more stealth cam issues
 

well I just set up my camera, a digital Stealth Cam (DIGRC-X). It seemed pretty simple and got it set up. Whne I tried to run the "test" to see if it was positioned right, no light came on. Anyone know what might be wrong??

Even worse, the following day I went up to check on it, only to find that the batteries were low/dead already. I used fully charges new Duracell Ni.MH rechargeable batteries. What good is the camera if the batteries don't last. My question, how long are the batteries supposed to last and what batteries should I use??

Need help!!

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Gee I don't know why don't you try reading your instruction book that came with the camera.. It should tell you what kind of batteries to use and how long they should last..

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

yup, what he said

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Gee guys, thanks for the help. You are soooo insightful and all knowing.

Lets see what it says:

"use 6 AA batteries (alkaline, rechargeable, etc.) for use in digital cameras"
and
there is no mention of length of charge

(I hope i read it right, you know I must not be that smart??)

So now do you have anything smart to say. maybe you can swing buy and I can stick a few batteries up your *ss and see if you get a charge out of them.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

hey dough, how old are your batteries. the rechargeables do go out or should i say bad. can't say i know anything about your camera though. sorry couldn't help on that aspect. might try some new batteries and start there with troubleshooting.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Wow, this thread turned ugly quickly. How about we take a fresh look at this?

First off, any rechargeable does not last as long as typical alkaline batteries....especially if we are talking AAs. NIMH is better than Nicad for several reasons but especially length of usage. I would agree with arkansas to first check how old the NIMH batteries are. If you do not know then I would suggest getting some new ones.

Or, though more expensive in the long run, I would get regular or "long life" alkaline batteries for camera usage. One thing I have found from using normal digital cameras and camcorders is that they suck up batteries much faster than their non-digital counterparts. I believe this to be changing but just not yet.

Hope this helps some.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Thanks PA,

I am sorry for the nastiness above, but I did think it was neccessary (and a bit humorous, if I do say:D).

As for the camera and batteries, I was about to sh*tcan it (or at least return it)[:'(]. After the battery problem I was unable to get the software to work on my computer [:@]. Luckily I have another back up puter and it did work there. And low-and-behold, there was actually a pic of a deer (and one of its tail running away). So that was neat.

I guess I will keep tinkering with it and check into the battery situation. I will be exchanging it if the green test lights does not work. The rechargeables were supposidly new (on ebay) and appeared dead when they arrived. My biggest question was whether my charger rated for slightly different batteries (1700 instead of 1800 and there was another number was slightly different) was adequate for charging the new batteries. The charger showed that it was charging and showed it had stopped charging, so I just assumed all was good, and batteries were charged (I checked them in my regular digital camera).

again thanks

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

did you get your problem fixed?

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Not really. I did get it to take a couple pics. I set it back up yesterday (with new regular AA batteries. The test light still didn't work. We'll see how long the batteries will last. I may go to Cabelas this weekend to exchange it (because of the light). Hopefully I'll get a few more pics.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

This isn't really apples to apples, but, I have a Stealth-Cam, it is the 35mm type and it uses 8 C batteries. The book says they should last 21 days. I had some in over 30 days and it still took pictures. It did not have enough power to rewind the film though.

I had regular alkine batteries. (wal-mart brand)

Don't know if this helps or not, but it is info on the subject! I do know it is fun to retrieve the pictures!!

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Not apples to apples exactly, but I have the Non-Typical Cudde Back digital camera. It takes 4 D batteries and my first batteries lasted 2 months and took over 200 pics. I love this camera, it is an awesome scouting tool.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

well just checked it again. batteries were dead again (regular AA - off brand), but it did take 4 pics and 1 was a deer.
I really hope that good AA batteries will last longer (much longer - like 2 months???)

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

try lithium batteries, i think there 10bucks for 4 though:(

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Hey doughboy,
I am with Double. I have the cudde back and it is a great camera. In the real cold I have had the batteries go out in just 2 weeks but in the fall I had them last 5 to 6 and take many good pictures. Take yours back to Cabelas and get the Cudde back. It is $399 but well worth it.
Oh and I use energizer batteries. They do cost more in the long run but I have never had good luck with rechargables in digital cameras.

Good luck

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

PSE - are they regular AA, but lithium or rechargeble??

I just got around to talking with customer service at StealthCam and they say that the batteries will last 2 weeks at most - that really stinks (IMO)

I am going to exchange it this weekend at Cabelas and try another (hopefully test light will work) even though I am not thrilled about the battery situation.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Doughboy,
I would get a hold of the factory.
A friend and i both have alot of different cameras, and we each got gamevu digitals.
His camera , would suck the juice out of batteries alot quicker than mine.
I believe he got a hold of gamevu, and they sent him another camera.
I don't know what was wrong with it, but something ,to replace it.
Bottom line, see if stealth will help you out on this issue.
P.s. I think there was no reason for the sarcastic comments by the others, you were asking for help, not sarcasim, IMO.
GOOD LUCK

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

Just a word of advise, if you try using regular alkaline batteries in the digital camera itself, you will always be disappointed. Regular Alkalines will drain in some cameras just by turning it off & on 5 or 6 times.

I have alwas used NiMH in my digital with good luck. But it isn't in a game camera, it is sitting on my table at home and my wife takes pictures of the kids almost daily. I really only have to charge the batteries like once a month. But it is not apples to apples.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

build your own camera. using sony p32 you can take around 500 pictures on a 128 meg card using 2 AA batteries. also the unit uses 1 nine volt which will last about 3 months on average. you can build far better than you can buy right now. just my 2 cents.

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

where might be some instructions on how to build one with that particular camera?

RE: more stealth cam issues
 

goto hagshouse.com look under forums, then homemade trail cams. can find all the info there.