Hello all.Ive never used a trail camera in the past but Im planning on getting one now.I would like to find a decent, durable digital model.Not looking to spend a mint cause here in NY, even the deepest, darkest, most remote and posted locations are known to harbor thieves.
Good luck Izzy. I've been trying to decide on a digital trailcam for a couple of years now. The more opinions I get, the more I get confused on which model to buy. :banghead: I'll be watching this thread! :pray:
I'm getting good results with a Cuddeback Capture flash cam, the IR version is slightly more than $200. Other good cams that are near $200 are the Scoutguard, Covert, and Bushnell Trophy Cam. Both the Covert and Bushnell are made by Scoutguard from what I've heard.
This is a pic from my Capture...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/trailcam%20pics/cudde971.jpg)
2 Moultrie d-40's ;) Hers a pic off mine
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/trapperDave/trappers%20deercam/MDGC0073.jpg)
Scoutguard is good, I do nto have much experience with others so my opinion is highly one sided (take it for what it is worth).
(http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss31/J-dog_73/crossing018-Copy.jpg)
I might say the snap time seems a little slow???? maybe not. Again not sure as not tried any others. I know I have some empty pics, believing something tripped the camera then walked by before pic snapped. I face it up the trail to try and counter this.
Later
J
I just got a Moultre D 40 at Cabelas in the bargin cave for $70 and they give a 30 day return on electronics even from the bargin cave ... it takes very good pics and is easy to operate. I haven't had it in the woods yet but I have lots of bird and rabbit pictures from my front yard for practice. I also have the same camera as Tree Killer, the Capture, and it also works well and is very simple to operate.
I just put out, today that is, my first trail camera. Like elkken... the D40 model. I'll give it a few days and see what happens and what the quality of photos it takes.
Right now I'm not sure if price is indicative of camera / picture quality... or just good advertising.
I just bought a Bushnell Trophy cam w/o the veiwer yesterday. I had herd mixed reviews on the picture quality. But set it out last night and got these this am.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/Boudreaux_Boz/Deer1.jpg)
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/Boudreaux_Boz/Deer2.jpg)
I think it puts out great pictures. I had the sensitivity on High and got 51 pic with 24 having something in them, so I reset it to normal setting. I also had it set on 3 picture bust with a 8 second delay after the last picure before taking more. The only thing is you will need a lock box for the cam (35$ more). I am thinking of getting a few more. So far they are just as good as me leafrivers.
Boswell
Izzy, I just bought a Cudde Back IR to use at work( we have a vandalism problem)I bought the camera and a bear safe and SD card all shipped for $309 Cabals had a special on shipping. I know that it's more than you stated that you want to pay, but it is a great setup that is user friendly and worth the extra few bucks for sure.
I build my own. Fun projects and your not stuck with proprietary components. You could build one with a Sony P32 for about $200.
In my opinion, there are two that stand out, the Scoutguard and Covert. There isn't much difference in them. Either can be had for about $200. They are smaller and you get a lot for your money.
Covert/Scoutguard 550/Bushnell trophy cam share guts and are dependable and durable with fast trigger speed and run about $200. Uncle Barry turned me on to them and although the pic quality is not as good as the cuddeback, the trigger time and ease of use are right up there. An added bonus is they are about 1/4 the size of other cams, and run for a year on 8 AA batteries.
If your going to use it in cold temp's get the Cuddeback.
Covert/Scoutguards for me as well. Battery life is unreal. I get 400-500 photos every two to three days when they are set to 1 minute pause and the batteries will last two to three months.
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Trail%20Cam/Wanaja/IM000272-2.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/kyTJ/Trail%20Cam/Wanaja/IM000388-2.jpg)
i use one of the cheaper Moultree which i believe is under $200, great pic's and videos, easy set up.
Moultrie D-40? I think thats the name of it. Its a four megapixel camera and if you find them right you can get two for your 200 dollar budget. I have one and a few of the other cheaper ones that I wouldnt advise getting. The moultrie has by far been the best camera I have ever owned and if you are unlucky enough and it gets yanked off a tree, you arent out too much money. Not like getting a Cuddeback ripped off.
What ever camera you buy, build or buy a lock box for it. I've been lucky but I also lock mine inside a metal ammo can that is lag bolted to a tree.
One that is just straped to the tree is like pinning two $100 dolar bills to tree with a thumbtack.
If they want it they'll get it or destroy it if they can't.
I really like the Cuddeback Capture. I think I saw them at BPS for 199. Great pictures and very easy to use.
I got a stealthcam on sale for @$150 and I really like it, but I sam not sure it takes a s nice of a picture as the DL covert. How much do those things go for?
Let me give you some advice. I've tested several of these cameras and here is MY honest opinion.
First off if you are going to put a camera on a feeder and or a spot where the animal will stop, then any of the cameras will work fine. The problem is when you want to put them on walking trails. Now, I've pulled some cards and had no missed pics and I've pulled some cards and have missed a bunch. The problem is in the trigger. When not in use the cameras go into sleep mode. It takes something to trigger them out of sleep mode. If you have a deer walk faast through the zone, you may only get the butt end. It seems the colder it gets, the slower the triggers work. Lately I've been using the Cuddeback IR. It works pretty good but I still miss pics. I don't do feeders so trails is all I use it on. This is a $450.00 camera and is not perfect by any means. Appears to be the fastest trigger I've found but still not perfect. Lately I've been looking into "homebrews" cameras. (homemade cameras) They have by far the fastest trigger speeds because they have no sleep mode. Problem with them is battery life and if a flock of turkeys get in front of it, the camera will keep snapping pics until the memory card fills up. Doesn't miss any pics though. So if you were not confused before, I hope I really confused you now :bigsmyl:
No really, look at what application your looking to use it for and buy accordingly. If using it for trails, try to place it in a spot where the deer have to stop or at least slow down. Good Luck!
Mike
Gregg, the coverts are $160 - $190 depending on where you get them. I would never buy a used one but check the auction sites for new less expensive ones.
I have used more than one of those mentioned and have to say that the Moultrie is a huge bang for the buck. I just put a new IR model (different manufacturer) and I swear the flash (or lack of) bothers deer as much if not more than a standard. I have a sequence of pics from a big eight casing the perimeter of the IR model. I cannot hear it, so sound must not be an issue. It has taken over a week for him to "warm up" to having his pic taken.
I swear by the IR as well. Especially during the season.
Well, you can wait for a $1000.00 one I suppose, if you plan on sending your photos to National Geographic, or you can buy a Moultrie or two for about $90.00 and enjoy a trail cam that works fine and takes photos. I can't understand why someone would stress over this. All they do is take photos. Buy a couple cheap ones and reduce your stress quotient. :saywhat:
Scoutguard/Covert you can buy them for 200.
See 2009 Trail Cam pics for some examples of actual photos taken by the camera.
The trigger speed is respectable, battery life is UNBELIEVABLE ( I put mine out in March and they take around 450 pics a week, and the batteries are still at 2/3rds charge)
Thats awesome battery life Ray. Any issues with the case leaking? Had one and the case leaked on me. Could have just been a bad one. I did like the pics it took and as you said, the trigger was respectable. Never had it long enough to see the battery life.
I have one cuddeback that has to be sent back once a year for "reprogramming"
I have a Reconyx that's great but costs $600.
I have FOUR Covert I's and just ordered two more.
I agree with Ray and Biggie. I don't think there is more bang for your buck than the ScoutGard/Covert. I don't think the trigger speed is bad; I have a shot of a doe in full run from mine somewhere. I hardly ever get empty shots with them.
Biggie, have you ever mooned another bowhunter's trail camera? I'm thinking you or the Wensels may have done at least once. :biglaugh:
Nah....I would NEVER do anythinig like that :-)
Yep...that's what I figured 8^).
walmart.com has moultrie I40's for $162 plus tax and a buck for shipping. I'll let you know how she works in a few weeks.
Another vote for the HCO ScoutGuard. I've tried several different models, had one stolen, and the best feature if you're worried about thieves is the shape and size of the ScoutGuard. It's very hard for a human to see compared to the boxy designs. The human eye picks up a rectangular shape easily, but the ScoutGuard's shape camouflages it perfectly. It's small enough that I can put it in my jeans pocket to take it to the field. Trigger time is excellent for a digital.
Here's a daytime and a nighttime picture, 3 megapixels. It can be set for 5 also.
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l376/don-stokes/IM000048.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l376/don-stokes/IM0000233.jpg)
I'm with the Ga boys and Stabbin Stokes... DLC ColvertII ( Scoutgaurd family) gets my vote also....189 bucks at Elders.com with coupon....i like the Colvert customer service also..you call the 1-800 number and the owner answers
George, dont believe Biggie! You oughta see what he left on that SD card in the camera he sold me!!! :scared: :scared: :scared:
Thanks for the info gentlemen, Ill be picking one up after I return from Dento.A Scoutguard.
Thank You, Izzy
Dang Izzy, I was wondering where those pictures got to...........
QuoteOriginally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Covert/Scoutguards for me as well. Battery life is unreal. I get 400-500 photos every two to three days when they are set to 1 minute pause and the batteries will last two to three months.
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holy smokes! my stealthcam eats up 6 C's in about 500 pics. could be because it uses a flash though. I still might be getting a new cam now, lol
The 8 AA batteries last so long in my ScoutGuard that I have to make a note on my calendar so I know when it's about time to change them. I like to do it before they go down, so I don't miss anything. I change them at 6 weeks-2 months, whether they need it or not!
Biggie, Izzy PM'd me....said something about You Tube 8^).
look up whitetailsupply.com and build your own or buy one that is already built. Great cameras or look up home brew. Hags House is another place to get info. or buy cameras
I have owned the Moultries,Cuddeback,Stealthcam and Scoutguard. SCoutguard hands down. I like the size, the batteries are cheap and last 6 months for me with an average of 200 pics a week and the triggerspeed is comparable to the others with IMO the Cuddeback being the only one faster. I also like the fact that I can download and view the pics with the little programmer. I am taking it out West for an elk hunt to set up on a wallow.