Frequently Asked Questions

Barn Owl's cameras transmit photos or videos using a nearby cellular network. The cameras transmit the photos or videos immediately after they are captured, and are usually received in less than 15 seconds.

The cameras can be motion triggered, set to take photos/videos on a recurring basis (time-lapse), or both. You can also command near real-time photos/videos from our web-app.
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Camera settings can be updated remotely at any time from the web-app, without having to go manually change them on the camera itself. More info here: barnowl.tech

You can find the full camera specs on our homepage: barnowl.tech and the instructions page: barnowl.tech/instructions

You can find camera setup and instruction documents on the instructions page: barnowl.tech/instructions

No, the camera is ready to send photos/videos as soon as you turn it on. The camera comes pre-configured for motion-activated photos with no delay between triggers. You can personalize settings and set up email/text alerts in the Barn Owl web-app after camera activation.

Yes, you simply turn the camera off, move it, it in a new location, and turn it back on.

Yes, you can update settings anytime from the Barn Owl web-app, and the camera will receive the updates either immediately or on a scheduled interval, depending on the camera's SMS Control (SMS Check Interval) setting.

Camera purchases include a mounting strap and a pre-activated SIM card for cellular connectivity. The Solar Panel, Mounts, 120V AC Power Adapter, SD card, AA batteries, and other accessories are optional and sold separately on our shop page: shop.barnowl.tech

We offer a 30-day refund policy on all purchases. You can return the cameras within 30 days, for any reason, and receive a full refund.

We also offer a 2-year warranty. We'll repair or replace defective cameras within 2 years after purchase: barnowl.tech/policies/returns#insurance

Within 30 days of receiving a camera, you can return it for any reason for a full refund. Contact us to receive a return shipping label. After 30 days, we will honor a 2 year warranty. See more details here: barnowl.tech/policies/returns#insurance

Yes, we provide automatic discounts for buying 2, 3, 5, or 10 cameras. We also pool data across all of your cameras, and the higher your total data count gets, the cheaper your data costs per MB. More info here: barnowl.tech

The web-app can be accessed from any phone or computer with an internet browser by visiting the URL app.barnowl.tech and entering your account login info. You do not need to download anything from the app store, and the web-app looks and operates exactly the same across all devices. See demo here: app.barnowl.tech/demo

Note: Not all app features are complete or present on demo page.

No, the web-app may be accessed at app.barnowl.tech from any device with an internet browser (phone/tablet/computer), and there is no download required. You can also have the photos/videos forwarded to any device as a text message or email.

Barn Owl cameras can transmit 5-10 second video clips, triggered by motion, on-demand, or at scheduled times.

No, but you can request a 5-10 second video on-demand at any time, which will reach your phone roughly 30 seconds after it's requested. Cellular-based cameras (compared to WiFi-based cameras) typically don't support live-streaming due to the large amount of data being transmitted and the costs associated with transmitting that amount of data over a cellular network.

Usually less than 15 seconds. With poor cellular strength (2 bars or less), it may take slightly longer. If you're commanding a photo from the web app, it takes about 30 seconds to receive the photo after pressing the "Command Trigger" button.

Barn Owl cameras can send any combination of the burst shot images (up to 5 images per trigger).

Yes, you can set up text and/or email alerts in the Barn Owl web-app. The alert contains the image, the camera ID, and the camera's configurable custom location. You can send a camera's alerts to as many phone numbers or email addresses as you need.

The camera's "SD Cycle" feature will automatically delete the oldest files on the SD card to make room for new ones, ensuring your camera never stops functioning. This setting is turned on by default, and can be turned off if needed.

The RangeCam connects to AT&T, T-Mobile, and other regional 3G/4G/LTE networks, such as Viaero. We ship the cameras with a SIM card that works with the best carrier in your area. You do not need to be signed up with these carriers or communicate with them for any reason to use our cameras.

We handle billing and cell connectivity separately from your phone bill, so it doesn't matter which cell carrier you use for your cell phone. Photos and videos can be forwarded to any device via text message or email, regardless of that device's carrier.

The cameras cannot connect to Verizon towers, but this will only affect you if Verizon is absolutely the only signal available in your area.

No, we provide the SIM card for cellular connectivity and bill separately from your cell phone bill. You do not need to change your current cell provider or negotiate with any carriers.

Yes, data is combined across all cameras at the end of each monthly billing cycle, and a charge is generated for the combined data used by all cameras on your account.

Your monthly bill consists of a connection fee, data fee, and SMS charges. Most customers average $10-15 per camera, per month, but you can turn cameras OFF in the web-app anytime and pay $0 until you need them.

We only charge for the data you actually use, so you don't have to commit to a data plan up front. You will get one bill each month, no matter how many cameras you have.

If you aren't using your cameras for a period of time, you can turn them OFF in the Barn Owl web-app, and you won't be charged anything while it remains OFF. There is no additional charge for turning the data connection ON or OFF.

View billing details here: barnowl.tech/policies/billing

Yes, if you obtain your own AT&T/T-Mobile SIM card and want to manage your billing and cellular service separately, you can use our app, photo/video forwarding, photo/video storage, and camera management features with your own SIM card. The maximum connection fee for personal SIMs is $3/month. You are responsible for configuring the camera to work with your SIM card and managing all billing.

The camera cannot connect to Verizon networks, so you cannot use Verizon-only SIM cards or data plans with our camera.

We recommend at least 2 bars of service for reliable transmissions. While the cameras will transmit photos with 1-bar of service, transmissions will likely be unreliable.

The camera's large, external antennas usually get 2-3 more bars of signal than most cell phones, so you may have better results than you expect in areas with marginal cell service.

Yes. A larger antenna can make a significant difference in areas with marginal or spotty cell signal. Please contact us if you need to improve your cellular reception.

We highly recommend the solar panel. If you can't use the solar panel or an external power source, we recommend The camera stops transmitting photos at 8.6V, and Alkaline batteries will fall below 8.6V much faster than ithium.

If you do use Lithium, please note the battery level indicted on the photos can be deceptive. Lithium batteries hold their voltage until they are almost dead, so the battery level indicator will show full right up until the lithium batteries die.

Battery life depends on numerous factors, including day vs night photos, cellular signal strength, temperature, and more. The ranges below are only general guides and should not be taken as specification.

 - 12 x Alkaline batteries ~ 500 - 1,500 transmitted photos
 - 12 x Lithium batteries ~ 1,000 - 3,000 transmitted photos

Please be aware that setting SMS Control to "Instant" uses significant battery power. We only recommend using "Instant" if you have a solar panel or another external power source.
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Cold weather will reduce battery life by up to 50%, especially for Alkaline. Lithium will perform much better in cold weather. See our Battery Saving Tips to help extend battery life.

The solar panel will power the camera 24/7 if it gets 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day. If the solar panel does not get direct sunlight for 3-4 hours, the solar panel's internal lithium battery will drain over time, causing the camera to fall back to the AA batteries inside the camera when the solar panel's battery is insufficiently charged.

Yes, you can find 120V wall outlet converters, battery terminal connectors, and other accessories on our shop page: shop.barnowl.tech

No, the solar panel will not recharge any kind of AA batteries inside the camera. The solar panel has its own lithium battery, and the camera will run solely on the solar panel's battery while it has charge, and will only use the AAs as a fallback when the solar panel's battery dies or the solar panel comes disconnected.

Yes, you can find lock boxes on our shop page: shop.barnowl.tech

If you are worried about theft or damage, consider our Insurance Plan to keep your camera covered.

Our insurance can be activated when you register cameras in the Barn Owl App. The insurance covers camera damage, theft or loss.

View full details here: barnowl.tech/policies/returns#insurance