This revolutionary trail camera features a Passive Infrared (PIR) triggering system. The PIR will trigger the camera based on “body heat and motion”, and will detect game up to 80 feet from the camera.
The Penn’s Woods Digital-Scout™ incorporates the most advanced game detection electronics with the only auto-adjusting PIR on the market.

With the built-in battery charging system, your Digital-Scout can be left unattended for up to three months. The Digital-Scout also includes the Master Lock® Python™ cable locking system to protect your investment, and comes standard in Realtree Hardwoods® Green HD™ finish to hide your camera in the woods.

You can view your photos right in the woods on the digital camera’s TFT color display. Never again will you have to spend money for 1-hour film developing!

Packing List - Digital-Scout unit includes the following items:

Digital-Scout Unit in Realtree Hardwoods® Green HD™ finish.
Olympus 2.0 Mega Pixel Digital Camera (installed in Digital-Scout unit).
Master Lock® Python™ cable locking system.
4 C-Cell batteries (installed).
4 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries (installed in camera).
Digital-Scout Installation CD including Visual Media Explorer™ image browsing software.





Digital-Scout™ Overview

Listed below are the components of your Digital-Scout unit. These items will be referred to through out this manual. Please become familiar with these items.


Digital-Scout™ Exterior



Digital-Scout™ Interior




Digital-Scout™ Control Board

Digital-Scout™ Control Board Components

The Digital-Scout™ Control Board electronics is the heart of the system. The Digital-Scout uses a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor to detect any warm-blooded animal to trigger the camera. This sensor is triggered by body heat and motion.

The PIR sensor detects the difference between the air temperature and the animals body heat temperature. In colder temperatures the detection distance is much greater. However, in air temperatures above 85 deg. F the detection distance can be cut by more than 20 feet. Under air temperatures around 65 deg. F your PIR detection range should be about 80 feet.

In temperatures above 95 deg. F the Digital-Scout unit will go into a shut down mode until the air temperature cools down below 95 deg. F. This will prevent your Digital-Scout unit from taking “false photos”.
The Digital-Scout advanced electronics will adjust the PIR sensor detection range based on lighting conditions and temperature conditions. No other trail camera on the market has this advanced feature.

The PIR detection area will be reduced in the dark hours to keep your subject within the cameras flash range. The PIR detection area will also be reduced in daylight conditions with air temperatures lower than 32 deg. F to keep the subject within the cameras photo taking range.

Note: Even during cooler days, air temperatures around 70 deg. F, the Digital-Scout could go into a shut down mode if the sun is hitting the Digital-Scout case. This can cause internal temperatures greater than 95 deg. F. It’s best to place your Digital-Scout unit in shaded areas if possible.



How to Setup the “User Switch Settings”

The User Switch will let you customize how the Camera Control Board will trigger the attached camera. Here you can adjust the time delay between pictures, operating only at day, night, or 24 hours, setting up a walk-test mode for testing PIR range/area, capturing Digital Still’s or Movie Files, and turning the control board LED’s on or off, and putting the board into Extended Battery mode.

The user switch setting can be found here on the control board.


Note: You must reboot the controller for changes to take place.

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Modes of Switch Operation


Default Setting


10 Second Delay between pictures, 24 Hour Recording, Normal Shutter Trigger, Capture Still Picture, Control LED On, PIR LED On, Extended Battery Mode On.




Setting Delays Between Pictures

Switches 1, 2, and 3 control the delays between pictures. This will let you control the number of photos taken, and how often on a given setup. After a photo is taken, the Digital-Scout will wait the amount of time you set on the switch settings. Even if the animal stays in the detection range another photo will not be taken until this delay time is passes.

Suggested setting for various setups:

10 Seconds - Trails
5 Minutes - Scrapes
10 Minutes - Food Plots
30 Minutes - Feeders


10 Seconds Delay 15 Seconds Delay 30 Seconds Delay


1 Minute Delay 5 Minute Delay 10 Minute Delay


30 Minute Delay 60 Minute Delay


Day/Night Operation Settings

Switches 4 and 5 control Daylight, Night Time, and 24 Hour recording or pictures.


24 Hour Operation Night Only Operation Day Only Operation


PIR Walk-Test Mode

Upon boot up of the Digital-Scout, the unit will be in Walk-Test mode. Here you can check out the PIR detection area without having the unit take photos. When booting the Digital-Scout unit into this mode the RED Control LED and Green PIR LED will stay on for about 2 seconds, and then the RED Control LED will turn off. This is when the PIR is warming up (for about 20 seconds. After this period of time has expired both LED’s will be off and you are free to walk and test the PIR area.

When you walk through the PIR area both the RED and GREEN LED’s will light for 1 second and turn off, then one second later the GREEN LED will light. Using the walk-test feature will let you see what the PIR detection range is, which is a very useful tool in some situations.
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PIR Sensor Detection Area View

The PIR sensor detection area is an invisible cone shaped area. See the photo above. If you walk slowly through this zone the LED’s will light. Using this simple technique you can determine the detection area.


Note: To put the Digital-Scout Unit back into “Photo Taking Mode” change the switch settings of switch 4 and 5 to one of the three options above under the Day/Night Operation Setting, and power the Digital-Scout Unit Off and On from the unit power switch.


PIR Walk-Test Mode


Shutter Mode Setting

Switch 6 controls how fast the camera is refreshed. When switch 6 is in the UP position this is a normal camera refresh. In this mode it will take the Olympus Digital Camera about 3 seconds to shutter a picture on an incoming PIR event. When switch 6 is in the DOWN position the camera will shutter a photo in about 1 second on an incoming PIR event.

Note 1: “Fast Shutter Trigger” Mode will decrease the battery life of the Olympus
Digital Camera.

Note 2: This mode should not be used when the Picture Capture Switch Setting is in the
“Movie Mode Setting”. This will significantly decrease the battery life of the
Olympus Digital Camera.


Normal Shutter Trigger Fast Shutter Trigger


Picture Capture Setting

Switch 7 will allow the user to adjust how the camera shutter will function. The normal “Still Picture Setting” mode will shutter the camera once to take a still photo. In the “Movie/Double Photo Mode” the shutter will be held open for 15 seconds for movie taking, or taking another still photo seconds after the first photo.


Still Picture Setting Movie/Double Photo Mode Setting

Note 1: When setting the Digital-Scout up for movie mode, be sure to put your Olympus Digital Camera into movie mode too. Refer to your Olympus Digital Camera manual for setting this mode. Be sure to set your digital camera to remember the settings or it will default back to still photo mode. This is done by selecting the “Setup” tab, and setting the “ALL RESET” to “Off”.

Note 2: Taking one 15 second movie can take up around 5 MB’s per movie. It is recommended that you use larger sized SmartMedia™ cards for this mode.


Control LED On/Off Setting

Switch 8 sets if the Control LED (Red LED) is to be used or not. Note, the control LED will always be on during the Power-Up Phase, or when in Walk-Test Mode.


Control LED On Control LED Off


PIR LED On/Off Setting

Switch 9 sets if the PIR LED (Green LED) is to be used or not.


PIR LED On PIR LED Off


Extended Battery Mode

Switch 10 sets the Extended Battery mode. With this switch On the Extended Battery mode will be set. In this mode the C Cell batteries will keep the AA Cell camera batteries charged. Note: rechargeable batteries must be in the digital camera when using this mode.


Extended Battery Mode On Extended Battery Mode Off


Putting the Digital-Scout™ Out in the Woods…

Your Digital-Scout unit comes ready to use out of the box. All batteries are installed in the unit and should be fully charged. It is recommended that you purchase a NiMH battery-recharging unit.


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Locking your Digital-Scout™ Unit
The Digital-Scout was designed such that it could be easily locked to any tree in the woods. To protect your investment every Digital-Scout unit includes the Master Lock® Python™ Cable locking system. To lock your Digital-Scout unit, follow the 5-Step process below.

Checking your Digital-Scout™ Unit

When checking your Digital-Scout unit it’s a good idea to carry a spare set of AA camera batteries and a spare SmartMedia™ card. Approach the Digital-Scout unit from the rear unless you want your photo taken. Note: when you open the Digital-Scout’s lid a photo could be taken at this time before the unit power switch is turned off. The unit power switch was placed inside the Digital-Scout unit to prevent tampering with the unit.

Problem Solving Tips and FAQ’s

The Digital-Scout™ Built-In Low Battery Indicator

When the batteries do not have sufficient charge, the Digital-Scout’s Green PIR LED will start blinking about once every _ second. When this occurs it is time to replace the 4 C-Cell batteries. Turn the “Unit Power Switch” to the off position and replace the C-Cells.


Digital-Scout_ Setup Tips

Remove any brush or tall grass within about 10 feet of the Digital-Scout unit. This may interfere with the Digital-Scout’s PIR sensor and the ability to detect game. This will also help you see your subjects better in front of the camera. The flash will also wash out anything that is directly in front of the camera like a leaf or twig. If possible, take a second and stand back behind where you are going to mount the camera and look through the camera's viewfinder at the same level you are mounting it to see what the camera sees. This scene is what you are going to get on all your photos, so if something needs to be moved or trimmed, do it when you first set up the camera.
Never place your Digital-Scout pointing towards the sun rising or the sun setting (east or west). The sun can cause your camera system to take “false” photos. Try pointing the camera, north, northwest or northeast.
Attach your Digital-Scout to a firm tree or pole. Never attach it to a tree that can move in the wind. This can set off the camera system. If you don't have a lot of big thick trees to mount your cam to, you can improvise and use wooden stakes, barbed wire fence posts or rebar (reinforcing rod) to make a mount for your cam. Drive the stakes or rebar down a couple of feet, leaving about 3 or 4 feet above ground, then tie the rods or stakes together with some heavy solid electrical wire. If you are mounting your Digital-Scout to a tree, make sure you mount the camera to a tree that is at least 7 to 8 inches in diameter so that the wind will not sway the tree trunk and set off the camera.

The PIR sensor detects the difference between the air temperature and an animal’s body heat temperature. In colder temperatures the detection distance is much greater. However, in air temperatures above 85 deg. F the detection distance can be cut by more than 20 feet. Air temperatures of 70 deg. F or below, your PIR detection range should be about 80 feet. During the summer months it is best to place your Digital-Scout in shaded areas.
Placing deer scent along the trail to get the deer to stop and investigate works well with trial camera systems. If you want better photos of the racks on bucks, put the scent up on a limb to get the buck to show off his rack better. If you're after varmints like bobcats or foxes, tie a feather onto a limb with some string so it will flutter in the breeze.
It is recommended that you use the Master Lock® Python_ Cable to lock your Digital-Scout unit every time you setup your system.


Visual Media Explorer™ Photo Browsing Software



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Using SmartMedia™ Card Readers (not included)



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Using a Battery Charger (not included)

One other addition that would be useful for your Digital-Scout unit is a battery charger. Included with your Digital-Scout unit are 4 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries for the Olympus Digital Camera. These batteries come charged from the factory, but will need to be recharged at some point. Do not through these batteries away. Purchasing a battery charger will give you over 1000 charges from these batteries.

Note: To get the longest battery life out of your Digital-Scout unit, use the camera in “normal shutter” mode.