Distance limits, sensor alerts and errors
Capture distance presets from 6 to 18 inches, plus the sensor warnings and arming errors the app shows and what each one means.
On this page
Applies to OcuTrap R1 and R2
Quick reference for capture distance settings and arming errors you may see in the app.
Capture distance setting
Choose how far inside the trap an animal must be before the door closes. In the app, pick a preset from 6 in to 18 in.
| Preset | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 8 in (default) | Good starting point for most setups |
| 6 to 7 in | Animal must be closer, which helps reduce false triggers from rain or debris |
| 10 in and above | Animal can trigger from farther inside the cage |
Smaller values mean the animal must be deeper in the trap before the door closes.
Targeting a smaller animal? Increasing the capture distance can improve capture success for smaller animals. Try 11 in or above. They sit lower, so they are farther from the sensor. Confirm that your target triggers at the distance you chose with Scouting mode before you rely on it.
Sensor blocked or dirty
Warning: arms anyway
If the POD lens looks blocked or dirty when you arm, the trap still arms but sends a warning so you know to clean it:
- Arm:
Trap armed. Check camera and clean sensor if blocked. - Scout:
Scout on. Check camera and clean sensor if blocked.
What to do: Clean the POD lens and clear anything in front of the sensor. The trap keeps working, but a dirty lens can affect detection, so clean it as soon as you can.
Real obstruction: arming blocked
Error: Remove object at <distance> first (for example, Remove object at 4.0 in first). Something is physically blocking the trap interior. Remove it and arm again.
Lens too dirty to read: arming blocked
Error: Sensor blocked or dirty. Clean sensor window, then try again. The sensor reset itself but still cannot get a reading, most often because the POD lens is dirty or covered. Arming and Scouting stay blocked until the sensor can read. Clean the lens and try again. Power-cycling does not clear this one.
Other arm errors
| Message | Cause |
|---|---|
Sensor fault. Power-cycle the trap. | Sensor self-check failed. Power-cycle the trap, and contact support if it persists. On older firmware this message can also mean the lens is blocked or dirty, so clean the lens too |
Open the door first | Door is not fully open. Open it all the way, then arm |
Release animal first (open door) | Trap is in the captured state. Open the door to release, then arm |
Cannot disarm | A capture is triggering right now. Wait a moment and try again |