Ridgetec Lookout User manual

Instruction Manual
Model: Lookout
LTE 4G Cellular Camera Model
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USING CAMERA

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Thank you for Purchasing your RidgeTec Camera
*Please check our website for Firmware Updates periodically to ensure your
camera has the most up to date version. We are continually working to improve
the camera function and image quality.
The RidgeTec Lookout is a high quality digital surveillance camera. It has been precisely
engineered and tuned to provide you with optimal and consistent performance. This
camera will provide high quality digital pictures and sound recording video for applications
such as home, cabin, and business surveillance and animal monitoring for hunting and
research. It features a highly sensitive Passive Infra-Red (PIR) motion sensor and
numerous setting options to tailor the camera to your particular needs.
Item Check List
Camera
LTE Antenna
Standard size SIM card (inserted)
Nylon mounting strap
Needed for
Operation
Twelve (12) AA Lithium Batteries
or
9 or 12V external power
SD or SDHC Card (up to 64GB)
*It is recommended to use Lithium in camera to maximize camera performance and
battery life.
SPECIAL HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
CAMERA:
The camera has been finely tuned. Avoid dropping and physical shock.
The camera is designed for typical weather conditions. It is not waterproof for use
underwater.
Carefully clean debris from camera lens, PIR, and LED platform. Avoid use of cleaning
solvents.
The camera contains precise electronic equipment. Do not attempt to open camera case
yourself.
Condensation may form on lens and electrical components when bringing into warm room
from cold. To avoid this, first place camera inside a sealed plastic bag before bringing into
warm room temperature.If condensation forms, remove SDcard andbatteries until camera
is dry.

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Motion
sensitivity
switch
Remove batteries when storing camera. Removing batteries from the camera during
storage reduces the risk of battery acid leakage and battery drain.
Do not mix old and new batteries together in the camera.
LCD SCREEN: Avoid exposing screen to direct sunlight or at high temperatures as LCD
damage may occur.
Camera Lens
Battery Compartment
Control Buttons:
Up, Down, Left,
Right
Menu, OK
DC 9-12V Port
Padlock
Hole
Antennae
SD Card Slot
SIM Slot
PIR sensor
IR LED Flash
Day/Night Sensor
LED indicator
Switches:
OFF/SETUP/ON

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CELLULAR INFORMATION:
This camera contains a LTE cellular module with 3G HSPA+ fallback to transmit pictures
directly from the camera to the photo management system and mobile app. Contact
customer support if you need exact cellular band information.
A SIM card (provided with camera) is required to transmit photos/videos. Please visit
https://portal.ridgetec.com/help/plans for information on pricing.
MOUNTING CAMERA:
This camera is designed to use the Swivel Bracket (sold separately) to obtain maximal
mounting versatility. Camera can be securely locked with cable lock (through camera) or
security box (with or without bracket).
Camera can be mounted with nylon strap (included) or security box (sold separately).
It is recommended to mount the camera 3-4 feet high overlooking desired area and ~30
feet away from target area for maximum sensitivity in most situations. Adjustments may be
required depending on object size and environment. PIR motion detection distance
changes based on ambient temperature and setup. Higher ambient temperatures will
reduce PIR motion detection range thereby requiring camera to be closer to desired
location. Mounting camera too high or angling camera may result in animal or humans
going under or above the PIR motion detection range. The Lookout contains a PIR
sensitivity switch on the bottom of the camera to adjust between High, Medium, and Low
sensitivity. If you are getting too many false images from wind, you canmove thesensitivity
to Low.
Angle the camera perpendicular to the ground to maximize the IR lighting potential. Mount
at 45º degree angle to trails to maximize detection angle. Using Swivel Bracket (sold
separately) provides optimal versatility when mounting the camera.

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GETTING STARTED
Please visit the following link for complete instructions on setting up camera on the portal:
https://portal.ridgetec.com/help/quick-start
SD MEMORY CARD
The camera supports both SD and SDHC memory cards up to 64 GB. The camera does
not have any internal memory and will not work without SD card inserted.
1. Open camera
2. Insert SD card with orientation as shown next to slot on camera
3. Push gently until card clicks into place
4. Push card again to remove
Note 1: Ensure SD card is NOT in locked position.
Note 2: Format SD card in camera before using each time. This will create a file on the SD
card where the camera will save images to.
Note 3: It is always recommended to test the SD card by taking some pictures to ensure
SD card works properly before leaving camera for extended periods of time.
WARNING: Make sure camera is OFF when adding or removing SD memory card.
BATTERIES
This camera is designed for Lithium batteries for optimal performance (rechargeable
batteries may not have sufficient voltage to run the camera properly). An AC to DC power
cord (sold separately) can be attached to the bottom port of the camera.
Insert 12 AA batteries while ensuring polarity (+ -) is correctly orientated.
Note: 9V or 12V DC power can beused. It is recommended toremove internalAA batteries
when using external power to reduce the possible battery leak. Solar panels DO NOT
charge batteries directly located in the camera but are often used to charge external
battery.
CHECKING BATTERY LEVEL
Battery level can be seen in bottom left corner of viewer screen
TESTING AND WORKING MODES
The camera has two modes: SETUP Mode and ON Mode.

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1. Turn switch to middle position to access SETUP mode. The camera will enter Live
Preview Mode automatically. If the camera beeps, it means either no SD card is
inserted or the SD card is not inserted properly. The SD card needs to be inserted or
reinserted to continue.
When in SETUP mode, the blue light will flash to notify you of motion detection. You
can use the blue light to help you setup camera with walk-bys. It will flash when it
detects your motion. (WARNING: Don’t forget to turn camera to ON mode when you
leave)
2. Turn switch to ON mode for activation. A blue LED light will blink for 5-10 seconds
before the camera is capable of being triggered by motion.
MENU OPERATIONS AND SETTINGS
MAIN MENU
The Menu has 3 options: I. Cellular Setup, II. Non-Cellular Setup, or III. Additional
Settings.
IMPORTANT: The Lookout is managed completely by the web portal/mobile app; many
settings cannot be changed directly when in cellularmode (they are greyed out) as you will
need to setup the camera through the web portal/mobile app.
LIVE PREVIEW
This option allows the user to view in real time what the camera is capturing.
Pictures/videos can be captured using the “OK” button while in this mode. This camera is
equipped with a Day Color Mode and Night IR Mode while in Live Preview. It is
recommended to minimize the use of Night IR Mode to avoid battery depletion.
1. Turn camera to SET mode and LIVE PREVIEW mode is displayed automatically.
If you are already in main menu, push MENU button to enter LIVE PREVIEW
mode.
PHOTO MODE
a. Push ‘Right arrow’ button (you will see photo icon)
b. Push UP Arrow to switch between Day Color and Night IR Mode
c. Push OK button to capture pictures
VIDEO MODE
a. Push LEFT Arrow button (you will see video icon)
b. Push UP Arrow to switch between Day Color and Night IR Mode
c. Push OK button to start and stop video capture
2. Push MENU button to return to menu

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PHOTO / VIDEO PLAYBACK
This feature allows the user to view pictures and video stored on the SD card. User can
pause, stop, rewind, and fast forward video during playback.
1. During LIVE PREVIEW mode push the DOWN arrow to access PLAYBACK
2. Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow to select video/picture and push OK to select
3. Pictures display a Camera in bottom left corner while Videos display a film strip
icon in bottom left corner.
4. VIDEOS
a. Push OK to PLAY and UP arrow to PAUSE
PICTURES
a. Push OK to SEND photo over network
5. DOWN arrow returns you to LIVE PREVIEW mode
6. Push MENU button to return to menu when in LIVE PREVIEW mode
I. CELLULAR SETUP
This menu is for testing the cellular network.
ICCID
You will need this number to activate your camera at: https://portal.ridgetec.com/login
Cellular Mode
Turn Cellular Mode ON or OFF. If turned OFF, you can use camera without SIM card
and cellular function.
NOTE: you will want to turn Cellular Mode OFF if not using the network, otherwise the
camera will try and connect to send after each photo/video capture.
Network Test
This sends a request to the cellular portal to ensure your camera is connected to your
account properly
Report Test
This requests a report from the network to ensure the reporting function is working
properly.
II. NON-CELLULAR SETUP
CAMERA MODE
This camera can be set to capture still pictures OR video.
1. Select CAMERA MODE

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2. Select PHOTO mode or VIDEO mode
PHOTO RESOLUTION
Photo resolution can be set at (4:3): 12MP, 8MP or 5MP or (16:9): 6MP, or 4MP.
1. Select PHOTO RESOLUTION
2. Select desired photo resolution and push OK to set
PHOTO BURST
This feature allows the camera to take from 1-3 photos in rapid succession following each
trigger.
1. Select PHOTO BURST
2. Push OK
3. Select desired number of photos per trigger and push OK to set
BURST DELAY
You can change the interval between subsequent photo bursts: 250ms, 500ms, 1s, 3s
1. Select BURST MODE
2. Push OK
3. Select desired delay between photo burst photos
FLASH
This feature adjust the shutter speed to provide brighter images (more motion blur) or
darker images (with less motion blur): BRIGHT, BALANCED, LOW BLUR
1. Select FLASH
2. Push OK
3. Select desired flash setting
VIDEO RESOLUTION
Video mode includes High Definition HD720p or HD1080p
1. Select VIDEO RESOLUTION
2. Select desired setting
VIDEO LENGTH
Video length can be set in 1 sec increments from (5s –10s). Longer video lengths will
deplete battery power and memory more quickly than lower lengths.
1. Select VIDEO LENGTH
2. Select desired video length and push OK to set

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VIDEO SOUND
Video sound recording can be turned ON or OFF.
1. Select VIDEO SOUND
2. Select ON or OFF and push OK to set
QUIET TIME
Also known as, “Time Interval or Delay Time”, this feature puts the camera to sleep after
capturing an image for the selected period of time before it can be re-activated by motion.
Times vary from 0 seconds to 60 minutes.
1. Select QUIET TIME
2. Select desired ‘quiet time’ and push OK to set
NOTE: The camera is only able to do one thing at a time; it has one internal processor.
When in cellular mode, the camera must finish transmitting the image before it can
capture a subsequent image. Average transmission speed will range 10 seconds to 1
minutes depending on the network strength at that time and location.
NOTE: The camera will wait for the Quite Time length before it can be triggered by
motion when first turned ON.
DUTY TIME
This feature allows the user to program the camera to turn ON and OFF at a specified time.
1. Select DUTY TIME
2. Select ENABLE to set up Duty Time or DISABLE to cancel Duty Time
SET ACTIVE TIME for each day of week
Set camera ACTIVE time for each your of the day (highlighted RED =
ACTIVE, greyed = NOT ACTIVE)
3. Push ‘check mark’ to select ALL; Push X to deselect ALL
4. Push SAVE once complete
Note: For 24 hour activity: Disable Duty Time
TIME LAPSE
This feature allows the camera to take pictures at a pre-set time interval (5 min to 12 hours)
and record or send them over the network.
NOTE: When in cellular mode, it is important to understand the cellular limitations.
1. Select TIME LAPSE
2. Select ENABLE to set up time lapse or DISABLE to cancel time lapse
3. Set START TIME and END TIME and push OK to set
4. Set INTERVAL and push OK to set

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5. Push LEFT arrow button to return to menu
III. ADDITIONAL SETTINGS
LANGUAGE
Select your desired language
DATE / TIME STAMP (greyed out when in cellular mode)
This allows the user to have the date, time, and temperature stamped onto each photo or
video.
1. Select TIME STAMP
2. Select NO or YES and push OK to set
SET DATE / TIME (greyed out when in cellular mode)
This feature allows the user to set the display format for date and time, as well as set the
current date and time.
1. Select SET DATE / TIME
2. Select one of the three menu options:
3. Push LEFT arrow button to return to menu when finished
DATE FORMAT
Select the desired Date Format and push OK to set
TIME FORMAT
Select desired Time Format and push OK to set
SET DATE / TIME
Set date and time using UP, DOWN, RIGHT and LEFT arrow and push OK to set
TEMPERATURE (greyed out when in cellular mode)
Allows the user to select either Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature settings.
1. Select TEMPERATURE
2. Select Fahrenheit or Celsius and push OK to set
FORMATTING SD CARD
Formatting the SD card removes all files on the memory card and prepares it for use in
the camera. It is recommended that the SD card is formatted in the camera prior to each
use.
1. Select FORMAT
2. Select YES to format SD card