Frequently Asked Questions — PlotWatcher

What is the expected battery life of the PlotWatcher?

Our testing has shown the 4 standard AA batteries will last from 65-90 hours depending upon the temperature, the type of battery used and the model of USB used. We strongly recommend the SanDisk Cruzer 4GB or 8GB USB drive. 16GB Cruzers will work in the PlotWatcher, but they may need to be formatted before they will operate properly.  To format a USB drive, insert it into the computer, right click on the drive where the USB is inserted and select “Format.”  (Note: The User Guide states that only 4 and 8 GB drives can be used and that was the case when the User Guide was printed.  However, with improvements to the firmware, the 16GB Cruzer will now work in the PlotWatcher.)

Why is my PlotWatcher cutting off after only a few hours of use?

You need to reformat your usb drive by inserting the usb drive into the computer. Then right click the usb icon and select “Format”.

Why is my battery life shorter than the expected battery life?

If you are experiencing low battery life, it is most likely due to extremely cold weather conditions which always shorten the battery life of electronic equipment or, more likely, you are using a USB drive the does not store the PlotWatcher pictures very efficiently.  Therefore, we strongly recommend the SanDisk Cruzer 8Gb USB drive.

Is there a way to extend the battery life?

Yes. One way to do this is to use lithium-ion batteries. Be aware that these are more expensive. Another way to extend the battery life is to employ the “mid-day skip” feature which shuts the PlotWatcher off during the middle of the day. See the User’s Guide for more information on this feature.

How do I set the time and date on the PlotWatcher?

The first time you use the PlotWatcher, you will need to set the time and date on the camera by first loading the time and date onto the USB that you intend to use in the camera. You do this by inserting the USB into your PC, running the GameFinder software, clicking on the “Settings” button and then, on the form that comes up, clicking on the “Camera Settings” button. From there, you can set the time and date and it will store on your USB drive. Immediately insert the USB into the PlotWatcher and power it up. Any delay between setting up the USB and powering up the camera will result in the printed time on each image reflecting that delay. In other words, if you wait an hour after saving the time on the USB before inserting it into the camera and powering it up, then the time printed on each picture will be an hour behind the actual time.

When you insert the USB drive into the PlotWatcher and press the power button, all three LED lights will flash three times. This indicates that the PlotWatcher has read the new setup file. The camera will then shut itself down. To start the clock, power on the PlotWatcher and allow it to take a short video.  You can then power off the PlotWatcher until you put it out in the field. (NOTE:  You do not have to set the time each time you put a USB into the PlotWatcher.  Even “dead” batteries will retain enough power to maintain the clock for several weeks.  In addition, there is a small watch battery inside the PlotWatcher that will maintain the time and date for about 24 hours if the AA batteries have been removed.  If the PlotWatcher sits without batteries in it for more than 24 hours, you will likely need to reset the time and date.)