Setting Up Radiodetection Locators with TerraFlow Mobile

Learn how to configure your Radiodetection locator and pair it with TerraFlow Mobile for accurate data collection with depth measurements.

Time needed: 5 minutes per device

Before you start:

Ensure your Radiodetection locator is fully charged
Have your mobile device ready with TerraFlow Mobile installed
Know your locator model (RD8100, RD8200, RD8200SG, or MRX SG)
Have the default Bluetooth passcode ready: 1234
For RD8200SG and MRX SG models, contact your RTK correction provider for correction settings before beginning

Step 1: Configure Your Locator Device

The configuration steps vary by model. Find your locator model below and follow the specific instructions.

Option A: RD8100

Enter Menu Mode on the locator
Scroll to BT and enter the option
Scroll to On and set it
Scroll back to BT and enter the option again
Scroll to PROT
Scroll to ASCII and enter the option
Scroll to 2 and set it
Go back to BT and enter the option
Scroll to PAIR and enter the option
Scroll to BT-PC and set it

Your RD8100 is now in pairing mode and ready to connect.

Option B: RD8200

Enter Menu Mode on the locator
Scroll to SMLOG and enter the option
Scroll to On and set it
Scroll to PROT and enter the option
Scroll to ASCII and enter the option
Scroll to 2 and set it
Go back to SMLOG and enter the option
Scroll to BT
Scroll to PAIR and set it

Your RD8200 is now in pairing mode and ready to connect.

Option C: RD8200SG & MRX SG

Enter Menu Mode on the locator
Scroll to SMLOG and enter the option
Scroll to On and set it
Scroll to PROT and enter the option
Scroll to ASCII and enter the option
Scroll to 2 and set it
Scroll to Phone
Select your device type: Android or iOS
Select BLE

Your RD8200SG or MRX SG is now ready for pairing. Note that these models require two Bluetooth connections.

Step 2: Pair the Locator with Your Mobile Device

Complete the Bluetooth pairing process on your phone or tablet.

Open Settings on your mobile device
Tap Bluetooth
Tap Scan or wait for available devices to appear
When your Radiodetection locator appears in the list, tap it to pair
Enter 1234 as the passcode when prompted

For RD8200SG & MRX SG Only - Android

These models require two separate Bluetooth connections:

Pair the RDSG connection (for locator data)
Pair the RDSG - RTK connection (for high-accuracy GPS)

Both connections must be successfully paired before proceeding to TerraFlow configuration.

For RD8200SG & MRX SG Only - iOS

Pairing will occur in TerraFlow Mobile - pairing does not happen in iOS settings.

Step 3: Configure TerraFlow Mobile

Connect TerraFlow Mobile to your paired locator so data collection can begin.

For RD8100 and RD8200

Open TerraFlow Mobile
Tap the Settings on the bottom bar
Scroll down to Sensor Settings
Select your locator model from the Locator dropdown
1. Do not toggle "Use Locator GPS"

Your locator is now connected and ready for data collection.

For RD8200SG & MRX SG

These models provide high-accuracy GPS positioning and require additional configuration.

Open TerraFlow Mobile
Tap the Settings on the bottom bar
Scroll down to Sensor Settings
Select your locator model from the Locator dropdown
1. This is the 82SG Bluetooth Chip
Enable Use locator GPS
Scroll down to Location Settings
Select U-Blox from the Location Provider dropdown
Select the locator RTK BLE connection as the Location Device

Important: Contact support@terraflow.ca for the correct Translation to WebMercator setting before using your device in the field.

Step 4: Configure Correction Settings (RD8200SG & MRX SG Only)

If you're using an RTK correction source, enable and configure correction settings.

In TerraFlow Settings, scroll to Correction Settings
Turn correction settings On
Enter the values provided by your correction source provider

Correction values improve positioning accuracy but must be obtained from your RTK service provider or surveyor.

Troubleshooting

Locator not appearing in Bluetooth scan?

Verify the locator is in pairing mode (you should see PAIR on the display)
Ensure the locator is within 10 feet of your mobile device
Turn Bluetooth off and on again on your mobile device
Restart the pairing process on the locator

Passcode not working?

The default passcode is 1234 for all Radiodetection models
If this doesn't work, check your locator documentation or contact support
Some devices may have been reconfigured with a custom passcode

Locator paired but not appearing in TerraFlow dropdown?

Close and reopen TerraFlow Mobile
Verify the Bluetooth connection is active in your device settings
Unpair and re-pair the device, then restart TerraFlow

RD8200SG showing poor GPS accuracy?

Verify both connections are paired (standard and RTK)
Ensure "Use locator GPS" is enabled in Sensor Settings
Check that U-Blox is selected as Location Provider
Confirm the RTK BLE connection is selected as Location Device
Verify correction settings are properly configured

Measurements not logging in TerraFlow?

Confirm you're on the Sensor tab (not manual collection)
Check that ASCII protocol is set to "2" on the locator
Verify SMLOG is set to "On" (RD8200 models)
Try triggering a measurement manually to test the connection

Tips for Success

Battery life: Bluetooth reduces locator battery life—charge devices overnight
Connection stability: Keep your mobile device within 10 feet of the locator during data collection
First-time setup: The initial pairing takes longer than reconnecting later
RD8200SG accuracy: RTK correction dramatically improves positioning but requires a subscription service
Multiple devices: If you use multiple locators, label them clearly and select the correct one in TerraFlow before each session

Collecting Data with TerraFlow Mobile
Understanding GPS vs. RTK Positioning
Configuring Workflows for Locator Collection

Need more help? Contact TerraFlow Support at support@terraflow.ca