Vector 8 Hardware First Time Setup

Christina Julien
  • Updated

This guide explains how to set up Vector 8 hardware using the Catapult Vector app on an iPad or iPhone.

You can use this process to set up:

  • A Vector 8 Dock with Vector devices
  • A Vector 8 Receiver
  • A Vector 8 Dock and Receiver together

During setup, you will:

  • Connect your hardware to the Catapult Vector app
  • Connect the hardware to Wi-Fi
  • Register it to your Catapult account
  • Install available firmware updates
  • Assign the hardware to a team

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

  • An iPad or iPhone with the Catapult Vector app installed
  • The hardware you want to set up:
    • Dock setup: A powered-on Vector 8 Dock with Vector devices inserted
    • Receiver setup: A powered-on Vector 8 Receiver
    • Full setup: A powered-on Vector 8 Dock and Receiver
  • Your Wi-Fi network name and password
  • Bluetooth enabled on your iPad or iPhone

Tip: Power on your Dock and Receiver at least 30 seconds before beginning setup. This allows the hardware to start fully. Make sure the hardware is also sufficiently charged.

Start the Setup Process

How you begin depends on whether you are setting up the app for the first time or adding hardware to an existing account.

First-time app setup

The setup process begins automatically when you first open the Catapult Vector app.

Add hardware later

  1. Open the Hardware page.
  2. Select Add Hardware.

Step 1: Allow Bluetooth Access

The Catapult Vector app uses Bluetooth to find and connect to nearby hardware.

  1. When prompted in the app, tap Next.
  2. If prompted by iOS, tap Allow to give the Catapult Vector app Bluetooth access.

Bluetooth access is required: If you previously denied access, open Settings > Catapult Vector on your iPad or iPhone and enable Bluetooth. Close and restart the Catapult Vector app before trying again.

Step 2: Power On Your Hardware

  1. Confirm that the Dock and/or Receiver you want to set up is:
    • Plugged in
    • Powered on
    • Near your iPad or iPhone
  2. Wait approximately 30 seconds for the hardware to finish starting.
  3. Tap Next.

Step 3: Select Your Hardware

The app searches for nearby Vector hardware using Bluetooth.

  1. Wait for your Dock and/or Receiver to appear. This usually takes a few seconds.
  2. Select each piece of hardware you want to set up.
  3. Confirm that the hardware ID shown in the app matches the ID printed on the hardware.
  4. To select all detected hardware, tap Select All.
  5. Tap Next.

Hardware is not appearing

If the app cannot find your hardware:

  • Confirm that the hardware is powered on.
  • Move the hardware closer to your iPad or iPhone.
  • Confirm that Bluetooth is enabled.
  • Restart the hardware, wait 30 seconds, and scan again.

For more information, see Unable to Find Hardware During Onboarding.

Step 4: Connect to Your Hardware

The app connects to each selected Dock and Receiver using Bluetooth.

A loading indicator appears while the connection is being established. A green checkmark appears when the hardware is connected.

Hardware failed to connect

  • Tap Retry to try again.
  • If other hardware connected successfully, tap Continue to proceed without the hardware that failed.

Before you continue, the app displays the hardware that will be skipped.

Step 5: Select a Wi-Fi Network

Your Dock and Receiver require an internet connection to register, receive configuration changes, and download updates.

  1. Wait while the hardware scans for available Wi-Fi networks.
  2. Select your Wi-Fi network.
  3. Enter the Wi-Fi password, if required.

Other Wi-Fi options

Manually enter network

Use this option if your network does not appear in the list.

Enter the:

  • Network name, also known as the SSID
  • Wi-Fi password

Connect to captive network

Use this option if your organisation’s network requires additional authentication or approval.

You may need to add the hardware’s MAC address to the network allowlist.

Step 6: Connect Your Hardware to Wi-Fi

The app connects each selected Dock and Receiver to the selected Wi-Fi network.

This may take up to 20 seconds for each piece of hardware. A green checkmark appears when the connection is successful.

Hardware failed to connect to Wi-Fi

  • Confirm that the Wi-Fi password is correct, then tap Retry.
  • Confirm that the Wi-Fi network has an active internet connection.
  • For captive or restricted networks, confirm that the hardware MAC address has been added to the network allowlist.
  • Tap Continue to proceed without hardware that could not connect.

Step 7: Register Your Hardware

The app registers each Dock and Receiver to your Catapult account and prepares the hardware for use.

During this step, you may see the following statuses:

  • Registering: The hardware is being registered.
  • Getting things ready: Mandatory firmware is being installed.
  • Green checkmark: Registration is complete.

Registration failed

  • Tap Retry to try again.
  • If some hardware registered successfully, tap Continue to proceed with that hardware.
  • If no hardware could be registered, tap Exit Setup, restart the hardware, and begin the setup process again.

Some registration errors cannot be retried. If the app displays Contact Support, contact Catapult Support for assistance.

Step 8: Confirm Your Vector Devices

Receiver-only setup: The app skips this step automatically and proceeds to team assignment or hardware updates.

When a Vector 8 Dock is being set up, the app displays the Dock layout and any Vector devices detected in the Dock.

  1. Review the Dock layout shown in the app.
  2. Confirm that each Vector device you want to register is inserted correctly.
  3. If you are setting up multiple Docks, swipe to view each Dock layout.
  4. Tap Next.

You can register additional Vector devices later by inserting them into a connected Dock.

Dock layout is not appearing

Confirm that the Dock is connected to Wi-Fi and has an active internet connection.

Step 9: Assign Your Hardware to a Team

Assigning hardware to a team allows you to use the benefits of Hardware Groups.

  1. Select the team that will use the hardware.
  2. Confirm your selection to continue.

Step 10: Update Your Hardware

The app checks your Dock and Receiver for available firmware updates.

Installing the latest firmware ensures your hardware has the latest features, improvements, and fixes.

You may see the following statuses:

  • Waiting: The update is queued.
  • Downloading: The update is being downloaded.
  • Updating: The update is being installed.
  • Updated: The hardware is up to date.

Updates may take up to 15 minutes. Your hardware may restart during the process.

Important: Keep your Dock and Receiver connected to power and the internet while updates are in progress.

Continue setup while updates are running

You can tap Continue before the updates finish. The updates will continue in the background.

You can check their progress later from:

  • The updates banner on the Home screen
  • More > Hardware Updates

An update failed

  • Confirm that the hardware is connected to power.
  • Confirm that the hardware has an active internet connection.
  • Restart the hardware and check the Hardware Updates screen again.
  • Contact Catapult Support if the update continues to fail.

Step 11: Review Your Setup

Review the setup summary and confirm that your hardware has been configured successfully.

Check that each item displays a green checkmark and that the following statuses are shown:

  • Wi-Fi: Connected
  • Registration: Complete
  • Hardware Updates: Complete or Updating

Tap Next to continue.

Note: If an update is still running, the status displays Updating and the update continues in the background. If an update failed, follow the instructions shown in the app or contact Catapult Support.

Step 12: Finish Setup

Your Vector 8 hardware is now registered, connected, and ready to use.

Tap Finish Setup to return to the Home screen.

You can now begin using your Vector system.

After Setup

Check Hardware Updates

If you continued before the firmware updates finished, check their progress from:

  • The updates banner on the Home screen
  • More > Hardware Updates

Keep the hardware connected to power and the internet until all updates are complete.

Add More Hardware

To add another Dock, Receiver, or additional Vector devices:

  1. Open the Hardware menu.
  2. Select Add Hardware.
  3. Follow the setup instructions.

Troubleshoot Hardware Issues

If you experience problems after setup:

  • Confirm that the hardware is powered on.
  • Confirm that the hardware is connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Restart the affected hardware.
  • Check that all available firmware updates have been installed.

For hardware discovery issues, see Unable to Find Hardware During Onboarding.

Contact Catapult Support

If you cannot complete setup, contact Catapult Support and provide:

  • The serial number or hardware ID of the affected Dock or Receiver
  • The step where the issue occurred
  • Any error messages shown in the app
  • Screenshots or videos of the issue, where possible
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