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Don't know how to get start with SonarPen

SonarPen works great with all models of iPad, iPad mini, iPad Pro. The only exception is the original iPad 1 that was released on 2010. (New iPad Pro and iPad Air with USB type-c connector works great with SonarPen via the use of SonarPen USB type-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter).

Yes, SonarPen works with iPhone 4S and newer.

We are happy to tell you that SonarPen works great with iPhone that only has a lightning port (iPhone 7, 7+, 8, 8+, X, XR, XS), just connect the two with the SonarPen Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter.

SonarPen also works great with iPad Pro and iPad Air that only has a USB type C port via the use of SonarPen USB type-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter.

The SonarPen is a smart pen that bundles with all sort of cool functions to help creation fun and easy. To utilize the functions, you need cool apps that know how to use them. Check out the app list for SonarPen compatible apps.

After the download, run the app and select SonarPen as the stylus to use.

A dialog will pop up and ask for permission to Access the Microphone and this needed to be OK for SonarPen to function.

Remember to pick a brush type that responses to pressure.

Here are a few things you can do to help SonarPen works:

  • Move your iPad and SonarPen away from anything that emit strong radio frequency (mobile phone, Wacom drawing tablet, etc)
  • Make sure the latest version of the APP is installed.
  • Make sure the Volume limit under Music in the Settings app is disabled. (Apple Music app must be installed for this to appear)

  • Make sure access to Microphone is enabled for the APP

  • Before launching the APP, make sure SonarPen is plugged in and volume adjusted to maximum. Then launches the APP.
  • Plug in the SonarPen with its tag on the 3.5mm plug pointing at different directions (12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock).
  • If none of the above help, try install other SonarPen supporting app to see SonarPen is functioning.

SketchClub hides all the configurations in Settings. So you need to go to launch the Settings app, pick SketchClub on the left and choose SonarPen under Stylus accessory.

All iOS devices support Palm rejection with SonarPen. However, due to different size and humidity of the hands, there is a general rule for palm rejection to work:

If region A of the hand is touching the screen, avoid  contacting the screen with region B.

Due to the variation of Android touch screen hardware, some Android devices can only provide finger rejection with SonarPen. Which means, the resting area of the hand is smaller.

SonarPen works with all Tablets and Phones that have a capacitive touch screen and run on Android OS 4.4 and above. Except the following devices that have been reported to as incompatible.

Incompatible list:

  • 📵 Oppo F1 Plus
  • 📵 Oppo Find X
  • 📵 Nokia 8 Sirocco
  • 📵 LG G7 thinQ
  • 📵 LG V30
  • 📵 Sony XPERIA XZ3
  • 📵 Google Nexus 6P
  • 📵 HTC U11
  • 📵 Asua ZenFone 3
  • 📵 Lenovo Yoga Tab
  • 📵 ZTE K88

SonarPen works great with devices that only has a USB type C port via the use of SonarPen USB type-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter.

Before using the SonarPen for USB Type-C or SonarPen USB Type-C adapter, you need to enable OTG (USB On-The-Go). How to do this will depend on your phone brand/model: Samsung/Motorola/Huawei/Xiaomi – OTG is turned on by default. No need to manually enable. OPPO/Vivo – go to “System Settings> Additional Settings/Other network and connections” and enable “OTG Connection”.

When SonarPen plugin to a Android device for the very first time, the MEDIA volume is set to be zero. For SonarPen to work properly, the user needs to adjust the volume to MAXIMUM. This is a one time only process, from now on the device will remember this setting.

The SonarPen is a smart pen that bundles with all sort of cool functions to help creation fun and easy. To utilize the functions, you need cool apps that know how to use them. Check out the app list for SonarPen compatible apps.

After the download ibis paint, run the app and select SonarPen as the stylus to use.

A dialog will pop up and ask for permission to recording audio and this needed to be ALLOW for SonarPen to function.

Depends on the app, you may be promoted to do a quick calibration so the app can detect the pressure more accurately.

Remember to pick a brush type that responses to pressure.

We summarized everything mentioned above in 56second:

Since v2.8.46, ArtFlow began to support SonarPen. To mark ArtFlow to work with SonarPen is easy. Here are the steps:

1. Install ArtFlow from Play Store.

2. Scroll down to the bottom, and install the SonarPen driver from the Play Store. After the installation, go back to ArtFlow and toggle the switch to activate SonarPen. The SonarPen stylus driver for Artflow is no longer available from the Google Playstore. Luckily, we made a backup of the driver and it can be downloaded from here. After the APK file is downloaded, install it to your device.

You phone may warn you that you are not supposed to install APK file directly from Chrome. You can enable the installation as below:

3. Launch the Artflow app, go to Settings and click the Input menu.

Scroll down and enable the SonarPen stylus driver

4. Follow the instruction on the screen to give permission to record audio to the driver and calibrate the SonarPen.

5. After these steps, your SonarPen is ready for art creation.

The root cause of the problem is the default pressure curve is not suitable for your Android device. Also about 2% of the Android device will act crazy when the applied pressure on SonarPen is too high. Lucky there is a workaround that will solve 90% of the problem.

Work around solution:

The Android phone models that we have tested with this issue are:

  • 📵 Oppo F1 Plus
  • 📵 Oppo Find X
  • 📵 Nokia 8 Sirocco
  • 📵 LG G7 thinQ
  • 📵 LG V30
  • 📵 Sony XPERIA XZ3
  • 📵 Google Nexus 6P
  • 📵 HTC U11
  • 📵 Asua ZenFone 3

SonarPen is the first analog smart pen for the iPad. Its supported pressure level is not predefined by us the designer, because it doesn’t contain an analog-to-digital converter that governs the number of pressure levels. SonarPen uses the iPad’s built-in ADC it connected to do the conversion. Generally speaking, ADC in the iPad has higher resolution than the ones found in all smart pens, which means SonarPen detects more pressure levels. Although SonarPen beats the others in pressure levels, but we are not trying to play up the number game, so you don’t see us brag about it.

The more you use a pencil, the more often it needs to be sharpen. The same goes for SonarPen, the nib needed to be replace when the flexible black conductive silicon core is broken. The durable silicon core is designed to withstand 100,000 bends, which equals to a lot of drawings on your iPad.

Pack of 3 nibs set is on sales here.

Replacing the pen nib is super easy. Check out the following video:

The disc is part of the writing nib. SonarPen will not function correctly if the disc is removed.

Warp the cable around SonarPen is super easy

Anyone who order the SonarPen directly from us (including Kickstarter and Indiegogo orders) will receive an one year warranty counting from the shipping day of the product. Please contact us at hello@sonarpen.com if you encounter any issue.

Click here to check out the shipping arrangement

We usually ship within 72 hours after an order is placed. A mail with tracking number and a tracking link will be sent to you automatically once the package is shipped. Please kindly check the spam folder if you didn’t receive anything from us.

** Please be noticed, when a package is on a boat, 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗢 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀.

sample of the tracking email

A tracking number email has sent to you when the SonarPen received by the Hong Kong Post. Click the RED tracking link in the email will show you the tracking history of your package and its current location.

It usually take only a few days for the package to fly to your country. Local delivery is handled by postal service of your country and their speed is not guarantee.  When there are delay due to weather, political issue, strike or mail backlog, the Hong Kong Post will release a notice here. Click to find out if your country is affected by these unforeseeable issue.

 

We will refund the item as soon as it arrives here in original condition. A reasonable restocking charge of 20% for items returned in original condition, higher for returns that are late, opened, used, damaged or missing parts. Shipping is not refundable.

Please package the item adequately to prevent damage in transit, and make sure all packaging, accessories and instructions are included. We recommend using a shipping method with tracking and insurance, and add Signature confirmation if the value is over $50. Please keep the shipping receipt and email us with the tracking number.

In the case of damage to the shipment or a problem with the product, please report it to us within 14 days and we will make arrangements for return shipping and refund. Please do not send any packages without first contacting us for authorization.

Please email to hello@sonarpen.com with your 4 digits order number, SP-XXXX. Upon receive your info, we will generate a RMA number for your return package, the RMA number need to be presented on the outside of the return package. The return address will also be provided to you.

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