NatureSpy camera trap FAQsYou may find the answer you need below. If not, don’t worry – just get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.

If you need help with your camera trap, please raise a support ticket; we’ll answer as fast as possible.

Are you open as normal during the Covid-19/Coronavirus situation?

Currently, we are dispatching orders from our warehouse as usual and there are no delays. Some staff are working from home so there is reduced service over the phone. All staff are available and are answering email however. 

Can you ship to the EU?

There are ongoing issues with carriers into the EU. For the moment, we are suspending shipments for small orders (i.e. 1-4 cameras and accessories) into the EU until this is resolved, and due to the issues we’ve experienced. For larger orders, please contact us so the necessary documentation can be prepared and the most appropriate shipping carrier agreed.

What batteries should I use?

Lithium batteries are the way to go for camera traps – They have a much higher current and are impervious to the cold temperatures in winter. Energizer, Varta & Philips Lithium are the best available.

We strongly recommend that you avoid Duracell batteries and cheap alkaline batteries (i.e. ones that say ‘Extra Long Life’ on the packet) – their technology is not conducive to use in camera traps, and can mean that you get little life and performance out of them. As a general rule, cheap alkaline batteries will not give you much success!

NatureSpy have had particularly longevity from Energizer Industrial alkaline batteries in cameras using 6V systems (Ltl Acorn, Bushnell NatureView, SpyPoint), though for Bushnell, Browning and Reconyx cameras, we strongly recommend using lithium batteries.

Avoid using cheap zinc batteries – they will not perform well at all.

Can I use rechargeable batteries?

Yes, you can use rechargeable batteries, though they will last 2 months under normal usage rather than 6-9 months from regular lithium (depending on usage). They also dislike the cold more than regular batteries too. It is vital that your rechargeable batteries have a current rating of at least 2500mAh, otherwise they won’t work.

What SD card should I get?

It depends on how long you will be leaving your camera trap without checking it, and how active you expect the camera to be. Generally, an 16GB SD card will be more than enough for most users. 32GB cards can be had for just a little more expense in many cases, but it is unlikely you will ever fill one with photos alone unless it is left for a long time.

Many of our cameras are provided with free SD cards – take a look at the product information to see if your chosen camera will.

That said, if you have a camera trap with that takes 1080p video, you should perhaps think about a 16 or 32GB SD card. If using a Browning camera on Ultra resolution, a 32GB card makes a big difference. You can use up to 512GB cards on Browning and Reconyx cameras.

You don’t need to worry too much about the different data transfer speeds available with SD cards  – we recommend a Class 10 card, and speeds of no more than 45mb/s are generally required. The SanDisk SD cards we provide are Ultra Class 10, with speeds of up to 90mb/s – more than enough for camera trapping.

My camera hasn’t captured any wildlife – why?

Having success with your camera trap takes times and patience. Animals are unpredictable. We run full training courses on camera trapping with national organisations and colleges, such is the depth of the subject.

Place your camera trap somewhere where it has a lot of space to look at, and try to find natural boundaries that animals may move along.

Foxes for example can roam up to 5km2 in rural areas, so may take a week or two to come to a spot near you.

Patience and practice is key.

If you want any tips, get in touch with NatureSpy and we’ll do our best to help.

Should I get low glow LEDs or no glow?

Generally, we recommend low glow LEDs for wildlife use as they will give a much better invisible IR flash range, and therefore a brighter image/video. However, there is the potential that they will disturb wildlife to some degree, and can also alert humans.

If you plan to use a camera trap for security purposes, you should chose a camera with no-glow LEDs. Find out more about the different LED types here.

My camera has stopped recording at night - why?

A camera trap recording during the day, but not at night, is the first sign of the batteries starting to fail. Night time triggers require much more power from the batteries due to the IR LEDs – a camera that can’t record at night is usually because there isn’t enough juice left in the batteries. We also see this most often with Duracell batteries. Occasionally, the camera will show ’empty files’ – files that are created initially when the camera triggers, but the camera then turns off immediately due to low power and just leaves an empty file. Replacing the batteries (not with Duracell!) will solve this issue. 

How do I play videos on a Mac?

We recommend one of the most popular video players in the world, VLC Player. Download for Mac here and for Windows here.

My Ltl Acorn didn’t come with a CD-ROM, do I need one?

No – the CD-ROM is for Cellular versions of the cameras only, and is not required. All settings can be programmed into the camera directly.

If a CD-ROM did come with your camera, you can discard it.

How do I update the firmware on my Ltl Acorn?

Ltl Acorn firmware is available from the manufacturer’s website here. Please note, if you load the wrong firmware onto your camera it may no longer function and this can also void your warranty.

Do you offer bulk discounts?

We can offer discounts for larger orders. Please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.

How long does delivery usually take?

Our standard and free delivery option is Royal Mail Tracked 24 or 48. In 95% of cases these arrive the next working day and include Saturday deliveries.

If you need faster delivery, we can send via a next day service, if ordered before noon.

Can you provide a VAT receipt?

NatureSpy is VAT registered (no. GB216487692) and can provide VAT invoices/receipts. If you need an electronic VAT receipt, please just email us after you’ve placed your order.

Can you deliver outside the UK?

Yes – we can deliver anywhere in the E.U. and also further afield. Get in touch with us if your country isn’t available when you enter your address. If you are ordering from outside the EU you do not need to pay VAT – once you enter your country at the cart or checkout, VAT will be automatically removed.

Are your cameras all genuine?

Yes – we are fully authorised distributors or dealers of every product we sell.

What do I do if my camera is faulty?

Firstly, fit fresh, preferably lithium, batteries. Most problems are usually down to almost-flat batteries. If this doesn’t solve the problem, tell us as soon as possible. We will then advise on the next steps.

How soon can you dispatch my order?

Once payment is received, we dispatch orders as soon as possible and our cut-off time for the dispatch is about 2:30pm.

Are the camera traps suitable for indoor use?

Generally, the cameras are not designed for indoor use – although they will work. They will not work however through glass.

How long are the manufacturer’s warranties?

Ltl Acorn cameras all come with a 1 year warranty.

Bushnell cameras have a 2 year warranty.

Browning cameras have a 2 year warranty.

SpyPoint cameras have a 2 year warranty.

Primos cameras have a 2 year warranty.

Reconyx cameras have a 5 year warranty.

Minox cameras have a 2 year warranty.

Can you offer spares/replacement parts?

We can offer replacement parts for Ltl Acorn and Browning cameras. Let us know what you need and we’ll do our best to get hold of it quickly.

Got a question that wasn’t covered? Get in touch with us.

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