FLEX Transponder & FLEX Manager
Quick ReferenceTABLE OF CONTENTS
1ACTIVATE TRANSPONDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1 Charging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.2 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.3 Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.4 Sleep mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.1 Activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.2 FlexManager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.3 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.4 Flex Cradle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.5 Flex Transponder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

MYLAPS EMEA Office Haarlem
Haarlem
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 23 529 1893
E-mail: info@mylaps.com

MYLAPS Americas OfficeAtlanta
USA
Tel: +1 (678) 816 4000
E-mail: info.americas@mylaps.com

MYLAPS Japan Office
TokyoJapan
Tel: +81 3 5275 4600
Email: info.japan@mylaps.com

MYLAPS Asia Pacific Office
SydneyAustralia
Tel: +61 (0)2 9546 2606
Email: info.asia.pacific@mylaps.com

www.mylaps.com
Published by:
MYLAPS B.V.
Zuiderhoutlaan 42012 PJ Haarlem
The Netherlands© 2011- 2012 No part of this document may be reproduced by any means without the written consent ofthe publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information in this document is correct,
no liability can be accepted by MYLAPS for loss, damage or injury caused by any errors or omissions inthis document.
Version: 2012-05

FLEX Transponder & FLEX Manager Quick Reference

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1

ACTIVATE TRANSPONDER
1

Download software from:http://flex.mylaps.com

2

Install software

The software installs FLEX Manager andthe driver for the cradle

3Start FLEX Manager

FLEX Manager will automatically try tofind a connected cradle

4Connect the cradle to a USB connector onthe computer

5Activate your transponder by inserting itin the cradle and pressing the ‘ACTIVATE’button in FLEX Manager
NOTE: The color of your FLEXTransponder may differ from the oneused in this manual.

NOTE: For more information on activating the transponder, refer to the FLEX Transponder &FLEX Manager User Manual, or go to mylaps.com

FLEX Transponder & FLEX Manager Quick Reference

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2OPERATIONYour MYLAPS FLEX Transponder is INACTIVE when shipped to you (shown by a rapidly flashing REDLED). The color of your transponder may differ from yours. Refer to chapter 1 Activatetransponder on page 3 for how to activate it with the FLEX Manager software. Once activated, seefollowing operation steps:• Charging - Charge your transponder at least once every 3 months as described in
2.1 Charging on page 4• Cleaning - Clean your transponder regularly, and before charging, as described in
2.2 Cleaning on page 5• Usage - Use transponder as described in 2.3 Usage on page 5• Sleep - When flying or storing the transponder, set it to ‘Sleep’ mode as described in
2.4 Sleep mode on page 5
NOTE:

2.1

The Sleep Mode turns off transponder signal output and saves battery life (up to 3 times
longer on a single charge). Additionally, many airline regulations require that all
equipment output signals are switched off during flights.

Charging

1

Make sure the transponder and cradle are dry

2Connect empty cradle to a PC (using supplied USBcable), or to an AC/DC supply (using supplied AC/DCadaptor).
The cradle LED will flash GREEN.

3Place an activated transponder in the cradle andcheck transponder LED is flashing RED, indicating it
is charging (the cradle LED should flash alternately
GREEN and RED).

The transponder is fully charged when its LED isconstant GREEN (can take up to 16 hours). A fullcharge provides a minimum of 4 days of use.
NOTE: The color of your FLEX Transponder may
differ from the one used in this manual.

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2.2
1Cleaning
Remove dirt from transponder with a soft brushand clean, warm water (max. 50°C)
CAUTION: never use high pressure waterguns,
automotive cleaning products, detergents,
dishwashers or washing machines2

Use cotton buds and isopropyl alcohol to rub clean the transponder and charger contacts
NOTE: The color of your FLEX Transponder may differ from the one used in this manual.

2.3

Usage

1

Choose transponder attachment point on your vehicle where there is NO metal or carbon fiber
between transponder and track.

2

Securely attach transponder to vehicle using theattachment clip. Use additional tie-wraps during
endurance races.
WARNING: Loose transponders are very
dangerous.
NOTE: The color of your FLEX Transponder
may differ from the one used in this manual.

3

Regularly check transponder LED for status:• A number of GREEN blinks indicates theminimum number of days before the battery is
fully discharged• Slowly blinking RED (when not in cradle) meanstransponder has <24 hours charge• Steady RED means the transponder could stop
working at any moment• Rapidly blinking RED means the transponder iscurrently INACTIVE and must be re-activatedwith FLEX Manager
NOTE: The color of your FLEX Transponder
may differ from the one used in thismanual.

42.4To access timing results, refer to the FLEX Manager User Manual

Sleep mode

1

Place charged/active transponder in unplugged cradle to activate ‘Sleep’ (may take some time);
LED will no longer be lit

2

Remove transponder from cradle to restore ‘Normal’ mode

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
The most frequently asked questions are divided into the following categories:• Activation - see page 6• FLEX Manager - see page 7• General - see page 7• FLEX Cradle - see page 8• FLEX Transponder - see page 93.1Activation
Q: How can I get credits for my transponder?
A: Credits for an (almost) expired or inactive transponder can be purchased through our web
shop at www.mylaps.com. You can buy new credits as follows:1.

Visit www.mylaps.com

2.

Navigate to the participants section of your favourite sport

3.

Go to the shop

4.

Select an appropriate subscription extension package for your FLEX Transponderand click “BUY NOW”

5.

In your basket overview, fill in your 7 digit transponder number, and click the“SAVE” button. This step is essential in making credits available for the correcttransponder

6.

Continue and complete the checkout process for this online order

7.

After your online order has been confirmed, the credits shouls normally be available
for activation within 15 minutes

Q: How can I activate (the credits of) my transponder?
A: You can only activate a transponder if credits are available. These are either included withyour newly bought transponder or should be separately purchased (see How can i get credits
for my transponder?) Once your credits available for your transponder, you can redeem
them as follows:1.

Connect your FLEX Transponder and FLEX Cradle to the computer and start the FLEXManager software2.

If credits are available the FLEX Manager Software should now tell you “Please click
the activate button to redeem your renewal”

3.

The “ACTIVATE” button is now active and the available credits can be viewed byhovering over the expiration date information box

4.

Click the “ACTIVATE” button to add credits to your FLEX Transponder which will set
the new end date. When done, your activation has succeeded!

Q: Can I upgrade my transponder when I do not have an internet connection?
A: This will be available from mid 2011. Please check www.mylaps.com for more information.

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FLEX Manager
Q: My FLEX Manager won't connect to internet - what do I do?
A: Try to access a website to check your internet connection is OK (e.g. www.mylaps.com)
1.

If you cannot access a website, check your internet settings.

2.

If you can access a website, check that you can access "www.flex.mylaps.com"

Q: What is FLEX Manager?
A: FLEX Manager is a program that you need to install on your PC to upgrade your transponder.
Q: How do I install FLEX Manager?
A: Download it from www.flex.mylaps.com (make sure that you have administrator rights toinstall FLEX Manager).
Q: Can I install FLEX Manager on every Operating System?
A: Only on a Windows Operating System.
Q: How do I know I'm using the latest version of FLEX Manager?
A: FLEX Manager automatically checks for the latest version when it starts up on your PC withinternet.

3.3

General
Q: What is the Mylaps FLEX Transponder?
A: It is a pay for use based transponder for timekeeping. You pay a fee for using the transponder for a certain period of time (normally 1 year).

Q: I didn't get around to activating my transponder but I want to race now. What do I
do?
A: Follow the instruction in the Activate transponder section on page 3. If you have no internet
connection but you do have credit available, there is a backup solution to activate yourtransponder per SMS message.
If you have no credit available, buy new credit at www.flex.mylaps.com
Q: How do I see when my transponder is NOT active?
A: The LED on the transponder will flash RED fast (5 x per second).
If you connect your transponder to the FLEX Manager software (on your PC) using the FLEXcradle, FLEX Manager will display the expire date and the status of the transponder (active ornot active) next to the LED on the screen.

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FLEX Transponder & FLEX Manager Quick ReferenceQ: How/Where can I see that my subscription is about to expire?
A: Connect your transponder to FLEX Manager using the FLEX cradle; FLEX Manager will display
the expire date and the state of the transponder (active or not active)
Q: Is MYLAPS FLEX transponder compatible with the timing system at my club?
A: If your club uses the MYLAPS Timing System for timekeeping, you can use the MYLAPS FLEXtransponder at your club.

Q: Is there documentation in my own language?
A: The documentation is available in several languages. Select the correct language online in
FLEX Manager (upper right corner) to automatically set the manual language.

3.4

FLEX Cradle
Q: Can I use someone else’s cradle to activate and/or charge my transponder?
A: Yes.

Q: My cradle won't connect to my PC, what should I do?
A: Refer to Troubleshooting section in the FLEX Transponder & FLEX Manager User Manual.
Q: How do I connect the FLEX cradle to my PC?
A: Use the enclosed USB cable to connect to a USB port.
Remember to FIRST install the software before connecting the cradle.
Q: I've put my transponder in the cradle, but the FLEX Manager still says "Transponder
not detected".
A: See flowchart on page 9.
Q: What is the LED indication on my cradle?
A: LED status table
Cradle LED

StatusBlinks GREEN and RED alternately

Communication with transponder

Blinks GREEN

Connected to PC or to power source

Steady RED (with transponder loaded)

In error state

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FLEX Transponder
Q: I've put my transponder in the cradle, but it still says "Transponder not detected".
A: Troubleshoot using the following flowchart:

Transponder
not detected

Is the cradle
detected?

NOYES

Is transponder
active?

Is transponder
LED steady green
or blink red once/sec?

YESYESNONO

Does cradle blinkgreen and red?

YESCommunicationerror between PCand cradle

NOTransponder is not
charging, re-insert
itCommunication error
between transponder andcradle

Page 9FLEX Transponder & FLEX Manager Quick Reference

Q: What is the LED indication on my transponder?
A: LED status table
Transponder LEDStatus

Steady GREEN (when in cradle)

Charging (battery full)

Blinks RED once every second (when incradle)

Active, charging (battery empty)

Blinks GREEN in a sequence to indicate
the number of days of charge remaining;e.g. 4 blinks indicates 4 days of charge
remaining(the blink sequence repeats every 5 sec)

Active, not charging and battery charge isgetting low

Blinks RED quickly every 5 sec

Active, not charging and battery almost
empty - less than 1 day of charge left

Steady RED

Active, not charging and battery empty transponder will stop working at any
momentBlinks RED quickly 5 times per second

Inactive

LED is not lit (when in cradle)

In ‘sleep mode’

LED is not lit

Battery is completely discharged

Q: How can I see that my transponder is active?
A: FLEX Manager shows the transponder is active; or, check the LED indicator on the transponder - see A: LED status table
Q: How/Where can I see that my credits are about to expire?
A: Place your transponder in the cradle and start up FLEX Manager on your PC to see your credits and when your transponder subscription will expire.

FLEX Transponder & FLEX Manager Quick Reference

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