Transcript
BUYER’S GUIDE for CAMERA TRAP’S
HOW TO CHOOSE A CAMERA TRAP FOR YOUR NEEDS…?
The Camera Trap industry offers a lot of cheap cameras traps and unfortunately, they are not all reliable or quality products. Because CAMERA TRAPS
cc is the largest distributor of cameras traps / trail cameras / game cameras and accessories in Africa, we only offer proven and reliable products.
Below you will find the explanations of a number of important camera trap features that
we feel will best assist you in choosing the correct camera trap for your specific
needs. You may even discover a feature you didn't even know existed. If nothing else,
it will make you more knowledgeable on camera traps.
Some of these features are as easy as black and white. For example: a camera trap
either comes with a built in viewing screen to view images and or video clips in the field
- or it doesn't. However, some are much harder to evaluate. A perfect example is
resolution. Many manufacturers will list a camera traps’ mega pixel rating, but will not
disclose if this is achieved through software-aided interpolation. If you purchase a
camera trap based only on the manufacturer's claimed mega pixel rating there's a good
chance you'll be mislead. You might also miss out on a great camera trap whose
manufacturer was honest about the true resolution of their product.
Since 2005, we have been constantly testing and adding new models / and
discontinuing unreliable ones that do not meet our own strict, or our clients’
expectations. With so many makes and models to choose from worldwide, it’s
comforting to know that the ones we offer are the better of the bunch and have been
tested by us and our clients in our harsh conditions. We are Authorized Agents for these
makes and models and we can also be certain that what’s on offer will suite your
specific needs. If not, we will happily source it for you from our extensive range of
overseas based suppliers.
All units carry a manufacturer’s warranty (1 year) and each camera traps’ detailed
features are listed under the product description for each model (CAMERA TRAP
FEATURES SHEET). We also encourage you to closely examine and compare the
actual photos taken by each camera trap provided on our website
(www.cameratrap.co.za) in our ANNUAL Photo Contest Entries which are also
displayed on our website. Finally, we are always available to provide in-depth
information via email or phone.
Have fun choosing your camera trap,
Chris & Nicola Pearson
+27 83 5600 555
+27 82 422 0356
[email protected]
www.cameratrap.co.za
1. FLASH TYPE
This has emerged as the biggest debate in the industry. The 4 types of flashes are;
1. STROBE Flash – colour images during the day & night
2. WHITE LED Flash – colour images during the day & night
3. INFRARED or RED GLOW – colour images during the day and black & white images at night
4. BLACK FLASH or NO GLOW – colour images during the day and black & white images at night
The camera trap’s built-in flash is only activated when the trap senses there is insufficient light to record an image / video clip – e.g. at night. During the
daytime, sunlight usually provides sufficient light so the flash will be rarely used (except on very overcast conditions)
Before we get much further, let's highlight some of the key points about each type of flash. When contemplating what type of flash you think you may need,
you might like consider the following:
Infrared / Black Flash flashes use considerably less battery power than strobe flashes (White LED flashes also use minimal power)
Infrared / Black Flash flashes are able to fire much quicker than strobe flashes (White LED flashes can also fire quickly)
Infrared flashes themselves are invisible and don't spook animals / criminals and can't be seen unless looking directly at the flash emitters as
they do glow slightly red when the flash is activated (Black Flash models are however completely invisible meaning that the emitters do not
glow slightly red at all).
Infrared / Black & White LED flash units can be prone to image ‘motion blur’
MOTION BLUR – In low light conditions (mostly at night), if a subject is moving briskly past a camera trap is the flash gets activated, the images are often
blurred.
TIP: A way to minimize motion blur is to try position the unit where the subjects may be more stationary, like at a watering hole or a fence crossing. Newer
models are coming out with a feature built in to minimize motion blur.
The picture quality of strobe and White LED is far superior to infrared / Black Flash. Manufacturers have been hard at work addressing the
clarity and resolution of black & white infrared / Black Flash images and as a result have brought out HD (High Definition) models that take
clearer night infrared pics / video clips.
Infrared or Black Flash models are recommended in areas where there is hunting / poaching as game tends to be more skittish here and the flash is
invisible to wildlife (and humans). If there is a lot of foot traffic / trespassers that occurs in the area that you want to set up a camera trap, then infrared or
Black Flash models are also recommended as a bright strobe or White LED flash may give the traps position away and bring unnecessary attention to it.
If this is not an issue for you and you are looking for good colour picture quality day & night then we would recommend a strobe or White LED flash model.
STROBE vs. WHITE LED vs. INFRARED vs. BLACK FLASH
1.
Strobe Flash model
Captures colour images / videos during the day & ONLY colour IMAGES at night
Resolution & quality are better
Uses more energy than infrared / Black Flash
Battery life is decreased compared to infrared / Black Flash
Recovery time for next activation is generally slower than infrared / Black Flash
Can spook some game
Can deter some animals from entering camera trap area (this has been shown to be non-permanent however)
Can attract attention of other humans to camera trap’s location
www.cameratrap.co.za
2.
White LED Flash model
Captures colour images / videos during the day & colour images / VIDEOS at night
Can be prone to image ‘motion blur’
Resolution & quality are generally better
Night images / video clips may be prone to ‘motion blur’
Uses the same energy as infrared / Black Flash units
Battery life is better than strobe flash models and comparable to infrared / Black Flash models
Recovery time for next activation is the same as infrared / Black Flash models
Can spook some game
Can deters some animals from entering camera trap area (this has been shown to be non-permanent however)
Can attract attention of other humans to camera trap’s location
3.
Infrared or Red Glow Flash model
Captures colour images / videos during the day & black and white images / videos at night
Can be prone to image ‘motion blur’
Infrared flash will not draw the attention to the camera trap unless one were looking directly at the flash emitters as they do glow slightly red
only when the flash is activated at night.
Nighttime resolution and quality are generally less than strobe but new HD (High Definition) models have much improved this resolution
Requires very little power to operate
Battery life is increased compared to strobe flash units
Recovery time is generally faster than strobe
Infrared flash doesn't spook game
Infrared flash doesn't deter animals from entering a camera trap area
4.
Black Flash or No Glow model
Captures colour images / videos during the day & black and white images / videos at night
Can be prone to image ‘motion blur’
Black Flash will not draw the attention to the camera trap at all as the flash emitters DO NOT glow slightly red when the flash is activated at
night.
Nighttime resolution and quality are generally less than incandescent (strobe) but new HD (High Definition) models have much improved this
resolution
Requires very little power and no surge
Battery life is increased compared to incandescent (strobe)
Trigger time is faster than incandescent (strobe)
Black Flash doesn't spook game
Black Flash doesn't deter animals from entering a camera trap area
www.cameratrap.co.za
Do Standard Strobe or White LED flashes spook game?
After testing dozens of different camera traps in every setting imaginable, it showed us that in some cases, standard Strobe and White LED flashes did
spook some animals. Having said this, it also showed that after time these same animals returned to the area and seemed accustomed to the bright flash.
It also showed that some animals were completely unaffected by the bright flash. In fact, we have seen numerous animals visit a Strobe and White LED
camera trap site repeatedly and behave as if they were posing for the camera (the animals may associate a bright flash with lightning). However, the fact
remains that Strobe and White LED flashes do spook some animals.
2. IMAGE / VIDEO QUALITY (LENS)
Firstly, don't be fooled by high megapixel (MP) numbers that brands display. Many will try and convince you that the higher the MP – the better quality the
image / video. In truth, its got to do more with the quality of the camera traps’ lens and image sensor.
The best way to judge the picture quality from a camera is to look at the sample photos from our ANNUAL Photo Contest Entries. We judge day pictures
by their clarity, colour, contrast and resolution.
These two pictures (taken during the day by Black Flash / No Glow models) have excellent clarity (and colour for that matter).
Night photos can be more complicated due to the different flash types that affect the night pictures (explained above – strobe flash / white LED flash
infrared or red glow / Black Flash or No glow). Infrared cameras produce black and white photos like the picture below left, while strobe or white LED
flashes produce colour night pictures like the one below right.
www.cameratrap.co.za
3. DETECTION CIRCUIT (PIR)
The detection circuit of a camera trap is what will actually detect the animal / subject. Camera traps are triggered, based on a combination of heat and
motion detected by the built in Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor.
Detection circuits consist of:
Detection Zone
Trigger Speed
Recovery Time
Detection Zone
Every camera trap PIR sensor has a Detection Zone. A Detection Zone is the area in front of the camera that the PIR sensor is “seeing” or "monitoring."
The two factors that determine this detection zone are Detection Range and Detection Width.
Detection Range
It is important to keep the detection range (distance from the camera trap) in mind when buying and using your camera trap. Most camera traps have a
maximum detection distance of about 15-25m.
Long detection ranges are beneficial if you want to cover larger areas but for smaller areas (less than 15m), then long detection ranges can be a limitation
potentially causing false triggers from movement (like vegetation etc.) in the background.
Detection range can also be adversely affected by weather conditions (very hot, cold or rainy conditions) making it challenging for the camera trap to
detect the animal's body heat or distinguish the body heat from the backgrounds.
Detection Zone Width
The detection zone width of the PIR sensor is one of the most important properties of a camera trap and plays a major role in how the camera can be
used. There really isn't a perfect detection zone width but in general, wider detection zone widths reduce the chance of animals / subjects being missed.
Narrow detection zone widths might miss a few animals / subjects, but the those that are detected should be well placed in the centre of the photograph.
As a rule of thumb – A narrow detection zone width usually has a faster trigger speed (Useful when camera trapping in dense vegetation or perpendicular
to a game path etc.)
Trigger Speed
Trigger speed is the time delay the camera takes to shoot a picture once an animal / subject has interrupted the infrared beam within the camera’s detection
zone. This delay varies between different models but given the relatively narrow field of view of most camera trap lenses (42 mm), a slower trigger speed
isn’t really the best for photographing fast moving animals. Thus, depending on the goals and the target subject, this time delay could be a crucial
characteristic to consider. For example, if a camera is set up at a random location for a wildlife survey, fast moving animals are likely to pass in front of the
camera trap without stopping. In this case, a very reactive camera trap (with a fast trigger speed) would be necessary so it could shoot pictures of the
detected animal before it left the camera’s field of view. If the trigger speed is too slow, the camera may frame only a part of the animal or may even take
empty pictures (pictures not showing what the beam has detected).
Units with slower trigger speeds can also be effective however for example, if a camera is installed in front of a bird nest, a bait, waterhole or a lure, visiting
animals are more likely to stay longer (to either depredate / utilise the nest, drink, or interact with the bait) and to trigger more photographs - even if the
camera has a relatively long time delay (low reactivity). Using lures to attract large carnivores can also allow a better identification of individuals. This risk
of taking empty pictures does not only depend on the speed of the camera in taking a picture; the detection zone as well as the field of view are also
primary criteria to consider.
(Use of camera traps for wildlife studies. A review - Franck Trolliet (1), Marie-Claude Huynen (1), Cédric Vermeulen (2), Alain Hambuckers (1) - February
11, 2014)
Recovery Time
Recovery time is the amount of time necessary for the camera to prepare to shoot the next picture after the previous one has been recorded. Given the
wide differences in recovery time for different models, this characteristic must be taken into account, as it can be a very important aspect depending on
your camera trapping goals. A camera able to take numerous pictures within a few seconds (BURST MODE) is very useful when needing to record a
complete sequence of a feeding behaviour and to note the number of fruits manipulated etc. or for security purposes when more images is better than
fewer. Also, having different views of a species of carnivore / criminal can greatly help in the process of identifying individuals. By contrast, when the aim
is only to carry out a diversity census, and only one picture per species is needed, a slow recovery time will be less problematic.
(Use of camera traps for wildlife studies. A review - Franck Trolliet (1), Marie-Claude Huynen (1), Cédric Vermeulen (2), Alain Hambuckers (1) - February
11, 2014)
The Field of View (FOV)
The field of view is the zone covered by the camera lens, and which appears on the pictures. The field of view is generally 42°. The detection zone can
vary greatly according to the brand and the model. We thus find models with a detection zone wider than the field of view and models with the detection
zone narrower than the field of view.
Where the detection zone is wider than the field of view (Figure 1A), the advantage lies in being better able to capture faster moving animals. The limitation
in this case is that the camera is also likely to take more empty pictures when animals enter the detection zone (thus passing through the infrared beam
and triggering the camera) but without making it into the field of view.
Where the detection zone is narrower than the field of view (Figure 1B), the detection zone is centred relative to the field of view of the camera, and so
the advantage can be seen in gaining well centred pictures. These units usually have faster trigger speeds as well. This can be very useful for the
identification of smaller subjects. However, the limitation in this case is that relatively fewer pictures per visit can be shot, as animals are likely to occupy
the field of view without crossing the detection zone. As presented in table 1, the detection zone can be described with a given width (angle) and a given
distance from the camera at which it will detect an animal. The detection distance of a camera is an important aspect to consider when focusing on animal
species of either large or small body mass. Larger animals will be more easily detected at further distances than smaller animals. However, speed of
movement seems to be less correlated with detection distance (Rowcliffe et al., 2011).
Figure 1 (below). Diagram of the field of view and of the detection zone for two types of camera trap
A.
B.
Detection zone wider than the field of view
Detection zone narrower than the field of view
www.cameratrap.co.za
A
B
= DETECTION ZONE
= FIELD of VIEW
4. BURST MODE / MULTIPLE PICS PER ACTIVATION
This tells you if certain camera trap models are capable of capturing multiple consecutive images / video clips in a short space of time. The purpose of this
feature is to try to capture as much activity during a camera trap triggering. The classic example of this is the ram chasing a doe scenario. Please note
that not all models use the same technology to achieve this. Some simply take three evenly spaced shots after the first triggering. Other models disable
the time-out function and allow multiple triggers with no time out period.
5. VIDEO CLIPS
This describes whether or not the camera trap is capable of capturing video clips and if so lists day, night and video clip length. Note: while some camera
trap models only offer fixed-length videos, there are others that offer programmable video length. Some models can only take video clips during the daytime
and some infrared models will take video clips both day & night. White LED flash models can now take colour video clips at night.
6. BUILT-IN IMAGE VIEWING SCREEN
Some cameras have internal viewers for proper camera setup and picture review which for some is a great feature.
7. EXTERNAL 6V or 12V AUXILERY POWER CAMPATIBLE
This tells us whether a camera trap is equipped with a jack or port to hook up an external battery or solar panel and if so, lists the voltage required. I think
this is one of the most valuable features a camera trap can possess. Using an external rechargeable lead acid battery can save you on batteries.
8. WHICH BATTERY TYPE TO USE…?
Always use the best batteries you can afford and we would recommend Energizer or Duracell brands.
Never mix battery brands or new and old batteries.
Alkaline
These are the normal batteries you can find at most shops.
Always use a well-known brand like Energizer or Duracell.
They last fairly long and are reasonably cheap & easy to replace.
1.5V Lithium
More expensive to buy and replace than Alkaline batteries.
Has very good power output and last much longer than Alkaline batteries.
Rechargeable Nickel–Metal Hydride (NiMH)
These are the modern rechargeable batteries.
Can be re-charged and re-used, but are expensive to replace when the time arises.
Always try get the highest Milliamp Hour (mAh) rating for the battery. The higher the number, the longer it will last in the camera trap.
They are only 1.2V whereas Alkaline and Lithium batteries are 1.5V
Make sure to use high quality NiMH batteries, or you will run into issues with the batteries not generating enough power.
NiMH batteries dis-charge faster than Alkaline and Lithium batteries, even if they aren't being used.
Modern camera traps have reduced their current drain on the unit to such a minimum that it is not uncommon for a set of Alkaline batteries to last 10
months in a camera trap. Rechargeable NiMH batteries were popular for camera traps however not so much anymore – however, they are much more
environmentally friendly.
9. DO I NEED CELLULAR CAPABILITIES…?
If you are looking for a camera trap that can e-mail / MMS you pictures (not video clips as their file sizes are too large) of its activations, then a cellular
camera trap may be worth spending that extra bit on.
Cellular camera traps have proved themselves in security and anti-poaching applications. It is now a pro-active approach rather than a
previously reactive one!
How Does a Cellular Camera Trap Work?
Each camera is different, however, once the camera is programmed and the correct sim card is activated, the camera will MMS or email you the picture it
has taken. Most cameras send the photo roughly 20-60 seconds after a picture is taken (depending on the cell signal strength where the camera trap is
located). It can be sent to email address' and / or cell phone numbers.
Cellular camera traps will send pictures to any phone, regardless of the network carrier.
The camera will also need the correct programming to know where to send the images. In order for the camera to work, you will need a minimum of 3 bars
of service from the desired carrier. Booster antennas are also available to assist in gaining signal strength.
www.cameratrap.co.za
WHY USE A CAMERA TRAP…?
Satisfy your curiosity
Since I was young, I have always wanted to know what runs around when I
was not there – be it in the bush or even at home. I purchased my first camera
trap and immediately set it up. When I went to retrieve it 3 days later – there
were 63 photos on it. It was like opening a Christmas present to see what
exactly passed by the trap over those 3 days. You can pick up a lot from spoor
but a lot gets covered by fresh animal activity – and to get hard evidence of the
subjects was like satisfying a curiosity that I had had since a very young age.
Discover illusive Animals
It was my third setup however that got me hooked for life. I was standing in a
dry riverbed in a game reserve in Limpopo. I had my laptop with me and saw
that there were 27 photos on the camera trap’s LCD display. My excitement
mounted as I connected the USB cable into the camera trap to begin
downloading the pics. This is the pic that got me hooked for life as it’s my
favorite animal species and no-one on the reserve had managed to get a
picture of him – until now. Camera traps can also be used for monitoring the
following;
Security / Anti-poaching & Trespassers
Wildlife Research
Measure Food Lots, Licks & Feeder Success
Farm / Game Farm Management
Track Specific Animals (wildlife management)
Pattern Game Behavior
Learn how to manage your property
This topic is pretty self-explanatory. I have to mention that using camera traps for this purpose was useless until the advent of Infrared & Black Flash
units. With today's camouflaged Infrared & Black Flash units it's possible to now place a camera trap without trespassers ever seeing it.
For more information, please feel free to contact us.
Regards,
Chris & Nicola Pearson
+27 83 5600 555
+27 82 422 0356
[email protected]
CAMERA TRAPS cc
www.cameratrap.co.za