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Home » BarButtons » Using the BarButtons » Using the BarButtons (UC, firmware v2)

Using the BarButtons (UC, firmware v2)

The BarButtons are basically a small Bluetooth keyboard, built for use on a motorcycle. The primary use of the BarButtons is to control navigation apps on your smartphone. To use it you first have to pair it with your phone. Then you possibly have to configure the apps you are going to use to accept keyboard commands. The BarButtons come with different keymaps that are detailed on this page. Lastly, you might want to update the firmware to get new functionality

The BarButtons have a single status led that shows the current keymap and other information.

Pairing with your phone

The first thing you need to do is pair the BarButtons with your phone. When the BarButtons are not connected they are in pairing mode, the led is blinking once a second.

To connect to the BarButtons, open your phone’s Bluetooth settings and simply connect to the Bluetooth device BarButtons (UC). Once connected, your phone will display that it’s connected to an external keyboard and the BarButtons led will flash briefly every 5 seconds.

See the BarButtons FAQ for model specific information.

Configuring applications

Some applications require a little bit of configuration to support Bluetooth keyboards like the BarButtons. See the list of compatible applications for a complete overview.

Configuration menu

The BarButtons have a configuration menu that can be accessed by long-pressing button number 4. The status led will be turned on to indicate the BarButtons is in the configuration menu. In the configuration menu, the following steps can be taken:

ButtonPurpose
1-4Select keymap 1-4. The selection of keymap is stored between restarts of the BarButtons. The current keymap is identified by the status flash every 5 seconds: 1 flash for keymap 1, 2 flashes for keymap 2, and so on.
5Show firmware version number by flashing the led
6Update the firmware to the latest stable version
7Update the firmware to the latest preview version
8Return to normal mode

If you choose a keymap you will return to the normal menu.

Updating firmware

The firmware can be updated via WiFi using these steps:

  • Set up a hotspot, probably on your phone, with these settings:
    • SSID: barbuttons (sometimes called name. If you don’t have this, you might need to rename your device, see the faq)
    • Password: barbuttons
    • Band: 2.4GHz (sometimes called speed or compatibility)
    • Authentication: WPA2 (sometimes called security)
  • Enter the configuration menu (long press button 4) and choose the update you want:
    • The stable version (button 6) is stable. They keymaps on this page apply to the latest version of the stable firmware.
    • The preview version (button 7) is currently in development and might contain bugs. It is used to test new keymaps and features

When you select to update the firmware, the led will blink twice every second until it is connected. Once connected the led will stay on until the firmware update is completed. The BarButtons will restart with the new firmware. An update will usually take between 1-2 minutes.

Keymaps

They BarButton keymaps determine how you can use the BarButtons. There are 4 different keymaps that are described below. You can switch keymaps using the configuration menu. Keypresses that the BarButtons do are in 3 categories

  • Regular: sends a keypress (key down, and key up)
  • Repeated: sends repeated keypresses until the BarButtons are released
  • Direct press: the key down is sent upon pushing the BarButtons, the key up is sent when you release the BarButtons.

Regular and repeated keypresses can be different between short and long press of the BarButtons. Long press is any press longer than half a second

Keymap 1: Navigation

This keymap is intended for use in navigation apps like Osmand, Locus and Kurviger.

ButtonShort pressLong pressNotes / Intention
1++ (repeated)Zoom in
2 (repeated)Zoom out
3C, <space>D, Ctrl+LC = Center map (Osmand, Kurviger). <space> = Center map (Guru maps)
4NConfiguration menuN = Stop navigation view (Kurviger). D = change map direction (Osmand). Ctrl+L = change tracking mode (Guru maps)
5Up arrowUp arrow (repeated)Panning of the map
6Left arrowLeft arrow (repeated)Panning of the map
7Right arrowRight arrow (repeated)Panning of the map
8Down arrowDown arrow (repeated)Panning of the map

Keymap 2: Roadbooks

This keymap is intended for use in navigation apps that use roadbooks like Rally Navigator and Piste Roadbook

ButtonShort pressLong pressNotes / Intention
1Volume upVolume up (repeated)Trip meter up
2Volume downVolume down (repeated)Trip meter down
3Previous trackPrevious track (repeated)Scroll roadbook up
4Next trackNext track (repeated)Scroll roadbook down
5F5 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped to smaller increments in Piste Roadbook
6F6 direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped to smaller increments in Piste Roadbook
7F7 Configuration menuCan be mapped to smaller increments in Piste Roadbook
8F8 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped to smaller increments in Piste Roadbook

Keymap 3: Navigation + Media

This keymap is intended for use in navigation apps like Osmand, Locus and Kurviger. Some keys are mapped to other functions so you can both control media and navigate.

ButtonShort pressLong pressNotes / Intention
1+Volume up (repeated)+ to zoom in. Volume up to change media volume
2Volume down (repeated)– to zoom out. Volume down to change media volume
3C, <space>NoneC = Center map (Osmand, Kurviger). <space> = Center map (Guru maps)
4F3Configuration menu
5Up arrowPlay / PauseShort press for panning of the map, Long press is media key
6Left arrowMedia stopShort press for panning of the map, Long press is media key
7Right arrowNext trackShort press for panning of the map, Long press is media key
8Down arrowAlt+TabShort press for panning of the map, Long press to switch to previous application on Android

Keymap 4: Custom

This keymap is intended to be used with apps like Button Mapper, Tasker or Automate to map the keys to different actions on the smartphone

ButtonShort pressLong pressNotes / Intention
1F1 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped
2F2 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped
3F3 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped
4F4Configuration menuCan be mapped
5F5 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped
6F6 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped
7F7 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped
8F8 (direct press)None (direct press)Can be mapped

Changes

DateChange
19 May 2024Updated keymappings to use button 4 to access configuration menu