Leupold RCX User Manual

USER MANUAL

2

Contents

Introduction ..........................................................................................................3

Things you need to get started ............................................................................4

Controller Setup ...................................................................................................5

Camera Setup ..................................................................................................... 10

Battery Guideline ............................................................................................... 11

Camera Operation Setup .................................................................................... 12

Camera Setup with Preset Modes ...................................................................... 13

DST (Dual Sensor Technology) ........................................................................... 14

Camera Mounting .............................................................................................. 15

Custom Camera Setup ........................................................................................ 18

Using an External Power Source ........................................................................21

Downloading Images .........................................................................................22

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 24

3

Introduction

The RCX Trail Camera System is
designed to support the use of many
cameras and a single controller. The
camera is simple, high quality and
durable so you can place many cameras
in the field, and quickly and easily
access them to change setups, use Real
Time Video Alignment and to download
images. The system works by the
camera capturing images and storing
them on an SD card that you install.
The controller also takes an SD card up
to 32 GB.

When you connect the controller to the
camera with the USB cable, you can
download images from the camera to
the controller with just a couple of quick
menu selections. You are then able

view the images right there in the field
and make any changes to the setup you
want. The controller also allows you to
view photos from other trail cameras
when the SD cards are inserted. The
camera can be aligned using Real Time
Video Alignment™ that permits you to
see what the camera sees. Settings
can also be changed to get more or less
pictures by selecting one of 4 preset
modes, or you may access the powerful
custom menu for settings such as
multipicture, event delay, time lapse,
etc. See

“Custom Camera Setup”

on

page 18 for more information.

4

Things you need to get started

1. Camera

2. Controller

(Included in RCX Kit. Li-Ion

battery included.)

3. 8 AA Batteries

(Leupold strongly
recommends Energizer Ultimate Lithium
AA batteries, especially for use in below
freezing temperatures.)*

4. 2 SD or SDHC cards: one for the
controller, one for the camera, up to
32 GB capacity.

Accessories:

5. Mounting strap

(Comes with camera

or kit.)

6. USB Cable

(Included with kits and with

controllers.)

7. Standoffs

(Included with cameras and
kits. These are used to solidly position
the camera on uneven surfaces.)

Optional:

RCX Lockdown Security Plate

(Comes installed on RCX-2 only; for use with
Master Lock® Python™ cable or for mounting
with a single nail. Available separately for
RCX-1.)

*Alkaline batteries can leak and damage
the camera if left unattended for extended
periods, especially during below freezing
temperatures. The RCX Trail Camera
Warranty does not cover damage from battery
leakage.

5

Controller Set-Up

Lanyard Hole

Battery Door

Battery Door
Screw

Mini USB Port Cover Power Button

SD Card Slot Door3” TFT

(Thin Film Transistor)

Screen

6

A controller must only be set once, but
is necessary to set date and time, and to
access the features of your RCX Camera.
Every time a new camera is set up, the
time synchronizes with the controller
as soon as it is plugged in with the USB
cable.

The first time the controller is powered
up, the first screen presented is the

“Time/Date”

screen. To access this
screen again later, you will find this
selection in the

“Setup Controller”

Menu. This screen will again be the first
screen presented any time you allow
the battery to go dead for more than
24 hours.

The Lithium Ion battery is already
installed in the controller. The
controller battery should be charged
for a minimum of 2 hours before use;
however, it is preferable to charge it at
least 16 hours to ensure long hours of
use and to prevent short battery life.

To charge the RCX Controller Battery,
plug the Mini USB end of the USB cable
into the controller, then plug the other
end into a computer, the wall charger or
the car charger provided. Before going
into the field, verify that the controller is
properly charged.

7

Navigate through the controller
menus by arrowing to the desired
selection.

On menu items with to the right
of the text, press the right arrow to
access the next level down in the
menu .

Press to select a menu choice.

Delete and zoom

are used
only when viewing images on the
SD card.

Use to back out one menu level.

8

Brightness: The display brightness of

the controller can be adjusted. This is
recommended when lighting condition
change dramatically.

Time/Date: Time is in 24-hour time
only. The default date format is YYYY/
DD/MM but can be changed to other
formats.

Temp Unit: Switch between °F or °C.

Hemisphere: Set the appropriate hemisphere. The United States and Canada are

in the Northern Hemisphere. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are in the
Southern Hemisphere.. This makes the orientation of the moon phase images correct
for your location.

Language: The controller menus can be displayed in any of the following
languages: English, German, Finnish, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish or Swedish.

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9

USB Port Cover

1/4-20 Tripod
Stud Mount

BOTTOM ACCESS
DOOR OPEN

BOTTOM ACCESS
DOOR CLOSED

USB Port

SD Card Slot

Battery Pack
Latch

Cover Retaining
Screw

Battery Pack

12V Jack Cover

12V Jack

Power Switch

10

1. Install an SD card. An SD card from
another device may already contain
files that will reduce the number of
photos you can take. To optimize the
operation of the camera’s SD card,
format it using the controller. This
can be done in the controller setup
menu and by selecting

“Format SD

Card”

from the bottom of the menu.
This will erase all SD Card contents.
Once the SD card is formatted,
insert it into the camera.

2. Open the access door and remove
the AA battery cartridge.

3. Insert 8 batteries with the negative
(flat) end against the contact spring.

4. Insert the loaded battery cartridge
into the camera with the contact
side going in first until the catch
snaps into place. Be sure to close
the bottom door securely after all
setup is complete to ensure good
contact pressure.

Camera Setup

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Camera Status