USB Mode and Internal Storage

Update firmware, retrieve GPS and System log files, update the contact list and edit preset messages

It is sometimes necessary to access the internal storage of your RockSTAR to:

  • Manually install Firmware files
  • Retrieve GPS logs
  • Retrieve internal system logs
  • Update Preset Messages
  • Update the Contact List

USB Mounting

  1. From the RockSTAR's main menu, go to Advanced \ Connect USB. In some previous generation trackers, the menu option was called "PC Connect" (in case you can't find the "USB Mode" menu option).

  2. Connect the USB cable first to the RockSTAR and then to your computer. Your RockSTAR's internal MSD drive is now accessible. You can copy/paste files just like with any other drive.

  3. When finished, don't forget to Eject/Safely remove the device from your computer before unplugging the USB cable.

Update Firmware

Updating Firmware is usually done via Bluetooth connection using the RockCONNECT app but it is possible to drop new firmware files directly onto the internal storage as well.
Follow the mounting instructions above and place the firmware files onto the tracker's internal storage.

Firmware installation will begin immediately after the device is ejected from your computer.

GPS Log

You can log position data onto a .CSV file in the Log to File menu.
There you can turn logging on/off, set the Logging Frequency or create a new Log File Segment.

latitude,longitude,elevation,date,time,cog,sog,dop
-11.94958,143.26603,11,2020-08-01,06:01:15,293,14.9,0
-11.94901,143.26469,12,2020-08-01,06:01:20,293,26.6,0
-11.94856,143.26363,13,2020-08-01,06:01:25,293,31.1,0
-11.94821,143.26283,13,2020-08-01,06:01:30,293,32.1,0
-11.94764,143.26149,14,2020-08-01,06:01:35,293,36.3,0
-11.94719,143.26042,15,2020-08-01,06:01:40,293,37.9,0
-11.94661,143.25909,16,2020-08-01,06:01:45,293,40.6,0
-11.94592,143.25783,17,2020-08-01,06:01:50,294,42.6,0
-11.94521,143.25657,17,2020-08-01,06:01:55,295,44.3,1
-11.94451,143.25532,18,2020-08-01,06:02:00,295,45.6,0
-11.94366,143.25381,19,2020-08-01,06:02:05,299,61.4,0
-11.94324,143.25306,20,2020-08-01,06:02:10,299,50.1,0
-11.94253,143.2518,21,2020-08-01,06:02:15,299,53.6,0
CSV headersExplaination
latitudeLatitude in decimal degrees
longitudeLongitude in decimal degrees
elevationElevation in meters
dateDate in form YYYY-MM-DD
timeTime in form hh:mm:ss
cogCourse over Ground in degrees
sogSpeed over Ground in Knots
dopPosition Dilution of Precision

System Log

More info coming soon...

Contact List

A list of contacts can be added to your device.

  1. Create a file called contact.txtin your preferred text editor (eg, Notepad),
  2. Add a contact's email or telephone number on each line. Telephone numbers should include international dialing code but no "+" character. (eg, 447931234567 (UK number), 15551234567 (US number) etc.)
[email protected]
447931234567
[email protected]
447931345678
[email protected]
447931456789
[email protected]
447931567890
[email protected]
447931678901
[email protected]
447931789012
[email protected]
447931890123
  1. Save the file where it is easily accessible on your computer
  2. On your device, go to the Advanced menu, and choose Connect USB
  3. Plug the USB cable into the back of the device, and then into your computer
  4. A drive should appear, like a USB stick
  5. Drag the PRESET.txt file from your computer to the USB drive
  6. Eject/Safely Remove the USB drive
  7. Unplug the USB cable from the tracker
  8. You should now be able to go to Contacts and see your emails/numbers.

Preset Messages

It is possible for you to adjust the preset messages which come pre-loaded on your device. This is a fairly simple operation, but requires you to download an example file from the internet, and then edit it using a simple text-editor (like Notepad).

To change the preset messages...

  1. Download the file from here and save it to your Desktop (or somewhere convenient)
  2. Open the file using a plain text editor, such as Notepad
  3. You will see each line of the file contains a preset message, in a particular format, including < and > characters - for example:
$xx:xx:xx Preset message file$
<Maybe><><>
<Yes><><>
<No><><>
<Not sure><><>
<OK><><>
<See you soon><><>
<All fine><><>
<Please ask direct question, can only answer with short messages><><>
<No problem><><>
<Heading home><><>
<In danger, please monitor closely><><>
<Please confirm><><>
<Everything working ok?><><>
<Require Help><><>
<Require Medical Assistance><><>
<Require evacuation><><>
  1. Leaving the top line of the file intact, and keeping to the same file format with < and > characters as above, you can edit lines, or add extra lines to this file. When you are finished, save the file
  2. On your device, go to the Advanced menu, and choose Connect USB
  3. Plug the USB cable into the back of the device, and then into your computer
  4. A drive should appear, like a USB stick
  5. Drag the PRESET.txt file from your computer to the USB drive
  6. Eject/Safely Remove the USB drive
  7. Unplug the USB cable from the tracker
  8. You should now be able to go to Messages / New Message and see your own list of preset messages.

πŸ“˜

Avoid excess data charges...

Note - to avoid excess data charges, try to keep preset messages short and concise. You can have up to 100 messages in your preset message file.

🚧

Formatting!

Make sure you leave the header line intact in the file, and follow the same formatting with <> characters as the example file, otherwise your device will not be able to read your new preset message list.

Try to use standard characters (e.g. a-z, A-Z and 0-9), rather than characters with accents or other symbols.

❗️

Ask for help!

If you have any difficulties, please email your PRESET.txt file to our support team with a description of the problem.