The OcuTrap camera takes daytime and night vision images. You can adjust its capture settings for different lighting conditions.


Camera Time-Lapse Mode

OcuTrap can automatically capture images at set intervals in every mode: unarmed, armed, scouting, and after a capture.

Configurable Option

  • Photo Capture Frequency: Defines how often the camera captures an image, in every mode (unarmed, armed, scouting, and after a capture).

If images are too frequent, reduce the frequency to conserve battery and data. If you need more monitoring, increase the frequency to capture more activity.


Camera Image Settings

These settings control image quality, resolution, and night vision brightness.

  • Image Quality: Adjusts resolution and compression. Higher quality means clearer images but increased data usage.
  • Image Size: Defines the resolution of captured images.
  • Maximum IR Brightness: Adjusts infrared light intensity in night vision mode to prevent overexposure or underexposure.

If daytime images look fine but nighttime images are too dark, increase Max IR Brightness.

If nighttime images are washed out or too bright, lower Max IR Brightness.

Limits for IR Brightness

SettingMin ValueDefault ValueMax Value
Max IR Brightness0100100
Min IR Brightness010100

Night Vision & Light Adaptation

Most users do not need to adjust light settings because the camera works automatically. You can fine-tune these settings for clearer images in specific environments.

The camera automatically adjusts between color mode (daytime) and night vision (greyscale) based on ambient light levels.

Automatic Light Switching

  • Dark Lux Threshold
    • If ambient light falls below this value, the camera activates night vision mode (greyscale) and enables IR.
  • Dynamic Light Adaptation
    • There is one lux threshold. Below it, IR brightness ramps between Min IR Brightness and Max IR Brightness as light drops. Above it, the camera shoots color with IR off.

Limits for Light Thresholds

SettingMin ValueDefault ValueMax Value
Dark Lux Threshold1.025.0100.0

If daytime images are still in greyscale, lower Dark Lux Threshold so the camera switches to color mode sooner.

If nighttime images are still in color and too dark, increase Dark Lux Threshold to enable greyscale mode earlier.


Understanding and Adjusting Image Quality

If you experience image quality issues, use the guide below to fine-tune your settings:

IssueCauseSolution
Daytime images appear too darkDark Lux Threshold is too highLower Dark Lux Threshold so the camera switches to color mode sooner.
Daytime images are blurryLow image quality settingIncrease Image Quality in settings.
Nighttime images are too darkIR brightness is too lowIncrease Max IR Brightness to enhance night vision.
Nighttime images are too bright or washed outIR brightness is too highLower Max IR Brightness to prevent overexposure.
Images have too much glareReflections from IR lightAdjust trap positioning or lower Max IR Brightness.
Images are too pixelatedLow resolution settingIncrease Image Size or Image Quality.

How OcuTrap Adapts to Different Light Conditions

Light ConditionCamera ModeIR Brightness
Bright daylight (above the dark lux threshold)ColorOff
Low light/Night (below the dark lux threshold)Greyscale (night vision)Ramps between Min and Max IR Brightness as light drops

Summary of Best Practices

For Most Users:

  • You do not need to adjust light settings. The camera adapts automatically.

If Adjustments Are Needed:

  • Improve night images → Increase maxIrBrightness.
  • Fix overexposed IR images → Lower maxIrBrightness.
  • Make daytime images clearer → Increase Image Quality.