I am new to trail cameras and wanting to get 3 or 4 cameras to help me learn a new piece of property. What are some good values in cameras out there considering: (1) $ conscience since I need 4 of them, (2) ease of use, (3) reliability, and (4) quality of photos.
A lot of guys I know spend more time trying to troubleshoot their cameras than they have them in the field.
ScoutGuard 550s are a pretty good blend of quality, simplicity, and durability IMO. There are some real trail camera gurus here, so I am anxious to see more opinions.
The new coverts are great cameras!! the ca3.0 are only 129.00 small,and easy to use. we've been using them(10 units) all year and no upsets..
I have three Scout Guard 550's. So far real happy with them over two seasons. I had one of the Wild Game IR4's. I traded it plus cash for my third 550 because I like them so much, but I must say the IR4 was a very decent camera and they are real cheap if you find the deals. I think I saw them for as low as $65 this year on one sale deal. It worked well for me, but not as easy to conceal and secure as the 550.
I bought two wild game innovations this year one for 70.00 the other was 110.00 the higher one does videos. The cheaper on is 2 mega pixel and the higher one is 4 megapixel. Got a bunch of pics on both and some cool video. for the money I am not disappointed at all. They both done great and serve the purpose.
You can find them online
Another vote for the covert. Great battery life. Good warranty. I had the on/off switch break on one. I sent it in and had a new one on my doorstep 7 days later.
Bushnell Trophy cam,I have several.they are small,battries last over a year,easy to use,so far no problems with any of them.I have several Wildgame innovations cameras but after about a year they stopped working.I also have a Spypoint camera so far it seems like a good camera.I have a Cuddback camera which I dont care for,its too complicated to use but it is a older model maybe newer ones are better.
QuoteOriginally posted by wildgame:
The new coverts are great cameras!! the ca3.0 are only 129.00 small,and easy to use. we've been using them(10 units) all year and no upsets..
I started running 2 of these this year and they are outstanding little units! I'm also running a 5.0 Extreme that I'm very impressed with.
I'll be picking up a couple more Coverts this fall.
I have been thinking of geting one to play with and see what type of deer are around. Doing research on a couple of sites the Moultrie m-80 seems to be a good camera for the price. I think that is the one I am going to try.
I was a Cuddeback guy till I started using the Covert this year. It's had the same batteries in it since August and it doesn't miss a shot like others I have used.
X2 for Covert. Also ScoutGuard and Covert are one in the same.
www.dlccovert.com (http://www.dlccovert.com)
Took TJ's advice and I am Covert convert, haha !!! Great cam. :readit:
Hunten. They are pretty new but recommended highly by some guides who leave their cameras out round the clock. I got an IR model on sale for $50 and it is sturdy, no frills and does what it is supposed to (although not as well as some higher priced cameras) But, like in a lot of things you get what you pay for.
Who has the best prices on the Coverts?
I get them from the source. www.dlccovert.com (http://www.dlccovert.com) If you were to have an issue and believe me all trail cameras have their issues. They have great customer service and warranty.
Whatever cameras you all get use the energizer blue batteries. You won't regret it.
I also took TJ's advice!! :readit:
Honestly, build or buy a homebrew. I started building my own cams in '05 and those are still in use and I run them 9 months a year. Probably not many commercial cams can do that. Here's one builder: http://the12-ring.com/
If you want to try building one yourself pm me.
QuoteOriginally posted by wildgame:
The new coverts are great cameras!! the ca3.0 are only 129.00 small,and easy to use. we've been using them(10 units) all year and no upsets..
I've had great luck with the Cover ca3.0 also. Only thing I don't like is my fingers are too big to remove the card and trip the on/off switch. Easily dealt with using a pair of needle nose pliers but it is something that could be improved. Good little camera every other way though.
Thanks for all the input.
Missing Impossible - I have studied your build along thread and I may give that a go later in the year. Right now, I want to get a couple cameras in the field. A friend of mine builds homebrews and gave me one.
THe only problem I have had with the ca3.0 is besides having fingers that are to fat is during extreme cold weather the plastic on/off switch snapped off. camera still works but i have to use a paper clip to slide the switch. That said the pics are good and the price is right.
Yep those Covert ca3.0 are the best value in trail cameras. I plan on getting a few more in the spring.
Primos cameras.I have 2 of them 100.00 .best camera in my opinion.5000 pics on 1 set of batteries
QuoteOriginally posted by Jim Rocole:
THe only problem I have had with the ca3.0 is besides having fingers that are to fat is during extreme cold weather the plastic on/off switch snapped off. camera still works but i have to use a paper clip to slide the switch. That said the pics are good and the price is right.
Give dlccovert a call and Joey or Dave will make it right! :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by stickbowmaniac:
Primos cameras.I have 2 of them 100.00 .best camera in my opinion.5000 pics on 1 set of batteries
I think I am going with Primos myself.
I like the newer Spypoints, pretty good on batteries and takes some nice daytime pics, nightime IR pics are decent. I have the IR5 models, they run around $120.
Rodney
The M-80 has a good review. I found them at wally for $109. Need to buy the blue batterys for it.
What about security cases? Anyone found nice ones?
I think I might try getting some trail cams...Looks like a lot of fun.
has anyone been using the covert special ops camera? was wondering how well they work.
jeremy
What Primos camera takes 5000 pics on a set of batteries?
I've been thinking of upgrading and battery life is a big issue. I'm going through too many C batteries now.
Thanks!
Primos 46 takes lots of pictures.I have had the 46 out since September, on the same set of batterys. It has took close to 3500 pictures and still has 87% battery life left. I have a M-80 Great camera but way harder on the batterys. Both are great for the money.
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/buckvalley/088.jpg) This is the M- 80 camera
Depends on your budget I have the Wild Game Innovations Red 3 sold at a Major Outfitter for 49.99 on sale. Below is a video from the cameras. Click on it to play. Quality is good enough for me and battery life has been great.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/th_LionMovie.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/?action=view¤t=LionMovie.mp4)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h58/buckvalley/buckyjr.jpg) This is the Primos 46 great camera, but it don't do well in super cold weather. The IR photos are a little on the dark side for my liking.
Your timing is great. Next week those huge sporting goods stores are going to have trail cams on sale. Post hunting season / post holiday sale,
Another video from the same camera.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/th_BearMovie.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Canyonhunter/?action=view¤t=BearMovie.mp4)
I like the Bushnell trophy cams. I have an 8 mp one and it takes great pictures. I've had it out continuously for about a year and a half now and still on the same set of batteries. I haven't used many others, but it's my favorite so far.
I have a Bushnell that takes great pics and is awesome on battery life. However I'm not so sure on the sensitivity of the motion detector. It adjusts by a wheel from 1 to 6 and there doesn't seem to be any difference in any setting. Heres the funny part I've installed security systems for most my life and couldn't tell yeah how many PIR motion detectors I've installed. The reason I say it is that I get lots of pics of deer sometimes, both far and close, and then nothing when I know dang well theres been deer in close view of it either by seeing them there personally or watching tracks in the snow and NO pics. In fact I just last sat had a doe come in within 8 yards of it and I shot it with my bow. Thought man I'll have some great pics maybe even of a kill shot. NOTHING! Well actually got pics of me going to pull my arrow out of the ground! lol
Now I will add that I have buddies that "brag" about their cameras different brand but they have all admitted to the same thing. They feed corn at theirs and go and the corn is gone tracks in the snow and no pics. But then a week later the card is full of pics.
I just last year bought this Bushnell as my first and only camera. So not alot of experience with them but actually kinda disappointed in it. I do KNOW I'd not trust my game cam to protect my life or propery!
Enjoying this discussion guys.
Anything more about the Covert?
I have two older coverts and plan on buying several more of the newer models this year. Great cams and the best customer service on the planet !
QuoteOriginally posted by instinctivebowman:
has anyone been using the covert special ops camera? was wondering how well they work.
jeremy
I'm real good friends with dave at dlccovert and he's been trying to get me to use one. I've been around his a little and so far it's worked great and I'm bout to give in, I'll put a review of it when I get one. :thumbsup:
great thread!
Home bru all the way. Build your own and fix you own. Never need to send em back. The trigger speeds are second to none.
I've been interested in the Moultrie because of the solar panel option.
Thanks for the info. Have a Covert ca3.0 on the way with a bear safe. Saw way too many pic's at Bear Quest with the first pic of the sequence being a bear with his nose stuck in the lens :)