enlaps Tikee 3 Timelapse Video Camera User Guide

enlaps Tikee 3 Timelapse Video Camera

 Introduction

Overview of your Tikes 3 & 3 PRO+

Here are the main components of the Tikee :

1. LOCKING SYSTEM
   Locks the position of the solar panel once its tilt has been set

2. LOCKING SYSTEM
   Locks the position of the solar panel once its horizontal rotation has been set

The rear of the Tikee has many functions. Each function is explained below with its corresponding icon.

Prerequisites

Some elements are needed to ensure the optimal functioning of your Tikee:

•  A MicroSD card (not provided) is required to use your Tikee (see dedicated section page 7)
•  A smartphone connected to the internet (supported versions: Android 6.0 and up/iOS 10.0 and up – min. Bluetooth version 4.1)
•  A tablet or a computer with an Internet connection (to edit and publish your content) with either Google Chrome or Safari preferably.

For the 4G connectivity: an activated microSIM (not provided) with an adapted subscription is required to upload data using 4G connectivity.

Creating a user account on the myTikee cloud platform

The use of the myTikee cloud platform and the Tikee remote mobile application require the creation of a Mytilene account. If you have not yet created an account, you can do so with any connected device, on https://my.tikee.io
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Click on ‘‘Sign up’’

Step 2: Fill in your personal information
Once you have read the general terms of use of the cloud platform, please check the box ‘‘I agree to the terms of use’’. Your login credentials are the same on the cloud platform and on the mobile application.

The first charge of the device

Caution: For optimal use of your Tikee/TikeePRO, you have to fully charge the battery before its first use. Plug a USB cable (not provided) into your Tikee into the dedicated USB slot. Make sure that the logo is facing down to avoid damaging the USB slot. Plug the other end of the USB cable into a power adapter (not supplied), and then into a power outlet.
Note : the first charge may require up to 48 hours. When charging is complete, the LED power turns blue. (You can monitor the Tikee’s battery level on the mobile application. See page 14)
Note: the waterproofness of your Tikee is not guaranteed when the USB cable is plugged into the USB slot.
Note: If an external power source is used, be sure that the voltage is 5V and that the delivered current is more than 1A.

Downloading the mobile app Tikee Remote

Like Remote is the essential mobile application for your Tikes. You can control it and set time-lapses with your personal settings. This mobile application is required to set up your Tikes. Smartphone compatibility: Bluetooth 4.1 and +. Android version 6 and up or iOS 10 and up.

Tickee overview Buttons

Power button

•  3-second press: turn on your Tikee
•  Single press while the Tikee is on: display the battery level (see below the Power LED section)
•  3-second press: turn off your Tikee
•  Single press: starts a shooting sequence (previously set up)
•  3-second press: stop shooting

Power connectors

MicroUSB connector
This connector is used notably for the Tikee’s first charge. Caution: when plugged in, this connector is not waterproof.

External power connector
Only present on the Tikee 3PRO+, it is used to connect the Enlaps external solar panel (not supplied with the camera). This connector is waterproof, so it can be used outdoors.
Snap-in connector, pull to disconnect. When not in use, re-insert the plug.

Caution:
For your safety and the safety of the camera, do not plug other devices than those provided by Enlaps into this connector. Enlaps cannot be held responsible for any damage that may result from the misuse of this connector

LED

•  Off: Your Tikee is turned off, in standby or a sequence is on progress
•  On: Your Tikee is powered on – no sequence in progress
•  Blinking: Tikee on micro USB charge Its color indicates the battery level :

Trigger LED

•  Off: no sequence in progress
•  Slow blue flash every 10 seconds: sequence in progress
•  0.5-second red flash: error (microSD card missing, full or not compatible)
•  Slow green flash every 10 seconds: expired sequence

MicroSD card (not included)
Insert the microSD card into the slot on the back side of your Tikee

Technical information about microSD cards compatible with the Tikee :

•  microSDHC, microSDXC,
•  8GB to 128GB capacity for Tikee 3 and up to 512GB for Tikee 3 PRO +
•  UHS-1 class and speed class minimum U1 or U3

Note: Before use, we strongly recommend formatting the microSD card (see corresponding chapter page 16). This can be done directly from the mobile application.
Important: Push-push insertion and extraction system; a slight click allows you to clip or unclip the card from its slot. Never pull the card directly.It is important to respect the slots provided for the microSD card and the microSIM card. Although both cards have the same format and fit into each other’s slot, the slots are not interchangeable and the Tikes will not work they are interchanged. Do not insert any object (clamp, metal objects, etc.) in the slot of the microSD card or in the microSIM card slot. Any deterioration or dysfunction related to improper use will not be covered by the warranty.

Micro SIM card (not included)
To use the 4G network with your Tikee you have to previously subscribe to a 4G subscription with a data plan (access to the data network) with the telecommunication provider of your choice. For SIM card settings, see page 15.

Inserting the SIM card: Metal contacts of the chip downwards, angle left to the bottom – see above.
Important: Push-push insertion and extraction system; a slight click allows you to clip or unclip the card from its slot. Never pull the card directly but respect the push-pull system.The card format must be «micro sim». If necessary, you can use an adapter.- Do not attempt to insert a nanoSIM card without an adapter Do not insert a microSIM adapter alone, without a card (risk of destruction of the contacts)SIM cards and the SIM card slot are delicate items. It is necessary to handle them with care, never use force them and never use metal tools. Any deterioration or dysfunction related to improper use will not be covered by the warranty.

What volume of monthly data to choose?
Size of the package (in GB/month) = ( hours of shot per day x photos per hour x __ MB per pair of images (see page 16 according to chosen resolution) ) x 30 days To easily estimate your consumption, you can use the timelapse planner here: https://enlaps.io/en/timelapse-planner
Few examples with M picture format :

•  1 photo every 15 minutes, 24/24 :
•  1 photo every hour, 10h a day :
•  1 photo every minute, 5h a day :
• about 7,2 GB/month about 0,75 GB/month about 22,5 GB/month

Caution: Although both microSIM and microSD cards have the same format and fit into the slot of each other, the slots are not interchangeable and the Tikee will not work if they are interchanged.

Starting up the Tikee First connection and first settings

By connecting to the Tikee camera with the Tikee Remote mobile application:For shooting of a few hours, your Tikee can be installed on its rubber sole on a sufficiently flat and not tilted surface or on a camera tripod.

For the shooting of a few days or months, we recommend to use a rigid support to ensure consistent framing over time and secure the position of your Tikee. You can find our recommended set of accessories for your Tikee on our store at : https://enlaps.io/en/accessoires.html To avoid theft and/or acts of vandalism, place your Tikee in a discreet high up location, and use an anti- theft system (your Tikee has a dedicated anti-theft insert). Important: To ensure the smooth running of your sequence; It is advisable to monitor the Tikee on site in order to see its general condition (fastening, solar panel and lens cleanliness, etc.). It is also essential to check the proper functioning of your Tikee on your myTikee account: battery status, microSD card status, network status, date of the last connection, etc.

Caution:
An indicative period of 3-4 months between maintenance is recommended to check all these elements, so plan to have access to your Tikes. Some installation sites may require special care (very dusty areas for example).
Caution:
Be sure to respect the safety instructions related to working at heights and every recommendation of security and installation of the site where your place your Tikes. Be sure that the proper installation of the fixing support and of the Tikee are correct to prevent falls. Starting up the Tikee We cannot be held responsible for any damages that may result from improper use of our solution. Your Tikee has wide angle optics. When photos are uploaded to the cloud platform, left and right images are fused together, to form a panoramic image Therefore we recommend to keep your Tikee as horizontal as possible during the installation to minimize distortion of the image (you can use a bubble level or your smartphone with a dedicated mobile application).
Caution:
If the camera is tilted (high-angle shot or low-angle), the wide-angle leads to a deformation of the skyline on the final panorama

Important :
To avoid problems of image fusion, please make sure that no object in the foreground are closer than 5 meters away from the Tikee.

The merging of the images is optimized on the first 100 photos of the sequence. To ensure optimal image fusion, follow these guidelines:

•  Do not start shooting until the Tikee has been set up. (The images taken before the set-up would then be used to calculate the image fusion, causing poor results)
• – Do not start shooting in bad conditions (especially at night or with very poor visibility). It is therefore important, for the first photos, that the weather and lighting conditions are similar for the rest of the project (place, without rain on the lens, during the day…).

Solar panel set-up

The autonomy of your Tikee through its solar resource is directly related to the installation location. It depends on:

•  shade on the photovoltaic panel during the day (roof, pole, tree,…), the more shade the less energy is produced;
•  the orientation of the solar panel (South in the Northern Hemisphere, North in the Southern Hemisphere);
•  the tilt of the solar panel (flat close to the equator, about 30° in France);
•  outside temperature (the hotter it is, the more the performance will degrade);
•  the shooting interval;
•  the duration of the shooting per day;
•  the quality of the network in the case of a connected use (Wifi or 4G).
• After choosing the framing (cf. page 10), it is necessary to adjust the solar panel’s position.
• Important: To protect the battery, the battery charge is disabled outside the range 0°C / +45°C.

Setting the orientation of the solar panel:

Start by orientating the solar panel to the south if you are in the northern hemisphere, or north if you are in the southern hemisphere. You can use a compass, a watch with a compass function or a mobile application on
your smartphone (For example The PV Optimizer application (iOS only) allows you to easily adjust the rotation and incline of the panel).

Setting the incline of the solar panel :
Tilt the panel according to the latitude of your position (approximately 30° in France for example). Once the panel has been tilted at the desired angle, lock it with the 2 screws located on either side of the photovoltaic panel (using moderate force).

Getting started with the Tikee Remote mobile app Connect your Tikee to the mobile app
Before you keep reading, make sure you have followed the instructions of Chapter 1 – Beginning. Please, check that the version of your mobile application is the latest available on the store
Activate Bluetooth and location services on your mobile device before launching the mobile app. Once your Tikee is powered on and nearby, launch the mobile app Tikee remote and log in with your credentials – created in the “Creating a user account on myTikee cloud platform” section -same as the cloud platform.

Select your Tikes in the nearby Tikes list.

If there are several Tikes in the area, they are differentiated by their serial number, which can also be read on the label. Your Ticket is then associated with your user account. The association prevents any other user account to use your Tikee. For more information, please refer to the corresponding chapter. Getting started with the mobile app Tikee Remote You access directly to the status screen of your Tikee

The Tikes has 2 possible statuses:

• STOP basic status of the Tikee, in inactive mode the camera will not take a photo sequence and will switch off after 30 minutes of inactivity. You will have to access the camera and press the power button to start it again
•  START: this mode allows the Tikee to remain on and therefore to take into account the sequences set up ( see page 19). If no sequence is in progress or program, the device connects to the cloud at least every 24 hours to retrieve new information (for example, adding a new sequence from myTikee).
• To switch between the two status, press « START » or « STOP » on the mobile app.
  Warning : If the Tikee turns off while it was on STOP, you will need to access the camera and press the power button to turn it back on.If you want use your Tikee’s WiFi modem or 4G LTE modem to regularly upload photos to my Tikee cloud platform, you have to complete the following settings. Active connectivity mode is displayed on the mobile application screen (None, Wifi or LTE) Select the desired connection mode (wifi or LTE) and set up the connection, save and test it.

Connecting to WiFi
The WiFi connection is not possible on WiFis that require a connection to a web portal (which is often the case on an industrial site or on free networks WiFis). Click on Network then Wifi on the homepage.

• SSID: name of the WiFi to which you want to be connected to. Case sensitive
• Password or security key : enter the password/security key of the wireless network. Case sensitive
• Security: Scroll to choose the wireless network security type. Note: Most actual equipment uses ‘‘WPA2-PSK’’ security
• Once the parameters are filled to save them click on: Save
• We recommend testing the connection of your Tikee once the parameters are set up.
• For that click on ‘’Test connection’’. This step may take several minutes because the Tikee will check all of the steps to be connected to the myTikee cloud platform server.
• At the end of the test, you will receive a notification about the success or not of the test.If the connection fails : check if the quality of the wireless network is sufficient (for example you can test the connection on your smartphone beforehand) and that your credentials are correct.
  Note: you can connect the Tikee through a mobile hotspot using a smartphone with a 4G connection.

Connecting to an LTE telecom network
An active microSIM card needs to be inserted in its appropriate slot.

• APN: this field is required – most of the time you can find it on the website of your telecom service provider or on your mail opening line.
• PIN: This is the PIN code of the SIM card. Leave blank if the PIN off.
• User: to complete if provided by your mobile operator (These are not Enlaps identifiers)
• Password: To complete if provided by your mobile operator (This is not the Enlaps password).
• PIN 2 : to complete if provided by your mobile operator
• Once the parameters filled to save them click on : Save

We recommend testing the connection of your Tikee once the parameters are set up. For that click on ‘’Test connection’’. This step may take several minutes because the Tikee will check all of the steps to be connected to the myTikee cloud platform server. At the end of the test you will receive a notification about the success or not of the test. You will also receive information about the signal quality and the type of connection.
Note:
For optimal operation, a 4G(LTE) connection is required. Correct uploading of photos in 3G is not guaranteed in all conditions. In this case it is recommended to deactivate the uploading of photos. However, you can keep connectivity enabled to get status information from the camera.
Note :
Be aware of the costs of data roaming in a foreign country. Using the camera without a connection If not configured, the Tikee will not send any data.\ If no network is in range or if you do not want the photos be automatically sent to the myTikee cloud platform. Click on the None icon to have no connection. In this case, photos backup will be made locally on the microSD card and this will allow you to get a right image (RIGHT) and a left image (LEFT). Then, if you wish, you will be able to merge these images by drag and drop in the Mytilene cloud platform – see page 32. Tip : By setting up a Wifi or LTE network but by disabling photos upload, the Tikee camera will send only its status (battery, network, MicroSD card, etc.) for remote monitoring.

Advanced settings
Formatting the microSD card We recommend formatting the microSD card before first use. You can format it directly from the mobile application. Here is the path on the mobile application to format the microSD card.

Format
You cannot format the microSD card when a timelapse sequence is in progress.

Unlinking your Tikee from your user account
The association of a Tikee with a user account is automatic and occurs during the first linking (connection of your Tikee to the mobile app). During the following connections, the Tikee linked to your account are marked with 2 chains: A Ticket can only be associated with a single user account. However, it is possible to connect several smartphones with the same user account. If you want another user to use your Tikee with another myTikee account you can unlink it from your account.

You will not be able to link with a Tikee associated with another account than yours. You have to unlink it first.
Caution: Once unlinked, any user who has downloaded the Enlaps mobile application can be linked to your Tikes. It is strongly recommended to not unlink a Tikee having a current sequence. The Tikes keeps its setting (if it has one) during an unlink. Modify the interval for sending images on the mobile app With a Tikee 3 PRO+, for long sequences (see page 19 to set up the sequences), there are 3 different ways of sending images to the cloud platform

Update your Tikee

Before using the Tikee, check that its firmware version is the latest online (see page 14). If this is not the case, update your Tikee either:

1.  Camera off – Insert the microSD card into the dedicated slot.
2.  Turn on your Tikee and from the mobile app, go

The update may take a few minutes. Once finished, you will receive a notification on the mobile application, and then it will disconnect. If the Ticket is charging, it will restart automatically (the Power LED will go out and then start flashing before becoming steady again). If the Ticket is not charging, it will switch off. You can then simply restart it by pressing the power button. Once the update is complete, you can reconnect to the Tikee Remote mobile application. The update file is automatically deleted from the microSD card once it is done.- Directly from the cloud via the Tikee Remote mobile application This method requires a valid Wi-Fi or 4G/LTE connection and a microSD card into the slot SD. Stand close to your Tikee and launch the update from the cloud. The update is done following the steps displayed on the screen. Caution/Important: In both cases, it is recommended to connect your Tikee to a USB plug because the update is only done if the battery level is higher than 50%
Note: On some smartphones, after an update, switch to airplane mode 30 seconds before reconnecting to the mobile application.

Setting up a sequence

Before launching a sequence, you can check the framing of your camera by doing a preview. To do so, after having performed the connection tests (microSD card, Tikee connected to the wifi or LTE network and smartphone or tablet connected to the wifi or LTE network), click on the preview button. To create your first sequence, click on a new sequence

Photos are sent only in JPEG format, and photos in DNG format are only saved on a micro SD card. ** At least once a day or according to your send interval settings Here is a summary table of possible sequences with your Tikes 3:

Once you have set up your shooting sequence, save it and you will be redirected to the main page of the mobile application. To launch the sequence, go to the « Starting a sequence » section You can end a running sequence by pressing the camera’s trigger button again or by pressing STOP on the mobile application.
Note: If you stop a running short-term sequence before the end of the sequence, the images are not sent to the cloud platform but are kept on the microSD card.Left and right images stored on the SD card: 4608 x 3456 each, approx. 4 MB (8 MB per pair) Left and right images sent on the web app: 2664 x 1998, approx. 2.5 MB per pair Panoramic image resolution after fusion: 4260 x 1534, approx. 2.5 MB per panoramic image

JPEG :

• Left and right images stored on the SD card: 4608 x 3456 each, approx. 4 MB (8 MB per pair)
• Left and right images sent on the cloud platform: selectable among 3 dimensions :
• S : 2048×1536, approx. 1 MB per pair
• M: 2664×1998, approx. 2,5 MB per pair
• L : 4608×3456, approx. 5 MB per pair
• Panoramic image resolution after fusion: according to the dimensions selected above :
• S : 3280×1180, approx. 1,5 MB per panoramic image
• M: 4260×1534, approx. 2,5 MB per panoramic image
• L : 7360×2650, approx. 5 MB per panoramic image
• DNG :
• The DNG format images are not uploaded, nor usable on the cloud platform.
• Left and right images are stored on the SD card: 4608 x 3456, env. 37,5 MB (75 MB per pair)
• DNG + JPEG:
• Images in DNG format are not sent or usable on the cloud platform. Left and right images are stored on the microSD card: 4608 x 3456, approx. 37.5 MB, but JPEG images are sent to the myTikee cloud platform in the desired
• size (S, M or L).
• Getting started with the mobile app Tikee Remote

References

• Tikee manuals and downloads
• Timelapse planner
• Enlaps

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