General Questions
What kind of connection does FireFly use?
The FireFly wireless firing system connects via WiFi to your Apple or Android device (no Internet connection is required). It has an operating range up to 150 meters (500 feet) for a single unit and up to 365 meters meshed range in line of sight.
Will FireFly connect to my device?
FireFly Plus or Firefly II WiFi Firing Systems will connect to Apple® devices with IOS 9 and above and Android® devices 6.0 and above.
How do I connect? What is the name and password for the WiFi Network?
Open the WiFi Settings in your Phone or Tablet, You will see the TitanFire network. The default password is 66886688. If you wish, you can change this password through the Firefly App afterward.
What is MESH MODE? How do I use multiple Firefly's at once?
To sync multiple Firefly modules to your portable device, keep 1 device in “Primary” mode (red light) and put the rest into “Mesh Mode” (blue light). Primary Mode (red light) is the default so you will not have to change your #1 unit at all. To change Units 2, 3, 4, etc. into Mesh Mode, use a paper clip or the blunt end of a needle to click the button underneath the Power button—just click it once. You will see the blue light come on. You will only have to set the modes once and from then on your units will remain in the modes you have chosen, Note that if you see the red & blue light together, you have put the units into Program mode (this is for Over-the-Air Firmware updates, which you may need from time to time when hardware is updated to bring you new features).
What kind of fireworks does FireFly work with?
FireFly will work with any consumer-grade fireworks. Make sure to follow the instructions provided on each individual firework product’s package. Users can design their shows from a preloaded product catalog that includes the firing and effect times. If using a product that’s not in the catalog, you will have to calculate the firing time and effect time manually. At this time, users cannot add additional fireworks to the product catalog. Users also have the option to fire fireworks individually in manual mode.
Can I fire any Firework in manual mode or only those in the catalogue?
All consumer-grade fireworks can be fired in Manual mode.
In Show Designer mode, what if a Firework I want to use is not in the catalogue?
If you are in Create a Show mode and one or more of your products are not in the catalogue, don't worry: you can still fire them by assigning them with the name “ZERO FUSE TIME”. Note that you will have to calculate the fuse time and effect time manually. For example, if item ABC is in the catalogue then the App knows to send the launch command in advance of ABC's mark on the timeline--thereby accounting for the fuse delay. However, if a Firework is not in the catalogue and you assign it as aZero Fuse Timeitem, you must account for its fuse delay when adding it to the timeline. Imagine a case where a Zero Fuse Time Firework has a fuse delay of 5 seconds: if you want it to begin firing at the 60-second mark then you must place it on the timeline at 55 seconds--allowing for the 5-second fuse delay.
How far away does FireFly work?
Firefly is a WiFi receiving unit. The effective distance is 100-175 meters (330-575 feet) and up to 365 meters (1,200 feet) meshed line of sight, depending on the portable device you are using. Conditions such as line of sight, weather, the battery strength of your mobile device, other devices in the area, etc. can affect this range. To maximize range, elevate the Firefly unit approximately 0.3 meters (1 foot) off the ground and switch your mobile device to Airplane Mode.
After firing my show, can I move farther away from FireFly?
Upon firing, the show downloads to the module. Once this occurs, you can walk back to your guests--or as far away as you like--without concern about disconnecting from WiFi. However, if Emergency Stop is required, you must be within operating range of WiFi connectivity; so you may have to move closer, depending on where you are. Do not approach the show if it is not safe.
How do I import music?
You may only download purchased music if you’re using iTunes. Click on “import music” in the app and go to your iTunes music library. Choose the song you’d like and import it into the FireFly app. If you’ve purchased a song and it won’t import to the app, try deleting and re-downloading the song. If the song wasn’t downloaded recently, it might not be recognized by apple DRM. Note that the Firefly App will work with streaming music: the song(s) you choose must actually be downloaded to your Phone or Tablet's hard drive.
How many songs can I use in my show?
At this time, up to three songs can be imported into a show in Show Designer mode. There is no limit to the length of song uploaded. For example, for a 30-minute Display, use three 10-minute songs.
How do I share a show?
Once you’ve designed a show, click “share show.” Anyone with the FireFly app can access the generated QR code. From the app home screen, have your friend click “show designer” at the bottom of the main menu. Then click “import show” and take a picture of the QR code to import the show. The show’s associated song title will transfer over, but the actual song will not transfer (because of music rights). To use the same song as an imported show, you will need to purchase the song.
Can I sync multiple FireFly modules to my portable device at once?
Yes, you can sync up to 99 Firefly modules to your mobile device at once, resulting in a 1485-cue capacity. Now that's a serious Fireworks display!
How do I do a Firmware update?
If a Firmware update is needed (e.g. for new hardware releases or when a critical update is required), you will get a Notification from us or from the Firefly App The steps are as follows:
(a) APPLE users: Set the Hotspot on your Phone/Tablet to TITANUPDATE (all CAPS).
To do this, on your device:
- go to Settings > General, then tap About
- Tap the first line, which shows the Name of your device
- Rename your device, then tap Done
- Then go Settings > Personal Hotspot > Wi-Fi Password
- Change the Wi-Fi password to TITANUPDATE (all CAPS)
(b) ANDROID users: you can do all the above directly in Hotspot Settings
(c) Now go to your Firefly unit(s) and set it to Firmware Upgrade Mode. To do this, use a paper clip or the blunt end of a needle to click the button underneath the Power button—click it twice and you will see the Red and Blue lights illuminated together. Then the System will auto update.
Note: if the lights end up flashing, it means the update was not successful. Repeat make sure you have performed step (a) or (b) correctly and then repeat step (c) above.
Once the update is complete, the system(s) will restart. The unit(s) will return to Primary Mode (red light) and so if you are using multiple units you will have to put Units 2, 3, 4, etc. into Mesh mode again.
Troubleshooting
Problem: Slow response
The FireFly module is placed too far from your Smartphone or tablet. The effective distance is between 100-175 meters (330-575 feet).
Bring your Smartphone or tablet closer to the FireFly module.
Low battery power can seriously affect the FireFly module’s response.
Charge your Firefly Lithium Power Plate or replace the module’s Duracell batteries (whichever is applicable).
Low power level of Smartphone or tablet can affect the transmission signal to the module.
Charge your smartphone or tablet.
In extreme cold, the batteries and electronic components may respond slowly.
Put a flat, wooden board under the FireFly module to protect it from the cold ground.
The FireFly module uses WiFi wireless technology. Modern mobile devices will now “signal hop” towards stronger signals. Please ensure your mobile data is switched off to prevent your mobile device from “signal hopping” to mobile data and therefore breaking the connection between your firing device and your mobile device. Turn off cellular data or switch your Mobile device to Airplane mode.
Keep away from active devices using a 2.4 GHz radio frequency.
Problem: Pairing lost
To prevent signal jumping (i.e. your WiFi jumping to another signal in the area), put your device into Airplane Mode when you are firing your show. Your Mobile device should remain on the TitanFire network. This will also prevent you from receiving phone calls during the Display that can interrupt you when firing!
Problem: App is only seeing 1 of my units
When using multiple Firefly units together, you must have one in Primary Mode and the others in Mesh Mode.
Primary Mode (red light) is the default so you will not have to change your #1 unit at all.
To change Units 2, 3, 4, etc. into Mesh Mode, use a paper clip or the blunt end of a needle to click the button underneath the Power button—just click it once. You will see the blue light come on.
You will only have to set the modes once and from then on your units will remain in the modes you have chosen.
Note that if you see the red & blue light together, you have put the units into Program mode (this is for Over-the-Air Firmware updates, which you may need from time to time when hardware is updated to bring you new features).
Problem: All cues are red
WiFi on your smartphone or tablet may have disconnected.
Refresh the app and connect to your device. Check in your device settings that WiFi is enabled and that you are connected to the Titan network.
You may have to repeat the steps to pair your device to the FireFly module.
Problem: All lights flashing
The system is getting overloaded. Restart your FireFly system. When designing your show, time your cues at least two seconds apart.