I tested the brand new HIKMICRO M15 camera trap which costs 220 euros

PREMISE

Those who follow me on termicienotturni.it certainly know HIKMICRO.  Hangzhou Hikmicro Sensing Technology Co., Ltd  Hikmicro, commonly known as Hikmicro, is a well-known Chinese company that began investing in thermal imaging design in 2008. In 2010, it introduced the first thermal surveillance camera. Currently, the company, which employs over 600 people, holds 73 patents, has 11 international subsidiaries, and specializes in the development and production of thermal detectors, cores, modules, thermal imaging cameras, and management software that meet the needs of both the civilian and professional sectors. However, it has recently decided to enter the world of camera traps. For this reason, thanks to the collaboration with ORIGIN STB I had the pleasure of testing the M15 model for three weeks, which costs 220 euros (SIM INCLUDED). 

 Before starting I suggest you to subscribe to the YouTube channel   and to the Facebook Group “Binoculars and Sports Optics - Opinions and Reviews”" or to the group "” Thermal imaging, night vision and camera trapping“. I remind you that the new market where you can search for or sell used instruments completely independently.
Happy viewing and reading to all of you. 

 

 

Model	HIKMICRO M15
Photo resolution	4240×2385 px (10 M)
Video resolution	1080p (1920×1080 px) with continuous shooting up to 3 images
Video length	10 seconds
Sound recording	Yes
Shooting speed	0.5 seconds
Detection distance	25m approx.
PIR Angle	60° diagonal – 40° horizontal
No. IR LEDs	12 at 940 nm
Flash range	30 m approx.
Shooting modes	Colors during the day, black and white at night
Waterproofing	yes IP 66
Thread for connection to tripods	yes, no. 2 with 1/4 pitch
Photo and video transmission	Yes
Multi-shot mode	yes, up to three photos
Continuous mode	Yes
Signal search	automatic with SIM
GPS Enablement	Yes
Memory	MicroSD up to 32 GB
Diet	Standard AA batteries work with 6 or 12
External output for power supply	yes, 12V
Dimensions	112×86.4×143
Price (Euro VAT included – August 2022) CANICOM SRL	220 EURO (with SIM INCLUDED)
Reference site	Origin STB

 

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

There are currently no optional accessories for this camera trap

 

CONSTRUCTION AND FEATURES

The HIKMICRO M15 trail camera has an attractive design with a gray "camo" color that adapts to many situations without ever being intrusive. It's not among the lightest and most compact, but—as you'll read—the presence of 12 batteries allows for a decidedly long battery life. With the strap, antenna, and batteries inserted, my electronic scale estimated a weight of 780 grams, distributed across 112x143mm. It is well waterproofed to IP 66 and can withstand temperatures up to -20 and + 55 degrees Celsius as well as humidity levels between 5 and 90°C.

On the bottom there are two 1/4 inch threads for connection to photographic tripods or other supports. In the same area you can access the battery compartment which is released via a button protected by the main cover.. The latter is decidedly robust with a double hull to ensure waterproofing and it is possible to prevent theft of the micro-SD card (located on the right side) thanks to the slots for a padlock.

The control panel is entrusted to a few buttons. You can see a main lever with the OFF-SETUP and ON functions that I will illustrate in the specific paragraph, furthermore the “SYNC” button has been provided for synchronization with the HIKMICRO SIGHT app and a convenient button that allows formatting the memory card. There are then four LEDs: SD, battery, network and user” that allow you to understand if there are any anomalies during the installation and activation phase. The HIKMICRO M15 trail camera can update the software directly via the network without the need to upload extractable files to the memory card.

As for the antenna, it seems to me to be able to provide excellent signal reception, it is approximately 25 centimetres long and During the three weeks of testing it always transmitted the data I allowed to use the APP without any coverage shortage.

VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY

I will now go on to outline its main features for taking photos and videos. The resolution of the images has a maximum resolution of 4240×2385 pixels and  It can also take hundreds of 364x360 pixel photos. Multi-shot shooting allows you to take up to three frames at a time, as well as allowing for a snapshot before recording video.

When set to “video” you can benefit from a maximum resolution of 1080P, i.e. 1920×1080 pixels In addition to the other two recording modes: "720P" and "WVGA," which I honestly haven't tried, as my goal was to analyze its optical quality. Videos are compressed and saved in the classic .MP4 format, with a maximum video length of between 10 seconds (in Full HD) and 30 seconds (in WVGA). These are all choices aimed at finding the right balance between performance, user satisfaction, and battery life.

 

Model	VIDEO	PHOTOGRAPH
HIKMICRO M15	1920×1080 pixels with audio	4240×2385

SHOOTING FEATURES

In daytime use you can benefit from color images and videos, Furthermore, it offers good color rendering and dynamic range (in proportion to the sensor size). In the evening, of course, it will shoot and record black and white videos. 

DETECTION SYSTEM

The shutter speed is 0.5 seconds, which is excellent for “freezing” the movement of most animals. The scene illumination relies on an excellent system with 12 micro LEDs operating at 940 nm. The PIR sensor's detection angle is between 60°x45° with a maximum distance of 25 meters. The scene exposure system is automatic.

SAVING FILES

Videos and images can be saved to a MICRO SD memory card (not supplied). It is possible to use cards up to 32GB. Given the aforementioned dimensions, it is possible to store 32,800 images in HD format or 18,240 videos. Regarding Hikmicro's cloud storage, it depends on the subscription you have. The free subscription allows you to save 100 images per month.

DIET

The HIKMICRO m15 trail camera takes 12 standard 1.5V batteries, but it can also be operated with six. With a full charge, it is rated to last for six months.. I haven't had the chance to test it for that long, but I can confirm that after three weeks the battery had drained by about 15%. (The first week I only took images, while in the second I only shot videos immediately after the animal was detected.) This seems like an excellent result, ideal for those who need to avoid having to travel to the installation site often or purchase expensive external batteries.

 

SETTINGS ALLOWED BY THE HIKMICRO SIGHT SOFTWARE

 

• Data plan: free, paid
• Mode: Photo and video
• Image resolution: 10 MP, 3 MP
• Trigger activation: Real Time, delays 0.5 1h 2h 3h 6 h 12h
• Continuous shooting: 1,2,3
• Video resolution: FULL HD- 10sec, HD, 20 sec, WVGA 30sec
• PIR Sensitivity: Off, Low, Medium, High
• Flash power: high low
• Scheduled shooting: enable and set time
• Delayed shutter release: activate now and set time
• Working time: off start time and end time
• working time 2 (for the next image) start and end time
• max photos to take each day
• Date format
• GPS Service
• Formatting SD card
• Product Registration and Warranty
• Device update

FIRST INSTALLATION

Installation is very quick, all you need to do is:

• Screw the antenna
• make sure the SIM card is inserted
• Insert the memory card
• Insert the batteries
• Register on the site: https://webapp.spypoint.com/register
• Screw on the antenna, insert the batteries and the memory card
• Place the lever on ”SETUP” after downloading the HIKMICRO SIGHT application and registering
• add the product via APP by photographing the QR code inside the door
• Wait for activation
• Format the memory card if necessary
• Press the SYNC button for initial synchronization
• Set the button to ON
• Close the door

 

IMPRESSIONS ON THE FIELD

 

Build quality

In terms of construction—thanks to the bad weather that often characterized the testing period—I can confirm that this camera trap withstood rain, wind, and even a hailstorm with flying colors. I didn't notice any obvious or harmful water infiltration even inside the lid. The same goes for the battery compartment. It is a product – which at first glance – seemed well built to me with a decidedly robust hull.

 

Detection capability

The camera trap proved to be able to photograph animals within the declared range, although sometimes, in the case of deer, it even reached up to thirty metres.  Compared to other products, it provided well-exposed images even at distances of nearly thirty meters.
Among the various settings for the sensor's sensitivity, once again, given the area full of trees, branches, and shrubs, I relied on the "medium" setting, which managed to handle the situation very well on its own. The activation time is 0.5, which I consider optimal for most species. 

 

Video, photography and audio quality

As for the quality of the images and photographs, I recommend you watch the video, as I have included a decent number of images and videos. I can tell you in advance that the images provided by the Hikmicro M15 are decidedly sharp, furthermore I really appreciated the software's ability to manage the lighting very well since out of 350 videos not a single overexposed one was recorded. Color rendering, dynamic range, and sharpness are also comparable to products priced the same, and often higher.

Impressions of the application 

I think that The HikMicro Sight application still needs to be improved for managing the camera trap, since it was originally created to use thermal and Night and Day devices. There are already countless functions but some, such as online video downloading, are not yet available.. Per il resto mi è parsa funzionare senza bug e anche le impostazioni sono facili e intuitive da gestire. Qualora non riuscite a collegare la fototrappola fotografando il QR COde vi consiglio di verificare che l’adesivo non si incollato male o inserito in parte sullo scafo laterale.  Non potendo usufruire di un abbonamento dedicato ho potuto solo analizzarne il funzionamento con le 100 immagini gratuite e in tal lasso di tempo non ho riscontrato particolari problemi, resta da verificare con un test di durata l’affidabilità del trasferimento dei dati. E’ possibile facilmente aggiornare la versione del software direttamente attraverso l’applicazione.

Signal strength

Come sapete vivo in una zona al confine con la Svizzera e ho installato la fototrappola a circa 3km in linea d’aria dalla nazione extra-europea, ho sempre beneficiato di una linea prossima al 90% che è diminuita al massimo al 75% durante un fortissimo temporale. Mi pare che i progettisti abbiamo impiegato un’antenna con una buona potenza.

SUBSCRIPTION

Anche in questo caso per ricevere le immagini sul proprio smartphone o tablet è doveroso sottoscrivere un abbonamento. Questa è l’attuale offerta di HIKMICRO nel mese di giugno del 2023.

PIANO DI ABBONAMENTO	MENSILE	ANNUALE	ARCHIVIAZIONE NEL CLOUD
Gratis (100 foto)	–	–	30 giorni
Basic (300 foto)	5 Euro al mese	48 Euro	365 giorni
Premier (800 foto)	8 Euro al mese	72 Euro	365 giorni
Supreme (foto illimitate)	13 Euro  al mese	108 Euro
Pacchetto Foto FULL HD (50 immagini)	5 Euro		Unlimited
Pacchetto Video FULL HD (10 video)	5 Euro		illimitato

P.S I pacchetti Premiere, Supreme e i pacchetti FULL HD e FULL HD Video saranno disponibili dal 31 luglio 2023

PROS AND CONS

Merits

• Prezzo di acquisto competitivo in base alle sue caratteristiche
• Foto e video di alta qualità
• Ottima qualità costruttiva
• Buona impermeabilizzazione
•  Presenza di pulsanti per una rapida attivazione
•  Qualità dei video e delle immagini paragonabili alla migliore concorrenza
• Possibilità di ottenere 3 scatti consecutivi
• Varie personalizzazione sia per le fotografie che per i video
• Ottima autonomia con semplici batterie da 1.5V
• Potenza dell’antenna
•  Aggiornamento del firmware via applicazione da remoto

Defects

• Software ancora in fase di miglioramento, dato che è una novità
• Lunghezza massima dei video in FULL HD di soli 10 secondi

 

IN SUMMARY

L’idea di HIKMICRO di entrare nel mercato del fototrappolaggio si è rivelata molto azzeccata, di fatto è stato concepito un prodotto robusto, con una ottima autonomia, che resiste bene alle intemperie, beneficia di un ottimo segnale ed è facilmente personalizzabile. Ritengo possa essere la giusta scelta per gli amanti del marchio che vogliono affiancare ai dispositivi termici e notturni una fototrappola moderna, che fornisce (a richiesta) ottime immagini e video e che non costa

 

PRICE AND WARRANTY

Il prezzo suggerito è di 220 Euro, IVA e SIM incluse.

THANKS

Io ringrazio Mauro Spozio di Origin STB e BDM (responsabile dello sviluppo aziendale) di HIKMICRO per aver fornito l’esemplare oggetto di questo test e per avermi consentito di citare le mie impressioni imparziali senza alcuna forzatura.

DISCLAIMER

“Binomania.it” è un progetto editoriale di Piergiovanni Salimbeni – Giornalista Indipendente. I prodotti testati non sono in vendita, sono restituiti dopo la visione e non percepisco nessuna percentuale sulla eventuale vendita del modello recensito.  Il  distributore italiano di questo prodotto  Origin STB  he sent the product for viewing, leaving me free to cite my impartial impressions as is the duty of every journalist.