HCO VH250B User Manual

Uway Vigilant Hunter®

Digital Scouting Camera

Instruction Manual

KÄYTTÖOHJE

BRUKSANVISNING

VH200B

U150

U250B

VH200B

U150 U250B

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USING CAMERA

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The UWAY Vigilant Hunter® is a high quality digital surveillance
camera. It has been precisely engineered and tuned to provide you
with optimal and consistent performance. This camera will provide
high quality digital pictures and sound recording video for
applications such as home, cabin, and business surveillance and
animal monitoring for hunting and research. It features a highly
sensitive Passive Infra-Red (PIR) motion sensor and numerous setting
options to tailor the camera to your particular needs.

Item Check List

 Camera
 USB cable
 Nylon mounting strap
 Warranty Card

Needed for Operation

 Twelve (12)AA (VH200B) Lithium or Ni-MH Rechargeable
Batteries; Eight (8) AA (U150/U250B)
 SD or SDHC Card (up to 32 GB capacity max)

**It is highly recommended to use Lithium or Ni-MH in VH200B
camera to maximize camera performance.

SPECIAL HANDLING PRECAUTIONS

CAMERA:

The camera has been finely tuned. Avoid dropping and physical
shock. The camera is designed for typical weather conditions. It is not
waterproof for use underwater. Carefully clean debris from camera
lens, PIR, and LED platform. Avoid the use of cleaning solvents.
The camera contains precise electronic equipment. Do not attempt to

open the camera case yourself. Condensation may form on lens and
electrical components when bringing into warm room from cold. To
avoid this, first place camera inside a sealed plastic bag before
bringing into warm room temperature. If condensation forms, remove
SD card and batteries until camera is dry. Remove batteries when

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Padlock

Hole

Snap

Lock

Color Display

Control Buttons:
Up, Down, Left, Right
Menu
OK

Battery Compartment

Padlock

Hole

Ports & Slots:
DC 6V Port
USB Port
ON/OFF/SETUP Switch

Snap

Lock

SD Card Slot

storing camera. Removing batteries from the camera during storage
reduces the risk of battery acid leakage and battery drain. Do not mix
old and new batteries together in the camera.

LCD SCREEN:

Avoid exposing screen to direct sunlight or at high temperatures as
LCD damage may occur.

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Camera Mode:

5MP

Photo Burst:

2 Photos

Quite Time:

10 sec

PIR Sensitivity:

Normal

Temperature:

Fahrenheit

Power Type:

Lithium

QUICK START GUIDE

The following will get you up and running quickly. We highly
recommend you read the complete user manual to maximize the use
of your camera.

Factory Default Settings:

Camera Set-up:

1. Install 12 AA batteries (VH200B) or 8 AA (U150/U250B)
(Lithium or Ni-MH) in correct polarity (+/-)

2. Insert SD card into camera with correct orientation (marked
side toward camera front)

3. Turn switch to Setup Mode (middle position)

Setting Date and Time:

1. Turn Camera to Setup Mode (middle switch position)

2. Push up or down arrow to scroll, highlight “Set Date/Time”
and push OK

3. Highlight “Date Format” and/or “Time Format” and push OK
to change the formats

4. Highlight “Set Date/Time” and push OK to change the time

5. Use the up and down arrows to change date and time and the
right and left arrows to move between the date and time.

6. Push OK to save date and time

7. Press Menu button to go back to main menu

MOUNTING CAMERA:
This camera is designed to use the UWAY Bracket (sold separately)
to obtain maximal mounting versatility. Camera can be securely
locked with cable lock (through camera, bracket, or both) or security

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box (with or without bracket). Camera can be mounted with nylon
strap (included) or security box (sold separately). It is recommended
to mount the camera 3-4 feet high overlooking desired area and 20-30
feet away from target area for maximum sensitivity in most situations.
Adjustments may be required depending on animal size and
environment. PIR motion detection distance changes based on
ambient temperature and setup. Higher ambient temperatures will
reduce PIR motion detection range thereby requiring camera to be
closer to desired location. Mounting camera too high or angling
camera may result in animals or humans going under or above the PIR
motion detection range. Angle the camera perpendicular to the ground
to maximize the IR lighting potential. Using UWAY Bracket provides
optimal versatility when mounting the camera. UWAY XtendIR will
significantly increase night IR lighting distances out to 60-100 feet.

GETTING STARTED
SD MEMORY CARD

The camera supports both SD and SDHC memory cards up to 32GB.

The camera does not have any internal memory and will not turn
ON without SD card inserted.

1. Open camera

2. Insert SD card with marked side facing front of camera

3. Push gently until card clicks into place

4. Push card again to remove

Note 1: Ensure SD card is NOT in locked position.
Note 2: Format SD card in camera before using each time. This will

create a file on the SD card where the camera will save images to.
Note 3: It is always recommended to test the SD card by taking some
pictures to ensure SD card works properly before leaving camera for
extended periods of time.
WARNING: Make sure camera is OFF when inserting or removing
SD memory card

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BATTERIES

This camera is designed for Lithium or Nickel Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH)
batteries. Alkaline may be used in U150. An AC to DC power cord
(sold separately) can be attached to the bottom port of the camera.
Insert 12 AA (VH200B) or 8 AA (U150/U250B) batteries while
ensuring polarity (+ -) is correctly orientated.
Note: 6V or 9V (VH200B) DC power can be used with or without
batteries inserted. External power by-passes the batteries when 6V or
9V (VH200B) power is connected. Solar panels DO NOT charge
batteries directly located in the camera.
WARNING: Do not use 12V external battery power as camera
damage will occur.

CHECKING BATTERY LEVEL

Battery level can be seen in bottom left corner of viewer screen.

TESTING AND WORKING MODES

The camera has two modes: Setup Mode and Work (ON) Mode.
The camera has a 3-way switch. The center position is SETUP Mode,
right position is WORK (ON) Mode, and left position is OFF.

MENU OPERATIONS AND SETTINGS

LIVE PREVIEW

This option allows the user to view in real time what the camera is
capturing. Pictures/videos can be captured using the “OK” button
while in this mode. This camera is equipped with a Day Color Mode
and Night IR Mode while in Live Preview. It is recommended to
minimize the use of Night IR Mode to avoid battery depletion.

1. Highlight “Live Preview”

2. Push OK button or right arrow button to select

PHOTO MODE

1. Push “Right arrow” button (you will see photo icon in top
right corner of screen)

2. Push UP Arrow for Day Color Mode

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3. Push DOWN Arrow for Night IR Mode (picture will be black
and white)

4. Push OK button to capture pictures

VIDEO MODE

1. Push “Left arrow” button (you will see video icon in top right
corner of screen)

2. Push UP Arrow for Day Color Mode

3. Push DOWN Arrow for Night IR Mode (video will be black
and white)

4. Push OK button to start and stop video capture

5. Push MENU button to return to menu

PHOTO / VIDEO PLAYBACK

This feature allows the user to view pictures and video stored on the
SD card. User can pause, stop, rewind, and fast forward video during
playback.

1. Highlight “Photo / Video Playback”

2. Push OK button or right arrow button

3. Scroll through pictures and video using LEFT and RIGHT
ARROW buttons

PLAY VIDEO (video files have a “play symbol” on the bottom left
corner of the picture.)

1. Push OK button to play video

2. Push OK button to pause video

3. Push RIGHT arrow to fast forward or LEFT arrow to rewind

4. Push MENU to go back

DELETING PICTURES / VIDEO

1. Push UP arrow button

2. Select ONE or ALL pictures / videos

3. Push OK to delete

4. Push MENU button to return to menu

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CAMERA MODE

This camera can be set to capture still pictures OR video.

1. Highlight “Camera Mode”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select VIDEO or PHOTO using UP or DOWN arrow

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

PHOTO RESOLUTION (only displayed if PHOTO mode is
selected)
Photo resolution can be set at 8MP, 5MP, 3MP.

1. Highlight “PHOTO RESOLUTION”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select desired photo resolution

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

PHOTO BURST (only displayed if PHOTO mode is selected)
This feature allows the camera to take from 1-3 photos in rapid
succession following each trigger.

1. Highlight “PHOTO BURST”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select desired number of photos per trigger

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

Note: First photo may have different exposure than subsequent photos
in burst mode. This camera does a more sophisticated light metering
calculation between the first and second photo, thereby resulting in
slight photo differences.

VIDEO LENGTH (only displayed if VIDEO mode is selected)
Video length can be set in 10 sec increments from 10s – 30s
(VH200B/U250B) or 10 – 60s (U150).

1. Highlight “VIDEO LENGTH”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select desired video length

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

VIDEO SOUND (only displayed if VIDEO mode is selected)
Video sound recording can be turned ON or OFF.

1. Highlight “VIDEO SOUND”

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2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select ON or OFF

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

QUIET TIME

Also known as, “Time Interval or Delay Time”, this feature puts the
camera to sleep after capturing an image for the selected period of
time before it can be re-activated by motion. Times include 5s, 10s,
20s, 30s, 1min, 5min, 10min, 30min, 60min.

1. Highlight “QUIET TIME”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select desired “quiet time”

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

PIR SENSITIVITY

This feature allows the user to change the PIR motion sensitivity. The
user can select High, Normal, and Low. Selecting High will result in
the camera being more sensitive to motion. Selecting Low will reduce
the sensitivity of the motion sensor.

1. Highlight “PIR Sensitivity”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select Low, Normal, or High

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

ILLUMINATION

This feature allows the user to use external lighting (XtendIR-B) or
turn off IR lights if no lights are required in the night. User selects
Internal when they want the IR lights of camera to work normally;
select External if connecting XtendIR-B (sold separately) to the
camera OR to turn IR lights OFF at night, and Int + Ext if both the
XtendIR-B and camera IR lights are desired.

1. Highlight “ILLUMINATION”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select Internal, External, or Internal + External

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

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TEMPERATURE

Allows the user to select either Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature
settings.

1. Highlight “TEMPERATURE”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select Fahrenheit or Celsius

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

DATE / TIME STAMP

This allows the user to have the date, time, and temperature stamped
onto each photo or video.

1. Highlight “Date / Time Stamp”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select NO or YES

4. Push OK to SAVE setting

SET DATE / TIME

This feature allows the user to set the display format for date and
time, as well as set the current date and time.

1. Highlight “Set Date / Time”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select one of the three menu options:

DATE FORMAT
Select the desired Date Format and push OK to SAVE

TIME FORMAT
Select desired Time Format and push OK to SAVE

SET DATE / TIME

1. Set date and time using UP, DOWN, RIGHT, and LEFT
arrow and push OK to SAVE

2. Push MENU button to return to menu

ACCESS CONTROL

This feature allows the user to set a 4-digit password to deter theft and
render the camera unusable without the password.

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1. Highlight “Access Control”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

SET PASSWORD
Select desired password using ARROWS and push OK to SAVE
DISABLE PASSWORD
Select and push OK to disable password

POWER TYPE

This camera is a precisely tuned instrument. It is recommended to use
Lithium or high quality Ni-MH batteries. Programming which
batteries are present will maximize the cameras potential. This camera
can also be connected to a 6V or 9V (VH200B) external battery pack
(sold separately).

1. Highlight “Battery Type”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select Lithium, Ni-MH, DC 6V, or DC 9V (VH200B)

4. Push OK to save setting

FORMATTING SD CARD

Formatting the SD card removes all files on the memory card and
prepares it for use in the camera. It is recommended that the SD card
is formatted in the camera prior to each use.

1. Select “Format SD Card”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

3. Select YES to format SD card

4. Push OK to proceed with formatting SD card

CAMERA INFORMATION

The following information is available:

1. Select “Camera Information”

2. Push OK or right arrow button

FILES COUNT
Displays PICTURE and VIDEO number

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STORAGE
Displays SD memory card USED SPACE and FREE SPACE

FIRMWARE VERSION
Displays the current camera firmware version

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TRANSFERRING PICTURES AND VIDEO TO A
COMPUTER:

Pictures and video can be removed in one of two ways:

 SD memory card can be removed from camera (ALWAYS
ensure camera is OFF before removing SD card) and transferred
to computer or SD card reader.
 Connect camera to computer using supplied USB cable.

1. Turn camera ON

2. Computer will recognize camera and prompt you to
open file or save pictures

FIRMWARE UPDATES

This camera is designed to accommodate future firmware updates if
required.

1. Copy the firmware update file (i.e. Main.elf) onto the SD card
root directory (do not place in any file)

2. Insert SD card into the camera

3. Turn camera to SETUP

4. Select YES and push OK when update prompt appears

5. The blue LED on camera front will blink until the update is
finished.

6. Turn camera OFF and remove one batteries to break
connection after blue LED stops blinking

7. Replace batteries and turn camera to SETUP mode

8. Select NO to update and push OK

9. The update file will be removed from SD card

10. Confirm new firmware version by checking “Camera
Information” (see instructions)

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TROUBLESHOOTING

1. The camera does not turn ON

 Ensure batteries are inserted properly with correct polarity and
fully charged. If possible test each battery with battery tester.
Approximately 1.7V for Lithium, 1.5V for Alkaline, and 1.3V
for Ni-MH.

 Ensure SD card is properly inserted and not in locked position.
 Reset camera by removing batteries and SD card for 10

minutes.
 Cold temperature may decrease battery output sufficiently to
prevent camera from turning ON. Check batteries and ensure
they are rated for cold temperature.

2. Beeping Noise when camera turns ON

 Insert SD card.
 Ensure SD card is not locked.
 Format SD card in camera.
 SD card may not be compatible.

3. Camera will not take pictures or stops taking pictures even

with full batteries

 SD card is not formatted correctly. Please format SD card in
camera.

 Ensure SD card is not locked.
 SD card is faulty or incompatible. Please try different SD card

and/or brand. Faulty or incompatible SD cards may cause
system conflict, system crash, and battery drain. Always format
SD card in camera and try different SD cards if problem persists.
 Batteries do not have enough power to activate picture/video
sequence.

4. Batteries run down quickly

 Avoid poor quality alkaline and rechargeable batteries, avoid
mixing different brands and ages of batteries as battery life will
be adversely affected. Different brands of batteries will perform
differently than others. Please try other battery brands to find
what works best for your environment.
 Reduce number of picture burst and/or reduce video length.

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 Ensure batteries are fully charged. Please test batteries with
tester if possible.

 In cold temperatures, the battery life becomes shorter.
 SD card may have jammed causing batteries to drain. Please

use different SD card and/or brand.

5. Pictures count in burst mode does not equal what I

programmed

 Camera has sophisticated power meter. When weak or low
current is detected, camera will automatically reduce the number
of pictures in burst mode.

 Ensure batteries are fully charged
 Cold temperatures may decrease battery output resulting in

reduction in picture count. Lithium batteries will help in colder
weather.

6. Video time is cut shorter than what I programmed

 Camera has sophisticated power meter. When weak or low
current is detected, camera will automatically reduce the length
of video.

 Ensure batteries are fully charged.
 Cold temperatures may decrease battery output resulting in

reduction in video length. Lithium batteries will help in colder
weather.

7. SD card is not recognized in camera

 If the SD card is formatted on a computer or other camera, it
may not be recognized by this unit. Use this camera to format
the SD card.

 Ensure that SD card is not greater than 32 GB in size.
 Ensure SD card is not locked.
 Try different brand of SD card for compatibility.

8. SD card is inserted into another device (i.e. camera) and is

not recognized

 SD card may be formatted differently than the other device
(i.e. camera) can recognize.
 The camera file system is generally compatible with other
digital cameras. However, it is recommended not to use the

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same SD card in different cameras to avoid possible file system
conflicts.

9. Color or brightness is different between pictures at same

time of day and during burst mode

 Camera has sophisticated light metering calculations to
optimize pictures in all settings; light intensity may change
between pictures causing differences in color and contrast.
 During burst mode, the first picture is taken quickly for fast
trigger speed; increased light metering occurs between first and
second picture resulting in different color or brightness.

10. Battery level on display is low despite using new batteries

 Ensure battery type is selected correctly in camera menu.
 Rechargeable batteries run on lower voltage than lithium

resulting in display variation. Some rechargeable batteries will
display low power even though they are fully charged. This does
not affect camera performance.
 Cold weather will reduce battery output.

11. Low Power problems

When the camera power is low the system will not be stable.
You may observe abnormal screen displays or automatic camera
reboot. Change your batteries.

12. Camera fails to detect motion.

 Ensure batteries test full. Please replace batteries if necessary.
 Ensure SD card is NOT locked and compatible with camera.

Please take test pictures in “Live Preview” mode.

 Ensure “Quiet Time” is set correctly.
 Ensure camera is mounted correctly. Note: hot weather,

humidity, and rain will reduce PIR sensing distance. Please
move camera closer if required.
 Typically mounting the camera at a height of 3 feet will
maximize detection distance. This will depend slightly on the
size of game you are trying to observe.
 Camera may be pointed up too high or down thereby allowing
game to walk under or over the PIR motion detection window.
Please adjust camera position and try again.

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13. Images are blurry (stills or motion)

 UWAY offers some of the best picture quality. Although we
try to cover every scenario, it is important to realize that
different environments and conditions will affect the picture
quality.
 Blurry still images may result from interference with focal
points. For example: distance from camera, trees, brush, may
affect focus point.
 Fog, condensation, water drops, snow, dust, direct sunlight, etc
can all reduce picture quality.
 Motion blur may result when object moves too quickly. Blur
will be compounded during night and low light situations. The
UWAY camera has been finely tuned to maximize picture
quality while balancing other interactions such as battery life,
trigger speed, and IR lighting distance.

14. Night images are dark

 Ensure batteries are fully charged. Use Lithium or high quality
Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.

 Cold temperature will reduce battery output to IR lights.
 Remove brush, grass, and other debris that may prevent IR

light from reaching its potential.

15. Too many empty pictures/video or false triggers

 Ensure camera is mounted on a solid surface. Trees and
surface may move in wind causing camera to trigger falsely.

 Adjust camera height and angle.
 Remove brush and branches from detection zone that may be

triggering camera.
 A close running animal/human may make it across detection
zone before triggering the camera.
 Sunlight and heat waves may result in certain scenarios of
false triggers. Please position camera in different location.

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SPECIFICATIONS

UWAY Vigilant Hunter® VH200B

 Lens: FOV = 52
 Photo resolution: 8MP, 5MP, 3MP (programmable)
 Photo burst: 1-3 photos per trigger (programmable)
 Video resolution: 640 x 480 VGA
 Video length: 10-30sec
 Very compact (4 x 5.9 x 2.2 inches)
 Fast trigger time (1 sec)
 60 No Glow Black Flash Infrared LEDs
 Multi-zone PIR detection range: up to 50+ feet
 Color daytime and black & white nighttime pictures
 Date, Time, Temperature& Moon Phase image stamp
 Low power consumption, standby battery lifetime up to 12

months

 External memory : SD/SDHC card up to 32 GB
 Video sound recording
 6V /9V-volt port & USB port
 12 x 1.5 volt AA batteries (not included)
 Can be powered by Lithium and Ni-MH AA batteries
 Low battery indicator
 Mount with mounting strap, security box, & cable lock
 4-digit password protection
 Playback pictures and videos
 2.0” true color TFT display
 User-friendly interface, 6 buttons control

UWAY Vigilant Hunter® U150/U250B

 Lens: FOV = 52
 Photo resolution: 8MP, 5MP, 3MP (programmable)
 Photo burst: 1-3 photos per trigger (programmable)
 Video resolution: 640 x 480 VGA
 Video length: 10-60sec(U150)/10-30sec(U250B)
 Very compact (3.4 x 5.2 x 2.2 inches)

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 Fast trigger time (1 sec)
 30 High Output infrared LEDs(U150)/30 No Glow Black

Flash Infrared LEDs(U250B)

 Multi-zone PIR detection range: up to 50+ feet
 Color daytime and black & white nighttime pictures
 Date, Time, Temperature& Moon Phase image stamp
 Low power consumption, standby battery lifetime up to 12

months

 External memory : SD/SDHC card up to 32 GB
 Video sound recording
 6V port & USB port
 8 x 1.5 volt AA batteries (not included)
 Can be powered by Lithium, Alkaline and Ni-MH AA
 Low battery indicator
 Mount with mounting strap, security box, & cable lock
 4-digit password protection
 Playback pictures and videos
 2.0” true color TFT display
 User-friendly interface, 6 buttons control

WARRANTY INFORMATION

This UWAY camera is warranted to be free from defects in material
and workmanship for 1 year from the original date of purchase when
purchased through an authorized dealer. UWAY Outdoors will, at its
option, repair or replace your camera with the same or comparable
model, free of charge(shipping charges may apply) for a period of (1)
one year from the original date of purchase in the event of a defect in
materials or workmanship occurring with normal use. This warranty
only extends to the original retail purchaser. Purchase receipt or other
proof of date of original purchase is required before warranty
performance. The warranty on any replacement product provided
under this warranty shall be for the unexpired portion of the warranty
period applicable to the original product.
This warranty extends solely to failures due to defects in materials or
workmanship occurring during normal use. It does not cover normal
wear of the product. This warranty is void if: the product housing has

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