Infrared Mobile Digital Scouting Camera
User's Manual MG883G-12mHD
1 Instruction
This section provides an overview of the camera's features and components.
1.1 Camera Body Interfaces
The camera features the following interfaces: Antenna, PIR sensor, LCD display, Lens, Laser pointer, SD card slot, Power switch, TV out port, Bottom cover, Sound recorder, Indication LED, IR flash, SIM card slot, USB connector, Lock mechanism, Battery compartment, and a Battery compartment handle.
1.2 General Description
This camera is a digital scouting camera with infrared capabilities and 3G communication. It functions as a digital infrared surveillance camera, triggered by the movement of humans or animals detected by a high-sensitivity Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensor. It captures high-quality pictures or records video clips based on default or custom settings and transmits them instantly to a mobile device or email via GSM/WCDMA network. Users are alerted upon camera triggering or per custom settings.
The camera is equipped with a 1.5-inch color LCD display and an embedded sound recorder. A laser pointer assists in targeting the photo area. It is resistant to water and snow and can also serve as a portable digital camera.
1.3 Remote Control
The remote control is the primary input device for camera settings. It is an infrared wireless remote with a maximum range of approximately 30 feet. The remote requires the antenna to be attached to function correctly. Upon powering on the camera, allow 10-20 seconds for it to acquire a signal; the remote will not operate until a signal is acquired, indicated by a signal icon on the LCD screen. The '*' button activates the laser pointer.
The remote control features buttons for Menu, OK, Cancel, navigation (Up, Down, Left, Right), and a numeric keypad (0-9, *, #).
1.4 Shooting Information Display
When the camera is turned on and the power switch is in the TEST position, current settings are displayed on the screen. This includes Camera mode, SIM card status, Image size, Signal strength, Battery level, Telecom provider, Date (M:D:Y), Time (H:M:S), Available storage space, and the Number of images captured.
1.5 Two Way Communication
By setting the SMS control submenu to ON, the two-way communication function is enabled. In this mode, the camera can receive and respond to SMS commands or commands from an Android application. It can send pictures instantly to a mobile device via WCDMA/GSM network, alerting the user when a picture or video is taken. The camera sends MMS or Email messages through an MMSC or GPRS network. To use this function, MMS and GPRS services must be enabled with the service provider. The camera supports GSM bands (850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz) and WCDMA bands (850MHz, 900MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz).
SIM card icons indicate installation status: a filled icon [✅] means the SIM card is inserted and working, while an empty icon [❌] indicates the MMS function may not work due to signal loss or communication issues.
1.6 Cautions
- The camera operates at 6V and is powered by 8 AA batteries or a 6V DC adapter. Install batteries according to polarity.
- Insert the SD card only when the power switch is OFF. The camera has no internal memory; without an SD card, it will shut down automatically after a continuous beep.
- Do not insert or remove the SD card when the power switch is ON.
- It is recommended to format the SD card using the camera for the first use.
- When connected to a computer, the camera enters USB mode, and the SD card functions as a removable disk.
- In TEST mode, the camera automatically shuts down after 3 minutes of inactivity. Turn the power on again to continue.
2 Quick Start Guide
This section guides users through the initial setup and operation of the camera.
2.1 Power Supply
The camera requires four or eight AA batteries. Recommended types include high-density alkaline batteries, rechargeable alkaline batteries, and rechargeable NiMH batteries. In a low-battery state, the camera will shut down after two indication sounds. If MMS is enabled, a SMS or Email will be sent to notify of the low battery situation. Caution: Risk of explosion if batteries are replaced with an incorrect type. Dispose of used batteries responsibly.
Correct Disposal: This product should not be disposed of with household waste. Recycle responsibly to promote sustainable reuse of material resources. Use designated return and collection systems or contact the retailer for environmental safe recycling.
2.2 Insert the SD card and SIM card
Open the bottom cover and insert the SD card and SIM card into their respective slots. Ensure the SD card is not in the locked ('write') position, otherwise the camera may not function correctly.
2.3 Do the Camera Settings
Download the camera setup software (BMC_config.zip) and its instructions from the website. The software allows configuration of the camera. The interface includes options to select country and operator, set camera parameters, and input customer information such as an administrator phone number and receiving email addresses. Users can opt for default settings or customize them by clicking 'Change Setting'. It is important to save the configuration file (e.g., .TXT) to the root directory of the GSM folder on the SD card; this file will disappear once the camera is turned on.
2.4 Enter into Test Mode
Slide the power switch to the TEST position to enter TEST mode. In this mode, users can access custom settings, perform manual captures, preview, or send MMS manually. The remote control is required for operation in TEST mode.
2.5 Custom Settings
Press the MENU button on the remote to access the settings menu. Use the navigation keys to select sub-menus and options, and press OK to save changes. Each setting change requires pressing OK to be applied; otherwise, the camera reverts to the default setting. In TEST mode, photos can be sent to preset addresses when the Send Mode is set to 'Manual'. 'Daily Report' and 'Instant' modes are available in ON mode. Only photos can be sent in TEST mode; video information cannot. Images cannot be sent if the SIM card is not inserted.
2.6 Enter into On Mode
Slide the power switch to the ON position to power on the camera and enter ON mode. Before entering ON mode, the laser pointer can be used to adjust the camera towards the target monitoring area. After powering on, the motion indication LED (red) will blink for approximately 10 seconds. This is a buffering period before capturing photos or videos, allowing time for closing and locking the bottom cover or securing the camera. The camera includes a sound recording function, with audio embedded in video clips.
2.7 SMS Control
In ON mode, text messages can be sent to the camera to change settings. The command "#T#" retrieves an on-spot image. An Android application is available for sending commands, though it may incur SMS fees per command. The software (BGTools.zip) can be downloaded from the website, and for iPhones, it can be found in the App Store by searching for BGTools. The specified website is mentioned on the last page of the manual.
2.8 SMS Command List
| No | Function | SMS Command |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Set MMS Parameters | #m#http://mmsc.cingular.com #66.209.11.32#8080#wap.cingular#account#password# (Example parameters for AT&T) |
| 2 | Set GPRS Parameters | #s#bmctest123@163.com#bmc123#25#cmnet#smtp.163.com#account#password# (Example parameters for 163 email) |
| 3 | Set Normal User's Phone | #n#13800138001#13800138002#13800138003# |
| 4 | Set Receive Email Address | #r#bmc1@sina.com#bmc2@sina.com#bmc3@bmc3@sina.com# |
| 5 | Get On Spot Photo | #t# (Send MMS to phone) #t#e# (Send picture to Email by GPRS) |
| 6 | Check Camera Settings | #L# |
| 7 | Edit Work Parameters | #e#cp#s5#fh#b1#v60#t#l10m#pn#i5s#Hon08:30-20:30 (cp: camera mode, s5:photo size, fh: video size, b1:photo burst, V60: video length, t: set clock, l10m: time lapse, pn: pir trigger, i5s: PIR interval, mp: send to, Hon: work hour) |
| 8 | Format SD Card | #F# |
| 9 | Set Administrator's Password | #P#0000# |
| 10 | Help | #H# |
Note: All SMS commands are only available via the admin number; each camera has only one admin number.
2.9 Power Off
Slide the power switch to the OFF position to power off the camera. Even in OFF mode, the camera consumes a small amount of battery power. Remove batteries if the camera will not be used for an extended period.
3 Item Settings
This section details the various settings available for the camera.
3.1 Camera Menu
Access the camera settings menu by pressing MENU in TEST mode. Use the Up/Down and Left/Right keys on the remote to navigate sub-menus and select options. Press OK to save settings. Any change requires pressing OK to be confirmed; otherwise, the camera retains the default setting.
| Setting Items | Description |
|---|---|
| Language | Choose the desired language. Supports English, Finnish, German, and Swedish. |
| Camera Mode | Choose between capturing Photo, Video, or Pic+Video. |
| Set Clock | Set the camera's date and time. The date format is month/day/year, and the time format is hour:minute:second. The valid year range is 2009 to 2050. This setting may need adjustment after battery changes. |
| Photo Size | Select image resolution, e.g., 12MP, 8MP, or 5MP. |
| Photo Burst | Choose the number of continuous shots after each triggering. |
| Video Size | Select video resolution: 1280x720 or 640x480. |
| Video Length | Set the duration of video recording (5 to 60 seconds, adjustable in 1-second increments). This setting is effective in ON mode video. Default is 10 seconds. Use LEFT/RIGHT keys to adjust. |
| Time Lapse | Enables capturing images or videos at preset time intervals, regardless of motion detection. Default is Off. Setting a non-zero value activates Time Lapse mode. Note: If PIR Trigger is Off, Time Lapse cannot be set to Off. |
| PIR Trigger | Adjust the sensitivity of the PIR sensor (High, Normal, Low, Off). Default is 'Normal'. Higher sensitivity triggers more easily. Sensitivity is affected by temperature; higher temperatures may require higher sensitivity settings. Note: If Time Lapse is Off, PIR Trigger cannot be set to Off. |
| PIR Interval | Determines how long the PIR sensor is disabled after each triggering in ON mode. Minimum interval is 0 seconds (PIR always active); maximum is 1 hour. Use LEFT/RIGHT keys to adjust. |
| Work Hour | Set a specific time period for the camera to operate daily. The camera will be active during the set duration and sleep otherwise. Setting Work Hour to 'Off' allows the camera to work all day. |
| MMS Set | Configure MMS settings (URL, APN, IP, Port). Contact your network provider for details if unfamiliar. |
| GPRS Set | Configure GPRS settings for sending images via SMTP to email. Contact your network provider for details. |
| Send Mode | Choose between 'Manual' (TEST mode), 'Daily Report' (ON mode), and 'Instant' (ON mode). 'Manual' sends photos in TEST mode; 'Daily Report' sends summarized information at a preset time; 'Instant' sends MMS immediately after capturing a photo. 'OFF' disables communication. |
| Send To | Select destination for images: Phone (via WAP), Email (via WAP), or Email (via GPRS/SMTP). GPRS/SMTP is cost-effective. |
| SMS Control | Enable two-way SMS communication for receiving and responding to commands, and retrieving live pictures. This may increase power consumption. |
| Position ID | Assign an A-Z position to the camera for identification. |
| Version | Displays firmware and IMEI information. |
| Format SD | Deletes all images and videos from the SD card. Ensure data backup before formatting. |
| Default Set | Restores all customer settings to their default values. |
3.2 Default Setting
| Setting Items | Default | Options | Submenu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | English | Suomi, Deutsch, Svenska | |
| Camera Mode | Photo | Video, Pic+Video | |
| Set Clock | Enter | Adjust Clock | |
| Photo Size | 12MP | 5MP, 8MP | |
| Photo Burst | 1 Photo | 2 Photos, 3 Photos | |
| Video Size | 1280x720 | 640x480 | |
| Video Length | 10 sec | 5-60 sec | |
| Time Lapse | Off | 5-55Min, 1-8Hour | |
| PIR Trigger | Normal | High, Low, Off | |
| PIR Interval | 5 Sec | 0-55 Sec, 1-60 Min | |
| Work Hour | Off | On | 00:00-23:59 |
| MMS Set | Enter | URL, APN, IP, Port | |
| GPRS Set | Enter | Server, Port, APN | |
| Send Mode | Manual | Daily Report, Instant, Off | |
| Send To | Phone[MMS] | Email[MMS], Email[GPRS] | |
| SMS Control | Off | On | |
| Position ID | Off | A-Z | |
| Version | Enter | Firmware, IMEI | |
| Format SD | Enter | Yes, No | |
| Default Set | Save |
3.3 Playback Mode
In playback mode, images and videos can be viewed and deleted. Images can also be sent manually via MMS or GPRS (only in TEST mode). Images are viewable on the camera's LCD screen, while videos require a computer for viewing. To view photos in playback mode, press OK on the remote in TEST mode. Use UP/DOWN to navigate between photos, and OK to return to the info display. Videos cannot be displayed on the camera screen. To delete a photo or video, select it, press MENU, then UP or Down to delete.
3.4 Laser Pointer
The laser light pointer beam can be activated as an additional function for pointing to an object or a specific region of interest (ROI) by pressing the '*' button on the remote.
⚠️ NOTE: The laser could be harmful to eyes if pointed at another person.
4 Trouble Shooting
This section addresses common issues and their solutions.
1. Problem: Something is in front of the camera lens. Is the camera broken?
Answer: No, the camera is not broken. It is an IR-cut filter. When the camera is powered on, the IR-cut filter resets and covers the lens. It only moves to a random place when the camera is powered off.
2. Problem: The camera display screen is not working anymore.
Answer: Most likely, no SD card has been inserted when the camera was turned on. Ensure a working SD card is inserted before powering on the camera.
3. Problem: Why can't my phone receive MMS?
Answer: The MMS/GPRS function requires both the camera and phone to have sufficient balance and data services enabled.
5 PIR Detection Zone
This camera features a new, patented PIR design with a detection range of up to 85ft in good environments. The diagram below compares the detection zones of a normal PIR sensor and the new patented PIR sensor.
The PIR detection angle (α) is slightly smaller than the Field of View (FOV) angle (β). This design aims to reduce the rate of empty pictures and capture most, if not all, motions.
Diagram Description: The diagram illustrates detection angles and ranges. The horizontal axis shows angles from -30° to +30°, with 0° at the center. The vertical axis indicates distance in meters (5M to 30M). Two curves, labeled 'NORMAL PIR' and 'NEW PATENTED PIR', depict their respective detection patterns. The patented PIR shows a more focused detection area.
6 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | 5MP Color CMOS, 8MP, 12MP Interpolation |
| Lens | F/NO=2.2, FOV(Field of View)=60° |
| PIR detection range | 85ft |
| Display Screen | 1.5" LCD |
| Memory Card | From 8 MB to 32 GB |
| Picture Resolution | 12MP=4032×3024, 8MP = 3264×2448, 5MP = 2560×1920 |
| Video Resolution | 1280x720, 640x480 |
| PIR Sensitivity | Adjustable (High/Normal/Low) |
| Trigger Time | 1.2s |
| Weight | 0.30 kg (without battery) |
| Operation/Storage Tem. | -20 - +60°C / -30 - +70°C |
| Power Supply | 8×AA or 4×AA, External DC 6V, 2A |
| Low Battery Alert | LED Indicator |
| Sound Recording | Available |
| Mounting | Rope/Belt/Python lock |
| Dimensions | 140 x87 x55 mm |
| Operation Humidity | 5% - 90% |
| Security Authentication | FCC, CE, RoHS |
7 Parts List
| Part Name | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Digital Camera | One |
| Wireless Remote | One |
| USB Cable | One |
| Belt | One |
| User Manual | One |
| Enhanced Antenna | One |
| Warranty Card | One |
Download the APP software from here: http://www.bolyguard.com/download.html
BOLY Version 1.0
