Firmware Updates, Upgrades and Software - Little Acorn Trail Cameras

 5210                    6210

In this post:

Do you need to update your firmware?
How to find your camera's firmware version. 
Current firmware versions. Updated 09.03.2013
Recent 6210 firmware issue (Wireless connection).
How to do a Firmware Upgrade.
Resetting your camera.
Recent Set up software releases.
Posts coming next month.

Do you need to update your firmware?
Probably not, is the simple answer.

If your camera is functioning normally, doing the job you require and has no obvious faults, then in my opinion it's probably best not to do an upgrade (why fix a running engine?).

In other words, my advice is don't upgrade for the sake of having the latest firmware installed, because it might

Trail Cameras - New Ltl Acorn 6210 water ingress tests

Acorn 6210 water/condensation problem update 07.07.2012

I'm very happy and relieved to be able to say that the reason for the condensation problem in the Ltl Acorn 6210 Trail Camera has been identified.

After lengthy tests and analysis the cause of water getting into the control panel is, at long last, understood; and some final changes to the case upgrade are now being made.

I don't know exactly how long this will take, but it will be as fast as possible.

I will post a full explanation of the problem and how it was solved at a later date. Users of cameras which have this problem should remove the rubber bung (external power supply input) from the base of the camera.
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Fig 1:  The new, modified
Acorn 6210 (MMX version)
Dripping wet after its first
water ingress test.

The long awaited camera has arrived and is pictured on the left, following its first rudimentary water ingress test.

Change to the case design
This camera is rated IP54 which means limited dust ingress protection and protected against water spray from any direction. It is not rated as waterproof; as is no other camera of this type, as far as I'm aware.

To overcome an earlier problem with water getting into the control panel, located in the bottom door, the manufacturers have redesigned the case and door (see figures 3 and 4). These tests are to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes. I'm hoping to complete the tests in about four days.

First test results
During this first test the camera was subjected to a twenty litre shower and then left to stand for 30 minutes; after which it was dried off externally and opened up to check for any water inside.

Images of Case Modifications for the Updated Little Acorn 6210

I have just received these pictures of the new case modifications from the manufacturers, who say that assembly of an initial test batch could be early next week.

It is possible I may have a pre-order test unit within two weeks, fingers crossed; and will give you an update as soon as I know.

How to keep the water out of the Acorn 6210

Acorn 6210 water/condensation problem update 07.07.2012


I'm very happy and relieved to be able to say that the reason for the condensation problem in the Ltl Acorn 6210 Trail Camera has been identified.


After lengthy tests and analysis the cause of water getting into the control panel is, at long last, understood; and some final changes to the case upgrade are now being made.

I don't know exactly how long this will take, but it will be as fast as possible.

I will post a full explanation of the problem and how it was solved at a later date. Users of cameras which have this problem should remove the rubber bung (external power supply input) from the base of the camera.
...................................................................................................................................................................

Ltl Acorn 6210 Water Resistance - Final Analysis

Acorn 6210 water/condensation problem update 07.07.2012

I'm very happy and relieved to be able to say that the reason for the condensation problem in the Ltl Acorn 6210 Trail Camera has been identified.

After lengthy tests and analysis the cause of water getting into the control panel is, at long last, understood; and some final changes to the case upgrade are now being made.

I don't know exactly how long this will take, but it will be as fast as possible.

I will post a full explanation of the problem and how it was solved at a later date. Users of cameras which have this problem should remove the rubber bung (external power supply input) from the base of the camera.
...................................................................................................................................................................

Ltl Acorn 6210MC

Since its launch at the end of 2011 the Acorn 6210 has had a problem with water entering the case. At first faulty sealing around the PIR detector windows was thought to be the reason; but it rapidly became apparent that water was entering around the bottom door seal.

Figure 1 shows a gap in the case rib which runs around the front and sides of the bottom of the case. This rib buts against the seal in the door and for some reason it was not continued along the back edge in front of the hinge. This has since been identified as the reason for water ingress of the control panel.

Figures 2 and 3 show the effect of water collecting in the bottom door and soaking into the screen layers. Water also gets into the control panel switches, causing random signals to the control electronics and making the camera unusable until it has been thoroughly dried out.

Figure 4 illustrates the secondary issue of condensation. Fogging of the camera lens is caused when the body of the camera heats up in the sun and evaporates water from the control panel into the

Battery Performance in Trail Cameras

Sorry I've been a bit quiet recently but I've been busy behind the scenes, so to speak.

I've just completed an extensive test to determine how different battery types perform in and affect the performance of the IR Remote Cameras that I've been reviewing. This is in response to various questions and comments I've received about issues such as the shortening of video length and battery longevity in trail cameras.

The chart below is a summary of my analysis but please note that operational conditions and individual camera performances vary considerably; and this is intended as a guide only.

Click on this chart to open to full size or copy to your computer. You are free to use this on a web page
or other media but please clearly acknowledge its source and author.

Battery Data Sheets:

Duracell 2450 mAh       Vapex 2900 mAh      Energizer Lithium     Energizer Industrial Alkaline

Ltl Acorn 5210 and 6210 Video File Formats

The images below illustrate the relative file sizes and data for video files produced by the Ltl Acorn Models in the 5210 and 6210 series of IR trail cameras. See below for video editing software.

When I first started using the 6210 series models I had problems with opening the video files in my existing editing software.

I looked around on the web for free or low cost video editors which were relatively straightforward to use, and found
Video Pad Video Editor from NCH Software.

It seems to support just about everything, is easy to use and is inexpensive to buy.

It can be used free but with irritating reminders to buy the full version.

I hope this helps anyone who is having problems with opening and editing the video files from these cameras.

Water in the Ltl Acorn 6210 control panel - Review - Part 5

Acorn 6210 water/condensation problem update 07.07.2012

I'm very happy and relieved to be able to say that the reason for the condensation problem in the Ltl Acorn 6210 Trail Camera has been identified.

After lengthy tests and analysis the cause of water getting into the control panel is, at long last, understood; and some final changes to the case upgrade are now being made.

I don't know exactly how long this will take, but it will be as fast as possible.

I will post a full explanation of the problem and how it was solved at a later date. Users of cameras which have this problem should remove the rubber bung (external power supply input) from the base of the camera.
...................................................................................................................................................................

Back to Part 4 of the review

Ltl Acorn control panel

I was about to do a post on this issue when I received a comment from a reader who also had this problem.

Because of its importance, I've slipped it in as part 5 of the review.  Trigger speed and Sensitivity, plus side by side working examples will start in part 6.

Don't do this with wet hands and cover up if it's raining

I've found nothing to suggest that the seal around the bottom panel leaks. What happens is that moisture transferred to the control panel surface will find it's way to the switches on the circuit board; and cause the screen to flicker through all the functions.

In my case, I was checking cameras on a rainy day, and with one camera I had the control panel door open and it started raining. I was in the menu at the time and finished what I was doing with wet hands. I tried drying them by wiping on my shirt but even the small amount of water that was left was enough. The problem is exacerbated by the panel being horizontal with the door closed; and gravity does the rest with water wicking down the control buttons onto the switches below.

The problem is easy enough to avoid. Don't open the door in rain without covering up, and don't press any buttons with wet fingers.

If you have moisture in the control panel, don't try to continue using it. Take the camera to a warm dry environment, open the door and lay the camera on it's back; and if possible, place it on the top of, or near a radiator. Make sure the radiator isn't so hot that it will damage the camera and if you have bags of desiccant, place them over and under the open door. Leave the camera like this for as long as possible up to a week and it should be OK.

If the problem persists, the only thing for it will be to remove the control panel cover so that the water can evaporate more effectively. This is a delicate job and care should be taken to avoid losing any bits, or causing any damage that would invalidate your warranty.

Make sure to remove all the battery cells before you do any of the above.

It's also important to realise that these cameras are an almost sealed box when the bottom door is closed; which means that any moisture trapped inside the case will alternately condense and evaporate with changing external temperatures. 


This will for example, manifest itself by fogging the lens when the ambient temperature rises after a cold night.


When attempting to dry out a camera, always have the bottom door open; and in extreme circumstances the case front may have to be removed to allow moisture to evaporate.