Hunting infrared trigger cameras need to be operated with caution when setting parameters. The following are general setting steps and key points for setting each parameter:
Preparation before installation
Understand the camera: Read the camera manual carefully and be familiar with the meaning of each function button, menu option and indicator light of the camera. Cameras of different brands and models may have certain differences in operation.
Check the equipment: Make sure that the camera has sufficient power, the memory card is correctly inserted and has sufficient storage space, and check whether the appearance of the camera is damaged, whether the lens is clean, etc.
Basic parameter settings
Date and time: Enter the camera's settings menu and accurately set the current date and time, which is very important for subsequent viewing of the chronological order of photos and videos and analyzing the activity patterns of animals.
Image resolution and video resolution: Select the appropriate resolution according to actual needs and memory card capacity. If the memory card capacity is large and you want to get clearer images and videos, you can choose a higher resolution, such as 1080P high-definition video resolution; if the memory card capacity is limited or the image quality requirements are not particularly high, you can choose a moderate resolution to save storage space and extend the shooting time.
Continuous shooting mode: If the camera has a continuous shooting function, you can set it as needed. For animals with faster movements, such as small mammals or birds, you can set the continuous shooting mode, such as 3 frames/second or 5 frames/second, to better capture the continuous movements of the animals; for large animals with slower movements, you can choose single shooting or lower continuous shooting speed according to the situation.
Trigger parameter setting
Trigger speed: The default trigger speed of the general camera is between 0.3-1 second, which can be fine-tuned according to the actual use. If you often shoot fast-moving animals and find that the trigger speed is too slow and you miss the wonderful moments, you can adjust the trigger speed appropriately; if the trigger speed is too fast and causes more false shots or only captures parts of the animal, you can slow down the trigger speed appropriately.
Trigger distance: Set the trigger distance according to the location where the camera is installed and the expected range of animal activities to be monitored. Usually about 10-30 meters is more appropriate. You can first test shoot to observe the effect of the animal triggering the camera at different distances, and then make adjustments.
Sensing angle: A wider sensing angle can cover a larger area, but may increase the false shooting rate. Generally, it is ideal between 60°-120°. It can be adjusted according to the environment around the camera installation location and the animal activity path, so that the sensing area covers the place where the animal is most likely to pass.
Night vision parameter setting
Night vision distance: The night vision distance of a general camera is about 20-35 meters, which can be adjusted according to the actual installation environment and the activity range of the target animal. If the surrounding environment is dark and the animal activity range is large, the night vision distance can be appropriately lengthened; if the environment is bright or the animal activity range is small, the night vision distance can be appropriately shortened.
Infrared light brightness: Some cameras can adjust the brightness of the infrared light, and adjust it according to the night vision distance and ambient brightness. If the night vision distance is long or the environment is dark, the brightness of the infrared light can be appropriately increased; if the distance is short or the environment is bright, the brightness can be appropriately reduced to avoid the excessively bright infrared light scaring the animal or causing the image to be overexposed.
Other parameter settings
Password protection: In order to protect the data security in the camera and prevent others from misoperating, you can set the password protection function and set a complex and easy-to-remember password.
Storage settings: Select a suitable storage mode, such as automatic overwrite mode or manual deletion mode. If you want the camera to automatically overwrite the earliest photos and videos after the memory card is full, you can select the automatic overwrite mode; if you want to keep all the captured data, you need to manually delete the contents of the memory card or replace the memory card regularly.
Post-installation test
Position adjustment: After installing the camera, first test shooting for a period of time, observe the effects of the photos and videos taken, and further adjust the position, angle and parameters of the camera according to the actual situation until a satisfactory shooting effect is achieved.
Camouflage treatment: Appropriately camouflage the camera to make it blend into the surrounding environment and avoid being detected by animals. You can use natural materials such as branches, leaves, and soil to cover and camouflage the camera, but be careful not to block the lens and sensor.
It should be emphasized that hunting infrared trigger cameras can only be used for legal wildlife monitoring and research purposes, and are strictly prohibited from being used for illegal hunting and other illegal activities. In my country, hunting, killing, eating, and trading wild animals and their products are all illegal and criminal acts. When setting up and using the camera, you must strictly abide by national laws and regulations and relevant protection regulations.