Zoom F3 Part 2

[Thelonious]

I tried recording with the Zoom F3 with the bluetooth adapter in my pocket the other day and had a unique failure mode. The app suddenly disconnected as the band came on. I managed to reach into my pocket and restart the recording (not the unit) manually. When I went to listen afterwards the recording was plagued by cut outs and loud clicks that essentially ruined it.

I have already thrown out the adapter as it has no value to me if it loses connection with the phone ~1' from my recorder. What I'm not clear on is whether this issue with it wanting to connect to bluetooth was the other issue or if the intermittent drop outs and noise were due to a cabling issue or related to the adapter.

Has anyone else had an issue with the bluetooth that resulted in the recording being interupted in this way (after the app was closed but the recorder had still been started with bluetooth connectivity on). It could easily also have been a loose cable but the way it popped in and out, when I was sitting still much of the time, has me thinking the bluetooth functionality may be a culprit.

[ol' dirty taper]

I tried recording with the Zoom F3 with the bluetooth adapter in my pocket the other day and had a unique failure mode. The app suddenly disconnected as the band came on. I managed to reach into my pocket and restart the recording (not the unit) manually. When I went to listen afterwards the recording was plagued by cut outs and loud clicks that essentially ruined it.

I have already thrown out the adapter as it has no value to me if it loses connection with the phone ~1' from my recorder. What I'm not clear on is whether this issue with it wanting to connect to bluetooth was the other issue or if the intermittent drop outs and noise were due to a cabling issue or related to the adapter.

Has anyone else had an issue with the bluetooth that resulted in the recording being interupted in this way (after the app was closed but the recorder had still been started with bluetooth connectivity on). It could easily also have been a loose cable but the way it popped in and out, when I was sitting still much of the time, has me thinking the bluetooth functionality may be a culprit.

The connection on the bluetooth app is pretty spotty regardless of distance, however it should have continued to record. I have that happen frequently and learned to hit record before it loses connection and to just leave it be until the end of the show.

The drop outs and clicks could be from a bad cable. Another thing to consider is RF interference.

[Thelonious]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll troubleshoot my other failure points.

The Bluetooth is not useful to me with the current connectivity issues.

[mepaca]

$279.99 at B&H through June 26.  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1686005-REG/zoom_zf3_f3_digital_field_recorder.html

[Ozpeter]

Might that have been an SD card problem? Dropouts and clicks?

[Thelonious]

Might that have been an SD card problem? Dropouts and clicks?

I had just offloaded a bunch of files from the SD card, which I had been using on the device for a year prior, and format the card in the device but it's definitely possible...

[VibrationOfLife]

I keep waiting to see if someone will make a this a belt buckle flipped around.  That should get you through pretty much anything.

[gmm6797]

I keep waiting to see if someone will make a this a belt buckle flipped around.  That should get you through pretty much anything.

recently at livenation venue, i had to take off my coat, belt and empty everything from every pocket for a hand wand, he knew i had stuff stashed, but still let me in somehow

security is getting harder not easier these days

[morst]

Hey there's a firmware update! 2.20 as of april 2026

https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/field-recorders/field-recorders/f3/f3-support/

Updated the F3 hoping that the bluetooth function stops disconnection randomly...

[vibrioidxire]

The biggest update for this firmware is for its timecode capability if you have the TCA-1 adapter. Pretty good in a professional setting for frame rate syncing and automatic recording (w/ external timecode). For everyone else, they did focus a bit on wireless control with their nee Handy app.

Firmware 2.20 manual: https://zoomcorp.com/media/documents/E_F3_v2.20_Supplementary.pdf

[daspyknows]

Hey there's a firmware update! 2.20 as of april 2026

https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/field-recorders/field-recorders/f3/f3-support/

Updated the F3 hoping that the bluetooth function stops disconnection randomly...

Will need to install this and see if it helps.

[mrfender]

Interestingly the manual states:

" The F3 can be operated wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet by connecting a BTA-1 or another dedicated wireless adapter and using the ZOOM Handy Control & Sync app designed to control it."

Are there any "other dedicated wireless adapters" that work with it?