Infrared (Red Flash) Cameras - Why use them?

[gil1]

I'm sure it's been discussed many times, but I've been out of the loop for a while. I need answers for a magazine article.
So very generally, I use white flash cams to get good image quality. Or I use a black flash cam to go incognito on critters and humans. I haven't used a red flash in forever because they neither have quality images nor stealth capability. I'm not dissing anyone's choice here, but I need reasons why so many people use them. What am I missing?
First of all, are red flash cams less expensive than black flash? Do they have better quality night photos than black flash?
Thanks so much for your help.

 

[catman529]

They're cheaper and readily available. But I think black flash are on the rise and will eventually take over the red flash.


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[infoman jr.]

They're cheaper and readily available. But I think black flash are on the rise and will eventually take over the red flash.


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100% agree

 

[TheLBLman]

I believe more users are being drawn to true black flash, but the primary reasons "red" glow have been popular are two-fold:

1) Cheaper

2) Greater flash distance
----- This can be programmed with a faster shutter speed, allowing red-flash to have less blurring on moving game.

On the other hand, true black flash typically allows me to obtain many more repeat visits by the same animal, as well as commonly more pics of any one-time passing animal. With black-flash, the animal may hang around long enough for the cam to trigger multiple times; with red flash, the animal often takes off running (or nervously leaving) with the first triggering.

To really appreciate the difference between red and black flash, photograph a few coyotes (at night of course). Can be amazing how quickly a coyote turns inside out upon seeing a red flash, but are typically unaware of black.

 

[DMD]

The one and really only reason they are around is pricing. Red flash are cheaper - however, the price of "black flash" has come down so much, that red flash will soon go the way of black and white TV. I will still purchase one on occasion, if I run across a great deal, but it has to be a fantastic deal. When I use them, I like to place them up higher on the tree I strap them to and point them down. The red flash doesn't seem to bother deer as much like that. However, I really do not see a lot of evidence of the red light spooking deer too much. Most of the time they will look at it and go back to eating. If they do run off, I get a pic of the same deer later on.