Andytek Enterprises LTD

New Zealand Importer & Distributor of Game Cameras

Tips & Tricks on using our Cameras.

 How to get the best results

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED FOR USE OF CUSTOMERS OF ANDYTEK ENTERPRISES ONLY. COPYRITE PROTECTED

As with any photography there is a certain skill involved in taking good photos. Here is a brief “how to” article for your own benefit.

 

 

Security application:

 I-Spy cameras are ideally suited for security application. A key aspect is for the final pictures being sufficiently clear to stand up in a court of law. See samples pictures in gallery for I-Spy55.

 Both the I-Spy2 (2 mega pixel and the I-Spy55 (5 mega pixel) cameras will produce the desired results. This is because the I-Spy cameras do NOT interpolate the pictures. The image sensor is full size for both the 2 and 5 mega pixel pictures. Some other manufactures use a very small image sensor and then interpolate the pictures by adding in pixels by a software process. They add pixels that are close in image and shading to the one next to the original. This takes away the crispness and sharpness of the picture producing a large picture but with soft lines. Often not clear when enlarged. Do not use the video clips. The resolution (640 x 480) is too low for police prosecution.

  

Locating the camera for security:

Best pictures are produced as close to the target as possible. The larger the subject in the picture, the less you need zooming, the clearer the picture will be. However balance needed.

 The closer the camera is to the subject the more possibility of the camera being discovered and thus damaged by an unwanted intruder.

 There are a number of possibilities to reduce detection of the camera. Below are a few to consider.   

• Use the correct model of I-Spy camera that has Low Glow Infrared flash. Such as the I-Spy55 and the I-Spy2-LG. The Low glow flash cannot be seen at night even if you are looking at the camera. 
• Camera is mounted above eye level (About 3 meters off the ground) the less like to be detected.
• Camera mounted inside a disused oil drum or similar container. Then extra rubbish is added around the container. The appearance is as a discarded rubbish pile, not attracting attention.
• Mount the camera inside a building with a cut-out for the sensor and camera lens. Note: The sensor will not work with glass in front of it. It should be clear of any glass. Infrared does not pass a glass surface.
• Mounted on the branches of a tree looking down. Make sure there are no branches in the view. If there are branches you will get a white flash back and this is all you will see in night pictures.
• Mounting the camera behind motion activated security lights. In this method, the security lights will supplement the image capture by extending the flash range. Also an intruder will be light blinded if he tried to see behind the security lights.

  

Capturing number plates:

I-Spy camera can successfully record number plates.
However if you need 100% capture irrespective of the speed of the car, the angle or the prevailing light level, you will need to invest in a different type of camera. These are available on the market. They cost between 10 and 50 times the cost of the I-Spy cameras. We can get these cameras. Please contact us for this information.

 Setting up for number plates:

• Position the camera on a road where the vehicle needs to slow down. This could be at a sharp bend, a speed bump, a cattle stop grate, a gate. The ideal situation would be where the driver needs to exit the vehicle to open the gate. 
• Set the camera at or above 1.5M looking down at the vehicle from behind. If you try capturing pictures from the front you will get white out pictures from the car headlights.
• Face the camera at 45 Degrees across the road with the one side of the picture still viewing the road edge. In this manner the camera is awaked from sleep and while the vehicle is still in view will take pictures from behind.
• A face on flash on number plates will produce a white out. Angle pictures will give better results.
  See picture samples below of number plate angle flash .
• Do a “Drive by” in your own vehicle to test your setup and adjust if necessary.     
  
  
  

 

 Note angle of road and camera

Managing the flood of pictures:

By using two SD card it is possible to exchange the card in the camera and then inspect the remove SD card using your computer.

If you used a SD card reader on your computer (Some computers have then build in already) you will be able to access the pictures much faster that if you plug the camera into your computer using the USB cable.

It is best is to bring up all pictures in thumbnail format. Using this method you can scan many 100’s of pictures in a short time and only enlarged the ones of interest. Saves much time! 

 

Security night limitations of the I-Spy cameras.

During daylight hours you can expect very good quality colour pictures. This is even if there is movement.

At night the camera will take black & white pictures using infrared light spectrum. In order to create readable image in the reduced light levels at night the cameras increase the exposure time. If there is excessive movement while the camera is taking pictures, the results will be blurred. The way to reduce this is to supplement the light by electric lighting. The image is automatically exposed with a shorted time when there is extra lighting.

Depending on the camera model the Infrared Flash will illuminate up to 15M away from the camera. Beyond this distance pictures can only be obtained with the use of supplementary lighting. 

 

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Using for Hunting and wildlife:  

Camera placement:

• Always try to place your trail cam looking north or south. If faced into the rising and setting sun the light will wash out any pictures that are taken during that time. 
   
• When placed in a small cleared out area where there is tall foliage across from the camera, the sun in the morning warming the leaves will sometimes set off the camera giving false activations.
   
• Try to clean the area in front of the camera of any vegetation that can be moved by the wind. Usually 10 to 15 meters is enough unless it is a large weed or brush then a greater distance would be necessary.
   
• Be aware of the sensing capability of your camera. Place your camera well with in that range. Too close or too far will result in missed pictures. In most cases 7 to 10 meters to the target area in the summer is about right. During the colder weather some of our cameras will sense out to 50 meters.  This can be a problem when cold and darkness allows the camera to trigger outside the range of the flash. You may need to turn the sensitivity / distance down during this time.
   
• When placing your trail camera to watch a rub or wallow / scrape you should elevate the camera well above the eyelevel of the animal and have it looking down on the desired area. An IR Glow coming from above will not bother the animals as much as if was at eye level. This is important in that if you plan to hunt this same area you would not want to have this animal disturbed and possibly moving out of the area due to becoming uneasy by the camera. In most cases Animals are not bothered by IR glow, it is only in high hunting pressure areas that this could occur.
   
• The average trigger time (movement to picture taken) with most cameras is 1 to 2 seconds. Aiming the camera directly across a trail can result in missed pictures or a lot of animal tail ends. We have found that aiming the camera so it is looking at an approaching or exiting animal is most effective for watching a game trail. When possible have it looking up or down the trail

• To increase your odds of photos, set the camera up over a well used wallow / rub or trail. You can also get animals to stay in-front of the  camera for longer by cutting a few branches of broad leaf or leaving some other source of food in-front of the camera.

 Camera mounting:

• Mounting the camera to a tree is the most likely scenario in the bush. In the open areas where trees are not available, using a tripod or ground spike screwed into the base of the camera will work as well.
   
• Be weary which tree you chose to mount your camera, wind can move even larger trees to the extent the camera will trigger. The higher up in the tree the more likely this will happen. So choose a sturdy tree.
   
• Another solution to this is to build a camera stand that is pushed into the ground next to a tree. The camera stands are not affected by the wind and when placed next to a tree provides good concealment and a place to secure your camera from possible theft.
   
• Mounting height can be from 30cm to any height. When mounted low, small game like Possums and rats can trigger the camera. These, will in most cases can be avoided if the camera is mounted a little higher and the sensitivity turned down slightly. 
   
• With the IR flash cameras in movie mode, a red glow is put off by the camera. This red glow can make deer uneasy. To avoid spooking deer with the red glow from the IR flash, place the camera above the animal’s eye level looking down and they will not spook. Once again this is usually only when in high hunting pressure area’s.
  
  

Security for your camera 

• These small high dollar items are a prime target for would be thieves.
   
• We have really worked on this problem. In some cases we have used the camouflage tape used for archery and such to disguise the appearance of the cameras.

• The Most affective method is to use a Steel Camera lock box. These can be screwed to a tree using high strength screws and can also be painted to match the vegetation in your area for camouflage.
   
• Another effective method is to use the small bungee cords (you’re your local hardware store) around the camera and just use the vegetation you have cleared away from in front of the camera to disguise it from view. When doing this be careful not to have any of the cords or vegetation covering any of the sensors or lenses.
   
• In real problem areas we chose to use a well disguised camera to watch a camera.  
   
• Some cameras have the ability to have a cable lock threaded through the housing and locked around the tree. This is also affective as a deterrent.
   
• When you unpack your new camera in preparation to take it to the bush, take the time to record the serial numbers and scratch or mark in an identifying name or number so if lost those numbers can be reported to the authorities. Or if another hunter finds it they can notify you where it was found, as some owners forget where they mounted their cameras in the bush. I GPS is good for recording where you left it.
   

Batteries and solar. 

• All the cameras use AA cell batteries, we recommend the use of high quality Lithium or Alkaline batteries like Energizer brand batteries.
    
• Some cameras can use rechargeable lead acid sealed batteries such as 12 volt UPS / Alarm batteries. These are available from us or the likes of your local electric supply store. You will requite a Power lead to run between the battery and camera. Make note of the positive and negative terminals, and don’t get them the wrong way around or you could damage your camera. To charge such batteries you will need to purchase a special trickle charger, which will not damage the batteries while charging. 
   
• Most of our cameras can use solar panels. This really extends the battery life and lessens the hassle of battery changing and charging. There is a solar power port in the base of the camera. If using an external SLA battery or NIMH batteries in the camera it will charge them up during periods of sun light. Make sure you switch the small internal switch to rechargeable if using AA rechargeable batteries.
   

Viewing pictures in the field  
  Some of the different models of camera have in build LCD screens to view pictures taken. When your camera is a model that does not have a LCD screen, you can buy a photo viewer which the SD memory card put into and view the pictures.  There is a chance that you may be able to use your current digital photo camera to view the pictures on. This means that your photo camera can accept SD memory cards and also is able to read the file structure of the Game / security cameras SD card. There is about a 80% chance that you are able to do this. 

Scent Control 

• Animals have a greater sense of smell than humans. They can smell human activity for some time after you have left the area.

• To reduce the affect you have on the area, Approach your camera mounting area from a direction not in front of it and once set up or batteries changed etc… leave the same path / direction you approached from.

• Animals will avoid the area till your scent has faded. So don’t expect animal photos the same day as you set-up. Once the area has had rain, this washes you scent away and the animals will return.

There are a few variants to the different ways you can set up the camera. The best way to get good at taking photo’s for your application will be to practice the tips in this article and to trial and error on your own camera. Thanks for using our Cameras and if you have any feed back on what you find is good for you or tips we would be great full for your feedback. 

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