I have been running several cameras for the last four years. For anyone that has run cameras, you know it can be frustrating when they don't perform to expectations.
In the last three months, I have had repeated camera issues, and all of them were due to battery problems. Note, all these battery problems occurred on cameras that have worked flawlessly for one to two seasons in the past.
Bottom line - make sure your batteries meet the camera specs for minimum voltage, and don't mix old batteries with new ones. You can save yourself tons of cursing!
Here are the specific issues, with camera's identified. Again, these are cameras that have always performed, and I had great confidence in them.
1. ScoutGuard 550 - First week of Sept.
Last year, I got over 12,000 pictures on one set of Duracells, I don't think I had 50 bad pictures all season.
This year, I put new Energizer Alkaline batteries in it, and within 3 weeks I noticed that the IR pictures were hit and miss. Within another week, no IR shots and daytime pictures were blurring. Swapped out the Energizers for Duracells, and the problems went away. Six weeks later, still no camera problems (except the camera was stolen second week of bow season). ChasingGame.com had reported problems with Energizer Alkalines in the SG550's. I just ignored the advice.
2. StealthCam STC35***(?) - 2007 model
I have had this camera for three years, and it takes the best pictures of any of the 8 camera's I own/owned. Usually gets at least 2000 pictures on a set of Duracells, with most of them being flash pictures.
This year, I loaded it up with "new" Duracells from packages I opened last year. Camera worked fine for a couple of weeks, then the LCD started flaking out, day pictures would blur or ovelap, would not recognize the SD Card, etc. Each time, I could get a temporary fix but taking the batteries out, so that it would do a hard reset, but the problems would come back. I checked the batteries with a voltmeter, and they were within spec for the camera, but border-line. New batteries in, and the problems seem to have disappeared for the last month.
3. StealthCam I590 ($89 at Academy, last year)
Last year, I had low expectations for this camera. The low price combined with a complete waste with a SC I450 had me in check. Turned out to be the best "bang-for-the-buck" of any camera I own. Last year, at least 3000 pictures a set of batteries, and a flash that would show deer 50 yards away.
This year I loaded it up with a mixed bag of Duracells, and after about 800 pictures (6 weeks), the "low bat" indicator was flashing. When I went to replace the batteries, I only brought 6 new ones. I forgot that this camera takes 8 c-cells. I used a multimeter to find the two strongest old batteries to go with the six new batteries. My plan was to replace the two old batteries the following weekend. Guess what? The camera was dead after 5 days!!!! Another check with the multimeter showed the new batteries were now dead. Don't mix dead batteries with old batteries!
So here is my Batteries Lessons Learned Summary:
Sorry for the lecture. If you happen to find my SG550 that sprouted legs, please send it home
Randy
In the last three months, I have had repeated camera issues, and all of them were due to battery problems. Note, all these battery problems occurred on cameras that have worked flawlessly for one to two seasons in the past.
Bottom line - make sure your batteries meet the camera specs for minimum voltage, and don't mix old batteries with new ones. You can save yourself tons of cursing!
Here are the specific issues, with camera's identified. Again, these are cameras that have always performed, and I had great confidence in them.
1. ScoutGuard 550 - First week of Sept.
Last year, I got over 12,000 pictures on one set of Duracells, I don't think I had 50 bad pictures all season.
This year, I put new Energizer Alkaline batteries in it, and within 3 weeks I noticed that the IR pictures were hit and miss. Within another week, no IR shots and daytime pictures were blurring. Swapped out the Energizers for Duracells, and the problems went away. Six weeks later, still no camera problems (except the camera was stolen second week of bow season). ChasingGame.com had reported problems with Energizer Alkalines in the SG550's. I just ignored the advice.
2. StealthCam STC35***(?) - 2007 model
I have had this camera for three years, and it takes the best pictures of any of the 8 camera's I own/owned. Usually gets at least 2000 pictures on a set of Duracells, with most of them being flash pictures.
This year, I loaded it up with "new" Duracells from packages I opened last year. Camera worked fine for a couple of weeks, then the LCD started flaking out, day pictures would blur or ovelap, would not recognize the SD Card, etc. Each time, I could get a temporary fix but taking the batteries out, so that it would do a hard reset, but the problems would come back. I checked the batteries with a voltmeter, and they were within spec for the camera, but border-line. New batteries in, and the problems seem to have disappeared for the last month.
3. StealthCam I590 ($89 at Academy, last year)
Last year, I had low expectations for this camera. The low price combined with a complete waste with a SC I450 had me in check. Turned out to be the best "bang-for-the-buck" of any camera I own. Last year, at least 3000 pictures a set of batteries, and a flash that would show deer 50 yards away.
This year I loaded it up with a mixed bag of Duracells, and after about 800 pictures (6 weeks), the "low bat" indicator was flashing. When I went to replace the batteries, I only brought 6 new ones. I forgot that this camera takes 8 c-cells. I used a multimeter to find the two strongest old batteries to go with the six new batteries. My plan was to replace the two old batteries the following weekend. Guess what? The camera was dead after 5 days!!!! Another check with the multimeter showed the new batteries were now dead. Don't mix dead batteries with old batteries!
So here is my Batteries Lessons Learned Summary:
- Always use "new" batteries.
- Don't mix dead batteries with new ones.
- Check your batteries with a multimeter when you have problems
- Check new batteries with a multimeter before you use them.
Sorry for the lecture. If you happen to find my SG550 that sprouted legs, please send it home
Randy
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