery.
General Usage Fully charge the battery before using it.
Charge the battery completely after each use.
Do not charge the battery in exceedingly hot (greater than 90°F/32°C) or
exceedingly cold (less than 32°F/0°C) temperatures.
Storage For best product longevity, do not store at exceedingly hot (greater than
90°F/32°C) or exceedingly cold (less than 32°F/0°C) temperatures.
It is acceptable to leave your sound system plugged in. This will not
overcharge the battery.
If you leave the battery level low and do not charge it for 3 months, it may
permanently lose capacity.
Repair If the battery fails to charge, contact ION Audio at ionaudio.com.
Disposal Bring the unit to a recycling center or dispose of in accordance with local
ordinances.

4
Features
Top Panel
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1. Power Button: Press and hold this button to turn PathfinderTM Go on and off.
2. Boom ButtonTM:Press to simultaneously enhance the bass EQ and volume and activate a
light show that pulses to the beat of the music.
3. Bluetooth®Button: Press this button to enter Bluetooth pairing mode. When connected to
a Bluetooth device, double-press this button to disconnect a paired device and re-enter
pairing mode, or single-press to disconnect a paired device and enter Aux mode. See
Operation > Bluetooth Connecting with PathfinderTM Go to learn how to connect a
Bluetooth device.
Press and hold this button to enable or disable voice prompts.
4. Source Button: Press this button to cycle between FM, USB, and Aux modes.
5. Lights Button: Press this button to switch between Color Cycle, Beat Sync, and Solid Color
light modes, or to turn the lights off.
6. Stereo-LinkTM / Repeat Button: See Operation > Stereo-LinkTM: Syncing Two Speakers
to learn more.
In USB playback mode, press this button to cycle between repeat modes. See Operation >
USB Playback Mode to learn more.
7. Previous / Next Buttons: In FM mode, press these buttons briefly to go to the previous or
next station. Press and hold these buttons to seek the previous or next strong station.
In Bluetooth and USB modes, press these buttons to go to the previous or next track.
8. Play/Pause / Presets Button: Press this button to play and pause Bluetooth or USB
audio.
In FM mode, use this button to save and recall radio presets. See Operation > Using the
Radio to learn more.
9. Volume Up/Down Buttons: Press these buttons to adjust the speaker’s volume. The
current volume level will be shown on the display.
Press and hold both + and – buttons for 5 seconds to reset the speaker to factory settings.

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Display
The PathfinderTM Go display shows information related to its current operation, including:
•Battery Indicator (): The battery icon displays the battery life percentage. When fully
charged, the battery icon will be completely filled.
•Stereo-LinkTM Icon ( ): The Stereo-LinkTM icon will display when PathfinderTM Go is
linked to another speaker. The Stereo-LinkTM icon will be off when a single speaker is
used. See Operation > Stereo-LinkTM: Syncing Two Speakers below for instructions
on how to link two speakers.
•Bluetooth Icon ( ):The Bluetooth icon will display when a device is paired to
PathfinderTM Go. See Operation > Bluetooth Connecting with PathfinderTM Go to learn
how to connect a Bluetooth device.
•Source Icons (FM, AUX, USB): These icons will indicate whether PathfinderTM Go is in
FM, Aux, or USB playback modes.
•Lightning Bolt Icon ( ): The lightning bolt icon will display when PathfinderTM Go is
connected to a power outlet.
•BOOM Icon: The BOOM icon will display when the Boom ButtonTM is pressed. The
icon will be off when the function is deactivated.
•Radio Station: The numerals on the right side indicate the current radio station that is
selected. This area will also show the volume and the current repeat mode when either
are changed.

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Rear Panel
Note: Pull the tab on the protective rubber panel to release it and access the rear panel ports.
1. USB-A Playback/Device Charging Port: Connect a USB drive here for USB mode
playback. See Operation > USB Playback Mode for more information.
PathfinderTM Go includes a power bank function, which allows you to charge a
compatible 5V, 1A smartphone, tablet, or other device using the unit’s internal battery
(Capacity: 2000mAh/11.1V 22.2Wh) by connecting a cable here. See Operation >
Using the USB Charge Port for more information.
2. Aux Input: Connect an MP3 or other audio player to PathfinderTM Go here using a 1/8”
(3.5 mm) auxiliary cable (not included). See Operation > Connecting an Audio Device
Using the Aux Input for more information.
3. USB-C®Charging Port: Connect the USB-C®end of the included cable to PathfinderTM
Go here, then connect the USB-A end to a 5V, 2A USB power adapter (sold separately)
and plug it into a power outlet, or your computer (powered on).

7
Operation
App Control
IMPORTANT: To ensure the best possible experience with the app, use the most current
Android OS or iOS on your device.
Follow these steps to download the free app on your device:
1. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play on your device. Then, search for the ION
Sound ControlTM app.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the app. Once downloaded,
the ION Sound ControlTM app will appear on your device's home screen.
3. Connect your device to PathfinderTM Go via Bluetooth. See Operation > Bluetooth
Connecting with PathfinderTM Go to learn how to do this.
4. Open the ION Sound ControlTM app. If prompted, allow the app to access your device's
Bluetooth and Location Services.
5. Follow the steps on screen to find and connect to your PathfinderTM Go. Once connected,
you can control various functions of the speaker, such as:
•Volume: Adjust the speaker's volume.
•EQ: Adjust the speaker's equalization.
•Voice Prompts: Enable or disable the voice prompts.
•Lights: Change the light modes.
•Battery Life: Check the speaker’s battery life status.
•Support: Visit ionaudio.com, contact Technical Support, and view Warranty
information and Frequently Asked Questions.

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Bluetooth Connecting with PathfinderTM Go
1. Turn on PathfinderTM Go by holding down the Power button for 2 seconds. PathfinderTM Go
will automatically enter Bluetooth pairing mode.
2. Navigate to your device’s Bluetooth setup screen, find Pathfinder Go, and connect. The
Bluetooth icon will appear in the display, and you will hear “Connected” (if voice prompts
are enabled).
Note: Do not connect to iSP165_BLE; this is reserved exclusively for connecting to the
ION Sound ControlTM app. If you experience trouble in connecting, select “Forget this
Device” on your Bluetooth device and try to connect again.
3. Now you can use the buttons on the front panel to control audio playback:
•Press the Play/Pause button to play or pause the current track.
•Press and quickly release the +button to increase the volume.
•Press and quickly release the - button to decrease the volume.
•Press the >button to skip to the next track.
•Press the < button to revert to the beginning of the current track. Repeat this action
within 1 second to skip to the previous track.
To disconnect a paired device, do any of the following:
•Turn off Bluetooth from your device’s Bluetooth settings. The speaker will enter
Bluetooth pairing mode to make it available for another device.
•Press and hold the Bluetooth button to disconnect and re-enter pairing mode.
•Briefly press the Bluetooth button to disconnect and enter Aux mode.
When you disconnect a Bluetooth device, you will hear “Bluetooth disconnected” if voice
prompts are enabled.

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Stereo-LinkTM: Syncing Two Speakers
Tip: PathfinderTM Go can sync audio with other PathfinderTM Go speakers or with the ION
PathfinderTM 320°.
1. Be sure to disconnect Bluetooth devices before attempting to pair speakers using Stereo-
LinkTM. Press and hold the Bluetooth button to do this.
2. Press and hold the Link button on each PathfinderTM speaker. A beeping sound will be
heard and the link icon in each display will flash while a link is being established. Please
allow 10 to 30 seconds for the speakers to link.
Note: Speakers should be within 50’ (15 m) of each other to properly link. The closer the
speakers are, the faster they will link.
Note: To exit Stereo-LinkTM mode, double-press the Link button again.
3. Once the speakers are linked, the Link icon will be lit solid on both units.
4. Select which unit will be the “primary” speaker by pressing and releasing the Bluetooth
button on that unit.
5. Navigate to your device's Bluetooth settings menu and select Pathfinder Go to connect.
When the connection is successful, you will hear "Bluetooth Connected" from the primary
speaker (if voice prompts are enabled). When Bluetooth audio playback begins, you
should hear it through both speakers. The primary speaker will play the left channel while
the secondary speaker plays the right channel. Playback controls are active on both
speakers.
Note: Radio, Aux, and USB modes will be disabled when Stereo-LinkTM is active.
6. To exit Stereo-LinkTM mode, double-press the Link button. You will hear "Bluetooth
disconnected" from the primary speaker to indicate the link has been broken (if voice
prompts are enabled).

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Using the Radio
To use the radio, press the Source button so that FM is selected and shown on the display.
While in FM mode, briefly press the Previous and Next buttons (</>) to move to the previous
or next station. Press and hold the </>buttons to seek for the next strongest station in that
direction.
To save a radio station as a preset:
1. Press and hold the Play/Pause button.
2. Use the </>buttons to select a preset number, 1–12, shown on the display.
3. When you have selected the desired preset number, quickly press and release the
Play/Pause button again to save it.
To recall a previously saved preset, briefly press the Play/Pause button to cycle between
the 12 presets.
USB Playback Mode
Connect a USB drive to the USB-A port on the rear panel of PathfinderTM Go to play music files.
Once the drive is connected, press the Source button until USB is selected and shown on the
display.
While in USB playback mode, you can use the following buttons on the front panel to control
playback:
•Press the Play/Pause button to start or stop USB playback.
•Use the Previous and Next buttons (</>) to skip to the previous or next USB track.
•Briefly press the Link button to cycle between repeat modes, as shown on the display:
oALL: Repeats all tracks on the USB drive.
oFOLd: Repeats all tracks in the current folder of the USB drive.
oOnE: Repeats the currently playing track.
orAn: Randomly shuffles the track order.
Using the USB Charge Port
To use the USB charge port:
1. Connect a USB type-A cable to the USB Charge
Port on the rear panel of your PathfinderTM Go
speaker (see image).
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the
charging input on your smartphone, tablet, or
other compatible device.

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Connecting an Audio Device Using the Aux Input
1. Connect a 1/8” (3.5 mm) auxiliary cable to the input on the rear panel of PathfinderTM Go
and connect the other end to an audio device such as an MP3 or CD player. The speaker
will automatically switch the audio source to Aux mode but will maintain all Bluetooth
connections.
2. Press play on your device’s music player. Use the Volume Up/Down (+/-) buttons to
adjust the Aux volume.
Note: PathfinderTM Go speaker volume controls act independently from your connected
device. Lower the volume on your device if signal distortion occurs.
3. Disconnect the Aux cable to exit Aux mode. PathfinderTM Go will revert to the audio mode it
was in before the Aux connection, either Bluetooth or USB Playback mode.
Troubleshooting
If the unit is not charging: Make sure the USB-A to USB-C®charging cable is properly
connected to the power input, the power adapter, and the power outlet.
If the sound is distorted: Try lowering the volume control of your sound source.
If there is too much bass: Try adjusting the tone or EQ control on your sound source to lower
the bass level. This will allow you to play the music louder before clipping (distortion) occurs.
You can also check to see if the BOOM function is enabled, and disable it by pressing the
BOOM buttonTM to disable it.
If you cannot connect your audio device to PathfinderTM Go via Bluetooth:
•Have your audio device (e.g., smartphone or tablet) and PathfinderTM Go as close together
as possible while trying to connect. Make sure both the audio device and PathfinderTM Go
are unobstructed by walls, furniture, etc.
•Double-press the Bluetooth button to disconnect PathfinderTM Go from any other audio
device and restart the search process. If this does not work right away, power off
PathfinderTM Go and then power it back on. See Operation > Bluetooth Connecting with
PathfinderTM Go for more information.
•Reset the Bluetooth connection on your audio device by turning Bluetooth off and back
on. You can find this under the Bluetooth menu in the Settings for your phone or other
audio device.
If this does not work, and you have connected to PathfinderTM Go before, find PathfinderTM
Go in the list of available or previously connected devices in your audio device's
Bluetooth menu, tap the "gear" or “i” icon located next to it and then select Unpair or
Forget. Turn PathfinderTM Go off and back on and try pairing again once it reappears in
your available devices list.
Note: If PathfinderTM Go has been paired to another audio device recently that is still
within range, you may need to repeat this process with that audio device to fully
disconnect.
If you experience audio dropouts while playing music from a Bluetooth device, this may
be happening because your unit is trying to link to another speaker. This can occur if you
power off a speaker that was linked to your unit or if you have just turned on your unit and it is
in Stereo-LinkTM mode. To stop the audio dropouts, exit Stereo-LinkTM mode by double-
pressing the Bluetooth button. Alternatively, you can wait for your unit to link to another
speaker if there is one within range.

12
Appendix
Technical Specifications
Output Power 65 W (peak)
Drivers 6.5" (165.1 mm) woofer
(2) 2.5" (63.5 mm) tweeters
Bluetooth Specifications Profile:A2DP, AVRCP
Bluetooth Version: 5.0
Range:Up to 100 ft. (30.5 m) *
Stereo-LinkTM Range: Up to 100 ft. (30.5 m) between
speakers
Battery Capacity: 2000mAh/11.1V, 22.2Wh
Battery life: Up to 10 hours **
Charge Time: Up to 3 Hours
Dimensions
(width x depth x height)
13.48" x 6.50" x 13.23"
343 mm x 165 mm x 336 mm
Weight 7.65 lbs.
3.47 kg
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
* Bluetooth and wireless reception and range are affected by walls, obstructions, and movement. For
optimal performance, place the product so it is unobstructed by walls or furniture and is raised off the
ground.
** Battery life may vary based on temperature, age, and volume usage of product.
Trademarks & Licenses
ION Audio is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by
ION Audio is under license.
App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Android and Google Play are registered trademarks of Google Inc. All other product names, company
names, trademarks, or trade names are those of their respective owners.
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