Back to Part 2 - First Impressions and Case design
Batteries and Power Supplies:
In part 2 of this review I complained about the design of the battery compartment in the Bushnell, which on reflection, was not entirely justified.
The battery cells are loadable without the cross bar being removed, as shown in Fig 11. It's still a
Acorn 6210 Internal cells are arranged as three
sets of four (Fig 12). Each set is isolated from and in parallel with the others. The external DC input is a fourth isolated circuit, also in parallel with the other three circuits.
The camera will operate with just four cells in any one of the circuits or an external DC power source of 6 to 12 volts plugged (see Fig 13) into the DC input socket. Use an external battery pack or a solar panel. The centre pin is positive polarity.
Be certain to observe the correct polarity, as indicated on the inside of the battery covers, when inserting cells
Because the circuits are isolated and in parallel, if any set of cells in one circuit is at a lower charge, they will not drain power from the other sets.
When all battery cells are removed the Acorn is able to retain time and date settings long enough to change batteries but with the Bushnell these will be lost. Keep one set of cells in place while you change the others to avoid having to reset the time and date.
Bushnell 119467 The arrangement of power circuits (see Fig 12a) is basically the same as the Acorn 6210 except that it can only use a 6 volt
external supply.
A 4.0 x 1.7mm coaxial DC power plug
(see Fig 13) is used by both Acorn and Bushnell to connect an external power source. The centre pin is positive polarity.
Note that if you use the connector type with the hexagonal body (illustrated) it will not fit the hole in the outer case.
The ridges can be ground off with a file or buy the type with a round body.
If you modify the hexagonal plug, be careful to get the size right. It needs to be an even fit in the case entry hole to try to maintain the integrity of the cameras internal humidity.
Memory Cards:
All the cards illustrated in Fig 14 will work in both these cameras but when using any card for the first time, format it in the camera and test it before putting the camera out in the field.
The SanDisk card with the white label is supplied for OEM use and is otherwise identical to SanDisk cards with a blue label. This 4GB Class 4 card is the minimum size and speed I would recommend for these cameras.
These cameras will both take up to 32GB cards.
The Bushnell 119467 has 32MB of internal memory which is useful when setting up or testing; and it also means that if you turn the camera on without a memory card inserted, it will work as normal.
The Acorn 6210 does not have any internal memory; so if you forget to insert a memory card, when you turn on, you will briefly get the acorn display and then the screen will go blank.
I've also had this result with one camera when the card was inserted. See 'The Acorn Uncovered below'
Interfaces:
Both cameras have an SD Card slot, an on/off/test switch and sockets for an external DC power input, USB and TV out, on the underside of the case.
When inserting a memory card, don't force it into the slot. Check to make sure you have it the correct way round, and that the cards lock switch is in the off position.
Use the video cable supplied with the camera to
play back your videos and image files on a TV set;
or use the USB cable supplied, to upload to your
PC.
Alternatively, remove the memory card and insert it into a card viewer or directly into the card slot on your PC. Software such as Windows Explorer will see the card as a removable drive and you can save and manage your files to your main hard drive or any other removable media.
Once you have a memory card and at least one set of battery cells inserted in the camera, you are ready to turn on to the test position with the power
switch, format the card and programme the camera.
The Acorn Uncovered
I know it's not normal to take equipment apart when doing a review, but this camera had a problem and I had permission from the manufacturer's agents to open it up without voiding the warranty.
I mentioned above about the screen being blank if you don't insert a memory card. Well I had the same issue with a card inserted on this camera and
had a hunch about the cause.
It turned out that the connector strip from the screen to the control panel PCB hadn't been fully inserted into the on board socket (indicated by the
arrow in Fig 18). After removal and refitting the camera fired up as normal.
Not wishing to miss the opportunity, and because I love the way they've designed these cameras, I decided to show the internal construction as part of this review.
I mentioned, at the start of part 2 of this review, the issue of moisture inside the LED array. Fig 19 shows the various windows on the front of this camera; and having looked more closely from the inside, I would guess that the problem was caused
by the LED array window not being sealed properly to the case.
You'll also notice that what is referred to generally as side prep sensors, is in fact, a single sensor
behind two sideways angled lenses.
More on this unique feature later in the review.
The infra red filter is shown across the camera lens in Fig 19. This is the daylight position and during darkness it swings away to the side.
If you look at the lens from the front of the camera you can sometimes see the edge of the filter disk, part obscuring the lens. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Programming and first test results in a few days time
I'm sorry this review is taking some time to do, but I'm checking and double checking features, specifications and results at every stage.
Some of the stuff that I've already mentioned will get more detailed coverage at a later date, such as how long different types of battery cells last under different conditions and temperatures et.c
If you have any questions or comments about this review, or your experiences with these cameras, I will be happy to hear from you.
Please get in touch with me by phone, Skype or email; or make comments on these posts, for me to answer.
Download User Manuals for detailed information on using these cameras:
Ltl Acorn 6210 User Manual
Bushnell Trophy Cam User Manual
Go to Ltl Acorn 6210MC and Bushnell 119467 - Review - Part 4
 |
| Fig 10 Energizer Industrial AA Alkaline cells used during camera tests and evaluation |
In part 2 of this review I complained about the design of the battery compartment in the Bushnell, which on reflection, was not entirely justified.
The battery cells are loadable without the cross bar being removed, as shown in Fig 11. It's still a
 |
Fig 11 Inserting cells into the battery case of a
Bushnell Model #119467
|
bit of a fiddle, especially when removing them, but it does work.
Acorn 6210 Internal cells are arranged as three
sets of four (Fig 12). Each set is isolated from and in parallel with the others. The external DC input is a fourth isolated circuit, also in parallel with the other three circuits.
The camera will operate with just four cells in any one of the circuits or an external DC power source of 6 to 12 volts plugged (see Fig 13) into the DC input socket. Use an external battery pack or a solar panel. The centre pin is positive polarity.
Be certain to observe the correct polarity, as indicated on the inside of the battery covers, when inserting cells
 |
| Fig 12 Acorn 6210 internal battery circuits numbered 11 22 33 Sets of 4 x AA cells |
Because the circuits are isolated and in parallel, if any set of cells in one circuit is at a lower charge, they will not drain power from the other sets.
When all battery cells are removed the Acorn is able to retain time and date settings long enough to change batteries but with the Bushnell these will be lost. Keep one set of cells in place while you change the others to avoid having to reset the time and date.
Bushnell 119467 The arrangement of power circuits (see Fig 12a) is basically the same as the Acorn 6210 except that it can only use a 6 volt
external supply.
 |
| Fig 12a Bushnell internal battery circuits numbered 11 22 33 Sets of 4 x AA cells |
 |
| Fig 13 4.0 x 1.7mm coaxial DC power plug. |
A 4.0 x 1.7mm coaxial DC power plug
(see Fig 13) is used by both Acorn and Bushnell to connect an external power source. The centre pin is positive polarity.
Note that if you use the connector type with the hexagonal body (illustrated) it will not fit the hole in the outer case.
The ridges can be ground off with a file or buy the type with a round body.
If you modify the hexagonal plug, be careful to get the size right. It needs to be an even fit in the case entry hole to try to maintain the integrity of the cameras internal humidity.
 |
| Fig 14 Memory cards. |
Memory Cards:
All the cards illustrated in Fig 14 will work in both these cameras but when using any card for the first time, format it in the camera and test it before putting the camera out in the field.
The SanDisk card with the white label is supplied for OEM use and is otherwise identical to SanDisk cards with a blue label. This 4GB Class 4 card is the minimum size and speed I would recommend for these cameras.
These cameras will both take up to 32GB cards.
The Bushnell 119467 has 32MB of internal memory which is useful when setting up or testing; and it also means that if you turn the camera on without a memory card inserted, it will work as normal.
The Acorn 6210 does not have any internal memory; so if you forget to insert a memory card, when you turn on, you will briefly get the acorn display and then the screen will go blank.
I've also had this result with one camera when the card was inserted. See 'The Acorn Uncovered below'
 |
| Fig 15 Acorn bottom panel with battery covers, switch, card slot and sockets |
Interfaces:
Both cameras have an SD Card slot, an on/off/test switch and sockets for an external DC power input, USB and TV out, on the underside of the case.
When inserting a memory card, don't force it into the slot. Check to make sure you have it the correct way round, and that the cards lock switch is in the off position.
 |
| Fig 16 Bushnell sockets, card slot, switch and microphone |
play back your videos and image files on a TV set;
or use the USB cable supplied, to upload to your
PC.
Alternatively, remove the memory card and insert it into a card viewer or directly into the card slot on your PC. Software such as Windows Explorer will see the card as a removable drive and you can save and manage your files to your main hard drive or any other removable media.
Once you have a memory card and at least one set of battery cells inserted in the camera, you are ready to turn on to the test position with the power
switch, format the card and programme the camera.
 |
| Fig 17 The internals of the Acorn 6210 |
The Acorn Uncovered
I know it's not normal to take equipment apart when doing a review, but this camera had a problem and I had permission from the manufacturer's agents to open it up without voiding the warranty.
I mentioned above about the screen being blank if you don't insert a memory card. Well I had the same issue with a card inserted on this camera and
 |
| Fig 18 Screen and Control Panel PCB |
It turned out that the connector strip from the screen to the control panel PCB hadn't been fully inserted into the on board socket (indicated by the
arrow in Fig 18). After removal and refitting the camera fired up as normal.
Not wishing to miss the opportunity, and because I love the way they've designed these cameras, I decided to show the internal construction as part of this review.
I mentioned, at the start of part 2 of this review, the issue of moisture inside the LED array. Fig 19 shows the various windows on the front of this camera; and having looked more closely from the inside, I would guess that the problem was caused
 |
| Fig 19 Acorn 6210 with front panel removed |
You'll also notice that what is referred to generally as side prep sensors, is in fact, a single sensor
behind two sideways angled lenses.
More on this unique feature later in the review.
The infra red filter is shown across the camera lens in Fig 19. This is the daylight position and during darkness it swings away to the side.
If you look at the lens from the front of the camera you can sometimes see the edge of the filter disk, part obscuring the lens. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Programming and first test results in a few days time
I'm sorry this review is taking some time to do, but I'm checking and double checking features, specifications and results at every stage.
Some of the stuff that I've already mentioned will get more detailed coverage at a later date, such as how long different types of battery cells last under different conditions and temperatures et.c
If you have any questions or comments about this review, or your experiences with these cameras, I will be happy to hear from you.
Please get in touch with me by phone, Skype or email; or make comments on these posts, for me to answer.
Download User Manuals for detailed information on using these cameras:
Ltl Acorn 6210 User Manual
Bushnell Trophy Cam User Manual
Go to Ltl Acorn 6210MC and Bushnell 119467 - Review - Part 4
