Setup: In the Field

How to set up a Sentinel when you're in the field

We recommend you try the full process within the reach of computing equipment and connectivity before heading out into the field.

A - Prepare your camera trap & the Sentinel

1. Mount the Sentinel and camera trap in place using mounting straps. Make sure they are close enough to be connected with the cabled SD card.

If you are unsure how to deploy a camera trap, view this deployment best practices guide.

1. Install the satellite, cellular, or LoRa antenna onto the Sentinel.

2. Connect the cable to the Sentinel and tighten it in place - leave the Sentinel switched off for now.

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B - Testing the camera trap

1. Insert the SD card cable into the camera trap and close the camera trap door

Be careful closing the door. Ensure that the SD card isn't pulled out of the slot and that the cable isn't kinked or damaged.

1. Turn on the camera trap. Check settings (if necessary)

2. Trigger the camera & check whether the camera functions properly with the SD card inserted. View this video to see this in action

3. (Optional, but recommended) Check the SD card with a laptop/phone that the camera positioning is correct

4. Switch off the camera trap & disconnect the SD Card (Spypoint cable)

We recommend that you format the SD card through the camera trap menu before deploying the Sentinel. This ensures that you only process images that are relevant to the deployment.

Be careful not to delete any images that are relevant to the deployment through formatting the card. The Sentinel only periodically transfers images to its microSD card. If you have deployed a Sentinel with an SD card in the past, some images might not have been transferred to the Sentinel.

From this point onwards, DO NOT stand in front of the camera trap.

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C - Optional Testing Step: Sentinel Setup mode

See this page for a detailed walkthrough of Setup Mode. Setup mode helps verify the connection of Sentinels to satellite/cellular/LoRa and the functioning connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel without needing the Sentinel to go through the initial boot-up process.

This step is optional and only available for users on software version 1.01 and later. Reach out to to confirm which software version you're using.

You do not HAVE to use the Setup Mode (if it is available). We do however highly recommend it to verify various aspects of the Sentinel's functions.

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D - Final Sentinel Test: Boot process

Once you have Tested the camera trap (section B) and optionally tested the Sentinel in setup mode (section C), ensure the Sentinel and camera trap are connected and functioning with the SD card cable.

1. Switch on the Sentinel, wait until the lights stop flashing during the boot-up process

2. Wait for the red heartbeat light every 10 seconds

3. Trigger the camera traps to confirm rapid flashing red light + yellow light confirmation

4. Close the Sentinel door and walk away. It's all set up!

A Sentinel and camera trap connected and ready to leave in the field