Summary

This article discusses common questions related to using Bluetooth-enabled communications with Survey Pro.

More Information

What is the operating range of Bluetooth?
Bluetooth has an operating range of approximately 10 meters (~33 feet).

If the user leaves this range for a short period of time, the Bluetooth connection can be automatically re-established. If "No data" or "No data -retrying" is flashing on the screen, immediately start walking back towards the communicating device to avoid losing the connection.

I have noticed intermittent communication errors when using Bluetooth.
Your body blocks Bluetooth radio waves. Therefore it is important that you do not completely block the line-of-sight between your Bluetooth-enabled data collector and the communicating device with any part of your body.

NOTE: The remainder of this document assumes that your Recon is running Windows Mobile™ 2003 software for Pocket PC's.

How do I use the Socket Bluetooth CompactFlash (CF) card with Survey Pro on the Recon?

1. Make sure you do not have the Bluetooth card inserted in the Recon.
2. Install the latest Socket Bluetooth drivers for Pocket PC.
3. Insert the Socket Bluetooth card.
4. Wait until the Bluetooth icon appears in the lower right hand corner.
5. Start Survey Pro.
6. Select a supported Bluetooth instrument to communicate with:
   • Topcon GTS Series
   • Topcon HiPer
   • Trimble 5800
   • Trimble R8
   • Thales Z-Max
7. Choose "Bluetooth" from the Com Port drop down list.
8. Tap OK.
9. You should now be communicating via Bluetooth.

Can I use Bluetooth for anything other than communicating with my instrument?
You should be able to connect and communicate with most Bluetooth devices. A few examples of devices that work are: ActiveSync, Socket GPS, and Sony/Ericsson T68i.

Where can I get a Bluetooth card for my Recon?
TDS provides a Socket Bluetooth CF card kit. If you buy a card from another provider, please make sure you are getting a Socket Bluetooth card and not a different brand.

When I use the Bluetooth icon in the Pocket PC control panel it doesn't find my Bluetooth card, why?
Socket does not use Microsoft's Bluetooth driver. To access Socket's driver, tap on the Bluetooth icon on the lower right hand side of the Today screen.

Should I use Favorites?
If you are using a pre-4.0 version of Survey Pro it is a requirement to use Favorites. If you are using a 4.0 or later version of Survey Pro, Favorites are no longer a requirement.

How do I setup a device as a Favorite?
Launch the Socket Bluetooth Manager. From here, go to the Tools->My Favorites… screen. Select the tab for the appropriate communication type (for Survey Pro this will be Com Port). Tap the "Use the Favorite selected above" radio button, and then select the device you want to set as your Favorite from the drop down box on the screen. From this point on, whenever using the selected communication type, the selected Favorite will automatically be used.

Can I use other brands of CF Bluetooth cards with Recon?
TDS recommends that you use Socket Bluetooth cards.

Why does Recon lose communication, lock-up or crash after a suspend/resume mode when Bluetooth is installed?
After a suspend/resume mode, the OS unloads/reloads the Socket Bluetooth card. You must wait for the OS to reload the driver before doing anything else. You can tell when the driver has been reloaded by going to the Today screen in the OS and waiting for the Bluetooth logo to appear in the bottom right hand side of the screen.
NOTE: The Bluetooth icon may disappear after a few seconds; this indicates that the driver has been unloaded.
NOTE: It could take a few seconds for the OS to unload the card.
NOTE: This process can take up to 30 seconds.

Why does Recon crash/lock up when I remove/reinsert the Bluetooth card?
You cannot remove the Bluetooth card while Survey Pro is running; this can lead to instability in Survey Pro and/or the OS. When you reinsert a Socket Bluetooth card, you must wait for the OS to reload the driver before doing anything else. You can tell when the driver has been reloaded by going to the Today screen in the OS and waiting for the Bluetooth logo to appear in the bottom right hand side of the screen.
NOTE: The Bluetooth icon may disappear after a few seconds; this indicates that the driver has been unloaded.
NOTE: This process can take up to 30 seconds.

What revision of the Socket Bluetooth CF card should I be using?
You must use a Rev. G or later Socket Bluetooth card. It is easy to find out the revision of your Bluetooth card by finding the model number on the back of the card. It should look like: 8510-00159x, where X is the revision letter of the card.

Can I use two Bluetooth cards simultaneously?
No.

Should I turn off my Recon's power suspend mode, and how do I do it?
It is required that you turn off the power suspend feature of the Recon when using Bluetooth. Go to Start->Settings. Select the System tab, and double tap the Power icon. Select the Advanced tab and uncheck both check boxes on this screen which says "Turn off device if not used for."