Bm3 Agent Hardware device

KeyBoy · 05-28-2020, 08:01 AM

Just bought a agent hardware device for bm3. For those who have it do you find the flashing times to be much longer compared to using a laptop?

Also, how does the offline mode work? I would like to have ability to flash when I'm on the road but seems like it still requires the same process as the regular mode where you need to connect via hotspot. I thought the advantage is to flash maps without access to using data or internet? Don't quite see the difference & advantage in how it works.

blockdoc · 05-28-2020, 10:29 AM

Truly not being a jerk. Got to the PTF page and check out the FAQ for BM. Most of this will be answered.

You CAN also connect you device via hardwire to the agent. The offline mode just makes it so you don't have to actually connect to the BM server in the cloud

jfritz27 · 05-28-2020, 10:40 AM

The agent should be just as quick.

I will say that I used to have a hell of a time getting consistent connectivity. The agent would connect to my hotspot on iphone, but despite that the BM app wouldn't detect the agent. Not sure what exactly the problem was, possibly CarPlay WiFi-related, who knows...
I recently started connecting the agent and iphone with a USB cable, and things are now smooth as butter. You still need the hotspot function enabled for this to work, of note. But re-flash (without unlock) is <1 minute.

KeyBoy · 05-28-2020, 10:58 AM

Interesting. Thanks. I did have a usb cable connected directly from device to iphone and flashing took significantly longer. Could be that my LTE connection was not strong.

Regarding connection, my iPhone 7 wouldn't connect at all to the app, but my iPhone 6 had no problem connecting.

BzsBimmer · 05-28-2020, 11:19 AM

Did you buy it from BM3 or is it a homegrown unit?

I just started tinkering with building my own agent and saw there were issues with RPi 3B VS B+. May need to upgrade firmware to support if homegrown.

KeyBoy · 05-28-2020, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Did you buy it from BM3 or is it a homegrown unit?

I just started tinkering with building my own agent and saw there were issues with RPi 3B VS B+. May need to upgrade firmware to support if homegrown.

It's a DIY unit bought off eBay. I did the update for OBD agent in the bm3 app. Also the unit is supposed to have the latest firmware.

What were the issues you were having?

BzsBimmer · 05-28-2020, 12:13 PM

I haven’t connected yet, literally just got done building it and flashing the SD card.

KeyBoy · 05-28-2020, 12:23 PM

I just reflashed over wifi (instead of using the usb from device to phone) and it was much faster.

05-28-2020, 08:01 AM	#1
KeyBoy Private First Class 34 Rep 193 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: N. NJ iTrader: (0)	Just bought a agent hardware device for bm3. For those who have it do you find the flashing times to be much longer compared to using a laptop? Also, how does the offline mode work? I would like to have ability to flash when I'm on the road but seems like it still requires the same process as the regular mode where you need to connect via hotspot. I thought the advantage is to flash maps without access to using data or internet? Don't quite see the difference & advantage in how it works.
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05-28-2020, 10:29 AM	#2
blockdoc Lieutenant 373 Rep 500 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	Truly not being a jerk. Got to the PTF page and check out the FAQ for BM. Most of this will be answered. You CAN also connect you device via hardwire to the agent. The offline mode just makes it so you don't have to actually connect to the BM server in the cloud
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05-28-2020, 10:40 AM	#3
jfritz27 Major 1107 Rep 1,301 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 CS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	The agent should be just as quick. I will say that I used to have a hell of a time getting consistent connectivity. The agent would connect to my hotspot on iphone, but despite that the BM app wouldn't detect the agent. Not sure what exactly the problem was, possibly CarPlay WiFi-related, who knows... I recently started connecting the agent and iphone with a USB cable, and things are now smooth as butter. You still need the hotspot function enabled for this to work, of note. But re-flash (without unlock) is <1 minute.
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05-28-2020, 10:58 AM	#4
KeyBoy Private First Class 34 Rep 193 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: N. NJ iTrader: (0)	Interesting. Thanks. I did have a usb cable connected directly from device to iphone and flashing took significantly longer. Could be that my LTE connection was not strong. Regarding connection, my iPhone 7 wouldn't connect at all to the app, but my iPhone 6 had no problem connecting.
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05-28-2020, 11:19 AM	#5
BzsBimmer Major General 3271 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Did you buy it from BM3 or is it a homegrown unit? I just started tinkering with building my own agent and saw there were issues with RPi 3B VS B+. May need to upgrade firmware to support if homegrown.
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05-28-2020, 12:13 PM	#7
BzsBimmer Major General 3271 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	I haven’t connected yet, literally just got done building it and flashing the SD card.
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05-28-2020, 12:23 PM	#8
KeyBoy Private First Class 34 Rep 193 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: N. NJ iTrader: (0)	I just reflashed over wifi (instead of using the usb from device to phone) and it was much faster.
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