Before Deployment

Getting prepared before going out into the field. We do recommend to practice the entire workflow in a controlled environment first!

Prepare your Sentinel!

Please follow instructions here to adequately prepare your Sentinel for deployment

As a quick checklist:

• Ensure Sentinels are properly configured in the online dashboard

• Fully charge your 18650 lithium-ion batteries

• Batteries are secured inside Sentinels, microSD card is inserted, and no internal cables are loose

• The Sentinel powers on

• Antenna and Spypoint cable mount well

1. Checklist Before Leaving

• Fully charge your 18650 lithium-ion batteries

• Batteries are secured inside Sentinels and no internal cables are loose

• Ensure Sentinels are properly configured in the online dashboard

• Pre-test connectivity in a controlled setting

• Verify your SD card is properly inserted. Practice connecting the camera traps and Sentinels with the cabled SD card, close the camera trap door and test the camera activation while monitoring the Sentinel's LED light behavior (flashing red light followed by yellow light for success)

ONLY USE FULLY CHARGED BATTERIES IN YOUR SENTINEL

Don't travel with antennas installed/screwed onto Sentinels, as this can damage the antenna connection. Travel with them separate from the Sentinels in your bag.

If possible, bring more Sentinels/cameras than necessary so you don't have to troubleshoot in the field. Definitely bring spare SD card cables.

Camera and Sentinel Setup video & Light Guide

Camera trigger testing and successful image transfer to Sentinel. Sentinel LED light guide for sustem boot-up

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2. Set Your Camera Trap Settings (before you're in the field!)

• Date/Time (this is very important)

• Camera/Sentinel Name on the dashboard (making post-deployment monitoring easier)

• Trigger Settings (don't use timelapse or this will result in thousands of photos very quickly)

• Photo Mode (not video)

• If using Reconyx cameras - enable Loop Record with custom Sentinel firmware

See our guide to deploying a camera trap for deployment best practices.

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3. Preparing for Deployment

Before heading into the field, ensure you have:

• Fully charged your 18650 lithium-ion batteries

• Your Sentinel device (with loaded batteries)

• A compatible trail camera (with loaded batteries)

• SD card cables and spares

• Mounting straps

• Antennas to attach to the Sentinel (it is easier to transport Sentinels with the antennas unattached and loose)

• Laptop and SD card reader to read data in the field (optional)