Card reader malfunction?
What I'm seeing:
Full batteries and good service.
Camera will function normally, then it will
1. stop sending pictures and/or stop taking pictures.
2. If I get the card and look on it, sometimes there are pictures that weren't sent to my phone but sometimes not.
3. I know there should be photos (camera set on very active feeder, evidence animals were feeding).
My suspicion is that there is a problem with the card reader. Like the camera is taking photos but not saving them to the card, therefore they aren't there to send and sometimes they are there, but send fails.
I've tried formatting the card, sending test pics, and it (most of the time) works. Then it might even work for a few hours, but then quits.
Suggestions? Ideas? I have tried several cards.
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You are using “to spec” SD cards? https://support.spartancamera.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040555453-SD-card-information-and-recommendations
Have you defaulted the camera (third menu tab)? That sometimes fixes all sorts of weird problems.
Another possibility is a flaky SIM. If it’s a GoCam, try cleaning the SIM contacts (use electronics contact cleaner, rub with a pencil eraser or against your jeans), maybe putting a layer or two of clear tape (e.g., Scotch magic tape) on the non-contact side of the SIM. I’ve replaced the SIM on some of my cameras and that has fixed problems similar to the ones you describe.
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I have similar issues. I have 3 Go-Cams model GC-Z4Gb or GC-Z4Gb2 on the Verizon network.
All are set up exactly the same. Current firmware. Internal rechargeable batteries, plus the Spartan solar panel and battery box for extra power. All have Sandisk Class 10 32 GB cards. I have too much activity to use 16GB cards. At random they will quit sending status reports and pictures. Since I live 300 miles away you cant just go check them when they stop working. So I send a command to format the card and next time there is activity the card is formatted and it starts working again. Next time I am at my location I pull the cards and there are some pics and some that wont pull up and it says unsupported format. The bummer is of course you lose all of your pics when you have to format it. One of the cameras is brand new less than 60 days old.
I have other cellular trail cameras by a different maker using the same cards with no issues. I am at a loss of what to do next. -
Devon what speed and brand card are you using? A pic would be great. Also with overwrite turned on in the camera settings 16gb should be fine since it will overwrite the oldest pics to make room for the new ones. Do you always format the card when you put it in the camera? It is a full sized card correct, not a micro in an adapter?
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