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Sabre II

As low as $499.00

Out of stock

SKU SABRE_II_BNDL

-COMING SOON!- We expect the Sabre II to launch in Q4 2024.  The Sabre II will have several improvements over the first generation.  These include:

- Wireless compatibility with the Scout line of camera trapping gear
- Improved battery life
- Replaceable battery
- Advanced power moding that will make the Sabre II suitable for long term camera trapping
- Additional sensing to pre-wake cameras to allow for minimized shutter lag times

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Sabre uses a LIDAR (light radar) sensor to allow for exceptional accuracy that is minmally affected by ambient light conditions. You can set the triggering distance by aiming it at an object or entering a distance.  Sabre is a great way to minimize false triggers from PIR sensors for those tricky locations.

Includes:
1 - Sabre II Sensor
1 - 3200mAHr - Rechargable Li-Ion Battery

Optional:
1 - Sabre II Connection Harness - 4 m - Camera Out, Flash
1 - Shutter Interface Cable
1 - AC Power Adapter
1 - 1.5W Battery Charger

Features

SABRE II HIGHLIGHTS AND FEATURES

  • Single ended sensor - No separate transmitter and receiver
  • Dual sensor technology for advanced power moding - features both a PIR and LIDAR sensor
  • Uses PIR for wake-up and LIDAR for triggering - eliminates false triggers from PIR sensors
  • Allows use of internal or external PIR sensor to pre-wake camera (half press) for tack sharp, minimal delay stills
  • Internal Battery will last for more than 2 weeks in low power LIDAR only mode or for months with PIR wake up
  • First LIDAR Sensor with battery life long enough for long term camera trapping without an external battery pack
  • Includes a built-in alignment laser for easy setup and sighting
  • Fully compatible with the Scout Camera Trapping System - Camera Box and Lighting - fully wireless
  • Smart moding will detect a Scout Camera Box and adjust the LIDAR settings accordingly
  • Supports Bulb Mode for capturing bats in flight - both camera and flash control
  • The sensor range is minimally affected by sunlight or ambient light levels
  • Wi-Fi enabled and can be controlled by your favorite mobile device (both iOS and Android)
  • User replaceable Li-Ion Battery Pack
  • External power connection for very long term assignments
  • Battery can be charged internally or just replaced for quick camera trap servicing
  • Wi-Fi and LED brightness can be completely controlled for longer battery life - extra Battery Packsare available
  • Use to capture stills or video
  • Fully configurable shutter output timing
  • Included 1/4-20 aluminum tripod mount
  • Housing is weather proof - designed to be left outdoors
  • Wide operating temperature range from -40 to 60C (-40 to 140F)

SABRE II - NOW COMPATIBLE WITH SCOUT

Sabre II Setup Diagram


Sabre II and Scout Flashes

Sabre II Wireless Connection to Scout Flashes


BIRDS IN FLIGHT - Direct to Camera

If you want to capture birds in flight Sabre II can connect directly to your camera just like the original Sabre. Keep your camera awake to minimize shutter lag. If you want to use flash in this mode - just connect flashes to your camera as you normally would with a flash commander or connected speed-lite flash.

Sabre II Camera Connection Diagram

BATS IN FLIGHT - Minimize Shutter Lag

Want to minimize shutter lag? - let Sabre II control the camera shutter in bulb mode. The low ambient light allows you to leave the camera shutter open without over exposure. If there is a subject that crosses the beam the Sabre will fire the flash and refresh the frame. Perfect for capturing bats in flight at night. You can use either Scout Flashes (no wires) or you can connect third party flashes via the wire harness to use speed-lite flashes (or flash transmitters).

Sabre II Flash and Camera Connection Diagram


Sabre II - PIR Wake-up Diagram

PIR Wake-up for Camera Trapping

Using the PIR wake up feature on the Sabre II has a couple of very significant advantages over a single beam configuration. The first is it allows the LIDAR portion of the sensor to remain in deep sleep when it is not used. This has a large impact on overall battery life. The LIDAR sensor takes about a half second to wake up and be ready to trigger. During this time the Sabre II can also be programmed to wake up the camera with a 1/2 press. Most modern mirror-less cameras take 2 or 3 seconds to wake-up completely. Using the pre-wake feature gives the camera a chance to fully wake-up before the subject reaches the target location. This allows for minimal delay once the image is triggered. You end up with only shutter lag and no wake lag. If you are using a camera with animal detect auto-focus the PIR wake up gives the auto-focus system more time to lock on before the image is triggered.


External PIR Wake-up with the Scout Camera Box

If you are setting up a camera trap and find yourself in a situation where the built in PIR doesn't give you enough time between PIR and LIDAR detection to fully wake the camera it is possible to use an external PIR Sensor to wake-up both the LIDAR sensor and send the camera a 1/2 press.

Mix and Match Sensors

Use multiple Sabre II sensors to wirelessly trigger the same Camera Box to cover an animal approaching from multiple directions. Alternatively use the Sabre II in combination with the Scout Beam Sensor or the Scout PIR. Mix and and match sensors as your situation requires.



CONTROL THE SABRE II FROM THE SCOUT CAMERA BOX OR YOUR FAVORITE MOBILE DEVICE

ANDROID AND IOS

Control and configure your Sabre II sensor with your iOS or Android mobile device, there is an app available in the App Store or Google Play for $10. Be certain to download the Sabre II app and not the app for the first generation Sabre app. Please note that if you are using Sabre II with the Scout Camera Box you can configure it with the Scout Camera Box App and you will not need the Sabre II App. In this case you can leave the Wi-Fi of Sabre II off and just connect to the Scout Camera Box. The two devices will communicate via the low power wireless and not Wi-Fi. You can also use your computer to configure the Sabre II before you deploy it - the PC and Mac versions are available here for free. Once the Sabre is configured disconnect your device from the Sabre and Wi-Fi will automatically turn off to save battery life.

CHOOSE BETWEEN AUTO AND MANUAL MODES

Two Pre-configured Modes - Use Auto Mode to let Sabre choose the triggering distance based on the background or choose manual mode to decide on the triggering distance yourself.

SABRE IS FULLY USER CONFIGURABLE

The Sabre is fully user configurable. This includes the triggering distances, power moding, and all of the timing parameters. You can also control the number of shots for each trigger. The Sabre can also keep the camera awake to minimize shutter lag or wake it up based on activity detected by the PIR sensor.

LIDAR - THE HEART OF THE SABRE

The Sabre is built around a LIDAR sensor. LIDAR is a combination of Light and Radar. The LIDAR sensor sends out pulses of invisible IR light and measures the time the pulse takes to be reflected back to the source. The LIDAR sensor is minimally affected by changes in ambient light. All of this making it an ideal sensor for capturing birds in flight.

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FAQs

TOP CUSTOMER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (FAQ)

CAN I USE THE SCOUT BATTERY CHARGER TO CHARGE A SABRE II BATTERY?
The Sabre II is supplied with a 1.5A Li-Ion battery charger. The Scout batteries use a 3.0A battery charger. The Sabre II batteries are rated to be charged with a 3A charger but it will affect the overall number of charge discharge cycles you are able to get from the battery. The shorter life is due to the additional heat created when charging the cells at a higher current.
HOW DOES SABRE II TRIGGER MY CAMERA?
Sabre uses the same port on your camera as a remote shutter switch. Hover over the blue info icons to find a compatible camera list above - this will show what camera shutter interface cable is needed. If you need additional shutter cables you can find them here along with a full list of compatible cameras.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE SABRE II TO FIRE THE FLASH SO SHUTTER LAG CAN BE ELIMINATED?
Yes, Sabre has and additional flash output that can be used to fire the flash. In this configuration Sabre will hold open the camera shutter in Bulb Mode while waiting for a trigger. Once the trigger is received it will fire the flash and reset the camera shutter getting ready for the next shot. This is the ideal way to photograph subjects in the dark like bats or flying squirrels. There is a how-to page detailing the wiring and settings required.
CAN I USE TWO SABRE II'S IN A DUAL BEAM CONFIGURATION?
Yes, using a RCA patch cable you can connect two Sabres together to perform directional triggering (A->B, B->A), cross beam triggering (A&B), or increase the active triggering area (AorB).
CAN I USE SABRE TO TRIGGER ON INSECTS?
While Sabre is sensitive enough to trigger on insects (I have many pictures of bees from using Sabre around a hummingbird feeder), we recommend the StopShot and the Cross Beam Sensor for insects. There are two main reasons; the first is due to the small size and speed of insects. Sabre has a 10mS (10/1000 sec) response time, while this is plenty fast for birds, it makes getting a good macro shot that is in focus shot very difficult. If you are shooting at a magnification of 1X, imagine how little time the insect is actually in the frame when traversing through the beam. This is why we recommend the high speed shutter and cross beam sensors for insects.
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Specs

Electrical Specifications

Specifications MIN NOM MAX UNITS
Input Voltage 8 12 20 Vdc
Input Current (12Vdc in) - 50 1500 mAdc
Shutter Output Current Sink - - 1 Adc
Operating Temperature -30 25 60 C
-22 77 140 F
IR Laser Wavelength - 850 - nm
PIR Viewing Angle - +/-55 - degrees
Battery Life (High Power) - 2.7 - days
Battery Life (Low Power) - 16.5 - days
Battery Life (PIR Only) - 300 - days


Physical Specifications

Length 163mm (6.4 in)
Width 104mm (4.1 in)
Height 56mm (2.2 in)
Weight 0.7kg (1.53 lb)
Max Range 12m (40 ft)
Sampling Rate High Power - 10mS
Low Power - 100mS
Support

Sabre II Resources

Owner's Manual 

Owner's Manual (PDF) 

Firmware Updates

Firmware Updates (ZIP) Firmware Release Notes (PDF)

Sabre II Computer App

Sabre2 Configuration Software Download (Mac) Sabre2 Configuration Software Download (PC)

Detailed instructions on using the Sabre II Application can be found in the Owner's Manual.

How To

Accessories

Sabre Accessories:


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