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. 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:
| Button | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 1-4 | Select 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. |
| 5 | Show firmware version number by flashing the led |
| 6 | Update the firmware to the latest stable version |
| 7 | Update the firmware to the latest preview version |
| 8 | Return 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 with SSID:
barbuttons, Password:barbuttonson the 2.4GHz band (you probably want to do this on your phone) - 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 v2 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. Every button has a key assigned for both short and long press. (Long press is any press longer than half a second). You can switch keymaps using the configuration menu.
Keymap 1: Navigation
This keymap is intended for use in navigation apps like Osmand, Locus and Kurviger.
| Button | Short press | Long press |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volume up | Volume up (repeated) |
| 2 | Volume down | Volume down (repeated) |
| 3 | c | d |
| 4 | n | Configuration menu |
| 5 | Up arrow | Up arrow (repeated) |
| 6 | Left arrow | Left arrow (repeated) |
| 7 | Right arrow | Right arrow (repeated) |
| 8 | Down arrow | Down arrow (repeated) |
Keymap 2: Roadbooks
This keymap is intended for use in navigation apps that use roadbooks like Rally Navigator.
| Button | Short press | Long press |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volume up | Volume up (repeated) |
| 2 | Volume down | Volume down (repeated) |
| 3 | <unmapped> | <unmapped> |
| 4 | <unmapped> | Configuration menu |
| 5 | Next track | Next track (repeated) |
| 6 | <unmapped> | <unmapped> |
| 7 | <unmapped> | <unmapped> |
| 8 | Previous track | Previous track (repeated) |
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.
| Button | Short press | Long press |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | + | Volume up (repeated) |
| 2 | – | Volume down (repeated) |
| 3 | c | d |
| 4 | Play / Pause | Configuration menu |
| 5 | Up arrow | Mute |
| 6 | Left arrow | Previous track |
| 7 | Right arrow | Next track |
| 8 | Down arrow | Stop |
Keymap 4: Custom
This keymap is intended to be used with apps like Tasker and Automate to map the keys to different actions on the smartphone
| Button | Short press | Long press |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F1 | F11 |
| 2 | F2 | F12 |
| 3 | F3 | F13 |
| 4 | F4 | F14 |
| 5 | F5 | F15 |
| 6 | F6 | F16 |
| 7 | F7 | F17 |
| 8 | F8 | F18 |