I recently released firmware for Browning Elite HP5 cameras that bypasses a limit of 20 seconds on the length of night time videos. Several folks have asked: “Is this a safe thing to do, isn’t the limit there for a reason?” … Continue reading →
The Browning Elite HP5 series trail cameras have a rich set of features. But, like all computer firmware, it’s not perfect. Based on some Facebook feedback, and our own experience, I identified several small additions of interest to the camera … Continue reading →
Teardown of Stealth DS4K Trail Camera, featuring insights into design and manufacturing quality. Video of teardown provided as a reference.
Continue reading →Teardown of Bushnell Core DS 4K Trail Camera, featuring insights into design and manufacturing quality. Video of teardown provided as a reference.
Continue reading →Knowing the detection zone pattern can help produce more “true triggers” and fewer “false triggers.” In an earlier post Deep Tech: Trail Camera PIR Sensors I covered some of the details of PIR sensors. Based on feedback from subscribers, though, I realized that I had missed some subtle aspects of the Fresnel lens optics and detection zones for PIR sensors. In this post, I look more closely at trail camera detection zones, and how they work. I also give a straightforward way to find the detection zones in most cameras. I use this method to measure the detection zones for three camera models.
Continue reading →In this post I look explore capacity vs. temperature and discharge rates for rechargeable Li-Ion AA batteries from TenaVolts, EBL, and Pownergy
Continue reading →Teardown of Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 (BTC-8E-HP5). The PIR sensor “blinders” are gone and there’s a new lens configuration.
Continue reading →One of the challenges facing the homebrew DSLR camera trapper is finding a good trigger sensor. In this post, I describe a system for using a commercial trail camera to trigger a DSLR camera.
Continue reading →Batteries go with trail cameras like snow with a Montana winter. In this post, I look at options for internal trail camera batteries. This post is in two sections. In the first, I consider “per charge” capacity of 4 types of AA batteries, two primary and two rechargeable. I include a relatively new rechargeable option based on Lithium-ion technology. A handy graph shows how “long” a set of 8 of each of the battery types will last in a typical trail camera on a single charge in the field. On a related topic, I also consider SD card usage and sizing based on battery capacity. In the second section, I consider the tradeoff between primary and rechargeable batteries, including factors peculiar to camera trapping. I provide a simple selection guide for primary vs. rechargeable batteries based on temperature, service rates, and activity at the set.
Continue reading →False triggers are the bane of camera trappers everywhere. This post gives practical tips for avoiding them.
Continue reading →
