If the red LED stays on solid red, it means that the battery voltage is so low that the sensor cannot boot up.  Replace the AA batteries, and the device will begin working normally.

On power-up, the sensor reads all the dip switch settings.  You must have at least one of the Magnet or Motion settings in the ON position for a sensor.  If none are ON it flashes this error sequence to let you know it’s not properly configured.  If it looks like your dip switches are properly configured, just reinforce the dip switch settings and cycle power once again.  Anytime you change the dip switch settings, you should do a power cycle by using the on/off power switch located by the batteries.

The handheld requires 2 AAA batteries (1.5V), and the sensor requires 2 AA batteries. Standard alkaline batteries do work well with our system, but one can use lithium (1.5V) cells for added run time if desired

The motion detectors are designed to look for human or animal body heat signatures.  It is possible to sometimes get what you think is a false trigger by smaller animals, and it’s even remotely possible that direct sunlight or sudden changes in wind/temperature could cause a false trigger.  Care was taken to minimize these possibilities, but it could occur.  Some general tips:

• Don’t put the motion detection eye directly into the sunlight
• Keep the motion detection eye clean

We manufactured two different versions of the sensor such that someone could use the same device year-round for hunting, fishing, hunting, trapping, and for an easy install surveillance device.  The Magnet-only version is useful for monitoring tip-ups while ice fishing, bank fishing, and trapping.  The simple action of a tip-up flag, trap door, etc pull the Magnet from the sensor, activating the alarm from the device.

The Motion and Magnet version can do all of the same Magnet-activated alarms, but it can also be configured to sense motion-based heat signatures present, such as an animal or person walking within the view of the Sensor.  If you don’t plan on using the Sensor for these types of applications, the Magnet-only version is your best option.

Yes. You need a handheld to receive messages and/or poll sensors.

Absolutely!  The higher you can mount the sensor from the ground, the better.  This was the main reason we designed the base bracket holder to include a stand and/or many means of fastening the sensors up in the air.  We have done extensive testing with it at different heights and even sitting directly on the ice, and we still have seen performance out to nearly 1 mile Line of Sight.  But let’s face it… for the VultureNet system, in most circumstances, it really doesn’t matter because we have such a long range

Some people cannot hear certain tones, and we balanced volume, battery life, and ensured the handheld was properly sealed for water ingress. Luckily, all alarms are also visual with the LED’s on the handheld as a backup check if you cannot hear the buzzer.

The white LED was put in for a poll so the user can visually see that the unit has received the poll message from the handheld.  It was also added to aid in locating sensors during night fishing.  The LED for poll mode cannot be disabled; however, we are always open to feedback from our customers!

Determining whether to use POLL Mode or NON-POLL Mode is purely a person's preference.  If you want that extra piece of mind to know that you are in range, and if you want to periodically check for a possible missed alarm, it is recommended to use POLL Mode.  POLL Mode also gives you the ability to turn on the White LED for use as a flashlight.

If you are primarily concerned about battery life and only want to receive alarms, then NON-POLL Mode is your best option.

• If the Handheld lights all 6 LEDs and does a 3-second beep immediately upon pressing a button, the Handheld has a low battery, and you should consider changing it soon. The unit was designed to still have several hours of working life upon first detecting a low battery.

• If the Handheld only lights the LED just polled and also does the 3-second beep, that is your indication that the Sensor unit just polled has a low battery. The unit was designed to still have several hours of working life upon first detecting a low battery.

Yes, you can have more duplicate sensor ID’s reporting to one Handheld. However, if you had 10 sensor units with ID #1, you no longer know which one of the 10 sensor units is in alarm, but you will get the alarm messages. Also, if using POLL MODE, it is quite possible that all 10 units will get the POLL and flash their white LED, but the responses from the sensor can collide at the Handheld, causing some confusion in POLL Mode.

• Even though the range is in excess of 1 mile Line of Sight, it is necessary to have adequate range and signal penetration to ensure the packets get back and forth.

• Some products in the field today state several hundred feet of range, but that is Line of Sight, and those signals will go a fraction of that range in real-life scenarios and will not be able to penetrate a metal fish shanty.

• Ensure you are following all local regulations in terms of using this product.

Any wireless device can miss a message or drop a message due to signal issues, collisions, etc.  An alarm message is only sent a few times, so if you were out of range, that alarm message could be missed.  Vulture Systems added the possibility of setting your devices to 2-way mode just for this reason.  POLL Mode allows you to periodically poll the unit in case any alarms were missed.  If a device is in alarm and if you POLL it, you will get that missed alarm.  POLL Mode also gives you the peace of mind so that you know you are still in range of the Sensor.  When in doubt or bored, just do a POLL for that extra piece of mind!

If the button is pressed at the same time that the LED flashes for an alarm, it can cause a timing issue to clear the alarm.  Press the button again when the LED is not illuminated.

• In POLL MODE, the expected battery life of the Sensor is roughly 5 weeks of continuous operation when using name-brand alkaline batteries. This will decrease if excessive alarms, polls, and use of the WHITE LIGHT Mode are exhibited.

• Lithium AA batteries will provide nearly double the battery life as compared to name-brand alkalines.

• In NON POLL MODE, the expected battery life of the Sensor is roughly 6 months of continuous operation. This will decrease if excessive alarms are exhibited.

• As a general rule of thumb, one can turn off the Sensor by the internal power switch when not in use to conserve batteries.

• The expected battery life of the Handheld is roughly 15 days of continuous operation with name-brand alkaline batteries.

• Lithium AAA batteries will provide nearly double the operating time.

• However, when not in use, it is suggested to put the Handheld into Low Power Mode by pressing buttons 1 and 2 for 5 seconds.  One can tell if the Handheld is in low power mode if the button LED does not illuminate when pressed.

• When ready to turn the Handheld back on, once again press buttons 1 and 2 again for 5 seconds, and you will see the LEDs turn on when the Handheld comes out of Low Power Mode.

• Ensure the Magnet was properly installed in the correct location.  When the Sensor detects the magnet being properly installed, it flashes the green POWER LED 10 times.  This is your indication that the Sensor is armed.  Always ensure the sensor is properly armed before leaving the Sensor.

• Ensure that you are properly paired to the unit you are testing.  Units must be paired together to work.

• Ensure that the dip switch MAGNET plunger is towards the ON position (towards the battery holder).

• Ensure you have the sensor in POLL Mode by verifying that the dip switch plunger is in the ON position or towards the battery holder.

• Redo the pairing to the appropriate ID. It is recommended to label each base so you know which sensor is which ID.

• Ensure that you are firmly holding down the button for 5 seconds.

• Ensure that you have POLL Mode enabled on the dip switches.

Someone within range of you is pairing a device. Just let the pairing expire on your handheld and do NOT push a button, or it may pair to your handheld, only causing the person to continue trying on their end.  We have done everything we can to minimize the distance for pairing, but that’s hard to do when your system is long range!

Messages are sometimes delayed a couple of seconds due to a number of reasons such as collisions, multi-path, etc.  The device sending the message will go through a series of retries to get the message where it needs to go.

Of course, they work.  Vulture Systems has spent a couple of seasons perfecting the product until ultimately offering it to the market.

That’s a good question.

The VultureNet is a long-range (in excess of 1 mile range) two-way, wireless system designed to be easily installed on tip-ups and fishing poles to alert the user when a fish is on.  The system consists of a Sensor and Handheld. The sensor can be easily installed on tip-ups and slip bobbers for ice fishing, traps for trapping, and fishing poles for bank fishing.  Additionally, the device can be used to monitor game trails by simply using the trigger magnet feature on the Sensor or by buying the model Motion Detection enabled.