What do I need to upgrade the firmware on my equipment?

To upgrade the firmware on your devices, you will need a Windows PC, COBRA wireless reprogrammer, and a USB flash drive. We recommend using the COBRA certified USB drive; however, if you decide to use a different USB drive, we recommend a 2.0, low GB version such as the Sandisk Cruzer 2.0; 8 GB or 16 GB.    

How can I upgrade my systems to the latest software?

COBRA provides two options for upgrading software.

Option 1: Ship your systems to COBRA headquarters. Once received, COBRA will perform the software upgrade for free. You are only required to pay for shipping both ways.

Option 2:

To perform an upgrade or downgrade of your firmware yourself, you need to purchase the COBRA wireless reprogrammer and download the COBRA Reprogramming 32-bit version software or the COBRA Reprogramming 64-bit version software. To find out what version of Windows you have on your PC, please see 'What version of Windows am I running?'. The reprogrammer and reprogramming software will allow you to update your devices from your home or office PC. The wireless reprogrammer will work for all firmware versions going forward and can be used to both upgrade and downgrade the firmware on any device.

How can I tell what software version my system is running?

When you turn on any COBRA product (18R2, 18M, 36M, 72M, & Audio Box), the first number displayed is the software version. For example, 2.1.1, 3.0.3, 5.0.2, etc... The higher the number, the more recent the software.

How can I tell what software version my system is running?

Firmware versions must be the same across equipment. There are a few cases where we have introduced bug fixes to released versions for specific equipment. In these cases, the firmware version can be different and still compatible. Please see the below chart for exact compatibility.

18R
18R2
18M
36M/72M
 Audio Box
1.4.7
 N/A
compatible with

2.1.0/2.1.1

 N/A N/A

2.1.0/2.1.1

2.1.0/2.1.1
compatible with

2.1.0/2.1.1

 N/A N/A
3.0.0 3.0.0
compatible with
 3.0.1 N/A 3.0.1
3.0.2 3.0.2
compatible with
 3.0.2 N/A 3.0.2
3.0.3 3.0.3
compatible with
 3.0.3 N/A 3.0.3
4.0.0 4.0.0
compatible with
 4.0.0 N/A 4.0.0
5.0.0 5.0.0
compatible with
 5.0.0

5.0.0

 5.0.0
5.0.2/5.0.3

5.0.2/5.0.5
compatible with
 5.0.2

5.0.2/5.0.3

 5.0.2

What is the difference between hardware versions A and B?

As the COBRA systems evolve over time, we may introduce a new hardware version of a specific device. For example, in June of 2015, the 18M was changed from hardware version A to hardware version B. In some cases, older hardware versions may not support specific features. For example, in our 5.0 firmware release, the 18M does not support 1/100th of a second timing. Instead, the firmware rounds the event to the nearest 1/10th. Unfortunately, it's not possible to easily upgrade older hardware versions to newer hardware versions.

Can I operate my system if some units are running version A and some units are running version B?

Yes! All systems are still universally compatible even though some are running A and some are running B. This is simply the hardware within the units and does not affect overall functionality.

Do I need to upgrade my firmware?

We do not require you to upgrade your firmware as new releases become available. However, if you would like to take advantage of the new COBRA features available in a higher firmware version, you will need to update your firmware.

What is BETA firmware, and am I at risk for using it?

During development, COBRA offers BETA firmware containing the newest features and support for new product development, including new hardware and improvements to our COBRA Control Panel. This firmware has been rigorously tested internally for stability and safety but still can be at risk for bugs. Any bugs found are made transparent upon discovery and often fixed in subsequent firmware releases. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have specific needs or concerns and we can help explain any potential risk.

How often does COBRA release new firmware versions?

COBRA is continually striving to improve our products, and as we add feature enhancements to each device, we release new firmware versions to support the newly added functionality. We typically have a new firmware release every 12-18 months.

Can I downgrade my firmware?

Yes, you can downgrade firmware using our Wireless Reprogrammer and COBRA Reprogramming Software.

5.0.X BETA Release

The 5.0.2 / 5.0.3 / 5.0.5 release is our current BETA release for the new 5.0 firmware version. If you are currently operating the 5.0.0 BETA release, we recommend you upgrade to the 5.0.2 / 5.0.3 / 5.0.5 version as it addresses several issues detailed below. The 5.0.3 version is for the 36M and 72M only and is compatible with all other equipment running 5.0.2. The 5.0.5 version is for the 18R2 only and is compatible with all other equipment running 5.0.2 / 5.0.3.

New Features

  • Manual and Scripted MESH
  • 1/100th Second Timing
  • 2nd Alternate Firing Button
  • Field Map (CP)
  • Offline Mode (CP)

Improvements

  • Improved Device List UI (CP)
  • Improved Show Controls UI (CP)
  • New Manual Firing UI (CP)

Bug Fixes

  • 18R2 slow to load the final few modules in ARM mode
  • 18M not waking up properly from sleep mode
  • 18M becoming stuck in a state of toggling between ARM and TEST mode (test and arm LED blinking back and forth)
  • 18M not properly receiving the downloaded script from the 18R2
  • 18R not firing channel 00 manually
  • 18R in some cases having continuity disappear and re-appear momentarily
  • Audio box incorrectly aligning when pressing the + and - buttons on the 18R2
  • Minor audio box distortion upon pausing and resuming script
  • 18R2 displaying incorrect -99 signal for modules
  • 36/72M not displaying continuity in direct sunlight
  • 18R2 critical safety fix (only affected units sold from July 5th to July 24th 2019, see final page of release notes for details)

4.0.0 BETA Release

The COBRA 4.0.0 release includes a number of major and minor updates and introduces the COBRA Control Panel.

For a detailed description of all new features, improvements, and fixes please download the 4.0.0 Release Notes.

New Features

    • COBRA Control Panel Integration
    • Device List (CP)
    • Show Controls (CP)
    • Alternate Event Firing
    • Deadman Functionality
    • Disable Firing Functionality

Improvements

    • Multiple Audio Files
    • 30% More Battery Life
    • Low Signal Warning
    • Improved Low Battery Warning
    • 18R2 Default Channel Changed to 00
    • Force Un-Sync Removed from 18M
    • Force Un-Sync Time Extended on 18R2 to 30 Seconds
    • Loading script requires USB to be inserted at time of 18R2 power up
    • Script header arguments changed

Bug Fixes

3.0.3 Stable Release

The following is the current stable COBRA 3.0.3 firmware release

New Features

    • Manually fire cues while script is running
    • Reinforced wireless security
    • Fire multiple scripts without disarming

Improvements

  • Manually fire cues while script is running
  • Reinforced wireless security
  • Fire multiple scripts without disarming

Bug Fixes

  • Sleep mode no longer displays backlight

3.0.0 BETA Release

The COBRA 3.0.0 release includes a number of updates and introduces the COBRA Audio Box

New Features

  • Audio Box integration
  • Unlimited channel firing

Improvements

  • Improved STEP scripting

Known Issues

  • Backlight stays on in sleep mode
  • In some cases, testing continuity locally from the 18M will cause the 18M to re-start

2.1.1 Stable Release

intro

New Features

  • Universal compatibility
  • 1P low battery level warning

Improvements

Bug Fixes

  • Sleep mode wake fix