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LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 1:44 pm
by GetBoosted
These gopro issues have been plaguing me since I've bought Harry's and it's insanely annoying. 9 times out of 10, harry's will not connect and trigger recording w/ the gopro. The process I run through is below. I'm at my wits end with trying to get this thing to work.

Process:
- Shut down all apps in the task manager
- Enable bluetooth
- Start harry's
- Power on gopro
- Enable wifi
- Goto Race > Timer
- Click Video and change to PiP (3rd option from left)
- Click Done
- Wait for the external camera to connect and it doesn't 9 times out of 10 so die a little inside :evil:

Setup:
- Harry's Laptimer Grand Prix v21.0.11 (Settings: MultiCam Preset: PiP / External Cam: GoPro HERO4 SE/BE / HERO3/3+ Wifi Password: '')
- Google Nexus 5X (Android v7.1.2)
- GoPro 4 Silver (in app mode for the wifi conneciton)
- ELM327 OBD II dongle (bluetooth connection)

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 5:43 pm
by Harry
Hi Chris,

The process looks fine. One thing introduced in Android 7 is handling of WiFi connections not offering Internet access (like the GoPro WiFi). Once you connect to such a WiFi, Android will show an alert and ask you if you want to connect although the WiFi does not seem to offer Internet. You need to agree here - otherwise the device will disconnect in background. Messages and handling may differ by manufacturer specific Android adoptions. You are fine if you see a WiFi symbol with an exclamation mark in Android status bar.

- Harry

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:04 pm
by GetBoosted
I am familiar with the message. That is a good point and that did come about w/ the more recent Android versions. I always click to connect anyway on that message when it pops up but I still seem to run into trouble. Any other things I can check?

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:01 pm
by GetBoosted
Bump... any other suggestions?

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:13 am
by GetBoosted
Bumping it back up.

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:13 pm
by vincenzo
Curious if you ever solved this? I too have a Hero 4 (Black) and have a lot of trouble getting Harry's Lap Timer to connect / recognize it even though I am connected via wifi.

My setup is that I am using:

Pixel 3 phone
XGPS 150 external GPS (bluetooth)
OBDLinkMX OBDII reader (bluetooh)

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:26 pm
by Harry
This is a question about how a specific smartphone handles WiFi. I doubt there will ever be a general solution for this. Connecting to a HERO is as simple as any network access. The WiFi needs to work and the HERO needs to accept a connection. Once connected, LapTimer sends status requests constantly to keep the WiFi up and running.

In case LapTimer doesn’t connect although the GoPro WiFi is connected, make sure you kill GoPro’s app. It may Block access to the HERO even while in background.

In case anyone is annoyed how his/her Android handles WiFi, there is a simple workaround: start the cam before leaving the pits and stop it when you are back. No WiFi required at all. Instructions on how to add that video later are available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXjVb8nWCXI

Harry

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:52 pm
by vincenzo
Good call, I also found this other thread which suggests this may be the issue I encountered yesterday at Laguna Seca -- that the wifi goes to sleep even though it says it's still active.

viewtopic.php?t=3161

Re: LapTimer Failing to Connect to GoPro and Start Recording

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:40 pm
by GetBoosted
I've since updated my phone (went to the Pixel 3), the gopro (went to the 7 black) used, and OBD adapter (went to the OBDLink LX). Tried various combos with harrys and never had good luck so my solution was to just use phone recording and I use the go pro separate then I have to manually overlay the data by selecting the right frame from the gopro. It's a bit tedious though so I normally don't do it.

Phone video works well enough to just use that for my needs at least.