- When setting up your completed trail camera unit remove any twigs, brush, or tall grass within about 10 to 15 feet in front of the unit. This may interfere with the sensor and the ability to detect animals. 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.
- Never place your unit pointing towards the sun rising or the sun setting (east or west). The sun can cause the unit to take false photos. Pointing your system facing north is the ideal setup.
- Never attach your unit to a tree that can move in the wind. Attach your unit to a firm tree or pole for best results. This can set off the camera system. If you don't have a large tree in the area you can mount your unit to a metal or wooden stake. If you are mounting your unit 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. Mount the unit 2 1/2 to 3 feet off of the ground for best results.
- 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 70 deg. F your PIR detection range should be about 80 feet. During the summer months it is best to place your unit in shaded areas.
- Using deer scents in front of your camera system can improve your chances to capture photos, and it will keep the animal in the area longer. Making mock scrapes in the fall time is an excellent way to bring many does and bucks in for a closer look.
Putting deer scent in 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.
- If you want to capture photos of predator animals such as coyotes, foxes, or bobcats the use of predator urine, baits, and feathers works well.
- If you plan to place your setup in front of a feeder try to not place it directly in front of the feeder. Place your unit on the trails leading up to the feeder. The constant flash going off at night can disturb animals feeding. Also, you won't get that ugly feeder in the background of all of photos!
- When checking your camera system, bring along a spare media card and batteries. This way you can swap media cards and batteries (if needed), and keep your camera system out in the woods longer. We recommend the use of NiMH rechargeable batteries. They will last up to 4 times longer than standard batteries, and you will save money too on buying batteries. Lithium batteries have even greater life but they are more expensive and non rechargeable.
- It is recommended that you use the Master Lock Python™ Cable to lock your unit. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and protect your investment!
Q. When I turn power on to my board the green PIR LED is blinking, and nothing else happens.
A. This is the indication that your batteries are low. The board has a built-in battery level indicator and when the power supply is too low the PIR will shut down, and blink the green LED. Unlike other systems that will take false photos when when batteries get low, the Digital Scout will shut down and prevent this action. We find that POOR BATTERIES ARE THE ANSWER TO 80% OF THE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE. You must use high quality NiMh (rechargeable) batteries for longer and better battery life (between 200-500 pictures). We have also found that Lithium batteries will give you even better battery life (between 500-1,000) but they are more expensive and non rechargeable.
Q. Why is there sometimes nothing in my photo on my outdoor setups?
A. Sometimes birds can fly past your camera setup and trigger the camera. A bird flying past can be too fast for this camera to catch.
You may also have a “false photo”. Sometimes on warmer days objects that heat up to warm blooded animal temperatures and move can fool the PIR into thinking an animal walked passed.
Try turning down the "PIR Sensitivity POT" to be less sensitive on warmer days.
Q. Why is the LCD screen on my Minolta DiMage X20 black?
A. The Minolta DiMage X20 was recalled due to a defect with the LCD screen. Sony bought Minolta and is currently fixing these cameras under the recall. Please click on the here for more information on how to handle this LCD issue.
Q. Why won't my Sony P32 Unit will not work inside the unit?
A. After this unit was put on the market, we found that some memory stick devices were not compatible with our system once the camera was placed in the unit. You will notice that the original 16 or 32 mb memory stick that came with you unit will work fine. However, any memory stick containing the words "MagicGate" will work fine in your camera when used outside of the unit but not inside the unit. You must you either a "Lexar Media" memory stick or a "Sony Memory Stick Pro."
Q. Why will my unit not work when everything appears to be working fine?
A. One of the more common mistakes people make is that they turn their camera on when setting the unit up. Other than the Olympus D-380 unit which needs to have the lens cover opened, all of the cameras in our other units remain powered off and only the board toggle switch is necessary to turn on.
Please download and refer to one of the Digital Scout Manuals below.
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