HikMicro M15 issues

[ksb]

Sorry for posting a similar thread as some previous issues but I have a couple of specific queries for users of the HikMicro M15 camera. I purchased one at the start of the year so thankfully still within the 2-year warranty. The camera has been unreliable from the start, I was initially using rechargeable batteries then changed to Duracell non rechargeable which seemed to work better i.e. the camera would connect and stay online but that was quite short lived. I had a 64GB SD micro card installed in an adaptor but changed the card to a full-sized SD that didn’t require an adaptor after reading that this is recommended. The camera was set to send pictures in real time (although many different settings where tried) and was very intermittent as to when pictures would be sent. I have purchased 4 data plans since buying the camera and I don’t believe I have seen any of the plans applied to the account, it continuously says no data plan available. I have a support case open with Hikmicro and have requested that the camera is RMA to them for investigation. My queries are from reading some threads, do you get a free plan each month or is that a one off?, has anyone else had an issue with purchased data plans not being applied to the account?, support from Hikmicro is a bit slow as would be expected given this is a reasonably cheap consumable product but I get one update per 24 hours usually in the middle of the night which I would imagine is down to the time zone differences. Has anyone RMA their camera? as I have requested the RMA address for the camera to be sent at my expense, but I am reluctant to throw good money after bad and may write it off to a bad experience and buy a Zeiss.

 

[Tony Morgan]

I returned an M15 to Hikmicro when it ceased to activate, and it was repaired.
I've never paid for a data plan as 100 pics per month is enough for me. You do get a free plan every month, it's not a one-off.
I use Energizer Lithium batteries - expensive, but they last for months.

 

[ksb]

I returned an M15 to Hikmicro when it ceased to activate, and it was repaired.
I've never paid for a data plan as 100 pics per month is enough for me. You do get a free plan every month, it's not a one-off.
I use Energizer Lithium batteries - expensive, but they last for months.

Thanks Tony appreciate the reply

 

[75]

They always send in real time. The “remote control” setting where you change instantaneous / every x hours refers to how often it communicates settings changes. If you chose instantaneous it’ll eat batteries.

Mine is set on 24hrs and still pings me whenever it takes an image.

I have had a data plan once in the past and it worked fine.

 

[20ppc]

Hi, I had 2 HIK cameras, they were useless and drained batteries very quickly, I have replaced them with the Zeiss SECAM ones, which are excellent and their App is so much better than the HIk. Their customer service is excellent, I had an issue when one of the cameras needed a firmware upgrade but it was beyond meThey sent me a new SD card with the new update free of charge. Friend of mine is a keeper and he had 6 HIKs, he now has 6 Zeiss Seecam 5s. Enough said

 

[Tim.243]

Sorry for posting a similar thread as some previous issues but I have a couple of specific queries for users of the HikMicro M15 camera. I purchased one at the start of the year so thankfully still within the 2-year warranty. The camera has been unreliable from the start, I was initially using rechargeable batteries then changed to Duracell non rechargeable which seemed to work better i.e. the camera would connect and stay online but that was quite short lived. I had a 64GB SD micro card installed in an adaptor but changed the card to a full-sized SD that didn’t require an adaptor after reading that this is recommended. The camera was set to send pictures in real time (although many different settings where tried) and was very intermittent as to when pictures would be sent. I have purchased 4 data plans since buying the camera and I don’t believe I have seen any of the plans applied to the account, it continuously says no data plan available. I have a support case open with Hikmicro and have requested that the camera is RMA to them for investigation. My queries are from reading some threads, do you get a free plan each month or is that a one off?, has anyone else had an issue with purchased data plans not being applied to the account?, support from Hikmicro is a bit slow as would be expected given this is a reasonably cheap consumable product but I get one update per 24 hours usually in the middle of the night which I would imagine is down to the time zone differences. Has anyone RMA their camera? as I have requested the RMA address for the camera to be sent at my expense, but I am reluctant to throw good money after bad and may write it off to a bad experience and buy a Zeiss.

You get a free plan each month and can top up, I had one go "off" sent back and working fine, they are a bit 4g sensitive as I moved one 70 yds and working fine.
I think people expect them to be top of the range Iphone fast as in the middle of London.
This time of year the trees are thick with leaves

I have 3 and they are working fine.

 

[Tony Morgan]

drained batteries very quickly

Nope. see #2. You need to get the settings right.

 

[Cymro]

I use rechargeable Amazon basics batteries in mine and with it set to operate from 8pm to 0600 I get 3 or 4 weeks between changes.
I occasionally’top up’ the free data plan with the 300 pictures package for a fiver as and when needed. I have noticed it doesn’t trigger as quickly as my Browning trail cam but that’s a sacrifice I’m happy to make to have the pictures sent direct to my phone. Mine is currently out on a farm where I can’t get a mobile signal with O2 and is showing 100% signal.

 

[nightcrow]

Hi, I had 2 HIK cameras, they were useless and drained batteries very quickly, I have replaced them with the Zeiss SECAM ones, which are excellent and their App is so much better than the HIk. Their customer service is excellent, I had an issue when one of the cameras needed a firmware upgrade but it was beyond meThey sent me a new SD card with the new update free of charge. Friend of mine is a keeper and he had 6 HIKs, he now has 6 Zeiss Seecam 5s. Enough said

No issues with my Hik once I returned the delay to the factory setting of 24h,it cured the appetite for batteries, but I am very underwhelmed with the image.

 

[ksb]

Thanks again for the replies. Mine will go back for repair as it wont connect at all. I have tried various cities , locations etc to try and rule out poor cellular coverage.