Setup Mode

Instructions on using the setup available from MCU version 1.01.

Setup mode is intended as a way for users to verify basic Sentinel operation in the field prior to leaving the deployment location

You do not have to use it, but it is strongly encouraged when deploying a device. It allows you to determine:

  • A functioning connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel without booting the Sentinel.

  • In case you're working with a satellite Sentinel:

    • Whether Sentinel has a time sync and confirms a GPS lock if using Swarm (satellite) - it won't guarantee satellite communication via Swarm (i.e. transmission of insights) but will confirm GPS satellite communication. Without GPS satellite communications, chances of Swarm satellite communication are greatly reduced.

  • In case you're working with a LoRa Sentinel:

    • Enables verificaction of connection to the gateway with LoRa.

  • In case you're working with a Cell Sentinel:

    • Enables verificaction of cell connectivity.

Please verify your software version with us prior to following the next steps.


If your Sentinel is running the correct software version please proceed as detailed in this video:

  1. Insert the SD card (Spypoint cable) and switch on the camera trap - enter the menu (M - in case of the Browning model used in the video).

  2. Turn on the Sentinel and wait until the red light starts to pulsate - make sure the camera trap stays in the menu until then.

The Sentinel is in setup mode as soon as the red lights starts to pulsate (~every second).

  1. You can now exit the camera trap menu.

  2. From now on you can and should trigger the camera and confirm that the Sentinel is correctly detecting the trigger event.

You can keep triggering the camera as often as you want during setup mode

Step 4 is important to verify a valid connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel. If you cannot confirm this during the setup mode it is recommended to proceed to steps 6 & 7 and wait until Setup mode finishes before processing to section D.

  1. At some point after entering setup mode (<1min) yellow (orange) and red lights will start to pulsate concurrently (~every second).

Note, you can trigger the camera during the concurrent yellow and red lights. However, to confirm any of the processes in A), B) & C), and effectively exit the setup mode you'll have to stop triggering the camera for at least 30s (see video).

  1. After the concurrently pulsating yellow & red lights stop, the Sentinel will exit the setup mode and initiate the boot sequence with a pulsating yellow (orange) light (~every second; <1min, see video).


Common troubleshooting

If the Sentinel does not enter setup mode:

  • Check that you're on the correct software version - contact:

  • Check whether the camera is taking pictures & whether there is a card error.

If the Sentinel enters the setup mode, but you cannot confirm a valid connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel:

For stellite, if the time sync takes longer than the designated maximal time sync duration:

  • Move to a different place and restart timing the process (concurrently pulsating yellow & red lights). You do not have to restart the whole process.


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