Ridgeline Trail Camera

[leon]

Hi Guys I have recently bought a Ridgeline Trail Camera, and I have read all the instructions a number of times, followed all the set up procedures, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything.

It is set on Photo mode, however when i turn it on it just stays dormant, after it shows the screen which disappears after 5 seconds

I wave my hands in front of it and the sensors don't blink and there is no sign of anything happening.

Is there anyone here that might know a bit more than me and have a couple of suggestions.

Thank You in advance.

Leon

[xelasnave]

Can you get the menu? Thats how you vet to see your photos I recall.
Alex

[leon]

Actually no Alex, I can go through the setting up procedure and then everything is as i explained earlier.

Leon

[sheeny (Al)]

G'day Leon.


Trail cameras are designed not to give ANY outside indication that they have taken a photo - though at night you may just be able to detect a faint glow from the IR flash if you are looking right at it. The idea is not to disturb the wild animals you photograph.


I suspect it's working perfectly, and when you open it, shut it down and remove the memory card to download the photos you'll have lots of great selfies to share with us.


Al.

[leon]

Oh i see Al, so if i strap it to a post outside and turn it on it should function even if i looks like it is dead.
Probably best to have a go, I thought one would see something happening if one waved at it or moved across its path.

I will be back.

Leon

[sheeny (Al)]

Don't forget to share those selfies!


Al.

[RB (Andrew)]

Selfies Leon, selfies....
We want those selfies.

[leon]

Not a chance in hell.

Leon

[RB (Andrew)]

[sil (Steve)]

Al is correct it sounds like its functioning as normal. Depends on the trail cam for some things but they are not user interactive devices, nothing blinks, nothing clicks, nothing rings a bell. It gives you zero indication of battery level either. Usually trial and error of usage can give you an indication of battery life. If you’re trying to get proof of a tasmanian tiger getting into your chicken coupe or to track the existence of any endangered species the last thing you want is bells and whistles going off just as the animal is approaching and scaring it away, leaving you with photos of nothing. Similarly some have a large IR led array that remains ON or comes on at dark and some critters that see in IR are turned away by the bright IR lights. Not all trail cams let you see photos on them, the aim is to record so when you plug the memory card into your computer you’ll see the photos or videos you’ve recorded. I’ve used a bunch over the years and have several at my urban home. They all operate differently but they all seem to have small menu screen to configure sensitivity and what it records. But its not been easy to access this screen its usually in the innermost sanctum waterproofed insides etc.
have a look at my page :
Visitors

Its various wildlife visitors I’ve caught comin to my birdbath. No Sasquatches though, yet

Try to set up where people wont be trigering it constantly and only record video if its required otherwise you run out of space, not all device support large memory cards, you will have to experiment plus each wasted trigger drains the batteries I generally just have a reminder in my calendar to go get them and replace batteries every six months and adjust settings based on photos I get. Maybe sensitivity adjustments and positioning location too. Plants/branches blown by the wind can trigger the camera. And a windy day can fill your card. You just learn as you go. I find it loses the clock and i have to check or reset every time. If you are setting up for home security try to pick a location that capture the invader/s full front facial if you can (video is probably better for police to identify someone from and remember wildlife cams are wide angle cameras so you wont get good facial portraits unless you can place the camera a foot or two in front of their face but they are getting very good photos these days, more than enough to know which neighbour is crapping on your lawn or whatever and of course for wildlife they are awesome to see whats around the place.But yes silent operation is normal operation for them, you only need to check the memory card to see its running then resetup again and position it and trust its running. After years of using them I still get that doubt about mine after the “start” procedure each time and placing the cameraI keep wondering is it “on” because its not as simple as on or off, off seems to lose setting etc. Reminds me the old Top Gear talking about cars having keyless entry, you close the car doors and walk away with the card in your pocket and the car is supossed to sense you’ve moved away and lock itself, but your unsure and walk back and find the car open because it sensed your approach, then they changed to make sure the car beeped and flashed its lights so youknew it locked itself when you walked away.

I dont think you’ll have much luck mounting one pointing up at the night sky to catch fireballs though, let us know if you do!

[leon]

Thank you Sil. for your informative response, I will be having a go with it today and see what happens, it appears that maybe it is functioning after all.

Leon

[mura_gadi (Steve)]

From the trail camera shots I've seen, they seem to work best with a naked butt exiting stage left... if your willing to give it a real test...

[xelasnave]

You access photos from menu with mine.

[leon]

Thanks Alex at the moment I have it set up in the roof cavity of our unit, as sometimes during the night it seems like an elephant is up there.
We think it might be a Possum, so we will see how good this Camera really is.

Leon

[sheeny (Al)]

My experience is if it sounds like and elephant in the ceiling, it's a possum.


Al.

[drylander (Peter)]

If it sounds like an elephant in the ceiling I want to know how it got there.

[sil (Steve)]

One of those pigmy elephants maybe? A yowie? Herd of cane toads? Druggie squatters?

[leon]

Well after all that I have found that the camera is actually working, it was just me that didn't know what he was doing.

Apparently one just sets it up, turns it one and walks away

Gee's got heaps of selfies, stupid looks and more, but unfortunately no one will see them.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help.

Leon

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Originally Posted by leon

Gee's got heaps of selfies, stupid looks and more, but unfortunately no one will see them.

They going to get 'lost' somewhere Leon?