Tactacam REVEAL X-Pro Cellular Camera User Manual

Tactacam REVEAL X-Pro Cellular Camera User Manual

DOWNLOAD THE TACTACAM REVEAL APP

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS IN THE BOX?

• (1) Trail Camera
• (1) Instruction Manual
• (1) Mounting Strap
• (1) Antenna
• (1) SIM Card (May or may not be pre-installed)

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Full-size SD Card – Class 10, U3, 32GB
• Recommended Brands: Tactacam, Lexar, SanDisk (Other brands of low-end SD cards are incompatible with the REVEAL and will yield unexpected results)
• (12) AA batteries required – Lithium batteries recommended in colder temperatures

RECOMMENDED CAMERA ACCESSORIES (NOT INCLUDED)

VIEW AND PURCHASE ALL ACCESSORIES AT REVEALCELLCAM.COM

OVERVIEW

1. Lens
2. Antenna Port
3. Camera Working Status Indicator
4. Microphone
5. SIMs Slot (do not mix SIMs with other cameras)
6. Display Screen
7. PIR Motion Sensor
8. IR LEDs
9. Navigation Arrows
10. SD Card Slot
11. Power/Enter
12. Battery Eject Button
13. External Battery In/DC Port
14. USB-C Port
15. Tripod/Mount Attachment
16. Cable Lock Holes
17. 1/4-20 Accessory
18. Strap Holes
19. Solar Panel Attachment Rails

QUICK START GUIDE

SETTING UP THE CAMERA

1. Install the camera’s antenna.
   • Note: Do not over-tighten the antenna, once it is secure stop tightening to prevent antenna port damage.
2. Install a Class 10 U3 SD card (32GB).
   • Recommended brands are: SanDisk, Lexar, and Tactacam
3. Install 12 AA batteries.
   • To eject the battery tray, press the EJECT button on the REVEAL. When inserting AA batteries correctly orientate + and – on the front and back of the tray.
   • See battery details on page 14 under Best Practices.

SIM Card
For cameras with a single SIM, the card may or may not be pre-installed. Cameras packaged with two SIMs allow you to select a carrier that works strongest in the area of your camera’s location. NOTE: SIM cards are exclusively paired to a camera at the time of manufacture, so please do not remove, swap, or replace them with a different SIM card. Activation of your camera can be done conveniently through the REVEAL mobile app during setup.

SETTING UP YOUR ACCOUNT 

If this is your first REVEAL that you are activating, please visit the REVEAL Web Portal at https://account.revealcellcam.com/activation to set up your account. Android users can also access the Web Portal directly from your app, by clicking My REVEAL on the account page in the app.

DOWNLOADING THE APP

In your Apple or Google Play Store, download the Tactacam REVEAL app and sign in using the same email and password you created on the website (https://account.revealcellcam.com).

ADD CAMERA TO THE APP

1. Navigate to the REVEAL app on your device and log in using your REVEAL account credentials. Click the home icon.
2. Click the menu in the upper left corner.
3. Select “+ Add a Camera”
4. Select the plan you wish to have and the model of the camera.
5. Follow the prompts, allow access to the camera of your phone, and then scan the QR code on the camera.
6. Next, follow the prompts and insert your SIM card (if SIM is not pre-installed).
7. Complete network selection by following the in-app prompts.
8. Name your camera and assign a location.

SMS CONTROLS/ON-SCREEN SETTINGS
X-Pro allows you to fully control your camera settings directly on the screen. Use the keypad to navigate left, right, up, down, and enter to adjust camera settings. For best results, we recommend leaving the camera settings in factory mode.

REMOTELY CHANGE THE CAMERA SETTINGS FROM THE APP

From the camera page click the box under the camera name. Then choose “Camera Settings”. Make sure to select “Apply Settings” when done to save your changes.

Note:
In the camera’s SETTINGS > Settings Check, Daily mode will check settings every 24 hours. Hybrid mode combines the battery-saving benefits of Daily mode along with the rapid update features of Instant mode. Instant mode will receive settings instantly but will consume more battery.

SENDING A TEST PICTURE

1. Allow the camera to connect to a 4G signal. Your signal strength will be displayed on the screen.
   • After your camera is activated, you will see the signal status indicator searching, and then connect showing the signal strength.
   • After the camera has connected, push the power/enter button to send a photograph.
   • When your test picture has been sent successfully, a message is displayed on the REVEAL screen notifying you.
   • If your test picture does not send, a send failure message will display on the REVEAL screen.
2. As long as your phone picks up a signal, be sure a motion-detected picture is sent to your phone via the app. This may take a few minutes.

LEAVING YOUR CAMERA IN THE FIELD

1. Using the display screen on the REVEAL, position the camera to your desired focal point.
2. Ensure the antenna is securely tightened.
3. Wipe down the seal, removing any dirt and/or debris.
4. Hit the left navigation arrow to enter work mode or allow the camera to enter work mode automatically after a short period (work mode means the camera is on and will function correctly). Your camera will then begin sending you photos.
5. As long as your phone picks up a signal, be sure a motion-detected picture is sent to your phone via the app. This may take a few minutes.

SETTINGS / SPECIFICATIONS

BEST PRACTICES

PROPER CAMERA PLACEMENT

1. Location and placement are critical for optimal camera performance.
2. Avoid hanging the camera on small trees that are prone to moving with the wind.
3. Place the camera about waist high on the tree or post.
4. We recommend having the camera pointing down about 7 to 15 degrees, We recommend using shims to achieve the desired angle.
5. To achieve the best lighting conditions, face your camera north. Avoid facing your camera toward the sun.
6. If the camera is placed too high on a tree and angled down, the field of view “window” becomes narrower, this is only a good idea if you plan to set your camera to watch a bait station or scrape.
7. On a food plot: 8. On a trail: PROPER CAMERA PLACEMENT
   • Camera height and angle are critical to getting the widest field of view. Do not place the camera too high.
   • For the best view, place your camera at an angle looking up or down the trail rather than perpendicular to the trail.

BATTERIES AND CELLULAR TRAIL CAMERA PERFORMANCE

1. Use the recommended batteries for the REVEAL:
   • Energizer Ultimate Lithium
   • Duracell Max Alkaline batteries
   • Rayovac UltraPro Alkaline batteries
   • Do not mix old and new batteries
   • Do not mix alkaline, lithium, standard, or rechargeable batteries
   • Ensure the batteries are installed correctly concerning polarity (+ and -).
   • Always remove batteries if consumed or if the product is to be left unused for a long time.
2. In cold weather, use lithium-ion batteries for optimal camera speed and performance.
3. The expected picture count with the proper batteries (in greater than freezing temps) are:
   • Lithium: 4,000+ pictures
   • Alkaline: 2,500+ pictures
4. If connecting the External Solar Panel (sold separately), the lithium batteries would act as a backup power source.

TO HELP PREVENT THEFT OR DAMAGE

Use a protective security box such as the one listed at www.revealcellcam.com

TROUBLESHOOTING

CAMERA STOPS TAKING IMAGES OR WON’T TAKE IMAGES

1. Make sure that the SD card is not full. If the SD card is full, the camera will stop taking images. Users can turn on SD Loop to avoid such problems. This will cause the SD card to overwrite older images.
2. Make sure that alkaline or NiMH-AA batteries have enough power for the camera to work.
3. Format the SD card with the camera before using or when the camera stops taking images

INTERNAL CONDENSATION ON THE LENS

The REVEAL is IP66-rated waterproof. This means the camera is water-resistant against powerful jets. The only way the REVEAL can get condensation in or behind the lens is if the antenna is not screwed in all the way or if there is dirt or debris on the seal. Follow these at-home instructions to alleviate this issue if need be:

• Pull the SD card out and let the camera sit for 3-4 days open, in an area where there is circulating air (fan or vent).
• You can also place it in a sealed container with rice for 24 hours to draw out the moisture.
• Clean the seal well and tighten your antenna.
• Place back out in the field.

IF THE CAMERA HAS ACCIDENTALLY BEEN SUBMERGED IN WATER

1. Do not open the camera right away.
2. Be sure to dry the outer housing of the camera, preventing water from entering the inside of the camera and causing internal damage.

LIMITED WARRANTY

HOW LONG DOES THIS COVERAGE LAST?

1. One year from the date of purchase.

WHAT IS COVERED?

1. This limited warranty covers manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship including but not limited to:
   1. Defective buttons
   2. Cracked/chipped glass lens
   3. Broken SD card or SIM card spring mechanism
   4. Broken USB port
2. Covered cameras will either be repaired by a certified camera technician or replaced.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

1. This limited warranty does not cover any damage caused by the owner modifying, attempting to fix, or otherwise altering the product.
2. This limited warranty excludes damage caused by people or animals, including but not limited to antenna, strap, Fresnel lens, glass lens, or camera housing.
   • If damage is caused to the camera by the owner or animal, contact customer support for repair options to retain warranty coverage.

FCC REGULATIONS

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, under Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used following the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

REFERENCE LINK

https://www.tactacam.com

https://www.tactacam.com/reveal-x-pro