Watch out, trap! Snapshot hunting with the Minox DTC 550 WiFi
15.7.2020
Translation: machine translated
Anyone who sets a trap for others can get into trouble themselves. This is not because of the Minox, but because of the legal situation. The small observation camera provides usable quality - and material for cheap jokes.
My hunting instinct is definitely awakened. It's an almost lost feeling not knowing what I've photographed. And just like with freshly developed holiday photos in the past, at least 70 per cent of the Minox is crap. The photo trap triggers even more mercilessly than I did on school trips or on Mediterranean beaches. With no regard for expression or aesthetics. No wonder: instead of a colour film, it has an SD card in the memory slot. As soon as something moves within her range of action, it doesn't even "click". The victims are shot unnoticed with a shutter release delay of 0.4 seconds and a black light flash, day or night. This makes for disturbing photos and videos.
Do you see the problem - apart from the look on my face? Setting up photo traps in public spaces isn't really cool with lawmakers. Just like the Austrian politician who was caught in the woods with the wrong woman a few years ago, much to the delight of the tabloids. And like the other Austrian politician, who was caught in the woods with the wrong woman to the delight of the tabloids. And like the other Austrian politician who was caught in Ibiza... let's not go there. Felix Austria.
Wildlife cameras, also known as photo traps, are comparable to webcams and are generally not permitted under the Data Protection Act (DSG). Private individuals are not permitted to operate video or photo surveillance on public property.
Hmmm. Similar to a hoverboard, the Minox is a toy that you are not officially allowed to play with almost anywhere. Unless you can convince the relevant authorities of your project. Or, of course, on private property where nobody can be seen accidentally. As my private forest is currently being reforested, I have to use the garden. Maybe I can at least catch the cat, who thinks it's a giant open-air toilet, in the act. As the camera is only protected against splash water (IP54), I hide it inconspicuously. Not for fear of cat urine. Who knows if it will survive prolonged rain.
More batteries than a Gameboy
There are plenty of mounting options. In addition to the tripod thread at the bottom, there is another one at the back. A wall bracket and a tensioning strap for tree trunks are also included. However, you will have to invest extra in batteries, as the compartment holds a full eight AA cells. That's twice as many as the original Gameboy, which the Minox remotely reminds me of. It is supposed to last for up to six months. My batteries are still at 90 to 95 per cent after a few nights of use. Alternatively, you can connect a mains adapter to the underside (6V/2A).
In my opinion, there is no alternative to configuration via the app (iOS/Android). On the small 2.4-inch colour monitor hidden inside, the fiddly and loudly clicking hard plastic buttons are not much fun. What's more, it switches on and off regularly according to a logic I don't understand. This is more convenient on the mobile, which you can connect to within a radius of 10 metres via Bluetooth and WLAN. For me, however, it doesn't always work straight away. Sometimes I need several attempts before the connection is established. Then the operation is very clear.
You can choose the delay with which the camera should trigger and whether it takes photos, videos or both at the same time. The video length can be set between 10 and 180 seconds with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080/30fps. For photos, the CMOS sensor delivers 4 megapixels (interpolated up to 16 MP) and a maximum of nine continuous shots. There is also the option of activating interval shooting at certain intervals. That doesn't sound very impressive, but it is enough for interesting snapshots. Thanks to the IR flash, which has a range of 15 metres. Provided that a curious animal runs in front of your lens.
Wildlife in the living room
First realisation: The neighbour's cat doesn't need to go out at night. Second realisation: I can wait a long time for the bear that squeezes through the window of a garden shed in the Minox example gallery. Someone has probably pushed it. Third realisation: in the end, it doesn't matter what's moving in front of the lens to judge the function. If you really want to see deer in the video, please this way. I'm going for laboratory conditions now. Wildlife in the living room will do.
This 3.8 metre long and 1.8 tonne hippopotamus is approximately one metre away from the camera. The focus range of the lens (7.45 mm/aperture 2.4), which covers a field of view of 46°, begins at one metre. The detection angle of the motion sensor is 40°, the trigger distance up to 20 metres. Surprisingly, the whole animal fits into the picture. Equally surprising for me is the temperature of 30 degrees, which is displayed in the time stamp. It seems to me to be a little too high in this case. Finally, a note on the sound: it's a bit noisy, but it's there.
Conclusion: As good and cheap as jokes about Austria
Jokes aside, I think the Minox DTC 550 WiFi is okay for the price. It does its job and provides exciting insights if you have an interesting observation area. Austria seems to be a good choice. All joking aside, you should be aware of the legal situation if you are interested in this or any other wildlife camera. The main thing that bothers me about the model I tested is that it is not completely weatherproof. Once installed, it is otherwise also suitable for monitoring buildings. I can live with the image and sound quality and I really enjoy analysing the recordings. I can forgive minor weaknesses in operation and the inaccurate temperature display. Perhaps it is also correct. In the wild, it can sometimes be hotter than expected. Greetings to Austria!
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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