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Support

FAQ

  1. The camera is not taking pictures.
    1. When naming a camera, use only UPPER CASE characters and numbers. There is a bug that causes the camera to not be able to store files when using lower case letters, punctuation marks, spaces and special characters. This step is very important: If you already named a camera with the problem characters, be sure, after renaming to reformat both your controller and camera SD cards. The camera may have produced many empty folders that make writing new files not work. You can first move any picture files to your computer. Remember that formatting an SD card will erase all contents.
    2. Be sure the bottom door is closed securely so the battery tray makes good contact.
    3. Is the controller connected? If it is, picture taking is intentionally disabled. This is to minimize pictures taken during setup.
    4. Are you standing straight in front of the camera moving around? RCX-1 and wide and settings on RCX-2 are more like 2 trip wires at the 45 degree angle. The highest sensitivity is not in the center in front of the camera. Set an RCX-2 on DST to get great sensitivity in the center.
    5. Event delay will make a camera not take pictures for a selected interval. Both Power saving mode and video mode have a built in 5 minute event delay.
    6. After turning a camera on there is a built in 30 second delay in picture taking to reduce setup picture quantity.
    7. Are you using an approved SD card? (see below) Incompatible SD cards can cause a lot of strange behaviors. SD cards can also be defective, as can batteries. Always try a new SD card, formatted in the controller and new batteries if a camera is not working.
  2. The camera is not taking night pictures.
    1. If the batteries are low, the camera is programmed to stop taking night pictures so it can get a lot more day pictures. Change batteries to return to full operation.
    2. If you set an RCX-2 on 48 LEDs and video, it only works with external power. We considered eliminating the possibility of this setting, but the night video performance with 48 LEDs on external power is so good, we did not want to remove this capability.
    3. Double check that the night and day settings are both what you want. They are set separately in the custom menu.
  3. Pictures are pink.
    1. Use the controller to preview camera to ensure the IR cut filter is set in the right place. The camera window will have a blue tint when set correctly for day pictures.
    2. If the batteries are low, the filter motor may not be able to move the filter properly any more. Change the batteries.
    3. If the camera has been dropped hard, sometimes the filter can get a little stuck in the wrong position. Tap it on each side as you look in the camera window at the top and watch to see if it moves. If you get it moving, the preview camera should now work to position it and the light sensor will then keep it in the right place from day to day.
  4. The controller is not working well.
    1. Ensure that it is fully charged, as per the instructions.
    2. Try a different SD card. Bad SD cards may cause suboptimal performance.
  5. What are these little metal pieces in the bag?
    1. These are standoffs that can be threaded into the back of the camera to help position it during mounting.
  6. What is the cable with the clamps for?
    1. This is the external power connection. Connect to any 12V battery.
  7. Is there a way to do a “walk test” like some cameras?
    1. No, however, you can use Real Time Video Alignment to see where pictures will be triggered.
  8. How do I align the camera?
    1. Activate “Preview Camera” with the controller connected to view what the camera sees for Real Time Video Alignment.
  9. How can I tell when the camera is turned on?
    1. On the switch: “I” is the on position.
    2. Connect the controller. The camera status at the bottom of the screen only appears when the camera is ready to go.
    3. Disconnect the controller and cover the light sensor hole with black tape on the camera just above the Leupold medallion. Wave your hand in front of the camera. The IR LEDs should light and you may hear a click as the filter moves to night position. Uncover and wave to return to day position. You can also connect the controller and preview camera again afterward to ensure correct filter position.
    4. Try new batteries. It is possible (though unlikely) for new batteries to be faulty.
  10. The RCX Controller does not recognize the camera when the USB cable is plugged in.
    1. Verify that the camera is powered on. “I” is the “On” position of the switch.
    2. If the batteries are not fresh, replace the batteries.
    3. Verify that all batteries are installed in the correct orientation. The flat, negative end of the batteries should all be placed against the coil spring side in the battery cartridge.
    4. Verify that all batteries are of the same type.
    5. Be sure the battery cartridge is completely installed and the latch is snapped into place. The bottom door should be securely closed to ensure good contact.
  11. My pictures are foggy.
    1. Check to make sure the sun is not shining directly into the camera lens. Re-align as needed.
    2. At about the same time of day when the foggy pictures are occurring, connect the RCX Controller to the camera and select the “View Camera” icon to activate Real Time Video Alignment.
    3. Check the camera lens window to see if it is dirty. Clean if needed with a soft cloth or a cotton swab with alcohol or lens cleaning fluid applied. DO NOT USE ACETONE OR ANY OTHER SOLVENT. DOING SO WILL DAMAGE THE VIEWING WINDOW AND VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
  12. My pictures are black & white and overexposed.
    1. Check the light sensor to and make sure it is unobstructed. The light sensor is located on the front of the camera, on the left side, just above the Leupold medallion. If it is obstructed, the camera will set itself to always take night pictures.
  13. My camera is taking the correct type of pictures in day or night only but not both?
    1. Verify that you entered both day and night settings for the menu items that allow this.
  14. My flash range is getting shorter over time.
    1. The RCX Camera System is designed to reduce IR LED power when the batteries get low in order to extend the life of the batteries. To restore a longer flash range, install fresh batteries.

SD Card Recommendations & Testing Results

Below are the SD cards that have been formally tested for use in the Leupold RCX® Trail Camera System. It should be noted that some of the cards that are listed as having passed have still had quality failures in the field. They often are hot to the touch after failing. Users should always try a new SD card before returning a camera or controller as a failed card can cause a wide array of performance issues.

High Speed SD cards do not provide any faster performance by our tests.

  1. Passed SD Cards
    1. SD Card Brand Model Capacity
      FUJIFILM JUSTRAM 256MB
      FUJIFILM JUSTRAM 512MB
      FUJIFILM JUSTRAM 1GB
      FUJIFILM JUSTRAM(60X) 512MB
      FUJIFILM JUSTRAM(60X) 1GB
      FUJIFILM JUSTRAM(60X) 2GB
      FUJIFILM RITEK 128MB
      FUJIFILM RITEK 128MB
      FUJIFILM RITEK 256MB
      FUJIFILM High Performance 256MB
      FUJIFILM RITEK 512MB
      FUJIFILM High Performance 512MB
      FUJIFILM High Performance 1GB
      Transcend   64MB
      Transcend 80x 512MB
      Transcend   1GB
      Panasonic Super High Speed 256MB
      Panasonic class6 512MB
      Panasonic class4 1GB
      Panasonic class6 2GB
      SanDisk Extreme III 1GB
      SanDisk Extreme III class6 2GB
      SanDisk ultraII 1GB
      SanDisk ultraII 2GB
      SanDisk ultraII CLASS4 2GB
      SanDisk ultraII (PLUS USB) 512MB
      SanDisk ultraII (PLUS USB) 1GB
      SanDisk   256MB
      SanDisk   512MB
      SanDisk   1GB
      SanDisk CLASS2 2GB
  2. RCX Trail Camera System Technical Bulletin

    1. Update 8/26/2011

      SD Card Brand Model Capacity
      Kingston 50x elite pro 512MB
      Kingston   512MB
      Kingston ultimate 2GB
      KODAK Digital Film 64MB
      HAGIWARA SYS-COM   1GB
      HAGIWARA SYS-COM   2GB
      HAGIWARA SYS-COM Super High Speed 512MB
      HAGIWARA SYS-COM Super High Speed 1GB
      ADTEC AD-SDH 512MB
      EZ MEMORY Secure Digital（korea） 1GB
      EZ MEMORY Secure Digital（korea） 2GB
      EZ MEMORY class6 4GB
      GREENHOUSE GH-SDC2GGMX CLASS6 2GB
      ATP Promax 256MB
      ATP Promax 512MB
      ATP Promax 1GB
      I O DATA Super High Speed 1GB
      I O DATA Super High Speed 2GB
      I O DATA   2GB
      A DATA Torbo 512MB
      A DATA Torbo 2GB
      Princeton   512MB
      Princeton Xpert plus 512MB
      Princeton Xpert Super High Speed 512MB
      PNY Secure Digital（133x）  
      PNY Secure Digital  
      PNY Secure Digital（JAPAN） 1GB
      CFD   1GB
      CFD   2GB
      TOSHIBA   256MB
      TOSHIBA   128MB
      Hama   1GB
      Hama   2GB
      Inx USB+SD 512MB
      Inx USB+SD 1GB
      ELECOM   512MB
      ELECOM   512MB
      ELECOM   1GB
      Lexar 133x Speed 2GB
      Lexar 133x Speed 1GB
      Lexar Platinum Ⅱ 2GB
      Lexar Platinum Ⅱ 1GB
      Lexar Platinum Ⅱ(60x speed) 512MB
      Lexar Platinum Ⅱ(60x speed) 1GB
      Lexar Platinum Ⅱ(60x speed) 2GB
      Lexar Platinum Ⅱ 512MB
      DANE-ELEC   512MB
      DANE-ELEC   1GB
      DANE-ELEC   2GB
      Panasonic   6GB
      Panasonic CLASS4 12GB
      Panasonic SDHC 32GB
      Transcend SDHC CLASS6 4GB
      PNY OPTIMA 4GB
      Panasonic class6 2GB
      TOSHIBA CLASS 4 4GB
      SanDisk ultraII class4 4GB
      SanDisk ultraII class4 8GB
      SanDisk Extreme III class6 16GB
      BUFFALO   256MB
      SanDisk Hi-Performance 512MB
      BUFFALO Hi-Performance 2GB
      Lexar Adapter 512MB
      A DATA Adapter 4GB
      Transcend 80x 512MB
      PNY micro Adapter 1GB
      I O DATA   1GB
      Panasonic class4 4GB
      Panasonic   8GB
  3. Failed SD Cards
    1. SD Card Brand Model Capacity
      FUJIFILM High Performance 2GB
      FUJIFILM High Performance 4GB
      SanDisk   128MB
      GREENHOUSE GH-SDC512MG 512MB
      CFD   512MB
      TOSHIBA SDHC 32GB
      TOSHIBA SDHC 4GB
      Kingston (Some pass when new but failure rate is high) SDHC 32GB
      Kingston (Some pass when new but failure rate is high) SDHC 16GB
      Maxflash (Some pass when new but failure rate is high) SDHC 32GB
      Maxflash (Some pass when new but failure rate is high) SDHC 16GB
      Sony (specific models TBD, 4GB SDHC failed )    

Basic Setup Guideline

  1. 1. Unpack camera
  2. 2. Find manual and review
  3. 3. Install batteries and SD cards.
  4. a. Use an approved SD card.
  5. b. Consider using an external power source. These batteries last a very long time and are the only power source you can use with the highest performance night video setting (48 LEDs) in an RCX-2.
  6. c. If not using external power, Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries are highly recommended.
  7. 4. Connect controller, select and set up the preferred picture taking mode. BE SURE TO SET BOTH DAY AND NIGHT SETTINGS IF USING CUSTOM MODE. See manual for details.
  8. 5. Install new strap
  9. a. It is brown and has a quick detach buckle.
  10. b. Be sure to slide the strap through before attaching the buckle halves to both ends.
  11. 6. Take standoffs and controller to set up camera
  12. 7. Strap the camera to a tree if appropriate. Thread the standoffs into the back to adjust for uneven surfaces as needed.
  13. 5. Install new strap
  14. a. Required to ensure cut filter is in the correct place
  15. i. The filter makes an audible clicking sound during this operation and this sounds indicates proper function.
  16. b. You can see the frame of the picture and where the trigger zone is.

Things to know when mounting the camera

  1. 1. Sensor zone performance:
  2. a. Wide angle is most sensitive at edges.
  3. b. Narrow angle has much longer range. (RCX-2 only)
  4. c. DST is recommended in RCX-2 setup any time maximum pictures are desired.
  5. d. Sensor zones are wide horizontally but low vertically. The 45 degree wide sensor zone is between 10-15 degrees tall. Pay special attention to camera angle and height. Leupold recommends that the camera be mounted at eye level to a deer and aimed roughly parallel to the ground.
  6. 2. Elk seem to particularly like the flavor of the rubber pieces. Leupold Technical Services will have replacements, however if elk are the targeted species, mount the camera higher and angled down at a wallow or trail.

LEUPOLD RCX™ Trail Camera Warranty Return Policy

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. requires that after 30 days of purchase, any customer returns of RCX Trail Cameras or Camera Components (other than those still in sealed factory packaging) be sent directly to Leupold & Stevens for warranty inspection and evaluation. Please return these products to:

Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
ATTN: Product Service
14400 NW Greenbrier Parkway
Beaverton, OR 97006