ACR BIVY STICK 2 Way Satellite Communicator User Guide

ACR BIVY STICK 2 Way Satellite Communicator

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION

GETTING STARTED

• Download the Bivy app for iOS from the App Store or for Android from the Play Store. Create a Bivy account.

• While in phone service or WiFi, turn on your Bivy Stick by pressing the power button for 2 seconds. The power indicator light will illuminate.

• On the app menu, select “STICK.”

• Tap on the “CONNECT” icon in the upper left corner to connect to your Bivy Stick and pair it with your phone. This will only take a few seconds. Once it is connected, you will see the battery life and signal strength displayed on this icon.

• If it does not connect press the power button on the Bivy Stick briefly to re-attempt your Bluetooth connection.

• Once your phone is connected to the Bivy Stick, select “ACTIVATE”. Follow the steps to activate your Bivy Stick. It will require you to input emergency contact information and credit card info. During this process you will
  also have the opportunity to purchase a Global Rescue membership for additional coverage in case of an emergency.

• Note: SOS Monitoring and dispatch is a service provided by Global Rescue to all active Bivy Stick users as part of your monthly service fee. A Global Rescue membership provides additional services. More info about a membership can be found here: https://ss.globalrescue.com/partner/bivy

• During the activation process you will choose your data plan. All plans use the Iridium satellite network. There is a four month commitment for the first activation, but after that you can change plans as needed. If you use all of your allotted credits, you can still continue to use the Stick at the overage rate indicated. For more plan details please go to:

• https://www.bivy.com/data-plans

• Once your Bivy Stick is activated, you will be assigned your own dedicated phone number which will stay the same until you deactivate service. You can find this phone number on the STICK screen in the app when the Stick is connected.

USING THE APP

• You can see the status of your Bivy Stick and account at any time by using the app. On the STICK screen you can see how many credits you have available for the month and how many you have used.
• 30
  • AVAILABLE CREDITS
• 0
  • USED CREDITS
• On the STICK screen, you’ll be able to see if your Stick is active, when your active account renews or ends, and your credit status. You can also navigate to many features of the Bivy Stick, including SOS, Weather, Check-In Setup, and Send Check-In.

MESSAGING

• Make sure you are connected to the Bivy Stick via Bluetooth. Enter the Messages screen by tapping “MESSAGES” on the bottom menu.
• The Bivy app will ask if you would like to sync your contacts. This can take up to 5 minutes, depending on how many contacts you have in your phone.
• Use the New Message button to start a new text chain. Type in the name, number or email address of the person you want to message. You can send one message to multiple people, but each message will go to the recipient individually, and replies will come in their own thread. It does not work like standard group messaging.
• Once you have picked your recipient, enter your message into the message field at the bottom of the screen. Maximum 160 characters.
• You can also hit the Location button to the left of the message field to automatically add your GPS coordinates and a link for recipients to see your location on a map.
• When a message is sent out, the status of the message will say “Sending.” The Status light on the Stick will flash yellow. Once it has successfully been sent, the Status light on the Stick will no longer flash yellow and the message status on the app will change from “Sending” to a timestamp.
• To create a preset Check-In message, tap on Check-In Setup on the STICK screen. You can enter up to five recipients, comprised of phone numbers or email addresses.
• Then enter your message text, up to 160 characters. This will be sent along with your GPS coordinates and a URL link the recipient(s) can click on to see your location when you send the Check-In.
• The Check-In button sends a Check-In using the phone’s location information to the recipients set up in Check-In Setup.
• The Mailbox Check button will send a request to pull down any messages from satellites that may be waiting. If there is an urgent matter, use the Mailbox Check button to check for messages immediately. You can do six Mailbox Checks for 1 credit.
• The Bivy Stick automatically listens for incoming messages for 15 minutes after sending or receiving a message. It then goes to sleep to preserve battery life but wakes up every 15 minutes to check for messages. When the Signal light is on, the Stick is listening for messages. When the Signal light is off, it’s sleeping to preserve battery life. You can manually wake up the Stick to listen for messages for 3 minutes with a very short press of the Power button.

WEATHER

• Navigate to the Weather screen from the STICK screen. If you are in cell/WiFi service, you can update a weather report for free at any time.
• When you are off-grid, tap the Refresh button in the top right corner of the Weather screen to get the latest report.

You will have 2 options:

• Standard 3-day 3-hour-increment forecast for 1 credit
• Premium 7-day 2-hour-increment forecast for 2 credits
• If you have an Unlimited plan, it will default to the Premium forecast.
• Each forecast will take a few minutes to update depending on the strength of the satellite signal.
• You will receive a push notification once your forecast is ready to view.
• The forecast is based on your current location.

TRACKING/SHARING LOCATION

• The best way to share your location with others is to tap the Share Location button on either the PROFILE screen or the STICK screen or send a Check-

• In message. This will send a message containing your GPS coordinates and a private URL that will direct the recipient(s) to a map displaying your current location or track if you are tracking.

• The location will update based on the interval you select on the STICK screen. The recipient(s) will need to refresh the webpage to see your updated location. Tracking through the app relies on your phone’s GPS and will use more phone battery, but will give you a more detailed track than using the Bivy Stick alone.

• The URL that is sent when sharing your location, either with location share or a Check-In, is a private link enabling only those who have that link to see your location. The link is good for 7 days, at which point it will expire.

• To track using the app and send your live location to your private URL, make sure you are connected via Bluetooth.

• On the MAP screen, push the large “TRACK” button on the bottom center.

• Choose your activity type.

• It will ask you if you want to track through Bivy Stick.

• Select “Enable Bivy Stick Tracking.”

• To stop tracking, push the “PAUSE” button and then the Check button.

• Your distance, speed, calories burned, and other stats will be recorded and saved to your profile.

• You can name your tracks or upload them to the Bivy database for others to use if you want.

SOS

• In case of emergency, you can hit the SOS button on the app and establish 2-Way communication with Global Rescue. You can also activate an SOS from the button on the Bivy Stick (see page 7) but using the app allows for communication directly with Global Rescue.
• They will dispatch and manage all the emergency needs and resources necessary. This service is available worldwide.
• Touch the SOS button on the Bivy Stick screen. You will be asked to confirm your request and to type in the letter SOS to verify it’s not an accidental SOS call.
• Once you have confirmed, it will send an emergency text with your GPS coordinates and location to Global Rescue. Be sure to keep your Bivy Stick visible to the sky to ensure satellite connectivity. You will receive a confirmation text letting you know the message has been received. Your
• Bivy Stick will automatically send your location to Global Rescue once per minute for 10 minutes, and then every 10 minutes thereafter.
• At this point you can communicate any details with them via text message. Global Rescue will keep you apprised of the rescue plan and status.
• If you need to cancel the SOS call, you can do so by touching the cancel SOS button on the app. This will send a message to Global Rescue and they will confirm it has been received and canceled.
• Note: Please be sure to treat the SOS service with complete seriousness. Only use in the case of a real emergency. Depending on your location and needs, you may be responsible for any cost associated with a rescue operation.

USING YOUR BIVY STICK WITHOUT YOUR PHONE

• If you do not want to carry your phone, or it is not functioning, your Bivy Stick can be used without it. All of the essential features can be used on the device itself, with the exception of 2-way communication. You are only able to send preset outgoing messages with the Bivy Stick alone. Here is how to use the Stick without a phone.

CHECK-IN MESSAGE

• Press the Check-In button (a press and hold will initiate tracking (see page 7). Once a message is queued up to be sent, the status light will flash yellow until the message is successfully sent. Bivy Stick will send the message you wrote to the recipient(s) you identified in the Check-In message setup in the Bivy app. The message will also include your GPS coordinates and a link to a map showing your location. Pressing the Check-In button on the Stick uses the device’s GPS data in the message.

SOS

• The SOS button is located under the red flap on the bottom of the device. To activate, lift the flap and press and hold the button for 5 seconds. Once the SOS is activated, the status light will begin to flash red and an emergency message will be sent to Global Rescue, along with your location, at regular intervals. It will also flash yellow initially letting you know that a message is queued up to be sent.
• When possible, it’s better to activate an SOS through the Bivy app (see page 5) so you can communicate directly with Global Rescue about the nature of your emergency.
• To cancel an SOS from the Bivy Stick, press and hold the SOS button for 5 seconds. Once the red light stops flashing, the SOS has been canceled.

TRACKING

• You can start tracking your location by pressing the Check-In button for 5 seconds. While tracking, your location will be sent to your Bivy profile on the cloud at the interval designated in the app. The default interval is 10 minutes. The Status light will flash blue while you are tracking. Stop tracking by pressing the Check-In button for 5 seconds. You can later view this track by going to your profile in the Bivy app and then select Tracks.

BIVY STICK MOUNTING SYSTEM

• The Bivy Stick comes ready to adapt to any GoPro® mounting system. This is done by using the provided ¼” – 20, 2-prong GoPro® mount adapter.
• Thread the adapter into the back of the Bivy Stick, then attach to the
• GoPro® mounting system of your choice.
• GoPro® is a registered trademark of GoPro, Inc. of Delaware, which is not affiliated with the maker of this product and does not endorse this product.
• Note: If attaching to the outside of a vehicle or location that may see high wind speeds, vibrations or force, you should use a secondary tether to ensure you do not lose or damage your Bivy Stick.

CHARGING YOUR BIVY STICK

• The Bivy Stick charges using a USB-C cable and can be charged via any
• USB charge port. Use the supplied USB-C to USB-A cable or any other
• USB-C cable. The power indicator light will flash while charging. Once the Bivy Stick is fully charged, the light will be solid if the device is on, or will turn off if the device is off. Charge time is 2–4 hours depending on power source. Charge time is approximately 1.5 hours if you use a USB-C charger and a USB-C to USB-C cable.

TECH SPECS

• Battery Type: Lithium Ion Polymer
• Battery Size: 1400 mAh
• Battery Life: Up to 120 hrs standard operation at default setting
• Optimal Operating Temperature: 10F – 105F
• Dimensions: 1 3/4 in / 45 mm wide, 4 5/16 in / 111.5 mm tall, 13/16 in / 20.5 mm thick
• Weight: 3.35 oz / 95 g
• Ingress Protection Rating: IPX7

UNDERSTANDING THE LIGHTS ON THE BIVY STICK

• Power indicator light: The light next to the power button will show the device is on. It will normally be dim to preserve battery life. Pressing the power button quickly will brighten the light for better visibility.

• Green = 50 – 100% | Yellow = 20 – 50% | Red = 0 – 20%

• You can charge your device with any USB-C cable by plugging it into the port on the bottom of the Bivy Stick.

• Signal light: The Signal light indicates satellite visibility status.

• Green = Strong | Yellow = Medium/Weak | Red = Weak/None

• The Signal light will turn off after a few minutes to preserve the battery.

• Quickly push the power button to turn the Signal light back on.

• Occasionally, you may see the Signal light flashing green. This means the device is acquiring a GPS location lock and should only last a few seconds if you are out in the open. It will not get a GPS lock if you are inside.

• Status light : The Status light can show several different colors.

• Yellow = Message is being sent

• Green = Message has been received

• Blue = Currently tracking

• Red = SOS has been activated

• If the Status light is flashing green, that means a message has been received from the satellites but has not been sent to the phone yet. Make sure your phone is connected to the Stick via Bluetooth and open the Bivy app to receive the message.

• If the Status light is yellow, a message is on the Stick trying to send to the satellite. Move to a different location with a more open view of the sky or wait a few minutes for a satellite to make a connection. The Iridium network is largest commercial satellite network in the world and offers true global communications coverage over 100% of the planet.

• FCC ID: B66-ACRBV2 IC: 1322A-ACRBV2
  

• CONTAINS FCC IDs: HSW2832, Q639603N
  

• CONTAINS IC IDs: 4492A-2832, 4629A-9603N
  

• MADE IN USA

• www.bivy.com

Documents / Resources

| ACR BIVY STICK 2 Way Satellite Communicator [pdf] User Guide
BIVY STICK, 2 Way Satellite Communicator, BIVY STICK 2 Way Satellite Communicator, Satellite Communicator, Communicator
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References

• ACR Bivy Stick – 2-Way Satellite Messenger, Revolutionary off-grid group messaging and GPS location tracking
• Global Rescue & Bivy Stick
• Plan Pricing – ACR Bivy Stick

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