Folks, I’m using the VEXOS utility but it will not recognize the VEX IQ Brain. What I have tried already:
I have downloaded the latest version of the utility.
I have tried three different cables in hopes it was the problem.
I have tried one PC and two Macs.
I have tried every possible USB port.
Still every time the utility will open fine but it cannot see a device connected. I typically turn the brain on after connecting the device to a PC/Mac.
I’ve tried the online chat with VEX. First they say they are busy, despite me being first in the queue, and want me to email them - which will probably make for a generic answer. So far they have been no help.
I bought Bluetooth radios for the brain but it needs to be updated to use them so I may have to send them back.
Any advice from you VEX IQ veterans out there? We are still in the shallow end when it comes to experience.
@Villebilly - Do you happen to have any other VEX IQ apps opened at the same time? If VEXcode is opened at the same time as the VEXos Utility, they’ll conflict and prevent the update from working.
Have you tried using a known-good USB cable? (or, alternately, have you verified the USB cable you’re using to be good by using it with some other device?)
I have tried three different cables. VEX has acknowledged that some of their cables have had issues. The other cables I have tried work when I use them for charging other devices.
You could try holding the Up and Down button on the VEX IQ Brain while turning it on (pressing the check button). This will force it into Bootload mode.
At this point the VEXos Utility should see it - definitely on Mac since no additional drivers are installed for Mac.
The only other thing I can think of is if any other application (a serial monitor or something of that nature) is stealing access to the device.
If they had made the bluetooth radio so I didn’t need an update I could live with that. Or they could have made it so it update through the radio. So now I’m stuck.
I just downloaded again. We had the correct utility already.
We have not used the brain for programming since Robot C is not Mac compatible. We thought having the Bluetooth radio would help my son get programming with Vex by using the iPad.
Yes, the PC/Macs are not detecting the brain…that is my core issue to resolve.
Yeah that’s what I was afraid of. It is sad since it has been connected probably five times or less. I was hoping to get this rolling by having my son start programming and then invite other families to start a team. Now I’m left with a dumb remote control toy.
They had better allow me to return these Bluetooth radios. I already wasn’t happy to pay $15 in shipping for something that weighs less than an once.
I think once you send your brain back and they fix the USB issue and you are on current firmware that your Bluetooth radios will work. That will then let the iPad connect to the brain and send down the code.
As an aside, shipping has always been an issue since Amazon started with “free shipping”. And remember, shipping isn’t “free” you are paying for it someplace else.
Shipping is made up of the box/packaging, the time to find the part, put it in the box, and then the FedEx charges to deliver the box. VEX seems to have a minimum ship cost (around $15). But you can add more things to the box for the same price until it moves into the next weight category. So I always try to get $50-70 of parts in my box before I press the ship button. It also helps the environment since most places don’t recycle cardboard (limited market for resale) and there is no sense in me killing a tree to get a bag of 1x1 VEXIQ pins.
On the other end of the scale, the cost to ship field perimetry, floor tiles and game elements. I had a skid full of stuff for new teams and the shipping was a cool $650.
Although our VEX building is still in its infancy, I have found the community to be quite helpful. Others have told me the same.
I work for UPS so I get how shipping works (since it is my personal money we buy only what we need, and I’m glad I didn’t get more). We have been a major sponsor at Worlds in Louisville despite VEX not willing to be a customer of ours. My family and I have volunteered the at Worlds since 2016 and loved it. Hated that it didn’t happen this year in the same capacity.
