Tachyon Micro & Micro HD Instruction Manual

Dear Customer,

Thank you for buying the Tachyon XC Micro or Micro HD. These Micro cameras are the latest of our video and still helmet cameras designed for filming extreme action in extreme conditions. They are very rugged and very simple to use, while delivering 30FPS of quality video.

The Tachyon Micros are shockproof, waterproof, and foolproof. Take them anywhere on land, into the sea, and into the air and bring back your stunts, adventures, and bloopers. A patented shock-proof battery system eliminates an all-too -common problem among other action cameras; the loss of power and recorded files caused by the jarring loose of the batteries. This innovation ensures that videos taken in challenging and perhaps impossible-to-repeat situations will not be lost.

And unlike other action cameras which need to rely on an external waterproof case, the Tachyon XC Micros are designed to be waterproof from the start. Combined with the patented Dive Lock (see below), the Micros allow you to film to a depth of 100 feet (30 Meters).

The Tachyon Micro shoots video in superior quality standard ng modes: Superior-Quality Video and Time-Lapse Photography. It makes use of the 4GB - 64GB Micro Memory cards, for the longest recording times on the market.

About Tachyon

Tachyon, Inc. is a company that deals in extremes: We make extremely cool products for extreme people who engage in extreme activities. In order to make the best products, Tachyon, Inc. does not compromise on materials or on the quality of construction. We exceed industrial standards to ensure that our products exceed your expectations.

Please be sure to set up your new action camera using the following instructions. If you have any questions feel free to contact us.

The Management
Tachyon, Inc.

• You may change recording modes from Video to Photo (Time-Lapse) by sliding the switch on the left to the desired position (camera icon).

• To lock the camera so that it cannot shut off due to extreme water pressure, or by the user accidentally pressing the button, slide the right switch to the Lock position (lock icon). See Waterproofing below for more details.

• If you are having video playback problems when connected to your TV, please see below for how to use the Unlock - Lock to switch TV playback modes.

To set your camera's time and date you will need to follow these simple steps:

• First, record a short video with your camera and then turn it off.
• Then, connect your camera to your computer with with the USB cable.
• Turn on your camera and you will soon see a pop-up window. (Top Right). Notice the file "DATETIME.bat"
• Double-Click "DATETIME.bat"
  
  
• This will create a file called "DateTime.dat".
  
  
• Now, press and release the button on your camera. This will sync the Date/Time of your computer with your camera. You will hear a beep when this is done.
• The open window will now close.
  
  
• Press and hold the button to turn off your camera.
• Now unplug your USB cable and use your camera as usual. Files recorded will now be marked with the correct date and time.
  
  
• Note: If your batteries are taken out of your camera for more than a few minutes, this setting will be lost and you will need to repeat it.

The Tachyon XC Micro comes with one reversible Universal Mount that allows you to securely mount your camera on the top or on either side of your helmet.

You Micro will easily snap in and out of the Universal Mount, which itself will easily slip over the strap of your goggles, or on to the top or either side of your helmet.

We also recommend, for secure and easy mounting, 3M™ Dual-Lock™ Fastening Strips. You will get one 8-inch strip in your box. These are similar to Velcro but much stronger.

When filming in extreme situations, it is important to further tether your camera to the mount that you are using. This will ensure that your camera is not lost in water, snow, or rugged terrain when you fall or hit your camera. The rear door of your camera is designed to allow fishing line to be passed through the top, near the latch, so when the door is locked shut your camera will be securely attached to whatever you tie it to.

3M™ Dual-Lock™ is a trademark of 3M Company in the United States and/or other countries.

See our Tachyon XC Micro Mounting Page for more mounting tips.

The Tachyon XC Micro makes use of its patented Dive Lock feature to work under water to a depth of 100 feet (30 Meters).

To ensure waterproofing, be sure to keep the rubber seal around the rear door clean and the door closed properly.

The Dive Lock prevents water pressure from shutting off your camera in the deep water. Lock your camera by opening the back door and sliding the locking switch to the Right. Close and lock the door and then start recording as normal. You (and high water pressure) will now be unable to stop the recording.

To stop recording, you must surface, dry your camera, open the door, slide the switch back to the left, and then push the ON/OFF button until the camera stops.

The Tachyon XC Micro comes with a USB cable.

To open your files from your camera, first set the switches on the back of your camera to Photo and Lock.

Then plug the small end into the jack inside the back door of your camera and the large end into your computer’s USB port. (The jack on your camera is used for both the TV and the USB cables).

Now turn on your camera. You should hear a beep and see a window popping up asking you to view your files.

We suggest that you save your files to your computer as soon as possible after recording.

But if your computer is able to read Micro Memorycards, we highly recommend removing the card from your Tachyon XC Micro, inserting it into its adaptor, and then plugging it into your computer. Then you will be able to move your files from your camera onto your computer.

This will not only save the batteries of your cameras, but video files watched directly from the memory card may not run as smoothly as files that have been copied to your computer’s hard drive.

When your Micro USB cable or memory card is inserted into your adaptor/card reader/computer, you should see the following in your file manager.

Under the DCIM folder you will see one video folder (100XCVID) for all of the videos that you have taken on that card.

And you will see a separate picture folder (101,102XCPIC) for each “session” of photo taking. That means that every time you start and stop taking your time lapse photos, a new folder will be created. This will help you to keep things organized.

You may copy, paste and delete these files just as you would do with any other file on your computer.

We urge you to copy your files to the computer as quickly as possible, to free up space for more files and to be sure that you don’t lose any great video or photos.

To connect the Micro to your TV, insert the TV cable into the back of your camera, and then plug in the yellow and white leads into the back of your TV (to the corresponding color plugs)

See the next section for selecting your TV system.

NTSC and PAL are two different TV systems. The videos that you take with the Tachyon XC Micro are compatible with both.

You can switch between the two systems using the Lock and Unlock switch on the back of your camera. When connected to your TV and turning on the camera when unlocked, you will be in NTSC mode. Turning it on when locked, you will be in PAL mode.

Your camera ships with the switch set to Unlock. Therefore the default mode is NTSC system. So if you are in an PAL country, and your TV playback is in black and white or with a wavy image, you will need to switch.

With the first batch of production for the Micro, these switches were reversed. It was Unlock for PAL and Lock for NTSC. So if you purchased your camera before February, 2010, please try the opposite of these instructions!

Tachyon Micro cameras are compatible with Windows® XP/Vista/7 and Apple Mac OS® X

Apple MAC OS® X is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Windows® XP/Vista/7 is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

The Tachyon XC Micro requires good-quality batteries to support its high-capacity functions, so low-cost carbon-zinc batteries are not recommended. For best results, use AAA Energizer® Ultimate Lithium Batteries. In cold weather, use ONLY this kind!

You will get up to 4 hours of life with Ultimate Lithium Batteries. Other types of batteries will give you less recording time.

In cold weather, use ONLY this kind of battery!

• DO NOT mix new and used or different kinds of batteries.
• DO NOT use rechargeable batteries.
• DO NOT try to force your batteries into the Tachyon XC if they are not going in easily. You may have inserted them incorrectly, or you may be using batteries that are too thick.
• ALWAYS put the positive pole of the batteries into the cartridge first, before snapping in the negative side. This will ensure a firm connection.

AAA-Size rechargeable batteries must not be used for several reasons:

1. They are larger than normal AAA batteries and will not fit well into our shockproof battery cartridge, which was designed to be a tight fit to prevent loose batteries from losing connection and losing your files.
2. When they run out of power, they run out suddenly. This will also cause you to lose your files.
3. They are no good in the cold, and our users take a lot of cold-weather video.

Over the life of your camera battery technology may improve, so you should make use of the most advanced (non-rechargeable) batteries available.

Note: There is no low-power indicator on the Micro, so you won't be able to tell when your batteries are becoming low. But before your camera shuts off, the file that you are recording will be saved, so that you won't lose any important footage. Always carry extra batteries with you when you go, just in case you have misjudged the power remaining in your camera.

Energizer® is a registered trademark of
Eveready Battery Company, Inc. in the United States
and/or other countries.
Duracell® is a registered trademark of P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc.
in the United States and/or other countries.