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This guide only applies to current-generation Spotters running on v2.15.5 or lower. These Spotters MUST BE updated to v2.15.6 BEFORE they are updated to v2.16.8.

For Spotters already on v2.15.6 or v2.16.x, see Firmware v2.16.8 Installation Instructions.

If you accidentally install the wrong firmware version, do not try to fix things by installing the correct version after the fact. This will cause further problems to your system. Instead, contact the Sofar Support Team for advice on how to proceed.

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Requirements

You will need:

• a Spotter running on firmware version v2.15.5 or lower (see Find your Spotter’s firmware version)
• a USB-C data and charging cable, preferably the one provided with your Spotter

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Not all cables can be used for data transfer! Make sure you have one USB-C cable that can be before proceeding.

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• a computer with an active internet connection (or the firmware package already downloaded)
• the administrative credentials for the computer you will be using </aside>

macOs

1. Connect your Spotter to your computer using the USB-C data cable.

   1. If you’re doing this for the first time, your Mac may ask you if you want to allow the accessory to connect → Click Allow.

      

2. Turn on your Spotter by switching the on/off switch to the “on” position.

3. Make sure that an SD card is properly inserted into the Spotter. If it isn’t, the SYSTEM LED will likely be red.

4. Make sure your Spotter is in RUN mode (see pages 12-15 of the Spotter User Guide). Your SYSTEM LED should be green, your GO LED should be red or green (solid or blinking), and the amber strobe light should be flashing periodically.

5. If you haven’t already, install Homebrew on your Mac. This package manager for macOS will enable you to install the firmware update via the Terminal.

6. Open a new Terminal window on your Mac and run brew install dfu-util (i.e., type brew install dfu-util into the Terminal window and then press Enter).

7. Download the applicable firmware package:

   • For Bristlemouth Spotters on v2.15.5 or lower
   • For other (non-Bristlemouth) current-generation Spotters on v2.15.5 or lower

   <aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" width="40px" />

   Not sure how to tell what type of Spotter you have? Look at the symbol in the center of the QR code on top of the Spotter. Bristlemouth Spotters have an orange Bristlemouth logo in the center, while all other current-generation Spotters have a black Spotter symbol.

   

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8. In Finder, confirm that you downloaded the correct firmware package and then open the zip file to unzip the folder.

   1. Bristlemouth Spotter → Spotter_Bristlemouth_FW_v2.15.6.zip
   2. Other current-generation Spotter → Spotter_FW_v2.15.6.zip

9. In the unzipped folder, find and open the macOS subfolder that corresponds to the type of processor your Mac has:

   • If your Mac has an M-series chip → Open the macos-apple-silicon subfolder.
   • If your Mac has an Intel Processor → Open the macos-intel subfolder.

10. Right-click (or Ctrl+Click) the spotter-flash-upload file and select Open.

    <aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" width="40px" />

    You may see a warning like this:

    

    If you do, click OK to close the warning and then open System Settings, click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, and scroll down to the Security section. Below “spotter-flash-upload” was blocked..., click Open Anyway.

    

    If prompted, enter the administrator credentials (username and password).

    You might see another warning:

    

    Click Open.

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11. Terminal might request access to files in your Downloads folder. Click Allow.

    

12. A new Terminal window will open and display real-time progress of the update, which should take between 3-5 minutes.

    1. You may see the question “Does your Spotter Ebox have a Signal LED? (Y/N)” come up in the Terminal window.

       

       <aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" width="40px" />

       Take a look at your Spotter’s E-Box and check if there is a SIGNAL LED below the SYSTEM and GO LEDs.

       

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       1. If there is a SIGNAL LED, enter Y and then press Enter.
       2. If there is not a SIGNAL LED, enter N and then press Enter.

    2. You may see the question “Does your spotter support Bristlemouth? (Y/N)” come up in the Terminal window.

       

       1. If you have a Bristlemouth Spotter, enter Y and then press Enter.
       2. If you have a non-Bristlemouth Spotter, enter N and then press Enter.

13. If the update is successful, Terminal will display Successfully updated Spotter firmware!.

    

    <aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" width="40px" />

    If the update is unsuccessful, you will see a red error message in the Terminal window. Turn off the Spotter and unplug the USB-C data cable before trying again.

    If you continue to see an error message after multiple attempts, please email the Sofar Support Team and include a screenshot of the Terminal window.

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14. Your Spotter firmware has been updated to v2.15.6. Exit the Terminal window, disconnect the USB-C data cable, and then follow the ‣ to install v2.16.8.

Linux