| Wildlife Trail Camera Hints & Tips for all makes |
Always remove batteries when the camera is not in use
Beware of opening your camera in wet weather to avoid condensation build up inside the camera
Check conditions of door seals regularly
There are no standard rules to setting
up trail cameras, each occasion is different dependant on a number of
conditions. Site, temperature, weather, & your intended subject be it intruder surveillance or wildlife.
Before you start:
Walk test each new set up. You will then know that your camera is working if you have no other images when you come to collect it.
Placing your trail camera in densewoodland. If possible mark it with GPS. You could spend hours searching thinking you know
where
the camera is!
Recommended Starter Settings: We advise the following settings to start for general use.
Video – 30seconds – 5 seconds reset.
Photo – 3 burst @ 3mp or 5mp – 5 second reset
Time Stamp set to on
Sensitivity level set High
Inactive period set to off. It is best to wait untill you become familiar with your camera before using this facility.
Placing the Camera:
Site the camera at 45° to your suspected subjects
path. If set across the path the subject
could have passed through the FOV before the camera captures an image. If facing direct towards the suspected path the camera will be slow to trigger as the subject may not pass between two segments for the PIR to sample & trigger. Try to avoid aiming the camera into the rising sun, which can cause false triggers. Avoid overhanging branches, in a breeze they can also create a false trigger. When targeting small mamals to avoid "White out" cover a couple of LEDs with tape. Ensure you do not cover the light sensor. Mount the camera at about one to one & a half meters high any higher & you may require to angle the camera down for detection. The camera detection FOV varies from camera to camera & most cameras do not have a wide vertical FOV. |
Trail Camera Track settings:
 Aimed across the track: Although this is the best angle for detection the subject will pass quickly through the FOV of the camera |  Aimed down the track: This is bad for detection as the subject may not pass between the IR sensing sectors although it will stay in the cameras FOV the longest |  Angled at 45°: The subject passes through the PIR detection zones & is longer in the cameras FOV. |
Common Problems:
Image problems:
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| Branches along with grass in front of the camera
can almost obscure any subject as they white out at night even a blade or two can be easily overlooked when checking your camera FOV. | Ocasionally a camera will produce pink images caused by low light conditions. normally happens early morning when the trail camera is between modes & the IR lens filter is still active. | Whiteout: To much IR illumination. In this case the camera is set very low & floods the area with to much light. Center spot whiteout can also occur if your camera is angled down & whiteout happens often when set to Photo - Single frame. |
Camera problems:
Switches on & then off: No SD Card inserted - SD Card Locked - Batteries low.
Shorter Video Length at night: When the batteries are low video duration is reduced to conserve power.
Video illumination flashes: flashing brightness can be caused by low battery or more usual the camera is
undecided which automatic apeture setting to use when light levels are border
line between two settings.
Battery Problems:
New batteries can be faulty!
Some cameras will not work with rechargable batteries or require replacement more often. see our battery guide
In freezing conditions many batteries will not work or will indicate low power to the camera. In some cases the power surges
& fluctuates causing the camera to run away repeadedly triggering.
If the camera is locking up or unresponsive remove the batteries for a minute or so then refit & retry.
Please respect the privacy of others when siting your camera
&
Please dispose of batteries correctly
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| © Claudsgate Wildlife Cameras Intelectual property registered 01/02/2012 |