#light sticks

The Technical "Why"

BigHit and HYBE have cited two primary reasons for the shift:

New Wireless Infrastructure: Version 4 uses a completely different data processing system. While the older sticks were developed by an outside partner (Fanlight), HYBE has moved production in-house. They claim the old tech can’t handle the "sophisticated effects" planned for the second half of the tour.

Subdivided Lighting Zones: Version 4 has multiple internal LED zones that allow for "moving" light patterns and gradients across a single globe. The older hardware simply doesn’t have the "brains" to read these complex commands.

The Cut-Off Timeline

There is a grace period, but it ends right after the Las Vegas shows:

So a different manufacturer, new wireless technology. They state the show will change after Vegas where the new wireless technology will turn on. The old technology will not handle the changed show. I am not a company Stan, but I believe Hybe is working with the fandom. The old bombs will work for the first few shows. Which means we miss out on the new shows starting in June. The tech for the light show is different from the old bombs, while the audience connection to the concert is via Bluetooth. We are talking two different technologies here.

Where they did mess up in my opinion was not advising the fandom earlier that the old bombs will not synch on tour. People who purchased them in the last six months may have held off.

Not synching does not mean the lights will not work. No one is being forced to buy a new bomb. Mine has never synched but I still had the time of my life at both Suga and Jhope’s concerts using my non-synching bomb. If price and/or money is an issue. Don’t buy one. Use your old bomb or buy a version 3 at half the original selling price. The light sill works and you can change colors manually if desired. I bought a 2nd official version 3 bomb for $43 hoping it would synch (for Tampa) where mine does not. Now that version 4 is coming out, I will buy one as it is gorgeous and I want the new technology, just like when I upgrade my phone, computer and cameras every 2/3 years.

There are enough people trying to tear down Big Hit, Hybe and BTS over this tour. I think Army is contributing to the negativity with this letter that was written (where many say are not real Army spearheading the letter) and sent to Big Hit/Hybe. I say let go of the anger and enjoy the free show we get in March, all the content that is about to be released and the affordable shows (relatively speaking) we get to see on tour. The experience will be wonderful with or with an Army bomb. If you like taking photos or video, your bomb will be in your seat or on the floor, anyway. 😊

For those who are interested more in the new technology, here is some additional information.

This is actually the "secret sauce" of how these shows work! Bluetooth is the handshake, but it’s not the driver.

Here is the breakdown of the technology used in the new Version 4 (and how it differs from the older ones you're using):

1. Bluetooth: The "Address Label"

Bluetooth (specifically Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE) is used primarily for the pairing process.

When you use the app to enter your seat number, your phone uses Bluetooth to talk to the Army Bomb.

It essentially tells the light stick: "You are located in Section 101, Row 5, Seat 12." * Once that data is saved inside the light stick's internal memory, the Bluetooth connection to your phone usually stays active as a "listener," but it isn't what's actually changing the colors during the show.

2. The "Sub-GHz" Wireless: The "Conductor"

The actual "magic" that controls 50,000+ lights at once without crashing the stadium's Wi-Fi is a proprietary Radio Frequency (RF) signal.

The venue has powerful central transmitters (DMX controllers) that broadcast a signal across the entire stadium on a specific frequency (often around 2.4GHz or a sub-GHz band).

The "Why" for the Discontinuation: Version 4 uses a new, more advanced RF protocol. Think of it like a radio station switching from Analog to Digital.

The older Version 3 and SE hardware "ears" literally cannot hear or understand the new "language" being broadcast by the Version 4 transmitters. They are listening for a signal that the stadium will stop sending after the Vegas shows.

3. Why it matters for "Syncing"

The reason HYBE is making this move is for resolution:

Old Tech: Could mostly tell groups of light sticks to turn a certain color (e.g., "The left side of the stadium turns purple").

New Tech (Ver 4): Has much higher "packet" speeds. It can control individual pixels within the globe of a single light stick. This is what allows for those complex, shimmering gradients and "wave" effects that look like a high-def screen across the crowd.

Fun Fact: The Version 4 actually has a "Pre-show Sync" feature where it will light up in a specific pattern only if it's successfully receiving the venue's RF signal. This lets you know before the show starts if your stick is ready to go, rather than waiting for the first song to find out!