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Home > FAQ > Digital Game Camera FAQs
Digital Game Cameras Frequently Asked Questions
- Does my camera have a motion sensor?
- Answer: It has an infrared sensor that detects changes in temperature, such as an animal’s body heat. It must sense a change in temperature to trigger the camera. A limb or other inanimate object will not trigger the camera.
- Why does my camera take pictures of landscape with no animals in them?
- Answer: There can be several answers to this question, some of the more common reasons are:
1. Mounting the camera on an unstable object that allows the camera to move, like a small tree that could move in the wind, for instance.
2. Having your camera mounted in an eastern or western direction. The heat from the rising or setting sun can trick the camera into thinking it senses an animal’s body heat.
3. Aiming the camera straight across a trail can cause this. The unit needs to be angled up the trail so a passing animal will be in it’s field of view longer and allow the camera more time to react.
4. Sometimes in night pictures the animal may be out of the range of the flash, but still within the range of the infrared sensor, and not be seen in the background. Look close for shining eyes, or use photo software to enhance your pictures.
5. Look closely for small animals, sometimes a small bird, a mouse or squirrel on the ground can be hard to see in the picture, but they still have enough body heat to trip the camera.
- How should I mount my camera?
- Answer: Find a nice sized tree or post to begin with. Make sure to mount it about mid-thigh high and aim it away from the rising or setting sun. You’ll need some way of attaching it, we suggest using bungee straps or ratchet straps.When mounting your camera on a trail, it is best to mount it about 25 feet from the trail you want to capture. For added security and protection, Moultrie suggests using the Camera Security Box that includes a steel box, security cable, padlock and key. Moultrie also offers a Camera Tree Mount and Camera Tripod to mount game cameras in otherwise unsuitable locations.
- Will weather affect my camera?
- Answer: Yes and no. Hot weather will affect the range of your infrared sensor. It will make the distance it picks up body heat shorter if it is extremely hot outside. Cold weather will not affect the camera itself, but it does affect the batteries. Anytime the temperature goes below freezing, you should expect a shorter battery life.
- If I want to use the expanded memory, what brand memory card should I use?
- Answer: Sandisc, Kodak, and Panasonic are the three brands that we use. There are some brand cards that we have found difficult to use. Usually, if you will purchase a quality brand name card, you shouldn’t have any problems. If you do experience problems, try formatting your card on your computer. If this doesn’t help, give our technicians a call and they will assist you. You must have your camera powered off to install the card or it will not save to it. Once a memory card is installed, all pictures will be stored on the card. All pictures that are already saved to the internal memory will remain on the camera, but will not transfer to the card.
- How long can I expect the battery to last in my camera?
- Answer: This depends on the model camera you are using. Moultrie Game Spy cameras made after 2007 operate on 6 D-cell batteries. Based on the number of flashes and pictures, you should get an average of 60-150 days (again, depending on the model). Moultrie cameras made before 2007 operate on one 6-volt rechargable battery, which should give you a minimum of three weeks in the field, many times longer. There is no "exact" time due to all the variables.
- What delay time should I choose between pictures?
- Answer: There are several options depending on how you are using your camera. As a general rule, shorter delay times are used on trails, when animals are just passing by. Longer time delays are used on food plots and mineral licks or by feeders, when the animals will be lingering in the area. It also depends on how much animal traffic that you have in your area.
- How do I view my pictures?
- Answer: For initial set up, please refer to your game camera manual (manuals can be found in the Product Instructions section on Moultrie’s website). Viewing pictures on your television: If viewing on a TV, it may be helpful to have your television manual handy. When viewing pictures from both old and new Moultrie game cameras, you will need to identify the input channel for your television. You can find this channel by pressing the “Input” button on your television’s remote control. The channel could be Input 1, Aux, Frnt, Game, Video In, or another input channel. If you are viewing pictures from a 2007 or later game camera you may notice the information strip at the bottom of the picture is cutoff. This is due to the television reformatting the picture to fit the screen and it does not recognize the information strip as part of the picture. To view videos on Moultrie models GW4.0, D40 and Cabela’s 5.0 Outfitter Series cameras, the camera must be in playback mode then go to the picture without the information strip and press the shutter button to activate the video. Viewing pictures on your computer: If viewing on a computer, the first thing you need to know is what operating system your computer is running. You must have Windows Millennium, XP or 2000 to hook the camera up directly to your computer. If you have Windows 95 or 98, you must use a card reader to view your pictures. Moultrie offers a Digital Picture Viewer that plugs directly into the TV Out port of your camera, allowing you to view photos in the field.
- Can I use a solar panel on my unit?
- Answer: Yes and no, depending on the camera model. Moultrie Game Spy cameras made after 2007(operating on 6 D-cell batteries) have an external power port, which only accepts Moultrie's PowerPanel. This is a combination solar panel and 12-volt battery. NOTE: Using an external battery other than the PowerPanel on 2007 and later cameras will void the camera's warranty. Moultrie cameras made before 2007 (operating on a 6-volt battery) that have solar panel connectors located on the bottom right-hand side of the unit are compatible with solar panels. As long as you are using a rechargeable battery, you can use one. NOTE: Do not use a solar panel with a dry cell battery! Remember the solar panel recharges the battery, the camera does not run off the solar panel.
- Does the new Camera PowerPanel recharge the D-cell batteries in the camera?
- Answer: No, the Camera PowerPanel will not recharge the internal D-cell batteries. The PowerPanel is a separate power source. When there is not enough power coming from the PowerPanel, the camera reverts to using the D-cell batteries until the PowerPanel builds up enough power to take over again as the primary power source. When using the PowerPanel for the first time, it needs to be powered on and placed in direct sunlight for at least 8 to 12 hours before first use. NOTE: Moultrie’s PowerPanel is compatible with 2007 and later Moultrie models only.
- Can I use the Camera PowerPanel with other brands’ game cameras?
- Answer: Moultrie’s Camera PowerPanel was specifically designed to work with 2007 and later Moultrie game camera models. Since we have only tested the PowerPanel with Moultrie cameras, we cannot recommend using it with other game camera brands.
- Can I use my camera to take video clips at night?
- Answer: Yes and no depending on the camera model. Game Spy I-series infrared cameras (I-40 and I-60) will take nighttime videos in black and white. Game Spy flash cameras will only take videos during the day, at night the camera reverts back to taking still pictures. You will notice a still picture before each video clip. This is to allow you to view the time and date of each video clip, as it can’t keep that display on the picture during a clip.
- How can I delete single images from my camera?
- Answer: Only 2007 and later Moultrie game cameras have the ability to delete single images. To delete single images when viewing pictures on a television or Moultrie’s Digital Picture Viewer, press the delete button twice.
- I notice a red glow coming from the lights on my I-series infrared camera, is this normal?
- Answer: Yes, all infrared cameras have somewhat of a low-grade flash. The lights will glow red, but will remain virtually undetectable to game.
- Many of my pictures are completely white, how can I fix this?
- Answer: If you have an M-series or I-series Game Spy camera, start by installing the Level 2 software update. Note: Do not install updates on any game cameras other than the M- or I-series, doing so will damage your camera. If you do not have whiteout pictures you do not need to install software upgrades. If the upgrade does not work, or you are not sure what model camera you have, contact Moultrie’s Customer Service Department info@moultriefeeders.com.
- Why are there more Events recorded than pictures taken?
- Answer: Your camera records everything that walks in its path. If the event occurs during the delay period, the camera will not photograph the event. There is a delay period between shots because the camera needs time to recharge the flash.
- What is time lapse mode?
- Answer: The time lapse mode on the I-60 and M-60 is useful for taking a picture at, and only at, specific times as determined by the user. In the setup mode, the time lapse start time can be set to make the camera begin taking pictures at a time specified by the operator. A menu in the set up mode, the time lapse frequency setting also allows the operator to specify the frequency of pictures taken. An example would be to start the camera at 12 noon and take a picture every hour. In the setup mode, the operator would scroll to the time lapse start menu, and set it for 12:00 noon, then scroll to the time lapse frequency menu, and set it for 1 hour. The camera would then take a picture at noon and then one picture every hour thereafter if it is set to the time lapse mode rather than the auto mode. The time lapse start time can be programmed for any time desired by the operator, and the time lapse frequency can be set at intervals of 1, 4, 8, 12 or 24 hours.
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