|
2012 Primos Ultra 46 Red flash 46 count 7 MP
digital camera review
This camera is virtually identical to the Blackout model. The exception
to that is the array which is red flash on this
camera. The owner’s manual is the same booklet
as the Blackout also. There are some different
specifications as far as function like flash
range and such. Refer to the Ultra blackout
review for all the particulars and dimensions.
Everything that was written in the first 8
paragraphs also applies to this camera.
Specification Chart:
The balance of the review will be the initial tests and impressions as I
perform those tasks. This camera came out of the
box and was given the normal scrutiny. First off
the camera fresh out of the package reeked and
had to be aired out for a several hours to calm
down the smell. Of the things that first caught
my attention was the IR array which has a 46
count of somewhat smaller emitters which are set
in a dark background. Over the top of this array
is a satin finished lens that has a faint camo
pattern imbedded in it. This maybe the same
principal as those city buses I have seen that
have the advertizing that go up the sides and
across the passenger windows. From the inside of
the bus the windows look relatively normal but
from the outside all you see is the
advertisement. This array is a very nice touch
and also a very cool idea. I am waiting to see
an after market vendor that maybe can produce a
similar product so many can upgrade those old
bright arrays. We have a vendor on our forum
that has a similar product but his is denser
than what is being used by Primos.
The switches on this camera are better than the ones on the black out
version but you still have to be careful when
making your setting. After a long time trying to
evaluate these switches I found if you apply a
degree of inward pressure while making your
setting the detent function becomes a little
more apparent. The adhesive sticker applied
behind the switches appeared to have been put on
out of alignment to where the detent stops
happen. Moving on to battery compartment for a
close examination because of what we found on
the BO model camera. This camera looked to be OK
just out of the box except two of the springs
did not stand strait out and they leaned a
little to the side. I hope they do not fold when
I insert the AA cells. We have learned that when
you insert the batteries into the battery box
you need to do them two at a time and put the
battery ends in first and then push the center
down to insert both cells at the same time. This
way you eliminate the sideway stress the battery
box springs. The sticker on the front of this
camera is worse than the BO’s sticker. It is
easy to peal off and apply it to the top of the
camera so the camo pattern is not interrupted.
All that great work on the array and they stick
a bright red and green sticker just below it.
The brand new tested cells were installed and I grabbed a few flash and
good bright sun pictures. I kept getting this
red battery indication on the info strip. That
indication was in place of the day of the week.
After pulling the cells several times it finally
went back to displaying the day of the week. I
cannot tell you the reason for this but there
did not appear to be any ill effects as far as
function when I was getting that indication.
After I solved that issue I began to evaluate
the pictures and there was a good degree of fuzz
with these first pictures and also with the
pictures after I was able to get the battery
indicator off the info strip. We will see how
they look when we deploy and do the range
tests.
This camera design is very excellent and well
thought out with some neat new features. I
really would like for the function to be up to
that same standard but it seems to be a few
notches below, especially in the picture
quality. The side strap loops are functional but
I find them a pain and would rather have the
rear strap loops and a couple good bark
grabbers. Well we will test the burst on this
camera and see if the same issues with no info
strip and locking up are also part of this
cameras function. It is off to the official side
of the house now.
05-20-2012 update:
The day range pictures came out with that same
slight white haze to the pictures. They are
clear and a little bit fuzzy but color is
somewhat weak.
06-03-2012 update:
We have ran this camera through it’s tests and
it seemed to do it without issue as far as lock
up. We managed to get 701 pictures and 37 videos
on a set of batteries the test lasted a total of
13 days. The firmware on this camera is supposed
to be the same as the BO version and when we
checked we found that the firmware number was
the same which corresponds with the BO’s
original version prior to the update. The
download file we have to update the 46 is
corrupt so we have to wait for a new email from
Primos before we can proceed with the update on
this camera. Even though it is the week end, we
did receive the updated file in short order and
have it loaded onto the camera. A new tank full
of cells and it back out so we can evaluate this
action. Maybe we will see some improvement in
the picture quality also. Good job Primos.
Warning:
One of our normal procedures here at Chasingame
is to use the Bausch lens cleaner packets to
ensure that everything is in great shape for our
tests. After receiving reports of the neat camo
treatment on the array lenses coming off with
this type of cleaner I did a spot check with a Q
tip and a little of the moisture from a lens
cleaner packet. Sure enough the camouflage
treatment wiped off fairly easy in that spot.
ONLY USE A DAMP CLOTH MOISTENED WITH
WATER TO CLEAN THE ARRAY LENS.
06-13-2012 update:
Now that we have had this camera deployed for
some time and managed to get both still and
video samples. The main thing that I have picked
out is if the day color pictures measured up to
the night IR pictures we would have one hell of
a camera here. This was the case with the BO
model also. Please view the sample pictures and
make your own conclusion. This camera has done
most everything well but is weak in the color
day pictures.
08-03-2012 update: This has been a
nice long haul on battery life and we managed to
squeeze 14,487 pictures and 146 videos in the 71
days out of our set of cells. WE are now moving
this unit to the wild area on a swamp mission.
Review is closed.
Trigger Tests
(without flash 1.42s)
(with flash 1.56s)
 |
