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HCA-305M12
Hunting/scouting photo camera
USER’S MANUAL
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information ....................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Features ............................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Application .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Illustration ........................................................................................................................... 3
Quick Start....................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Load Batteries ..................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Insert SD Card..................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Enter Test Mode .................................................................................................................. 5
2.4 Enter Live Mode ................................................................................................................. 6
Advanced Settings ........................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Parameter Settings............................................................................................................... 8
3.2 File Format ........................................................................................................................ 10
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Quick Start
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Introduction
The scouting camera (also called game camera/trail camera) is a scouting device. It can be
triggered by sudden change of ambient temperature caused by moving game in a region of
interest (ROI), which is detected by a highly sensitive Passive Infra-Red (PIR) sensor, and then
take pictures or video clips automatically.
Features:
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5 Mega Pixels CMOS sensor. Interpolable to 12 Mega Pixels
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Sharp and bright color pictures in daytime and clear black/white pictures at night
•
Ultra low standby power consumption. Extremely long in-field life (in standby mode, up
to 3 months with 4 x AA batteries and 6 months with 8 x AA batteries)
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Unique side Prep Sensor design provides wider sensing angle and enhances camera’s
response speed
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Perform in the most extreme temperatures from -22°F to 158°F
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Compact size (5 ½ x 3 ½ x 2 ½ inches). Well designed to deploy covertly
•
Impressively quick trigger time (1 second)
•
Backpack-looking tree grabber makes mounting and aiming a snap
•
Serial Number function enables you to code locations in the photos. This helps
multi-camera users identify the location when reviewing the photos
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Date, time, temperature and moon phase can be stamped in the pictures
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Lockable and password protected
1.2 Application
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Trail camera for hunting
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Animal or event observation
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Motion-triggered security camera, for home, office and community
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All other indoor/outdoor surveillance where invasion evidence needed
1.3 Illustration
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Figure 1.1 shows the front view of the camera
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Figure 1.2 shows the bottom view of the camera
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Figure 1.3 shows the back view of the camera
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Quick Start
Figure 1.1: Front View
Figure 1.2: Bottom View
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Quick Start
The camera provides the following connections for external devices: USB port, SD card slot, TV
out jack, and external DC power in jack. The 3-way Power/Mode Switch is used to select the
main operation modes: OFF, ON and TEST.
To supply power, it is recommended to use four new high-performance alkaline AA batteries or
low self-discharge Ni-MH chargeable AA batteries. To achieve longer in-field time, install the
additional battery box which contains four more AA batteries.
Figure 1.3: Back View
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Quick Start
QUICK START
2.1 Load Batteries
Let us begin with loading the batteries. Please follow the instructions below.
•
Open the bottom cover by pulling down the lock hole.
•
Push the cover of the battery compartment and release. It will pop out.
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Install 4 AA batteries. Make sure the polarity matches the sign on the cover.
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Replace the cover.
Alternatively the camera can run on an external 6V DC power source (optional, user provided).
When both external power and batteries are connected, the camera will be powered by the
external one.
2.2 Insert SD Card
The camera does not come with internal memory. So it will not work without a SD (Secure
Digital) memory card or SDHC (High Capacity) card. Before inserting the SD card into the card
slot, please make sure the write-protect switch on the side of the SD card is “off” (NOT in the
“Lock” position). The supported memory capacity is up to 16GB. If you use a card capable of
above 16GB, make sure you test it before putting the camera in use.
Figure 2.1
CAUTION: ALWAYS SWITCH THE CAMERA TO OFF MODE BEFORE YOU INSTALL
OR REMOVE THE BATTERIES OR THE SD CARD.
2.3 Enter Test Mode
Switch to the TEST position to enter the Test mode. In this mode you can take pictures or video
clips like a regular digital camera, or enter the Menu to set up parameters. On the keypad there
are four “shortcut” functional keys (see Figure 2-1) working as below:
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Quick Start
Figure 2.2
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Press the key to set the camera to shoot video clips.
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Press the key to set the camera to take still pictures.
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Press the SHOT key to manually trigger the shutter. A photo or video (depending
on the camera setting) will be taken and saved to the SD card. If the display shows
“CARD PROTECTED” when you press the SHOT key, switch the power OFF, remove
the SD card and slide its write-protect switch to off.
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Press the REPLAY key to review/playback photos/videos on the LCD screen, or a
connected TV monitor. Use and key to navigate.
There is another key, MENU, on the keypad that allows you to program the camera to work the
way you want. Please make reference to 3.1 Parameter Settings in the Advanced Operation
section.
Under the test mode, one useful function you would like is testing the work area of the PIR
(Passive Infrared) sensor, specifically the sensing angle and monitoring distance. To perform the
test:
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First strap the camera on a tree aiming the region of interest (ROI).
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Walk slowly from one side of the ROI to the other parallel to the camera. Try different
distances and angles from the camera.
•
If the Motion Indicator flashes blue, it indicates the position from where you were
detected by one of the side Prep PIR sensors. If the Motion Indicator flashes red, it
indicates the position from where you were captured by the main PIR sensor.
By doing this test, you can find the best placement when mounting and aiming the camera. In
general, you are recommended to place the camera 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) above the ground.
To avoid potential false triggers due to temperature and motion disturbances, please do not aim
the camera at a heat source (i.e. the sun) or nearby tree branches and limbs. The ideal direction to
aim at is North or South. Also, remove any limbs close to the front of the camera.
2.4 Enter Live Mode
Switch to the ON position to enter the live mode. The Motion Indicator will flash red for about
10 seconds and the camera starts working by itself without any manual handling. It will at once
shoot pictures or record videos when game or other objects enter the PIR area of the main sensor
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Quick Start
directly. If the game enters the PIR area of the prep sensors from the side, the prep sensors detect
the movement and activate the camera. While the game keeps moving into the PIR area of the
main sensor, the camera takes photos/videos immediately. If the game roams away after entering
the PIR area of the prep sensors, the camera will power off and enter standby mode.
ADVANTAGES OF PREP SENSORS
In general, to save battery power, an Infer-Red camera is in “sleep” mode, with only the PIR
sensor working. When game is detected by the PIR sensor, the camera is powered on and starts
shooting pictures. The time period from being activated to starting firing is called trigger time.
The trigger time varies among different scouting camera brands in the market, generally from 1
to 5 plus seconds. Our scouting camera has an impressive 1 second trigger time. However, when
game passes across very quickly, the picture may only capture the rear part of the body, and
possibly nothing at all.
With the unique side prep PIR sensors design, our camera solves this issue. The combination of
the two side prep sensors and the main sensor comes up with a 100 to 120° angle of induction, a
very wide scope far outweighing the 50 ° angle of the camera lens. When game first crosses the
PIR area of the prep sensor, the camera is activated and ready to shoot after 1 second. If the
game continually enters into the PIR area of the main sensor, the camera takes pictures
immediately, therefore catching the whole body of the game. This split-second process could be
as short as 0.2 second.
In the case the game browses only in the PIR area of the prep sensors, to avoid the camera being
powered on constantly, the system is designed to work in the following way: If the game does
not enter the PIR area of the main sensor and therefore not trigger the main sensor, the camera
will power off after 3 seconds. If the trigger events consecutively happened twice only in the PIR
area of the prep sensors, the camera will not be activated by the side prep sensors, but only by
the main sensor. So later on when the game enters the PIR area of the main sensor eventually,
since it is not in fast movement, the picture will by all means capture the whole body of the game
based on our standard 1 second response time.
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Advanced Settings
Parameter
Settings
(Bold =
default)
Description
Mode
Camera,
Video,
Camera+Video
Select whether still photos or video clips
are taken. In Camera+Video mode,
it can first take photos and then
shoot videos afterward.
Format
Enter
All files will be deleted after formatting
the SD card. Highly recommend you
format the SD card if it has been used
previously in other devices. Caution:
make sure wanted files on the SD card
have been backed up first!
Photo Size (affects still
photos only)
3MP, 5MP, 12MP
Select desired resolution for still photos
from 3 to 12 megapixels. Higher
resolution produces better quality
photos, but creates larger files that take
more of the SD card capacity. Besides,
larger files require longer time to write
to the SD card, which will slightly slow
the shutter speed. 5MP is recommended.
Video Size (affects
video clips only)
640×480,
320×240
Select video resolution (pixels per
frame). Higher resolution produces
better quality videos, but creates larger
files that take more of the SD card
capacity. 640 ×480 is VGA mode in
standard 4:3 format.
Set Clock
Enter
Press Enter to set up date and time.
Picture No. (affects
still photos only)
01 Photo, 02 Photos,
03 Photos
Select the number of photos taken in
sequence per trigger in Camera mode.
Please also refer to the Interval
parameter.
ADVANCED SETTINGS
The camera comes with preset manufacturer settings. You can change the settings to meet your
requirements. Please make sure the camera is in the test mode.
3.1 Parameter Settings
Press “MENU” key to enter/exit the menu. Press , to move the marker, , to
change the setting, and to confirm the change. Always remember to press to save
the change. Otherwise you will lose your new setting.
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Advanced Settings
Video Length (affects
video clips only)
Avi 10 s, optional from
1s to 60s
Videos are in AVI format that can be
played back on most video players.
Interval
1 Min, optional from
1S to 60M
Select the shortest length of time that the
camera will wait until it responds to any
subsequent triggers from the PIR sensor
after a game is first detected. During the
selected interval, the camera will not
take pictures/videos. This prevents the
SD card from filling up with too many
redundant images.
Sense Level
Normal, High, Low
Select the sensitivity of the PIR sensor.
The High setting suits indoors and
environments with little interference,
while the Normal/Low suits outdoors
and environments with more
interference. Temperature also affects
the sensitivity. The High setting is
suitable when the ambient temperature is
warm, and the Low setting is helpful in
cold weather.
Time Stamp (affects
still photos only)
On, Off
Select On if you want the date & time
imprinted in every photo.
Timer Switch
Off, On
Select On if you only want the camera to
work within a specified time period
every day. For instance, if the starting
time is set at 18:35 and the ending time
at 8:25, the camera will function from
18:35 the current day to 8:25 the next
day. Outside the time period the camera
will not be triggered or take
photos/videos.
Password Set
Off, On
Set up a password to protect your camera
from unauthorized users.
Serial No.
Off, On
Select On to assign a serial number to
each camera you have. You can use the
combination of 4 digits and/or alphabets
to record the location in the photos (e.g.
YSP1 for Yellow Stone Park). This helps
multi-camera users identify the location
when reviewing the photos.
Periodic Shot
Off, On
If set On, the camera will automatically
take photos/videos according to the set
interval, regardless of whether the PIR
sensor has detected any game. This is
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Appendix III: Instruction on Installing Additional Battery Box
helpful when observing cold-blooded
animals like snakes, or the process of
flowering, etc.
Side PIR
On, Off
The default setting is On. The two side
prep PIR sensors provide wider sensing
angle and detect more potential triggers.
In some situations, you only want to
monitor a narrow spot. Too many
irrelevant triggers by the side sensors
outside of that spot will keep the camera
on and off, which drains the battery
power rapidly. Or in some other
situations you have difficulty removing
the interfering branches, or avoiding the
sunlight. If so, you have the option to
turn off the side sensors.
Default Set
Press OK Enter to return all your
previous settings back to the
manufacturer default.
3.2 File format
The camera stores photos and videos in the folder \DCIM\100IMAGE in the SD card. Photos are
saved with filenames like IMAG0001.JPG and videos like IMAG0001.AVI.
In the OFF mode, you can use the provided USB cable to download the files to a computer. Or
you can put the SD card to a SD card reader, plug in a computer, and browse the files on the
computer without downloading.
The AVI video files can be played back on most popular media players, such as Windows Media
Player, QuickTime, etc.
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