In early 2025, we released a firmware upgrade for the XRS2i and SRS2i EID stick readers. This firmware upgrade improves Bluetooth performance, providing a more reliable connection between the EID stick reader and other devices. There are a number of steps required to complete this upgrade.
📝 This is a one-off upgrade. Once you have performed the steps in this article, you will not need to repeat this procedure again.
📝 This article describes the manual method of performing this upgrade. You should only use this method if you have been supplied with the upgrade files, otherwise, you should use the standard, automatic method.
Before you start
Before you begin the upgrade process:
Download the upgrade files sent to you by Datamars. There will be two files - a Bluetooth BT.bin file and a main firmware .hex file (either XRS2i.hex or SRS2i.hex)
Check your PC to make sure it has a Bluetooth. If not, we recommend purchasing a Bluetooth 5.0 dongle and skipping to step 4. If you decide not to proceed with the upgrade, see What if I decide not to upgrade the Bluetooth firmware on my XS2i/SRS2i EID stick reader?
If your PC has Bluetooth, check that it has Bluetooth LMP version 6.1 or above. See the Microsoft article here for information on how to do this. If your Bluetooth LPM version is 6.0 or below, we recommend purchasing a Bluetooth 5.0 dongle. This will have LPM version 9.0. If you decide not to proceed with the upgrade, see What if I decide not to upgrade the Bluetooth firmware on my XS2i/SRS2i EID stick reader?
📝 Lower versions of Bluetooth LPM will not allow you to perform the firmware upgrade on the EID stick reader. You must ensure your LPM version is 6.1 or above before proceeding.Check the Bluetooth settings on your XRS2i/SRS2i EID stick reader.
The Bluetooth Connect Mode and Output settings must be set to default.(a) Go to Settings / Bluetooth / Advanced.
(b) Set Connect Mode and Output to [Default] (XRS2i only):
Check the Bluetooth settings on your PC.
(a) On your PC, search for 'Bluetooth and other devices settings':
(b) Check that Bluetooth is ON and check that the XRS2i/SRS2i EID stick reader is not connected (not paired):
💡 If the stick reader is connected (paired), disconnect (unpair) it. To do this, click on XRS2i/SRS2i ... and select Remove Device:
Performing the Bluetooth firmware upgrade
To perform the Bluetooth firmware upgrade:
Turn on the stick reader.
Connect the XRS2i/SRS2i EID stick reader to the PC using the USB cable supplied.
Launch Data Link PC software if it is not already running.
After a minute, Connected to XRS2i/SRS2i will display in the bottom left-hand corner:
Click on Tools, Updates, Update device firmware from a file.
Check through the items in the dialogue then click OK:
✋ Do not disconnect the stick reader until the installation is complete.
Click OK and the Windows browser will open.
Locate and click on the Bluetooth firmware BT.bin file, then click Open.
✋ Make sure to select the BT.bin file, not the .hex file. It is important that the Bluetooth firmware upgrade is done first, before the main firmware upgrade.
A dialogue box will ask you to confirm the Bluetooth firmware upgrade:
When the Bluetooth firmware upgrade is complete, a dialogue will appear while Data Link PC software searches for the EID stick reader.
When the status area in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen changes to Connected to XRS2i or Connected to SRS2i, click OK.
The Windows browser will appear again.
Locate and click on the main firmware .hex file, then click Open.
💡 If the upgrade fails, repeat steps 4 and 5 in the section "Before you start..." (Check the settings on your stick reader and Check the Bluetooth settings on the PC).
Having trouble?
If you need help, click on the Live Chat bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of this screen or email sf-support@datamars.com