Picked up the newest HobbyWing OTA programmer the one that uses Bluetooth (P/N: 30850400). I was able to successfully use it with both an XR8 Pro and XR8 Plus a few times. Now when I plug it into the XR8 Pro it connects but when I try to load any parameters or even check the firmware I get the message "Abnormal Communication". Searching around I found one troubleshooting article on the HW support site (can't post the link) which wasn't helpful. I'm using the iOS HW Link V2 app version 2.1.4.

This happens to me every so often as well. You can try force closing the app and cycling Bluetooth on your mobile. If that fails, restart your mobile. Try not using WiFi or disconnect other Bluetooth devices.

For some strange reason my HW OTA programmers (both the small square unit and Tunalyzer) will only connects when the transmitter is connected, otherwise I get the abnormal communication error.