Instruction Manual Copyright: March 2012
Table of Contents I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. 1 Table of Contents ................................................................... 1 Camera Overview ................................................................... 2 HyperFireTM Specifications ..................................................... 3 HyperFireTM Controls & Parts Diagram .................................. 5 Batteries & Memory Cards ....................................................
Camera Overview Congratulations on purchasing a RECONYX™ camera. RECONYX™ has been the leader in digital wildlife cameras since 2002. Your HyperFire™ camera is a state-of-the-art digital camera, Passive Infrared (PIR) motion detector, and a night time infrared illuminator all contained in a secure, rugged, and weatherresistant case.
HyperFire™ Specifications Illumination Range at night Images HC500 HC600 PC800 PC900 Lo-glow Infrared up to 50 feet No-glow Covert Infrared up to 50 feet Lo-glow Infrared up to 70 feet No-glow Covert Infrared up to 50 feet 1080P HD or 3.1 MP color images by day; monochrome by night InstaOn™ Trigger Speed RapidFire™ NearVideo™ 1/5 second Up to 2 frames per second SD Card Capacity Up to 32GB: (4GB = approx 10,000 pictures) NOTE: under normal use 2GB or 4GB cards are adequate.
BuckView™ ADVANCED The HC500 and HC600 HyperFire™ Cameras include the new BuckView™ Advanced mapping and image management software with Google Maps® technology. This allows you to geographically organize and access your images, and helps you to pattern and understand animal movements and behaviors. In addition to camera locations, you can add food plots, tree stands and more. Our exclusive "quick tag" will allow you to tag specific bucks and add them to your "Hit List".
HyperFire™ Controls & Parts Diagram Weather-Resistant Case Padlock Loop Handle Infrared Array IR Mask Latch Camera Lens Light Meter WalkTest Light Padlock Loop PIR Motion Detector Backlit LCD Status/Menu Panel Weatherproof Gasket - Card In Use (Status Light) - Left/Right Menu Buttons - OK Button - Low Battery (Status Light) Battery Bays SD Card Slot WARRANTY SEAL 5 On/Off Power Switch ©RECONYX, Inc.
Batteries & Memory Cards Accessing Batteries, Memory Card & Camera Controls To install the batteries and memory card, your HyperFire™ camera is easily opened using the latch on the right side of the camera. Grasp behind the latch and flip it toward the front. The camera will open like a book, allowing access to the batteries, memory card and settings.
Battery Specifications and Installation Your RECONYXTM HyperFire™ camera runs on twelve AA-cell batteries. We highly recommend using either Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries or highquality NiMH Rechargeable batteries in your camera. Alkaline batteries do not provide as much power as Lithium or NiMH batteries and they are adversely affected by both hot and cold weather, so we do not recommend alkaline batteries. NiMH will operate at temperatures down to -20°F or colder.
Battery Performance Because camera settings, animal activity, individual battery performance and temperature all vary, there is no way to precisely predict a camera’s run time, the total number of images that can be taken, or the temperature at which the camera will operate on any given set of batteries. Therefore the following table shows approximate values to be used as a guide in determining what type of batteries will best suit your needs.
Secure Digital® (SD or SDHC) Card Specifications A Secure Digital (SD/SDHC) card is used to store the pictures your camera captures. These images may be transferred to your computer using standard image viewing software or RECONYX™ MapView™ or BuckView™ mapping and image management software. TIP: Many digital cameras, GPS units, and cell phones can be used to view images taken by your HyperFire™ camera.
Memory Card - File System Requirements Secure Digital cards have various speeds and capacities. Larger capacity cards are capable of storing more images. Your HyperFire™ camera can accept cards up to 32GB, but most users will find 2GB and 4GB cards to be more than adequate for normal use. Cards with higher speed ratings are capable of reading and writing images faster. This is advantageous when taking RapidFire™ NearVideo™ sequences of images. NOTE: A 4GB memory card will store approximately 10,000 images.
Setup & Programming With the SD card inserted in the camera, turn your camera on using the On/Off switch. NOTE: If this is the first time you’ve used your camera, it will automatically display the Date/Time setup change option, beginning with Enter Year. Press the << and >> buttons to scroll through settings for each step (year, month, day, hour, minute, temperature type and battery type); pressing the OK button after each step is entered correctly.
HYPERFIRE™ Programming Menu Your camera includes three major levels of options: Level 1: Main menu Level 2: QuickSet options Level 3: Advanced settings The programming menus are set up so that the most commonly used items are at the top level. Other camera settings that are not as frequently accessed do not show up every time you are setting up or moving your camera.
HYPERFIRE™ Programming Diagram 13 ©RECONYX, Inc.
Level 1: Main Menu Items NOTE: Main Menu Items are shown in Yellow on the Programming Diagram (Page 13). Arm Camera – When you select this option, your camera arms in ten seconds, unless you cancel it before the countdown is complete by pressing the “OK” button. WalkTest – When you select this option, your camera flashes an indicator light so that you can test its aim by walking in front of it. The WalkTest mode shows you exactly where the camera’s active motion detection zones are located.
Level 2: Quickset Options NOTE: “Quickset Options” are shown in Blue on the “Programming Diagram” (Page 13). When Change Setup is selected the QuickSet options are displayed (NORMAL/TRAIL, Aggressive/Scrape, Conservative/Feeder, and Advanced). This allows you to quickly select pre-programmed settings that are optimized for particular situations. Selecting “Advanced” takes you to the settings listed below.
1. AM Period – on, OFF 2. PM Period – on, OFF 3. Time Lapse starting and ending times – one hour increments 4. Picture Interval – 1min, 5min, 15min, 30min, 1 hour Resolution – Set image size to 1080p or 3.1MP. (Professional cameras default to 3.1MP). TIP: The 1080p setting is ideal for viewing images on widescreen monitors, or HD television sets. Night Mode - Adjust the nighttime exposure. NOTE: These settings will NOT affect daytime images.
All of the settings detailed above are available on your Professional Series Camera Trap. In addition, there are many more set-up options available for Professional Series cameras by using the Configuration Software. The Configuration Software saves your specified settings to the memory card. When you insert the memory card into the camera and then power it ON, the camera will automatically program itself with your specified settings.
Mounting Your Camera Your RECONYX™ HyperFire™ camera can be mounted to a RECONYX™ VersaMount™, ThunderBolt™, or camera tripod by utilizing the threaded insert on the back of the camera housing. The camera may also be mounted to a tree by using the included adjustable bungee cord (shown below). Simply thread the end without the loop through the “Lock Tunnel” on the camera and then install the included adjustable bungee hook to the length needed and fasten to the tree.
Locking & Securing Your Camera There are a number of options to securely mount your camera. 1) Use a Master Python Lock™ by threading it through the Lock Tunnel in the camera to secure it to a tree or another object. This will prevent the camera from being easily removed. 2) If you would like to secure the camera from being opened, you can use a small padlock in the “Padlock Loop” near the latch.
Aiming Your Camera PIR Motion Detector The Passive Infrared Motion Detector on your HyperFire™ camera is precisely aligned with the camera lens to give you the best chance of capturing subjects that come into the field of view of the camera, while not capturing pictures of anything that is not in the view of the camera. The motion detector can detect movement up to 100 feet (30.5m) away. However, the detection range is dependent on the temperature of the source in relation to the ambient air temperature.
Using the “WalkTest” Mode Learning to use the WalkTest mode is critical to being as successful as possible with your RECONYX™ camera. The WalkTest mode allows you to precisely determine your camera’s active motion detection zones – ensuring your camera is aimed exactly where you want to capture animal activity. 1) Secure the camera to a tree or other object aiming the camera toward where you want it to capture pictures. 2) Put camera in “WalkTest” mode, and close the camera.
Image Data Information Your RECONYX™ HyperFire™ camera stores Image Data along with every picture it takes. Some of this information is displayed in Image Data bands above and below the image. An M or T in the top data band indicates a “motion” or “time-lapse” event. “1/3” indicates the first in a sequence of three pictures for that event.
Additional Camera Options IR Mask If you need to clean the IR Array window, the IR Mask™ is easily removed by carefully inserting a small screw driver in the left or right side to pry it out. Warning: Be very careful not to scratch the IR Array window! Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 The windows covering the IR Array, lens, WalkTest indicator and light meter, may all be cleaned with glass cleaner or water using a soft non-abrasive cloth.
High Humidity Environments The HyperFire™ Professional Series camera traps are best suited to high humidity and extreme environments since the electronics are conformal coated for environmental protection. We also recommend using the moisture absorbing “desiccant system” included with your professional camera. The desiccant system is designed to absorb moisture that may get trapped inside the camera when the housing is opened in humid conditions.
Troubleshooting For answers to questions about your RECONYX™ HyperFire™ camera that you cannot find in this Instruction Manual, please check the RECONYX™ web site (www.reconyx.com). Firmware Updates You should also periodically check the RECONYX™ web site for firmware updates for your camera. We periodically release firmware updates with new features and/or performance enhancements.
False Triggers If you seem to be getting false triggers (i.e. the camera is taking pictures of nothing); first put your camera back to the default settings and try your camera again. This will ensure that you are running with known settings – with the motion detector ON at HIGH sensitivity and with Time-Lapse OFF. If after going back to the default settings and you still seem to be getting false triggers, check the physical setup of your camera.
breezy day, making it more difficult for the camera to detect the animal. Also movement directly toward and away from the camera is less likely to trigger the camera than side-to-side movement. And, finally, if an animal is moving very slowly, it will sometimes not produce a strong enough signal within the sensor to trigger the camera. Memory Card Problems If your camera won’t start up properly and/or displays a “card error, write lock”, first check to be sure your card is not “Locked”.
Warranty, FCC, and Safety Information RECONYX™ Limited Hardware Warranty HC500, HC600 - Outdoor Series cameras have a one (1) year warranty. PC800, PC900 - Professional Series cameras have a two (2) year warranty. If during this period, through normal use, the product fails due to defects in materials or workmanship, RECONYX™ will either repair or replace the product.
Preventing Malfunction Avoid Strong Magnetic Fields Never place the camera in close proximity to electric motors or other equipment generating strong electromagnetic fields. Exposure to strong magnetic fields may cause malfunctions or corrupt image data. Avoid Condensation Moving the camera rapidly between hot and cold temperatures may cause condensation (water droplets) to form on its external and internal surfaces.
Your Information and Camera Warranty Registration Record Your Information After you have familiarized yourself with this instruction manual, your camera, and software, you should record some basic information here so that you don’t lose it. It is also a good idea to keep your purchase receipt in case you would need warranty work done on your camera. Date Purchased: Place of Purchase: Camera Model: Camera Serial #: CodeLocTM Password: www.reconyx.com Username: www.reconyx.
Copyright & Trademark Information HyperFireTM Instruction Manual Copyright March 2012 Other trademarks and registered trademarks referred to in this document: HyperFire™, BuckView™, MapView™, CodeLoc™, InstaOn™, NearVideo™, LFT™, RapidFire™, IR Mask™, VersaMount™ and ThunderBolt™ are trademarks of RECONYX™ Google Maps® is a registered trademark of Google, Inc.
