A Bigfoot Trail Camera Controller is a battery powered motion detector with an onboard microcontroller. It is used for detecting animals and people, and it will operate a still or video camera. When motion is detected, it will power up a camera and take a picture, or video, then turn the camera back off to save the camera batteries. When housed in a weatherproof enclosure, this set-up becomes a game trail camera or camera trap. It can be left to monitor game trails or watch for intruders, trespassers etc. The Bigfoot controller can be programmed to operate nearly any camera, whether it's an older model or a new high MP one. We have listed the most popular in the dropdown list under the programming options.
Why you should buy a Bigfoot
Bigfoot Trail Camera Controller boards utilize a passive infrared motion detector circuit, but not all detectors are created equal. The Bigfoot detector was engineered to have the right balance between sensitivity and range, while not being prone to excessive false triggers. The circuit is "tuned" to better pick up body heat and movement, so you don't have to sort through hundreds of pictures of nothing, and you aren't going to miss getting pictures of any animals.
Reliability and dependability was the number one goal, user friendliness was second. The onboard battery holder makes battery changing easy, and the low power consumption means you don't have to do that as often. The onboard power switch lets you just push one button and close the enclosure, and the automatic walk test will help you properly aim the camera, while giving you a visual indication when motion has been detected. Picture delay times are easily selected using "not so tiny" switches right there where they are easy to get to. Sensitivity can be adjusted easily and quickly, to suit your wants and needs.
The Bigfoot board is offered in several different configurations to suit your specific application. The software is updatable and the board is reconfigurable.
Standard Programming
Pre-programmed to Control Four Different Cameras...user selectable.
SP Standard programming can control the cameras listed below, and many more.
Different day and night camera timings allow faster pictures during the day.
Advanced Circuitry to Prevent False Triggers
Day Only or 24-Hour Settings.
Single Picture, Double Picture / Movie Settings.
Four Time Delay Settings 8 sec day or 15 sec night, 1 min, 3 min, and 6 min.
Simple Sensitivity Adjustment Potentiometer
Automatic Walk Test with LED Indicator
Auto Reset of Walk Test Duration, Allows Extra Time if Needed
Automatically Switches from Walk Test to Operating Mode
Long Battery Life (3 AAA alkaline Batteries Lasts 4 to 6 Months)
Easy, NO SOLDERING, Camera Connections
Integrated Onboard Power Switch
Onboard Battery Holder
Small Design (only 2.0” by 2.25”)
Comes with a adhesive backed switch settings label
Clear plastic template included
Slave programming
Charges slave at power up day or night so you can confirm that the slave and batteries are in order.
Refreshes slave only at night when the slave will need to be ready to flash (battery savings feature)
Will only charge the flash after pictures taken at night.
You will need the sister board or build your own to attach the slaves negative and slaves battery negative to.
Trail Master Programming
Pre-programmed to Control Four Different Cameras...user selectable.
TM Standard programming can control the cameras listed below, and many more.
Separate day and night camera timings allow faster pictures during the day..
Advanced Circuitry to Prevent False Triggers
Day Only or 24-Hour Settings.
Single Picture or Trail Master Settings.
Four Time Delay Settings 8 sec day or 15 sec night, 1 min, 3 min, and 6 min.
Simple Sensitivity Adjustment Potentiometer
Automatic Walk Test with LED Indicator
Auto Reset of Walk Test Duration, Allows Extra Time if Needed
Automatically Switches from Walk Test to Operating Mode
Long Battery Life (3 AAA alkaline Batteries Lasts 4 to 6 Months)
Easy, NO SOLDERING, Camera Connections
Integrated Onboard Power Switch
Onboard Battery Holder
Small Design (only 2.0” by 2.25”)
Comes with a adhesive backed switch settings label
Clear plastic template included
Trail Master (trail mode)
Simply set switch 4 to the on position to activate Trail Master Mode.
At motion, camera turns on and shutters first picture
Waits with camera on for 30 seconds for a second animal or event with the camera ready.
Can shutter the second follow-up picture or pictures within less than 5 seconds apart.
Will stay on for 30 seconds after the last picture, and then return to the selected delay routine if one has been chosen.
Bigfoot Video Boards
4 Record Settings: 15 Seconds , 30 Seconds, 1 Minute and 3 Minutes 4 Delay Settings: 30 Seconds, 1 Minute, 3 Minutes and 6 Minutes.
Comes with Video Camera programming, pulldown resistor mod where required
Available options:
array and amp options - 1 sister board required for each option (sold separately)
LANC Camcorder w/array and servo control options - 1 sister board required for each option (sold separately)
Template and Video Switch Settings Label Included
Custom programming by request.
Bigfoot S40/S600 Fast Hack Boards
Available Now!
The fast hack board is a modified version of the Bigfoot Trailmaster, that has the added benefit of controlling the extending lens on the Sony S40 and S600 cameras. Mark, owner of yeticam.com, was kind enough to give me permission to offer the fast hack programming. The mod is well known and well documented on several homebrew forums, so I'll just describe it briefly. The fast hack lets the retractable lens on the S40 and S600 cameras stay extended when the camera powers down. When the camera powers up again, to take a picture, it will only move slightly, instead of having to fully extend. This makes the movement less noticeable, is quieter, and should conserve a little power and make the camera lens assembly last longer. These boards have the fast programming AND the slightly slower non-fast hack programming, it is user selectable using the camset switches. This version has Trailmaster mode and regular, or feeder mode programming, user selectable, using the convent mode switches right on the control side of the board. I recommend using this version for all Sony S40 and S600 cameras. It will run the non-fast hack cameras now, and you have the option of doing the hack at a later time if you decide to. We offer solderless screw connections for the camera control and the fast hack connection. BONUS! The Bigfoot Fast Hack Board does not need another switch added, or jumper used, so you can go though the camera settings and view your pictures! See our INSTRUCTIONS PAGE HERE
Bigfoot Custom Programs
Available Now!
Listed here are a few of the special programs our customers have requested. We thought others may be interested in them too, so here they are.
TMV program. Firemanjim came up with the TMV program. He likes to use this one with some of the Sony cameras. TMV stands for Trailmaster/Video. This program has Trailmaster mode with a 3 second day and a 12 second night delay. This gives a slave flash time to recharge between night shots. The video setting will record 30 second daytime only videos.
A503 TMS. We now offer a Trailmaster version of the Samsung A503 programming. Since the 503 almost has to have a slave flash, we used the same 3 second day and 12 second night delays as the TMV, but this program also does standard stills too, instead of video. We call it TMS...Trailmaster/Slave.
Panasonic fans will love the new Panasonic Trailmaster with or without Slave delay programming. We took the basic Trailmaster board and installed two versions of the code for different needs. Using the camset switches you can chose the standard Trailmaster or the TMS....Trailmaster/Slave. The slave timing gives the slave time to recharge after firing, avoiding black pictures caused by a slave that wasn't ready to fire. If you use the slide switch Panasonic FS6...FS7...etc...this might the right programming choice for you. Thanks go to 12-Ringer for thinking of this one.
Bigfoot Sister Board
Small Size Only 1/2" by 1 1/4"
Designed to connect to Programmed Bigfoot Board when using an Ir Array, Sound Amp, Light or Slave Flash. One Sister Board for each accessory added to your build.
