HCO Panda GSM ans HCO Panda

As we have done with others we are going to refer readers to the standard HCO Panda camera review for all the particulars and this review will only deal with the GSM function. Unless otherwise noted trigger results and flash results are identical on this model to the standard camera.

This company has some very good experience in Cell based systems and systems that are in the hands of the users are working well. We expect this camera will also fall into that category.

The over all appearance and assembly of this camera displays a high degree of attention to detail. The gasket seal is very tight and there are three latches to ensure that there is pressure all the way around the door. The small size and great dark color will make it fit in the woods very well, except maybe on a very light grey barked tree. The box included the strap and USB cable along with a small antenna for the Cell function. The balance of this review will be the screen shots and setup procedures needed to get this little camera working on the air and start sending pictures back to our computer.

Battery life will be done by one of our friends once we finish with all the necessary review work. I do not think anyone will be disappointed with this camera.


We managed to make it through our list of 2012 camera’s and now our first new critter for this next year is hitting the market maybe just in time for Christmas or shortly there after. Having the same roots as some of this year cameras that came from HCO and Covert, which have already had the chance to prove themselves already in the field we expect this little fellow will do the same. Many of the very talented individuals from the old Boly company moved over to the Uovision plant and took up residence. The end result has been some fairly impressive units being produced and sold under these companies’ labels.

At first glance it has a bit of the “Tiny” camera (like MOULTRIE A-20 ) appearance that came from another company but that is about as close as it comes in comparison. This is a small camera that is about 6 inches wide and four inches tall. It sticks out off the tree about three inches and has a very dark brown camouflage color. This should be a very easy camera to hide even though it has that alien eye look with the array lens filters and the PIR mouth and main lens nose.

We have no documentation on this camera so I have to fly this bugger by the seat of my pants. I can normally determine the emitter count either by an actual count or from the documentation. In this case they are not visible through the filters and it is a true black flash, so I do not know the count at this time. I will also have to wait for the formal trigger times because I have my flash analyzer at a different location this week. My guess just by watching through my digital camera is it is very close to being just under a second or better.

The resolution settings are 3,5,6, MP’s and the delay goes down to zero but we always set it to the next highest setting which is 5 seconds. There is a burst mode up to three pictures per trigger. The info strip has date/time, moon phase, temperature, and battery indicator. It operates off 8 AA cells and uses up to a 32 gig SD card. Built in view screen and playback is photo only and not video. Video mode 640X480 is adjustable up to 60 seconds. It will still capture motion through the PIR when the time laps mode is selected. The time lapse setting is double window photo/video that reaches down to 5 seconds and up into the hours. There is an over write feature that allows the camera to start over writing the oldest picture stored when the card fills up. There is also pass word protection if you desire.

My dark room tests showed that I could not see the array fire during my initial tests. I then set up for good sun out side captures and both IR and sun pictures were very respectable. I believe we are going to see some happy users once these make their way into the field. Being black flash and costing about $220 I think the acceptance will happen in short order. There is a bit of a bark grabber on the back of the cam and the strap loops have some cable loops but not exactly what we would call good security but better than nothing. This is where maybe that password protection might help. Once our trail camera aftermarket vendors get the measurements I think you might see some security enclosures coming available on their web sites.

It is my understanding that HCO will have us the documentation with in the next couple of days. In the mean time I went to the Uovision site and their data on this camera says the IR count is 52 high out emitters. We are assuming that this is the same version that HCO has exclusive rights to.

What Is A Power Bank?

There was a time when batteries were not the main concern of the mobile phone manufacturers. Sure, they were always important, but when we really think back, batteries were always just there. They needed to be charged, and it usually took several days until the need arose to do that. This is because old mobile phones didn’t have the features we’re used to from today’s extremely powerful smartphones.

With every new feature (cameras, flashlights, color displays, WiFi, etc.) the need for more powerful batteries became more and more apparent. Phones were not just devices for talking anymore, we started using them for all sort of things.

Think of it this way, in the old days, you’d get your news from television, your entertainment from the cinemas, your games from a gaming console, your photographs taken with a camera, etc. Now, consider the modern smartphone.

It has all of those features (internet for news, video players for entertainment, games from mobile games, photographs from camera phones), but we expect it to be supplied by a slightly better version of the batteries that were mainly built for supplying enough power so you could make a simple phone call.

No wonder we all get frustrated by batteries dying on us and the need to recharge them every day. It’s not the battery’s or the manufacturer’s fault. Technology is simply not catching up to our needs as quickly as we want it to. Power banks ( for example: GOAL ZERO YETI 150 ) are a great bridge to get us across this issue until an answer to this power problem arises.

Simply put, a power bank is an external battery for your phone. You can charge it and then use it to charge your device when there’s no other power outlet. With this in mind, power banks have a lot in common with replacement batteries. Theoretically, you could buy a second battery for your phone and keep it charged in case your current battery runs out of juice.

However, when you think about the process of exchanging the battery, it is rather frustrating. You’d have to open your phone case, get the empty battery out, and put the new battery in. this process causes, in most phones and devices, the device to shut down.

The power bank, on the other hand, is a portable power socket that you carry with you. It is very easy to use and can (depending on the model of the power bank) provide enough power to charge your devices several times. This all depends, of course, on the capacity of the power bank.

What is the power bank’s capacity?

Every battery has a certain capacity of power it can harbor. The higher the capacity the power bank has, the more power it can retain. This means that power banks with higher capacities can charger bigger devices.

The key here is knowing the capacity of your device’s battery and the capacity of the power bank. Let’s say your smartphone’s battery has a capacity of 6000mAh, and your power bank a maximum capacity of 12,000mAh. This means that you can charge your phone to 100% twice with this power bank.

However, if your power bank has a capacity of only 3000mAh, it means that you’ll be able to charge your phone only once to 50%. Of course, those power banks with higher capacities cost more, but can come in handy on long trips or travels where there are no power outlets available.
How long does it take a power bank to fully charge?

Power banks usually charge for a longer time than smartphones or other devices of the same capacity. For example, if a smartphone battery with a capacity of 3000mAh takes 2 hours to charge, a power bank with the same capacity would take, approximately, 4 hours to fully charge. The reason for this is the different way power banks and smartphone batteries store the power.

Smartphones store power that’s going to be used immediately. It is common for phones to show a decrease of 1% or 2% right after it is fully charged and we unplug it from the charger. That’s because phones use the power to keep the operating system running and for everything else that has to do with the functionality of the smartphone.

Power banks, however, store power which is going to be used later to charge other devices. This kind of storing requires a bit more sophistication and thus takes longer. There are power banks that can charge faster, some even manage to be as fast as a smartphone when it comes to charging. However, these fast charging power banks are always a bit more expensive than the entry- or mid-level ones.
What can a power bank be used for?

The utilization of power banks has proven itself on being extremely versatile. The way we use smartphones and tablets these days has replaced a lot of other items from our everyday life. Smartphones are not just devices to make phone calls and send messages with.

They’ve become internet browsers and they’re often used in business as well. If you start thinking about all the things you do on a daily basis on your smartphone, it will be clear to you that having an empty battery can be extremely frustrating.

Furthermore, people who travel a lot have found power banks to be extremely useful too. Finding yourself in a foreign city can be confusing and stressful. Smartphones have made this kind of adventure travelling a lot easier with GPS and online Maps that can navigate you through the most exotic places you can think of.

However, once you rely on those apps and devices, it becomes not only convenient to have a way to recharge your smartphone or tablet, but also somewhat essential to not get lost.

Power banks are easy to use, versatile in practice and create a feeling of being safe. If you rely on your smartphone or tablet on a daily basis, power banks are great investments for your peace of mind.

IQ vs. EQ – What is More Important to Succeed in Business?

What is an important criterion to determine success in business – Intelligence Quotient vs. Emotional Quotient? The debate of importance between IQ and EQ has been going on for quite some time. Some argue that IQ has been standardized over number of years and hence is a pretty good indicator of a person’s ability to deal with the challenges of business. On the other hand, there are people who make a case that IQ has nothing to do with the success of failure in business. It is how you deal with your own emotions and those of others that helps you succeed in business. So who is right? What is more important IQ or EQ? Let’s understand what they are and how they help a person succeed.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

IQ was invented in the early 20th century. Since then it has been the most common professional measure of person’s intelligence. It has been used in number of situations to determine person’ intelligence and his ability to perform certain tasks.

Due to 1971 ruling from US Supreme Court companies are barred from using IQ tests for hiring employees unless they are specifically related the job employees are required to perform. Because of which majority of companies do not administer these tests during job interview and instead resort to behavioral questions and tests. Companies can however use these tests to determine the performance of employees after they have been hired.

What do You Need to Know before Starting an Engineering Business

Engineering is one of the most reliable, thriving industries out there. No matter how the economy is performing, there will always be a demand for good engineers. We will always continue to build higher, explore further, and invent new technologies. Engineers are at the heart of these industries, and there’s a secure, exciting future ahead. However, not all of us fit the mold for working at a traditional engineering firm.

Some engineers also have an entrepreneurial heart. After all, the engineers are the world’s best inventors. So, how does an engineer start building a business? How do they compete with the biggest companies in the industry? In this post, we’ll dig into the specifics of starting an engineering company. Think you’ve got what it takes?



Experience – Unfortunately, engineering isn’t a career you simply jump into. It takes years of studying, training, and active work experience. Great engineers are made from experience, trial-and-error, and tutelage. Our advice is to build up a foundation of strong knowledge and experience at an engineering firm first. You’ll gather the basics, and understand how the industry works. You’ll also make some key contacts and start to build your network. You’ll need it when you’re pitching for new projects as an entrepreneur.

How a Strong Brand Logo can Help Grow Your Business

Enhancing the perceived value of a brand is one of the most valuable actions a business can take. It separates similar products by creating a perceived value that allows the product or service to resonate important qualities to their customers other than price. Fewer than 20% of products and services in each market gain the lion’s share of revenue and profits. Branded promotional products always outperform non-branded ones, which are seen as a commodity. Below are a few action steps that your business can take to leave a long lasting impression.

Design an iconic logo.

A logo is more than just artwork. The logo is your business’s identity. A well-branded logo will tell people everything that they need to know about a product or service so they can make a confident purchase decision in the blink of an eye. A good logo will help to pitch the values of the business, thus having a direct impact on sales. There are a few different approaches to developing an iconic logo which include: