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looking for best camera for the money

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Superduty Guy

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I'm looking into getting a couple good trail cam but want yalls input on which one is the best deal, since I have not used any before. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
 
Consider battery life. Many cameras eat batteries. In a short time of buying batteries for a cheap camera, you could have paid for an expensive camera that has great battery life.

In my opinion, the best value in trail cameras right now is the Bushnell Trophy Cam. Read the reviews on any sight: trailcampro.com, or chasingame.com or amazon.com, etc. On Amazon.com you can get the Bushnell for around $145 with free shipping and no tax. 8 AA batteries will last 6 months- 1 year. It takes good pics, has audio when used in video mode and are pretty reliable cameras for the money. The word is Bushnell has excellent customer service on their cameras as well. I have not had any problems with any of mine (own 3 bushnells), so I don't have experience with their customer service.

My second choice would be the Primos Ultra 35. About $110. But, does not have as good a battery life as the Bushnell and the pictures aren't as good. But, for the money a pretty good camera. They have excellent customer service as well.

Some cameras you will be putting batteries in every couple of weeks. That adds up quick.
 
Good advice from Pastorbmp.
Over a couple years or less, you can easily spend more on batteries and gasoline to check your cams than you originally spent on the cams! The less frequently you "need" to check them, the better the value.

CMoses said:
I'm looking into getting a couple good trail cam but want yalls input on which one is the best deal . . . . . .
Click to expand...
You did say "for the money", but not just how much money. :D

I'd go with a homebrew from FiremanJim as best overall value "for the money".

Commercially available, in the $200 to $250 range consider the 2012 model Bushnell Black Flash. From here on, I'm not considering any cam that isn't true "black flash". This particular one is getting some decent reviews; it operates on 12 AA's for about 1-yr battery life. Bushnell has a longer guarantee than many of the other brands. I wouldn't consider buying any of the pre-2012 models, which are being widely sold on ebay.

If money is no object, go with Reconyx (in the black flash version).

One more thought:

You'll get a lot more repeat pics of older deer when you go to true black flash. In my experiences, the so-called "infrared" cams (which produce a visible "red" glow) are more likely to spook deer than "white flash" (which is no longer an option on many of the better cams other than homebrews).
 
Kind of like talking ford vs chevy etc when it comes to cameras.

You said a "good" camera for the money. If you are looking for a camera that is going to last for years, taking thousands of pics per year... Look into building your own camera. Then you can be your own customer service dept. The basic homebrew cameras are simple to assemble, and inexpensive in comparison to commercial cameras.

I have a couple cameras that have taken 4000+ pics on 2 AA and 2D cell batteries. I changed them due to taking the camera out of town. Probably could have easily lasted another couple months.

Once you get the basic tools needed to build a homebrew, then the rest of the cams you build will not cost as much.

If you would rather mail a check and get a GREAT camera that will last and have a "forever warranty" contact FIREMANJIM on this site. He will take care of you.
 
I appreciate all the responses and will check with fireman jim on his cameras,

I'll check out bushnells and primos websites here in a few so basically the "black flash" is way to go sounds like,

I do know not to go with cuddebacks they just aren't like they used to be according to a hunting friend

Oh money is limited so the reconyx is DIFFENTLY out:-)
 
I love my Moultrie m80. My wife found it for about a hundred bucks during Christmas. I put batteries in it in march, they are 48%now. Excellent day and night pics
 
CMoses said:
I'm looking into getting a couple good trail cam but want yalls input on which one is the best deal, since I have not used any before. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Click to expand...

I like the Moultrie m80's......great battery life and good pic quality!!! be sure you keep the battery thing in mind. It isnt the best price that counts if you get a cam that eats batterys. you can easily save the price you paid for it by getting cams with great battery life!!! ;)
 
CMoses said:
I appreciate all the responses and will check with fireman jim on his cameras . . . . I'll check out bushnells and primos websites here in a few so basically the "black flash" is way to go sounds like . . .
Click to expand...
Speaking of which, I just pulled this from another thread to re-post here:
FIREMANJIM said:
A basic whiteflash unit runs $245
Click to expand...
THAT basic whiteflash "homebrew" may very well be the best "value" out there in the $200 to $300 price range. It will take much crisper daytime & nighttime images than ANY commercial black-flash, and that includes the Reconyx.

The below is also from another thread, but illustrates the vivid imagery that can be had with a very basic homebrew cam.
http://www.tndeer.com/tndeertalk/ubbthr ... w=1#UNREAD
backstraps said:
I thought the quality,colors, and deer pose were pretty cool in this pic:
Aug2012110-2.jpg
Click to expand...
 

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