Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Where can I purchase Smart Scouter?
Smart Scouter is currently ONLY available through this website.
What do I need to purchase for the Smart Scouter System?
When you purchase a camera, it comes with a camera, the on-board 6V standard battery, bungee straps, and battery charger. We recommend that you invest in the additional long-lasting external battery, cable, and battery case - available on our accessories page.
You also need to purchase our simple wireless plan. Click HERE to establish your account.
Do I need to have cellular coverage to use Smart Scouter?
Smart Scouter's value is to be able to send you game photos through wireless cellular transmission. However, it also works as a stand alone digital infrared trail camera where you can visit the unit to retrieve your photos from the CF Card. This option enables Smart Scouter to be used in extremely remote areas or bottoms that do no get cellular coverage.
How Easy is it to set up and use?
Three very easy steps:
- Purchase Smart Scouter Unit
- Register unit at www.Smart Scouter.com
- attach to tree and turn on
Do I have pay the full monthly service fee outside of hunting season?
No, you can suspend your account for the months you are not using the systems in the field. Instead of the regular monthly fee, we will only charge your credit card $8 in those months. There is a minimum fee required to keep the cellular account active with the cellular providers. You can still go to the website and view your saved photos while your unit is not active in the months you decide not to keep the unit in the field.
About the device
What level of quality are the pictures?
Our device uses a 1.3 megapixel camera. There are tradeoffs to consider when utilizing Infrared Flash coupled with cellular transmission: night performance, size and quality of images, and cost of cellular transmission. Because most buck activity is at night, we wanted a very high quality night camera. Also, because wireless carriers charge us by the amount of data you transmit, we selected a device that will send smaller picture file (if desired) – thus allowing us to offer you the best all around product: a very affordable device that will provide good pictures day and night. Some of the high end (non-wireless) digital scouting cameras use much higher magapixel cameras. The trade-off is yours to decide: retrieve your pictures from the field for slight improvements in quality, pay very high prices to transmit large high megapixel images, or select to take lower megapixel images to economically manage your device remotely. View our picture gallery to see pictures taken by the Smart Scouter device.
How long will the device last in the field?
That depends. Several factors affect the battery life: temperature, number of pictures taken each day, number of pictures at night (number of flashes), frequency of picture transfers. On average, the device will last 30 days on one 6V battery (included in purchase). However, a supplementary external battery in a waterproof case that connects to the bottom of the unit: with the additional power supply, the device will last roughly 90 days.
Do you offer a solar charging option?
No. Our experience shows that solar panels do not provide very good charging, especially in low light wooded areas. A much more effective and affordable option is using our supplemental power supply with cost-effective rechargeable batteries.
What do I do if it stops working?
The device is set up to reboot and troubleshoot itself if an error occurs. If your device loses wireless connectivity, you will need to retrieve the device and run a diagnostic. This is simple and requires you to contact our customer support team.
What are infrared LED's and why not use regular white flash?
Infrared light is not detectable by the eye (human or animal). However, our camera detects images that are illuminated by infrared light. Using infrared flashes removes the 'spooking' effect that white flashes has on game. This allows you to set the camera next to your favorite trail, food plot, or feeder without spooking that buck of a lifetime with a bright flash.
Is there a warranty and what does it cover?
Yes. A full-replacement 6-month warranty is provided with your purchase. See our warranty information page.
Wireless Signals
Will the device get a signal on my property?
We offer devices that work on one of the nation's largest cellular networks. Furthermore, the Smart Scouter device utilizes a high gain antenna that is more powerful than a standard cell phone antenna. So, if you get signal with your cell phone, then you should get an adequate signal to use the device. If you have an area that does not get cellular signal, you can still use the Smart Scouter as a stand alone trail camera where you manually retrieve your photos just like other trail camera on the market.
Wireless Coverage
Smart Scouter sells units that work on one of the largest wireless networks in the country, but prohibits the sharing of their name with our customers. To determine if you have coverage in your area, click coverage map.