Activating Test Mode: Drop Tine Trail Camera Guide

Trail cameras are a great way to capture images of wildlife without disturbing the animals or the surrounding environment. Like many embedded computer systems, Browning trail cameras support a test mode, which allows for standalone tests of the camera’s subsystems. This mode is accessible through the standard LCD and menu buttons. To enter test mode, turn the camera power switch to off, press and hold the Mode, < (left), and > (right) buttons simultaneously, and then turn the camera power switch to on. The LCD should now display the TEST MODE MENU. From here, you can run tests on various components of the camera, including the LCD screen, photo and video recording capabilities, and hardware features. This can be useful for diagnosing camera failures and ensuring that your trail camera is functioning properly.

Turn the camera power switch to off

Turning the camera power switch to "off" is the first step in activating test mode on a Browning trail camera. This step is part of a specific sequence that allows users to access the hidden test mode menu and perform standalone tests of the camera's subsystems.

After turning the power switch off, the next step is to press and hold the "Mode", "<" (left), and ">" (right) buttons simultaneously. Once these buttons are pressed and held, the power switch can then be turned back "on". If the sequence is performed correctly, the LCD screen should display the TEST MODE MENU.

It is important to note that this hidden test mode is not officially documented by Browning. The test mode menu provides access to various tests, such as checking the LCD screen, testing video and photo recording, and hardware feature debugging. This can be useful for diagnosing camera failures and issues.

The test mode sequence described above has been verified to work on the Browning Recon Force and Spec Ops Advantage (BTC-7A and BTC-8A) trail cameras. It is worth noting that this sequence does not work on the BTC-5HDP model, and it may vary for other Browning camera models.

Press and hold Mode, < (left), and > (right) buttons simultaneously

To activate test mode on a Drop Tine trail camera, you need to press and hold the "Mode", "<" (left), and ">" (right) buttons simultaneously. This process will allow you to access the hidden test mode menu, which is not documented by the manufacturer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you activate the test mode:

• Turn the camera power switch to "off".
• Press and hold the "Mode", "<" (left), and ">" (right) buttons at the same time. Make sure you are pressing and holding all three buttons simultaneously.
• While still holding the buttons, turn the camera power switch to "on".
• If done correctly, the LCD screen should now display the "TEST MODE MENU".

Accessing the test mode menu allows you to run various tests on the camera's subsystems. This can be helpful for diagnosing and troubleshooting any issues with your Drop Tine trail camera. Remember that the specific tests and options available in the test mode menu may vary depending on the model of your Drop Tine trail camera. Always refer to the official documentation or manufacturer's website for detailed instructions and information specific to your camera model.

Turn the camera power switch to on

Activating test mode on a Drop Tine trail camera is a simple process. To get started, turn the camera power switch to "off". Next, press and hold the "Mode", "<" (left), and ">" (right) buttons simultaneously. Now, turn the camera power switch to "on". The LCD screen should now display the "TEST MODE MENU".

In this mode, you can access various tests to help you diagnose any issues with your camera. For example, you can test the LCD screen, take test photos or videos, check the CDS light sensor, and more. Keep in mind that some tests may require an SD card to be installed in the camera.

Remember, since the test mode is not officially documented by Drop Tine, you may need to refer to online resources or community forums if you need further assistance or encounter any issues during the process.

Check your batteries

The most common cause of trail camera traps not working normally is insufficient power due to improper or old batteries. If your camera is not powering on, or is recording fewer videos at night, or has unresponsive buttons, or is restarting after a countdown, or is not retaining settings, the first thing you should do is check your batteries.

If you are using alkaline batteries, this could be the source of the problem. Alkaline batteries have been linked to a large number of issues due to their lower voltage and worse performance in lower temperatures. Rechargeable batteries can also cause problems. They have a low voltage rating of 1.2V, which is below the 1.5V voltage required for modern trail cameras. In our testing, only Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA batteries have been able to power most trail cameras satisfactorily. If you are using these batteries, please note that they will still need to be replaced after 9-12 months as their capacity drops, depending on usage.

We recommend trying your camera again with a fresh set of Lithium Energizer AA batteries. If the problem is related to the batteries, the camera should return to normal functionality once these are replaced.

If you are using Energizer Lithiums already, it is worth checking the expiry date on the side of the batteries. This should be 12-2040 (or at least close to this date). Some cheaper bulk packs of Lithium batteries bought on eBay and Amazon come with an expiry date of 03-2025 and are most likely counterfeit.

For optimum trail camera performance, we always recommend using Lithium batteries.

If you are using a cellular trail camera, consider lowering the frequency at which your photos are uploaded to the cloud. Every time your camera connects to the cloud, it uses a lot of battery power to upload your images. We suggest keeping your upload frequency to once or twice a day for the best battery savings.

Although high-resolution photos are great for seeing small details, you likely don’t need your trail camera photos to be at the highest possible quality. If you only need your camera to do basic scouting of the wildlife in the area, you may want to lower the image resolution to save camera space and power.

Most newer trail camera models have both photo and video options. While video is excellent for observing game behaviour, it requires more power. If you’re only looking to see what game is in the area and when, turn off the video feature and stick to photos.

Detection delay and multiple shots refer to how many images the camera will take after the motion sensor is triggered and for how long. If your camera is recording a high-traffic area, adjusting these settings can make a significant difference. The more pictures your camera takes, the faster the battery will drain.

To avoid getting multiple shots of the same game, you’ll want to raise the time on detection delay and decrease how many shots your camera will take at one time.

External solar panels and battery boxes are the best way to increase battery life for many months. Solar panel options will maintain battery life the best as they continue to charge the internal rechargeable battery during the daylight hours. Solar options that get 6-plus hours of direct sunlight per day will keep a camera running for many months and sometimes even years. If you plan to use video mode and immediate upload mode, it is highly recommended that you use an external solar option.

Check your camera position

When positioning your trail camera, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you capture the best images and videos.

Firstly, try to keep the camera centred on the area where you expect to see activity. The area of greatest sensitivity is often in the centre of the camera's field of view, so if you have a feeder or an animal house, position the camera so that this is in the centre of the screen. This is especially important for smaller mammals and birds, for which you should be positioned between 5-10ft away, and for hedgehogs, between 5-15ft away.

The height of the camera should be between 30-60cm off the ground to capture most animals. Avoid sharply angling the camera up or down, as a high angle may reduce sensitivity and a low angle can cause overexposure.

You should also be mindful of the lighting when positioning your camera. Aim your camera in a northerly direction to prevent capturing overexposed photos pointed directly at the sun. Cameras pointed where the sun will be aimed directly at the camera at some point during the day are also prone to false triggers. To avoid this, cut and/or move any loose debris that might blow in the wind, such as leaves and tall grass, as they can produce false triggers when blown across a shaded area.

It is also important to place your camera in the same lighting situation as the area it is covering. If you hang your camera in the shade, it will adjust for a low-light scenario, so if that camera is covering an open field with direct sunlight, the exposure settings will not be correct.

For maximum detection range, aim your camera parallel to the lay of the land. This will allow you to cover the largest area possible. Ideally, you want the area where the ground meets the horizon centred vertically in the frame.

When covering a trail, position your camera at a 45-degree angle to the trail, as most cameras are not quick enough to capture a picture of animals moving perpendicularly, and some are not capable of detecting motion travelling directly towards them.

Finally, be sure to clear all vegetation from the sensing area of the camera to avoid false triggers and to ensure your camera is well-hidden.

Frequently asked questions