Acorn 5210A - User Manual

Ltl Acorn 5210A Trail Camera
Box contents:
trail camera
strap
these instructions
warranty card (for your own records)
Set Up & Recording:
Remove any PIR sensor protectors before using your camera.
Open the hatch at the base of the camera & insert an SD Card (class 10, 16G max) and AA batteries
(at least 4). The camera can hold a maximum of 8 batteries so you can choose to add an extra 4 in
the back pack should you wish to - this would give your camera longer running time in the field.
Please read the section later in these pages about which batteries to use, battery choice is vital
to the performance of your Ltl Acorn trail camera and batteries are always the first place to
start if you think there is a problem with your camera!
Carefully remove back plate from camera body using the clips on each side and hand-tightening
screw on the back. The safest way to do this to avoid putting unnecessary stress on the side clips is
to hold the 2 parts of the camera together firmly with one hand whilst releasing the clips, one at a
time, with the other.
Move the ON/OFF/TEST switch on the bottom of camera to the TEST position.
The LCD screen will come on (will go straight off again if you have not inserted a compatible SD
card).
Push the MENU button & use the arrow keys to select & change settings.
Remember to push OK button after each setting change to save it.
Move the ON/OFF/TEST switch to the ON position, the LCD screen will now switch off & the
camera is now ready to start recording whenever motion/heat change is detected. You will see a red
light blink on the front of the camera for about 10 seconds after switching the camera into ON
mode, this is to give you time to move out of the sensor range to avoid recording yourself.
Close bottom hatch & re-fit back plate before putting camera in chosen location. Use the side clips
and the screw on the back to best seal the camera from the elements. The screw also takes some of
the strain off the side clips.
Safe fitting of the main camera body to the back battery compartment:
With the back battery compartment facing towards you, take the main camera body and make sure
the left hand slide lug slots into place first followed by the right side lug. Then, whilst holding the
two camera parts together firmly, carefully close each of the side clasps.
Then hand tighten the screw on the back.
Take extra care when unclasping if the camera has been outside during very cold and freezing
conditions as that can make the plastic lugs and side clips a little more brittle.

Summary

Set Up & Recording

Safe Fitting of Camera Body

BATTERIES

Recommended Battery Types

Details on recommended AA batteries like Energizer Lithium and Panasonic Eneloop Pro.

Battery Usage Warnings

Advises against using low-capacity batteries and leaving batteries in unused devices.

PLAYBACK RECORDINGS

Playback on LCD Screen

SD Card Usage

Guidance on using genuine SDHC cards and formatting them for optimal performance.

Manual Reset

System Reset Procedure

Steps to perform a full system reset by removing batteries and SD card.

How does the camera work?

Heat Sensor System

Explanation of the 3 heat sensors (side and central) and how they detect heat signatures.

What is Trigger Speed?

Trigger Speed Explained

How trigger speed affects the camera's recording response time after detection.

Trail Camera Triggering & Placement

Optimal Placement Strategy

Guidance on camera placement angles (45-90 degrees) for best subject detection.

Placement Sensitivity Factors

Central Shooting Sensor & Side PIR Sensors

Sensor Range and Function

Details on the 35-degree central sensor for recording and 100-degree side sensors for preparation.

Heat Sensors

Temperature Difference Sensitivity

How ambient and subject temperature differences impact camera sensitivity and trigger likelihood.

Some Troubleshooting Tips..

Batteries & SD Card Issues

Checking power and SD card as primary steps for troubleshooting camera faults.

Reset to Factory Default

Moisture Removal

Infrared Cut Filter Test & Maintenance

IR Cut Filter Functionality Test

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Playback Recordings
4. Maintenance Features

The Ltl Acorn 5210A Trail Camera is a device designed for capturing images and videos of wildlife or other subjects in a remote setting. It operates by detecting motion and heat changes within its sensing area, triggering recordings automatically.

Function Description

The camera's primary function is to record images or videos when motion or heat changes are detected. It can be set to different modes: "Camera" for images only, "Video" for videos only, or "Cam+Video" which captures an image followed by a video. The camera utilizes three heat sensors: two side or "prep" sensors covering a 100-degree range, and a central "shooting" sensor with a 35-degree range. The side sensors prepare the camera for recording, while the central sensor triggers the actual recording. This design ensures that subjects are often centered in the frame. The camera's sensitivity to triggers depends on the temperature difference between the ambient air and the subject; a larger difference results in higher sensitivity.

The camera features an infrared (IR) beam for night vision, allowing it to capture images and videos in low light or darkness. An IR cut filter automatically moves in front of the lens based on light levels. Some models also include an Infrared Brightness Adjustment feature to control the strength of the IR beam, helping to reduce "white out" issues in night shots.

A "Timelapse" feature allows the camera to record at set intervals (hours, minutes, or seconds) regardless of motion, useful for monitoring long-term changes like construction projects. The "Recycle" option determines whether the camera overwrites older recordings when the SD card is full or stops recording.

Usage Features

To set up the camera, users first remove any PIR sensor protectors. An SD card (class 10, up to 16GB max) and at least four AA batteries must be inserted. The camera can accommodate up to eight batteries, with an additional four in a "back pack" for extended running time. Battery choice is crucial for performance, with Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA (non-rechargeable) or Panasonic Eneloop Pro 2500mA Rechargeable AA (rechargeable) being recommended. Alkaline batteries are not advised due to insufficient power.

The camera's back plate is removed by releasing side clips and a hand-tightening screw. The ON/OFF/TEST switch on the bottom of the camera is moved to "TEST" mode to access the LCD screen and menu settings. If no compatible SD card is inserted, the screen will turn off.

In "TEST" mode, the MENU button allows access to various settings, navigated using UP/DOWN and LEFT/RIGHT arrow keys. The OK button saves changes. Available settings include:

• Mode: Camera, Video, or Cam+Video.
• Format: Erases all data on the SD card.
• Photo Size: Image quality (5MP or 12MP).
• Video Size: Video resolution (320x240, 640x480, 1280x720, or 1920x1080).
• Set Clock: Date, time, and date format.
• Photo No.: Number of images per trigger (single, 2, or 3 burst).
• Video Length: Duration of video recordings (0-60 seconds), noting that longer videos consume more battery, especially with infrared use.
• Interval: Delay between recordings.
• Sense Level: Trigger sensitivity (Off, Low, Normal, High).
• Time Stamp: On/Off display of date and time on recordings.
• Timer 1 & Timer 2: Set specific time windows for recording.
• Password Set: A 4-digit password to protect access to "TEST" mode.
• Serial No.: A customizable camera identifier displayed on recorded images.
• Timelapse: Sets recording intervals regardless of motion.
• Side PIR: Enables/disables side sensors.
• Recycle: Overwrites old files when SD card is full (ON) or stops recording (OFF).
• TV Mode: PAL or NTSC (UK mode is PAL).
• Version: Displays firmware information.
• Default Set: Resets camera to factory settings.

After configuring settings, moving the ON/OFF/TEST switch to "ON" activates the camera for automatic recording. A red light blinks for about 10 seconds, allowing the user to exit the sensor range. The bottom hatch is closed, and the back plate re-fitted using side clips and the screw to seal the camera from elements.

For optimal camera placement, it's recommended to position the camera at 45-90 degrees from the expected subject entry point. This maximizes sensitivity and ensures subjects are captured effectively.

Playback Recordings

Recordings can be viewed directly on the built-in LCD screen or by removing the SD card and inserting it into a computer (a USB SD Card Reader may be needed).

To playback on the LCD screen:

1. In "TEST" mode, push the Replay/OK button.
2. Use UP/DOWN arrows to scroll through files. A white arrow indicates an image, a green video reel symbol indicates a video.
3. To play a video clip, push the right arrow (SHOT) button.
4. Press the OK button to exit Playback mode.

To delete recordings in Playback mode, push the Menu button and choose to delete the current clip/photo or all of them.

Maintenance Features

• Manual Reset: If the camera malfunctions, remove all batteries and the SD card, bring the camera indoors for 24 hours, then retest. In "TEST" mode, navigate to "Default" and press OK to restore factory settings.
• Battery Care: Do not leave batteries inside the camera when not in use to prevent acid leaks, which are not covered under warranty.
• SD Card Care: Always use genuine branded SDHC (class 10 & 16GB max) cards. Format the SD card using the camera's "format" option or on a computer. Replace SD cards if they develop faults.
• Moisture Removal: If the camera has been exposed to damp or wet conditions, bring it indoors for 48 hours, remove batteries and SD card, and leave hatches open to dry. Silica gel packs can assist. Avoid touching internal components with moist fingers.
• Infrared Cut Filter Test & Maintenance: If night images are dark, the IR cut filter may not be working correctly. To test and potentially clear dust/debris:
  1. Reset camera to default settings.
  2. Set interval to 0 seconds.
  3. Place the camera lens facing up, lean over it to be in front of sensors and lens.
  4. Cover the lens and IR area with your hand for 3-4 seconds (simulating darkness), then uncover. Repeat this 10-15 times. You should see and hear the IR cut filter moving. This action can help loosen the mechanism. After the test, set up the camera in a dark location to check its performance.
• Addressing Red/Pink Daytime Recordings: These can occur due to high contrast between light and dark areas in the camera's view. Adjust camera position to avoid such contrasts and direct sunlight.

Acorn 5210A Specifications