> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://conservation-x-labs-1.gitbook.io/sentinel-docs-english/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://conservation-x-labs-1.gitbook.io/sentinel-docs-english/sentinel-setup-and-deployment/prepare-your-trail-camera.md).

# Prepare Your Trail Camera

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

{% hint style="info" %}
See our [guide ](/sentinel-docs-english/sentinel-setup-and-deployment/prepare-your-trail-camera/deploying-a-camera-trap-best-practices.md)to deploying a camera trap for deployment best practices.
{% endhint %}

Ensure your camera trap is compatible (see a working list in ["Supported Cameras"](/sentinel-docs-english/getting-started/compatible-camera-traps.md)).

**Set your camera traps’ settings**

* Date/Time (this is very important)
* Camera Name
  * Camera/Sentinel Name on the dashboard (making post-deployment monitoring easier)
* Trigger Settings (set to motion activated; **don't use timelapse**). 
  * Reach out to if you need to use timelapse: <sentinel-support@conservationxlabs.org>
* **Photo Mode (not video)**
* If you are using a **Reconyx** camera - [enable Loop Record with custom Sentinel firmware](/sentinel-docs-english/getting-started/compatible-camera-traps/preparing-your-reconyx-camera-trap.md)&#x20;
  * For **Reconyx** make sure it’s set to **Loop Record Mode** after having performed the firmware update
  * If successul the screen of the Reconyx should say 'Sentinel'
  * Make sure you have talked to use before using Reconyx: <sentinel-support@conservationxlabs.org>

Charge your camera trap batteries! ;)

### **The Spypoint SD card cable**

The Spypoint cable functions as the connection beween the Sentinel and trail camera.

It's SD card (blue circle) also functions as a buffer (or fake) SD card for the trail camera so it can function as normal (the SD card has a limited capacity of about 500MB). Whenerver the trail camera triggers the resulting picture or video is saved to the SD card. When Sentinel 'wakes up', processes and transmits data it transfers images/videos to it's internal microSD card, and deletes those images from the SD card (in order for it to not fill up and to ensure that the camera can keep taking images/videos).

{% hint style="warning" %}
Note, the Sentinel does not process videos! It transfers them, but does not analyze them. To avoid problems please do not allow the trail camera to record videos. &#x20;
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1130233125-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9MxN20awtWWJMnxgldIY%2Fuploads%2FjsNr20bO4Mb8Njj0XMBz%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=3fcb8c8b-3931-416a-83bd-c143886b031b" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. **Insert the Spypoint cable SD card into the trail camera's SD card slot.**&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://1130233125-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9MxN20awtWWJMnxgldIY%2Fuploads%2F2cHK1qk5hRV6xKU4hQrP%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=9b7ca8b5-191a-4949-928d-eaf8d8d68cde" alt="" width="188"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Make sure that you hear a soft 'click' and that the card is fully inserted!

<figure><img src="https://1130233125-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9MxN20awtWWJMnxgldIY%2Fuploads%2FlRd1OmvBm2ftRW4KPeoZ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=f70019ef-fd4f-49ee-afdb-4f00f26d86a2" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="danger" %}
**The Spypoint cable i.e. the connection between the Sentinel and the trail camera is the weakest link of the system and causes most of the problems when working with Sentinel. The SD card can easily be pulled out of the slot, which prevents the camera from writing to it and/or the Sentinel from tranferring the data.**&#x20;
{% endhint %}

We provide 3D printed shims that can be inserted together with the SD card into the slot in order to keep the SD card in place.

<figure><img src="https://1130233125-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9MxN20awtWWJMnxgldIY%2Fuploads%2FTcfEou1e7BYUUfKbv0VS%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=4defea06-6f92-4388-9682-bb808e646628" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1130233125-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9MxN20awtWWJMnxgldIY%2Fuploads%2FtkLXLDGdHpcA8YOQB7gk%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=46417c06-13c7-4ce0-94d0-e4e3bf1a30e5" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Here a video that shows how to insert the SD card with the shim:

{% file src="/files/0AXkERDtzlVVRCqrL7dG" %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Different trail cameras allow for different thickness' of the shims, which is why we provide a range of shims (with varting thickness). Just try and see what works best.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Note, Reconyx cameras usually **do not allow** for inserting a shim, which is fine.
{% endhint %}

2. **Check whether the camera trap writes images to the SD card.**

   1. Tigger the camera and check whether the image counter increases
   2. To be 100% sure you can take out the SD card and check whether images were written to the card with a standard SD card reader

3. **Close the camera trap door**

{% hint style="danger" %}
**This is a critical step as this is when the SD card might be pulled out slightly due to the pressure excerted on the cable.**&#x20;
{% endhint %}

In addition to the shim, you can give the cable some slack inside the camera, to further guarantee that pulling on the cable does not lead to the SD card being pulled out of the slot.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://1130233125-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9MxN20awtWWJMnxgldIY%2Fuploads%2FUCl7ofKXe6MFblNlgcuT%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ea073a36-28c2-4fda-ba5e-f067dc2c8794" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://1130233125-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9MxN20awtWWJMnxgldIY%2Fuploads%2FoSsrb5EG8LrG1fxIn2ML%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e554fff7-4d6b-45c6-a17a-c96e0c9599b6" alt="" width="373"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Don't be afraid to close the latches of the camera trap housing with determination!