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(More customer reviews)First, I must say that as long as there is bright sunlight, this camera works as advertised. However, the camera flash works poorly or not at all.
The first unit's display would blank out after a period of time and rarely take a flash picture ... even when waving my hands in front of the camera. I called the manufacturer and they promptly sent a replacement.
Consequently, I was setting up the replacement unit for its first night out to see if it operated properly. I installed relatively new batteries (EverReady Alkaline Engergizer purchased new, had been used in first BirdCam for 2 days -- display indicated 91%). I tested unit in house, and noticed that immediately after the display would indicate "Flash Charging", the display would cycle back to "Auto" and then perform a 30 second countdown. This happened over and over -- occasionally it would take a picture. But more often than not, it would simply return to the countdown menu.
My suspicion was that charging the flash was causing a momentary voltage dip resetting the unit (similar to cycling the power switch).
To test this theory, I attached the BirdCam to a regulated 12V power supply through the plug on the bottom. Now the BirdCam worked as expected. The flash would charge and it would take a picture -- never returning to the countdown menu. I noticed that when the flash charged, the amperage meter of the power supply would jump quickly and then return to the normal low current draw.
I then tested the original BirdCam using batteries to see if it would also reset when the flash charges -- It does. Almost every time the flash charges, the device resets (wasting many picture opportunities). If the 12V power supply is used, then again no problem.
I then went to Radio Shack and bought some very expensive rechargeable batteries and charger (NiMH batteries, thinking they might be able to better handle the power surge without a voltage dip). They exhibit the same problem even when fully charged.
Well, at least I understand why the BirdCam (both the original and its replacement) produced so few flash photos -- it effectively keeps turning itself off. I thought about using the unit outside and powering it from a 12V motorcycle battery; but, I mount it on tripod and the tripod covers up the 12V power port.
In summary, I find myself with an expensive camera that is basically a flawed design and incapable of reliably triggering for flash photos.
It doesn't work correctly with fully charged rechargeable D cells (even at room temperature)
It doesn't work correctly with disposable D cells when cells < ~50 Degrees F
It resists installations using an external 12V battery pack.
I was honestly very excited to receive the BirdCam as a gift ... especially after reading so many glowing reviews.
I'm not sure what to do at this point. I don't want another camera to replace the replacements .... it's a flawed design, another camera will not fix this.
I provided the above information to WingScapes and they suggested that I "put the camera outside to see if it takes pictures".
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