trail/game cameras-a little help please

pickenup

Ok guys and gals, I'm in the mood for a trail/game cam. I have done a bit of reading, but I would like the opinion of those that have actually used them. Which ones should I look at getting, and which ones should I avoid, and why?

Thanks

Mobuck

I bought a pair of Wildgame Nation ($80 each MRP) for $40 each 5 years ago. I used them for 60 days per fall until last year and never had a failure. Yeah, they may be a little slow to trigger, not the clearest, and I think the red flash of the IR illuminator is visible to deer BUT they're good enough for my purposes.
Even with the IR flash, I get lots of night pics of all sorts of critters and even a couple of deer nearly touching the lens when the camera triggered.
They're still working, watertight, and functional.

Okie743

quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
I bought a pair of Wildgame Nation ($80 each MRP) for $40 each 5 years ago. I used them for 60 days per fall until last year and never had a failure. Yeah, they may be a little slow to trigger, not the clearest, and I think the red flash of the IR illuminator is visible to deer BUT they're good enough for my purposes.
Even with the IR flash, I get lots of night pics of all sorts of critters and even a couple of deer nearly touching the lens when the camera triggered.
They're still working, watertight, and functional.


Just some hints from hands on experience with Game Cameras last 6 years.

I bought two of the WGI's on sale 1 1/2 years ago (both are out of warranty and no good now) at approx. $40 each and both had constant failures when under the one year warranty, PITA to return, not user friendly to get a RMA number and I paid more in return shipping costs for the cameras that they initially cost. (they do not pay for return shipping)CS is not friendly to try and acquire a RMA number, some of their CS rep's almost want a DNA sample included in the return. (and I got to know them well)

WGI's camera's were returned approx. 8-10 times sometimes both at same time at about $10 a trip.

WGI sucks big air. You will not realize how many pictures the cheapo WGI camera's miss (and most of the camera's that cost $60 or less) until you test them beside a good camera. I have yet to see a $40 game camera of any brand name that is a really good game camera.

I've had several failures with Moultrie cameras that are in the $125 area, they seem to last just a few days past the 1 year warranty, especially when used in cold weather during hunting season when they are really needed. (out of warranty Moultrie CS may offer a discount of about 50 percent on the retail cost of a replacement camera from their on-line store)

I've had best luck with Browning camera's in the $100 range, watch for them on sale at Cabela's and Bass Pro.

Next would be Bushnell in the $100 area.

You also do not have to be a rocket scientist and have a degree in computer science and use magnifying glasses to program these two cameras.
I also prefer the type cameras that have a external power port and I use external 6v and 12v gel cell batteries for long life in cold weather. (the internal batteries are on standby when using external bat's) The Brownings are usually 12v and the Bushnell are usually 6v but some Bushnell's do not have a external power port.

Whatever you decide go on-line and read several reviews about the camera's Model and you can also read their instruction manual on-line.

In my experience any camera less than $100 is going to be a dud and some in the $100 range will be dud's.(so hang onto your receipts while under warranty)

Good Luck to Ya.

JimmyJack

Ive had my best luck with Bushnell, the batteries last a year. We used to use Cuddeback but their service and quality has slipped.

neacpa

I have used Moultrie cameras for ten plus years. It does seem that the newer cameras I have bought couple of years is not the same quality as before and the setup is not as simple. I have not been as satisfied as previously.

I have bought a couple of Wildgame Innovations cameras last two years also and while I have been okay with the quality of pics and battery life, I do not like the setup procedures. Also, I have noticed that if I use a SD card in a Wildgame camera, then I cannot use it in a Moultrie camera after that. It snaps the picture but there is not an image. It is just a totally black picture.

I currently have 5 Moultrie's and 2 Wildgame's on my land. The next one that goes out I will try a Browning and see how they do.

I typically buy the cameras in the $75-$125 range.

hillbille

on my 3rd moultrie, all factory warranty returns last one cost $7.40 to return, they just send new one. none have made it more than a year. got my son a stealth cam x-18 or somesuch. it has been going for 3 years now get at least a full season on set 8 batteries, that is on a 3 picture burst every 15 seconds. usually get about 1200-1500 pictures a week. if moultrie hadn't sent the replacement I would have gotten another stealth, I think it was around $79 on sale

204targetman

Ive used them for years. They all take descent enough pictures nowadays. I bought 4 primos cameras from cabelas on their black Friday sale last year for about 20 or 25 bucks a piece. They work fine. When the thieves steal them. Its a lot easier to lose the cheap ones. Just my thoughts.

204targetman

Ive used them for years. They all take descent enough pictures nowadays. I bought 4 primos cameras from cabelas on their black Friday sale last year for about 20 or 25 bucks a piece. They work fine. When the thieves steal them. Its a lot easier to lose the cheap ones. Just my thoughts.