News/Updates

RECONYX - In The News

The ArcticRaptors project is a research partnership that includes the Government of Nunavut, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, ArcticNet Network of Centers of Excellence, the Canadian Circumpolar Institute at the University of Alberta and the University du Quebec Rimouski.  The research team employs RECONYX cameras to record breeding phenology (lay dates, initiation of incubation, hatch dates) and to identify causes of nestling mortality.  In addition, researchers are often able to identify individuals by reading bands from photographs of birds on nest ledges.  For more information and to see some of the images gathered throughout this research go to the ArcticRaptors web site.

The Okapi—a secretive rain forest animal so elusive it has been compared to the Unicorn—has been photographed for the first time in the wild using a RECONYX camera.  For more information see the story on-line at the National Geographic.  

The Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability of the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park has been using RECONYX cameras for its Peruvian Amazon Biodiversity Project.  To see their slide show and to learn more about this project go to the Smithsonian's web site. 

Firmware Update: V 3.0.0.20091014

There is a firmware update available for the RECONYX RapidFire, RapidFire Professional and RapidFire Security Cameras.  This is a cumulative update and includes all updates for all RapidFire cameras since they were released in August of 2007.  This update includes new night mode options (Fast Shutter, Max Range, High Quality), QuickSet options (Trail, Scrape, & Feeder for RapidFire cameras; Normal, Aggressive, & Conservative for Professional cameras), 1080p HD widescreen mode for all color cameras, CodeLoc enhancements (won't run down your batteries if you forget to enter your code), additional trigger options, as well as new features for the RapidFire Security cameras. 

If you want to be sure you have the most current firmware with all the latest features and performance enhancements, you should load this firmware onto your RapidFire cameras. 

To determine if this firmware update is appropriate for you, go to the "Camera Info" option on your camera and see which version of firmware is loaded on your camera. The top line of the Camera Info display will look something like this: V:2.3.0.20090112.  The last 8 digits of the first line are the release date of the firmware. The current shipping version is V:3.0.0.20091014.

If your camera has an older version of the firmware loaded, you should download this latest version and load it onto your camera. This is done simply by saving this file to a blank CF card and inserting it into your camera before you power it up. When you power up the camera it will automatically update itself. While updating, the camera will flash the walktest LED rapidly and display UPDATING on the LCD panel for a few seconds. After updating, the camera will delete the file and boot like normal. Repeat this process for each camera you need to update.

Along with the new Firmware is a new RapidFire Instruction Manual, download an electronic copy now.

New High Output Upgrade for the RC60 and PC90

RECONYX now offers a High Output (HO) upgrade for the RC60 and PC90 RapidFire cameras.  This optional HO upgrade will increase your night time range from 35 to 50 feet (using Max Range setting).  

The HO upgrade is a factory installed upgrade.  You can either buy the camera with the HO upgrade from us, or you can send in an RC60 you purchased from one of our dealers.  Either way the upgrade cost is $49.99. 

Note: With the HO upgrade you must run NiMH rechargable batteries or Energizer 1.5 V AA Lithium batteries.

To order a camera with the HO upgrade or to upgrade a camera you already have, please visit our Order Now page.  You can also purchase AA lithium and NiMH rechargable batteries when you order the upgrade.

Below are two pictures - one taken with a standard RC60 and the other with an RC60 with the HO upgrade.   Both cameras were set to Max Range for this comparison.  The swingset is 50 feet from the camera.