FAQ's
How Do I Set Up My New Camera?
Please click our Set Up and User Guide Links depending on which camera type you have:
My Camera Won't Connect (4G)
An enabled SIM inserted correctly should give you the following light sequence when pairing:
Switch on camera: Red light, red then blue light alternating slowly (searching for network), red and blue light flashing quickly (making connection), blue light (connection made / camera paired).
Please Check:
- Has the SIM been activated with the network provider? (If 1pMobile, follow the instructions to register the SIM on the letter provided with the SIM card.
- Is there network availability at your location? (SIMs provided by us are on EE network)
- Is the SIM inserted correctly? Ensure the SIM is in the slot the correct way round and has been pushed in fully (until it clicks). You may need to use the handle of the supplied tweezers to push in fully. The SIM slot is spring loaded, so an inserted SIM would need to push in again to release.
The above steps should resolve the issue. If not, try a system reset and then follow the steps in this user guide:
My Camera Has Gone 'Offline'
If your camera has started to show an offline status, this shouldn’t be a problem. There are a couple of things to check...
Using a 1P Mobile SIM?
The SIM comes with £10 credit and requires registration on the 1pMobile website to use this credit and manage top-ups etc.
Please note if the SIM has not been registered it will work briefly using its 'test' credit but will then go off line until it is registered and the preloaded £10 will start being used.
You must Register Your SIM. To do this, you will need:
The phone number associated with the SIM, and the PUK (also known as Registration Code), both providers on the letter the SIM came with.
Go to:
www.1pmobile.com/register
Follow the instructions on screen to set up your account.
SIM
Check your SIM network account on the website of your network provider, to see the credit left (if supplied by us it's 1p Mobile on EE network. It is on PAYG preloaded with 1GB of data. If the camera is being heavily used, it may be out of credit and you may want to choose a different, more economical plan for your usage patterns - there are some great data plans out there and you can convert from 1p mobile to a different plan or choose any SIM from another network, providing you have cover).
SIGNAL
It may be a weak or variable 4G signal. It may 'dip in and out' of service without you doing anything. If so, look at a different position for the camera or a different network SIM with a stronger signal for your location (our cameras work with any UK network).
POWER
If it has had heavy usage and the power has been run down, then it will recharge and come back on line when some charge received. The solar panel will trickle charge the camera whenever there is daylight (ensure no obstruction of the panel and try to position where it is likely to get sunlight when available as this will charge it quicker).
It should be one of the above. Please use process of elimination.
TEST IF THE ISSUE IS WITH THE SIM OR THE CAMERA:
Test 1:
1. Remove your SIM from the camera and insert into your smart phone.
2. Turn off WIFI on your phone.
Do you get 4G bars? Can you load a website and stream E.g. You Tube?
If yes, then the SIM if fine.
If no, then check your SIM for credit and signal and consider a different SIM in your camera.
Test 2:
1. Assuming your smartphone works in the camera location, turn off the camera, insert your phone SIM into the camera and switch on.
Do you get a solid blue light?
Yes: Then the issue is with the SIM (credit of network). You may want to consider purchasing a different SIM from elsewhere on a different network etc.
No: Then the issue could be with the camera and we encourage you to get in touch via our web chat or contact us page.
How Much Data Will My 4G Camera Use?
Data usage depends on the usage patterns / behaviour.
For example, Guard My Farm test cameras are typically set up for security notifications, short live stream sessions (1 min at a time) and occasional playback of recorded footage.
On average we access our cameras 5 times / day for a few moments to check all is OK.
Using our supplied 1p Mobile SIM cards (preloaded 1gb data) we top up on the minimum term of £10 approximately every 3 months.
Should you use your cameras for heavier live streaming, you may require more data, therefore it may be worth choosing a different data only plan either with 1p Mobile (via your account on their website) or your own SIM network provider's website.
Can I Have More Than One Camera On The App?
Yes! You can pair as many cameras as you like and group them into different locations if desired. For example:
Location 1 could be 'Lambing Shed': Camera 1 could be 'Inside', Camera 2 could be 'Outside Front'
Location 2 could be 'ATV Shed': Camera 1 could be 'Front', Camera 2 could be 'Rear'
You can create a new location when setting up the app initially but also by clicking the 'home' icon (top left of the app), and then assign cameras accordingly.
Why not open the user guide for a full description of the camera's functions and how to use them:
How Do I Add Others To Access My Cameras?
- Guest must download UBOX app and register their account with an email address.
- Open your UBOX app to view your paired cameras.
- You will see icons below each camera. Touch the icon (circle with arrow pointing to 1 O'clock) of the camera you wish to share.
- Click the 'Share' button.
- Enter the email address of the guest who has registered their new UBOX account.
- Choose what access you would like them to have.
- When done, the guest will receive a notification to confirm the access you have given.
NB. You can also remove the guest and change permissions from here too.
What Are The Camera Functions & How Can I Control Them?
Please click either link depending on which camera you have:
My Camera Is Not Charging
Your camera uses very little power and if utilised correctly should never let you down under normal usage. Guard My Farm have test cameras installed that have never dipped below 90% charge in 12 months of standard usage.
The cameras have self contained rechargeable lithium ion batteries which can either be charged via the included solar panel or mains via the included usb c cable.
Please check the following to resolve power issues:
- Solar panel is not obstructed from daylight and is positioned to receive direct sunlight on sunny days. (It will charge on cloudy days, but direct sunlight will charge quicker)
- Solar panel cable is securely inserted into the camera power slot. (You may need to push in hard as the weather proof silicone cover is purposefully tight fitting).
- If it is not charging with the solar panel after the above checks, try charging via the mains using the usb c cable provided to see whether it is the device or solar panel that needs attention before contacting Guard My Farm.
I Am Not Getting Notifications To My Phone
No problem. There are several things to check here...
- Are notifications turned on within the App?
- Is the camera 'awake' when not sending notifications. Check things like the day and time scheduling of when the camera is 'armed' and monitoring for movement.
- If the App is shared, have you allowed notifications for the other users in their permissions.
For further information of how to navigate the above, please download the user manual from this link.
My Camera is Not Recording & Notifying All Movement
Our cameras are designed to be in lower traffic areas eg protecting a shed door, entrance, driveway, remote location etc where activity is likely to be minimal and motion typically unexpected IE an intruder or unwanted guest. If the cameras are located in an area of high 'traffic' and initially receive continual repeated activations, they have been programmed to learn these as ‘false positives’ or false alarms which the vast majority of customers would want to negate (as continual notifications for false alarms would be annoying and users would likely miss or ignore a real event in that situation).
If your location is very active the cameras may have learned to ignore much of the activity as ‘false positives’.This should be able to be resolved with a hard reset of the camera. Please press the reset button next to the sim slot until you hear ‘signal reset’ or similar, re-pair the device to your app and this should work.
Also, once reset, please consider your location and schedule the camera to only be armed during expected quiet periods of low activity.