Ok I am looking to get my first trail cam and wanted some recommendations on some. I do not need the top of the line as my main use will be to catch deer and other wildlife around current and potential hunting spots.
I know some of the real cheap ones go through batteries like crazy so I will probably stay away from them, but like to hear from others that have used a few cams and the questions, concerns they have of each.
I've been using them since before they were digital. I now have 6 or 7 of them. I have found that getting a good one that lasts is a crap shoot. Go to the website chasinggame.com or chasingame.com. It's one of the 2.
This guy tries them out and rates them.
I would stay a long way from wildlife innovations.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 09/17/1306:18 PM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
I would like to stay around $100 if possible (due to theft). I was looking at the Primos, Moultrie and Wild Game Innovations due to price, but want one that works and has a decent battery life not one that dies every 1-3 days.
For bare bones, the Primos 35 has worked well for me. I have 5 of them, and they all still work after owning them for I think going on 4 or 5 years now. Biggest down side to the camera is the slight clicking noise it makes when it takes a picture. Other than that, I don't have any major complaints. If you are patient, you can get them for around $80, but $100 is the usual.
The above aforementioned web site is the place to check though. If you are truly getting the camera for scouting a hunting area, get one that does time lapse with a wide angle lens. The Plotwatcher was the original, but several brands have that technology now. The technology truly watches a hunting area, while a game camera only watches a single trail, food pile, salt pit or scrape.
I have 2 Moultrie cams that I bought from good ole Wal-Mart. 1 of them I have had for 4 years and the other 3 years. I look at pics from other name brand competitors and was not impressed. The pics from my cams are clear and crisp day or night. I have had them out this season since August 1st and still have 75% battery power left. I check them every 2 weeks and had 508 pics from the last time and 10 videos and they are still going strong. When it gets colder, the batteries go a lot quicker. I think I paid 80 bucks for them and I am very happy.
AW man AB, nothing like stirrin things up a bit early. Have enough trouble doin chores as it is. Seriously, very nice body and almost perfectly matched rack. Wish I could find a woman as balanced.
Do nature a favor, spay/neuter your pets and any weird friends or relatives.
I'm using Cuddebak, Moultrie and Primos 46. They all work at this time.
I had 3 Wild Game's before I gave up on them. They are inexpensive but seldom take pictures. JUNK!!
Some models have a place at the bottom to wire for an external battery. On a couple of mine, I'm using a rechargeable battery with a small solar panel. That works well as long as nothing decides to chew on the wires.
What's depressing is to put 2 cams on the same spot and seeing that they get different pictures.
This can easily turn into a blond/brunette or Ford/Chevy type of discussion.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 09/18/1305:16 AM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
I'm with CJ on the noisy cameras. I have a picture (actually a 3 picture sequence because the camera was set to take 3 pictures once it was triggered) of a large buck. First one he's close to the camera as he walks towards it on a deer trail, next 2 are him turned around and back about 20-30 feet looking at what was making that noise. Never got another picture of him. The camera worked, but I couldn't change the date/time. The temp is correct, the pictures were taken in mid January and it was not too long after sunup. I only saw him on the hoof once, and while I had the muzzleloader on him, I couldn't shoot because of a tree in the way. He turned and walked away and the opportunity was gone. Never heard of anyone in the area getting him, and the picture was taken 1-2011.
I've had the Moultries and Wildgames priced from $50 to $80 and they don't last long and have minimal battery life unless you get one that allows a rechargeable 6volt battery with solar charger.
Agree with crstfr, bought a Bushnell in October last year that cost about $150 and uses 6 AA batteries. Had it up for 3 months end of last year and never changed batteries even it took over a thousand pics.
I don't have much to add as the others have given some great advice on seeking reviews on different models, but from personal experience I have a Moultrie M-80 XT and a Bushnell 8MP Trophy cam, both bought last year.
They were both around $125 (online) and both take great stills and videos but I'd take a second Moultrie M-80 over the Bushnell for these simple reasons: Better latch desing Better strap design - The Bushnell strap is a PITA, IMO IMO a better battery compartment (both take 8 AA's) Can be set up to take still AND video (Bushnell is one or the other)
Not owning a trail-cam before, I didn't know what to look for, but as trivial as those items may seem, the first 3 I listed are a lot more important than I thought they'd be. Both also seem to be equal on battery life and they've both taken several stills and videos without the Game being spooked. They're hearing something because I have many shots of deer coming right up to the camera, like this one did, but apparently not enough to scare them away. I even have a great video of a deer licking or "nosing" the cam, but here's one of the stills:
