How to use iSTAR Pulsar

This guide documents Quick Start instructions for using iSTAR Pulsar with the Vehicle Roof Mount accessory.  More detailed advice may be found in the full product User Manual.

1. Attach iSTAR Pulsar to Roof Mount

1.1. Attach the Mounting Plate to the base of iSTAR Pulsar device

It is important to mount iSTAR Pulsar facing in the correct direction.  Note that there are 7 mounting screw holes to attach the device to the Mounting Plate, using all of them will ensure that the alignment is correct - the Mounting Plate will only attach to the Vehicle Mount in one specific way also.

If mounted correctly, the control panel and power socket should be facing opposite the direction of travel.

1.2. Attach Roof Mount to the roof of the vehicle

See article Vehicle Roof Mount Setup for further information on this.

Note that device control panel should face backwards, opposite to the direction of travel.

1.3. Attach iSTAR Pulsar and Mounting Plate to the Roof Mount

1.4. Engage the securing clips and secure using the lock/key

2. Power on

2.1. Connect the car adaptor to iSTAR Pulsar device

2.2. Start the vehicle ignition

When powering iSTAR Pulsar via a vehicle ignition, it is important that the ignition be started BEFORE the device is connected to the vehicle's 12v DC port by cable.  Starting the ignition while the device is connected can result in a power surge, which puts undue strain on the device hardware.

This also applies if the ignition is turned off at any point while the device is connected to the vehicle; in such a case, users should disconnect the car adaptor from the vehicle 12v DC port, turn the ignition back on, and then reconnect the car adaptor.

2.3. Connect the car adapter to the vehicle's DC supply

2.4. Check the mode selector switch is set to Right

2.5. Press and release the Power Button

2.6. Wait 2-3 mins for both LED status indicators to illuminate solid Green

3. Connect mobile device to iSTAR Pulsar

3.1. Use a mobile device to scan Wi-Fi networks for pulsar-*****.OSC

3.2. Connect to iSTAR Pulsar device using password pulsar-1234

4. Initiate capture

4.1. Launch iSTAR Pulsar Mobile App

You can download the iSTAR Pulsar app for your preferred mobile OS below:

iSTAR Pulsar mobile app for Android (Google Play Store)

iSTAR Pulsar mobile app for iOS (Apple App Store)

4.2. Browse to Capture section

4.3. Tap Capture button

4.4. Both LED status indicators will illuminate alternating flashing Blue

4.5. While in motion, the iSTAR Pulsar Mobile App will display duration and distance covered

5. Stop capture

5.1. Tap Stop Capture

5.2. Both LED Status Indicators will return to solid Green

6. Power off

6.1. Press and release the Power Button

6.2. Wait for the LED Status Indicators to go out

7. Prepare to upload data

7.1. Connect iSTAR Pulsar to mains power

1. Connect the Mains Cable to the AC Adapter
2. Plug the Mains Cable to a wall power outlet and switch on power
3. Connect the AC Adapter to iSTAR Pulsar device

7.2. Check the mode selector switch is set to RIGHT

7.3. Press and release the Power Button

7.4. Wait 2-3 mins for both LED Status Indicators to illuminate solid Green

8. Queue captures for upload

8.1. Connect mobile device to iSTAR Pulsar via Wi-Fi and launch mobile app

8.2. Locate capture to be uploaded within Feed section

8.3. Tap "Upload" button against desired capture

8.4. Confirm adding of capture to upload queue

8.5. Repeat steps 8.2 - 8.4 for all other routes to be uploaded

Tapping the same button against a capture that is "Queued for Capture" will remove it from the upload queue again.

9. Register Wi-Fi network for upload

9.1. Select "Network Connection" from main menu in top-left corner

9.2. Scan for Wi-Fi networks

9.3. Select desired Wi-Fi network

9.4. Enter network password (use visibility toggle to check accuracy)

9.5. Ensure option to "Upload on this network" is set to "On", tap "Join Network" button and confirm

9.6. Move the mode selector switch Left**, iSTAR Pulsar will connect to network and commence uploading queued files

** Once the Mode Selector switch is moved Left the iSTAR Pulsar App will disconnect from iSTAR Pulsar.  A user may however connect their mobile device to the same Wi-Fi network that iSTAR Pulsar is using to upload data, and the app will reconnect with the device.  Upload status is then shown within the "Routes" section.

1. The upper LED Status Indicator will illuminate flashing Blue
2. The lower LED Status Indicator will remain solid Green

9.7. Once upload has finished, both LED Status Indicators will return to solid Green

10. Download data to external drive (iSTAR Pulsar+ only)

10.1. Ensure iSTAR Pulsar+ in "Ready" status with mode switch "Right"

10.2. Connect mobile device to iSTAR Pulsar+ via Wi-Fi and lauch Mobile App

10.3. Locate capture to be copied within Feed section

10.4. Connect external drive to iSTAR Pulsar+ via USB-C cable

See article Downloading data from iSTAR Pulsar+ for further information on this.

10.5. Wait 10 seconds for drive to be detected, and refresh list by pulling down

10.6. Tap "Copy to USB-C" button against capture to be copied

10.7. Confirm adding to capture queue

10.8. Capture will commence copying

1. The upper LED Status Indicator will illuminate flashing Blue
2. The lower LED Status Indicator will remain solid Green

Users may observe the progress of the data copy within the Feed section:

10.9. Once upload has finished, both LED Status Indicators will return to solid Green

Note: iSTAR Pulsar is a "Big Data" capture device. As such, very large amounts of data may be captured during use. Please refer to the iSTAR Pulsar User Manual for guidance on expected upload/download times.