Bad Elf Flex: Updating Firmware

Bad Elf Flex: Updating Firmware


Info
Ready to upgrade your Flex to the latest firmware? Just follow these steps:
  1. On your phone or tablet, install or upgrade to the latest public Bad Elf Flex utility app available on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
  2. Connect your Flex to your phone/tablet via Bluetooth, open the Flex app, and perform any pending firmware updates from within the app.
  3. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions below to upgrade your Flex firmware via USB drive. 

The Bad Elf Flex firmware can be updated using a USB drive connected to the Bad Elf Flex using the supplied USB-OTG (on-the-go) adapter.

Installation Steps

  1. Download the latest public firmware version (see table below) to your PC or Mac.
  2. Verify (and rename, if necessary) the file name to ensure it does not contain any spaces or parentheses:
    WRONG: flex_firmware_1.2.4.5016 (2).bz5
    CORRECT: flex_firmware_1.2.4.5016.bz5
  3. Copy the file to any FAT-formatted USB drive, and cleanly unmount/eject the USB drive from your computer.
  4. Turn your Bad Elf Flex unit ON by holding the power button for 3-4 seconds, and wait until you see the main LCD screen (~30 seconds).
  5. Plug the USB drive into the supplied USB-OTG adapter cable.
  6. Plug the USB-OTG cable into the Mini-USB port on the back of your Bad Elf Flex.
  7. The left LED should light up purple, indicating the OTG cable was detected.
  8. The LCD screen will display a message indicating the USB Drive was detected.
  9. Within a few seconds, the Flex will start the update process.  You will usually see the all the LEDs turn purple during the update, and the screen will display a "Shutting down..." or "Updating firmware..." message.  Be patient, this can take 1-5 minutes depending on the state of your Flex.
  10. When finished, you will hear 2 beeps, and the new firmware will automatically start. 
  11. You can check the new firmware version by navigating to Settings > Flex Info.
  12. You can safely disconnect the USB drive and USB-OTG adapter cable from the back of your Bad Elf Flex.


Orthometric Height (GEOID) Models

Need orthometric height models for your region?  Visit our Orthometric Height / GEOIDs page.  These packages can be copied to the USB drive along with the firmware update file in step 3 above.

Public Firmware Releases


Version
Date
Description
v1.2.5
(build 5016)

DOWNLOAD
2/21/2025
  1. Updated RTK corrections status screen to support toggle between bytes/sec, total packet count, and total byte count
  2. Fixed bug affecting NMEA flow to 2nd app connection on Android
v1.2.4
(build 5014)

2/1/2025

  1. Added support for LaserTech 360i laser rangefinder
  2. Fixes for 20Hz streaming mode (requires license upgrade)
  3. Fixes for another BT timing bug exposed with iPhone 15 Pro Max
  4. Misc BT and other bug fixes
v1.2.3
(build 5008)
5/4/2024
  1. Added workaround for Bluetooth issue with iOS running on iPhone 15 Pro Max 
  2. Fixed several bugs causing Bluetooth connectivity issues during log transfers and when using high-bandwidth NTRIP/RTCM correction feeds
  3. Fixed several bugs related to Android Bluetooth clients
  4. Improved connectivity with external UHF radio and laser rangefinders
v1.2.0
(build 1208)
11/3/2022
  1. Added support for log transfers via Bluetooth.
  2. Added support for future firmware updates over Bluetooth.
  3. Added "Ortho Everywhere" features: 
    1. Configurable boot-up alerts for pole-height and 3rd party antenna height configuration.
    1. Extend ortho height values to all 3rd party apps using NMEA stream via Bluetooth or USB.
    1. Optional use of the standard NMEA GGA.STATION_ID field to encode datum and orthometric height metadata.
    1. Inclusion of datum and GEOID model metadata in CSV log files and shared with 3rd party app workflows.
  4. Added support for world-wide high resolution EGM2008 (1-degree) GEOID model.  Requires additional support files found here.
  5. Added configuration for Point One Navigation corrections to be provided in ITRF2014 (new) or NAD83 (default) output datum.
  6. Added base/rover alerts for lost communications, base tilt detection, etc.
  7. Added setting to auto-start track logging on boot and anytime a new project is created.
  8. Added pole height editor via Settings > GNSS screen.
  9. Updated UI to display/alert user of license and subscription expirations and monthly/yearly Atlas subscriptions.
  10. Improved clearing of FLT/FIXED solution within 6 secs of switching out of RTK mode
  11. Fixed numerous bugs related to Bluetooth and NTRIP connectivity, log viewing, etc.
v1.1.1
(build 1168)
5/25/2022
  1. Added Flex setting to enable $PSAT via Bluetooth.
  2. Fixed bug causing extra columns to appear in track and point CSV log files.
  3. Fixed Bluetooth bug affecting UHF radio connections.
v1.1.0
(build 1166)
5/4/2022
  1. Added base/rover support
  2. Added UHF radio support via USB and Bluetooth
  3. Improved Bluetooth screens (adding/unpairing/disconnecting)
  4. Fixed bug causing app to restart on shutdown
  5. Optimized UI when running in dark mode
  6. Added support to NTRIP client for raw TCP connections
v1.0.28
(build 1134)
10/21/2021
  1. Several fixes for BT connectivity issues with iOS devices
  2. Fixed bug causing custom project names to be reset to default timestamp
  3. Added NMEA streaming to PC or Mac via standard USB cables
  4. Added NMEA streaming to Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) head units via FTDI-based USB-RS232 cable
  5. Added bridge support for LaserTech laser rangefinders for offset measurements
  6. Added magnetic declination support based on current position (overridable) 
  7. Added EPSG code suffix to horizontal datum metadata

v1.0.21
(build 1098)
03/30/2021
  1. Added support for Point One Navigation RTK corrections service
  2. Added GEOID99 support
  3. Added CSV logging of NTRIP mount point and datum information
  4. Added streaming of notifications to the Bad Elf Flex utility app
v1.0.19
(build 1092)
12/14/2020
  1. Bluetooth connectivity and reconnect fixes
  2. Supports new GEOID models: AUS/NZ, UK/IR/NIR, Brazil, and Caribbean  
  3. Added CSV logging of MEMS accelerometer data
  4. RTK baseline field now respects distance units
  5. Added support for 2-20Hz track logging (requires additional license activation)
  6. Added support for reduced track logging rates (every 2-60 sec)
v1.0.18
(build 1084)
10/12/2020
  1. Major improvements to Bluetooth connectivity and reconnect logic.
  3. Added support for pole height offset in elevation values shown on LCD, streamed to Flex app, and stored in logs.
  4. Point and track logs now include NTRIP connection details, orthometric height fields, pole height, and datum in use (when available).
  5. Speed values are in logs are now correctly labeled as km/h (not m/s).
  6. Added support for RINEX 2.11 and 1-30 second decimations
  7. Added support for raw message streaming to 3rd party apps via SDK
  8. Added option for clearing Bluetooth pairings via LCD
  9. Added option to delete log projects (all or individually)
v1.0.15
(build 1061)
6/17/2020
  1. Fixed bug affecting charging via USB while Flex is OFF.
  2. Improved Bluetooth connectivity
v1.0.12
(build 1054)
4/27/20

  1. First release shipped with production Flex hardware

Public Bad Elf Flex App Releases


Version

DateDescription
v1.4.2
(Android build 1419/iOS build 1419)

8/11/2025
  1. This release includes the following new features and bug fixes:

    1. Added option to display accuracy in decimal feet and feet/inches
    2. Disabled tilt/lock checks when Flex is moving > 1km/h
    3. Improved navigation when toggling values displayed on SNR bar graph
    4. Improved NTRIP client support for MSM7 and other verbose RTCM streams
    5. Fixed tilt/lock re-arming when accuracy thresholds are regained
    6. Fixed "Guide to location" when using state plane coordinate systems
    7. Fixed UI bug when NTRIP mount browsing returns empty list
    8. Fixed NTRIP mount point browsing with malformed source tables
    9. Fixed bug in offset measurement checklist when changing offset method
    10. Fixed GPX speed units

  2. Additionally, this app release provides access to new firmware available for the Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini GNSS receivers.

Need Help?

  1. Email: support@bad-elf.com
  2. Visit: Best Practices for GNSS Data Collection →
  3. Visit: Bad Elf Flex Mini Updating Firmware →
  4. Explore: Bad Elf Flex Documentation → 




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