• Help Support TNDeer:

trying to pick a camera

TNReb

TNReb

Well-Known Member
TNDeer Supporter
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
15,590
Reaction score
1,972
Location
Lebanon
I'm kind of overwhelmed. The last few years I've been considering getting a trail cam. Every time I start to look in to them, I'm overwhelmed with choices and wind up putting it off.

My hunting buddy called yesterday and said to hurry up and get one, and he'd split the cost with me. So I'm finally going to break down and buy one (maybe two).

Do ya'll prefer flash or infrared?

My only requirements.. must be under $200 - preferably way under! Must accept SDHC cards (almost all of the newer models do). Must have less than 1 sec trigger time. I don't care about video. Must produce top of the line pictures - or as top of the line as you can get for under $200. I'm a tech/gadget person.. I'm picky about my personal cameras, and expect good quality pictures from a trail cam as well.
 
I am not sure if it would meet your price or not. However, unless you want to build one yourself, I would look at firemanjims homebrews. Especially if I was only paying for half of it.
 
Nyper said:
My only requirements.. must be under $200 - preferably way under! . . . . . . Must have less than 1 sec trigger time. . . . . . . I'm a tech/gadget person.. I'm picky about my personal cameras, and expect good quality pictures from a trail cam as well.
Click to expand...
Not sure you can get what you want for under $200.

And if it "appears" you've found it, will bet you a dollar against a donut what you bought doesn't work properly (if at all) as soon as the warranty runs out. Or about as bad, it doesn't work as advertised, and you miss the opportunity to use it during prime times because you're waiting on a warranty replacement.
 
I recommend true black flash, but prefer traditional white flash over the so-called "infrared" cams. In trail cams, "infrared" really means "red" flash, and for some reason, I've found it spooks deer worse than traditional white flash.

But all things being equal, black flash costs typically $20 to $50 more per cam.

You'll probably get more lasting value out of any of FiremanJim's cams. They'll work, work better, work longer, and cost you less over the next 2 or 3 years than most any of the commercial cams advertised for less than $200.
 
If you're willing to go just a tad over $200, consider the 2012 model Bushnell that has true black flash. Choose the one that doesn't have a color "viewing" window inside the cam (not needed and just jacks up the cost). Just be sure you keep your receipt for a warranty replacement.
This cam will meet your requirements, and has a better warranty than most.

But best advise I have is to figure out a way to come up with a little more $, then buy either a FiremanJim homebrew or a Reconyx. They'll cost you more at the point of purchase, but likely save you money in just the next 2 to 3 years. It's also hard to put a price tag on the frustration that comes with cheap cams, especially when you put them out, go back in a few weeks, only to find out they've not been working.

One other thing: Battery Life.

The more expensive cams usually have better battery life. I pulled this post from a thread regarding a "Tasco cam" . . . .
Master Chief said:
I love them. The batteries will last well over three weeks.
Click to expand...
Think about this:
It's not just the cost of replacing the batteries frequently, but the cost in gas, wear & tear on your vehicle, to go service those cams. You could easily spend an additional $100-plus annually on gas & batteries when using a "cheaper" cam.
 
Wes Parrish said:
If you're willing to go just a tad over $200, consider the 2012 model Bushnell that has true black flash. Choose the one that doesn't have a color "viewing" window inside the cam (not needed and just jacks up the cost). Just be sure you keep your receipt for a warranty replacement.
This cam will meet your requirements, and has a better warranty than most.

But best advise I have is to figure out a way to come up with a little more $, then buy either a FiremanJim homebrew or a Reconyx. They'll cost you more at the point of purchase, but likely save you money in just the next 2 to 3 years. It's also hard to put a price tag on the frustration that comes with cheap cams, especially when you put them out, go back in a few weeks, only to find out they've not been working.

One other thing: Battery Life.

The more expensive cams usually have better battery life. I pulled this post from a thread regarding a "Tasco cam" . . . .
Master Chief said:
I love them. The batteries will last well over three weeks.
Click to expand...
Think about this:
It's not just the cost of replacing the batteries frequently, but the cost in gas, wear & tear on your vehicle, to go service those cams. You could easily spend an additional $100-plus annually on gas & batteries when using a "cheaper" cam.
Click to expand...

Who said you could use my post? Jk! I feel honored :)

The tasco will cost in batteries. They will last a good bit over three weeks but I always buy new batteries before I go check them.

I would stay away from WGI. I'm currently having problems with one of their cameras and I keep seeing more and more posts about people being disappointed in them.

Also, if you have $200 to spend I would get Fireman Jims low end homebrew. It will be perfect for what you want.
 
Wes makes some good points. I have been fooling with trail cams since the 35mm days. There are several considerations to buying trail cams imo:

1. Price - anytime I am going to leave an investment in the woods, where it can easily be stolen - I am going to consider the price of that investment.

2. Picture quality

3. Battery Life - this is one of the most important considerations to me

4. Quality/warranty/life of camera-

5. Trigger Speed

6. Mode & distance of illumination - flash/red led's/black

At this point in my trail camera experience my biggest concern is battery life. If batteries go dead, and I don't get pics - it doesn't matter how good a pic the camera takes, or how quick the trigger is - Doesn't do any good, sitting out there with dead batteries. There is much talk of red led's spooking deer. I have been running some experiments this year with red led cameras. I have found if you put cameras (this was a tip from a seminar I watched online) 6ft high, deer seem to pay them no mind. Most of time they don't see them, and when they do - they just go about their business. I do not have one picture out of thousands this year of a deer spooking or avoiding my cameras.

I say all that, because red led cameras are a good middle ground - cheaper than black, but longer battery life than flash cameras.

All that said, I would seriously look at Bushnell Trophy Cams. They meet all my criteria and on Amazon.com you can get them for around $145 no tax and free shipping. Great battery life, good pics, good sensor, sufficient illumination distance and for the short time I have had mine, they have been reliable. A couple of good websites to check out are trailcampro.com and chasingame.com. Both do reviews of trail cams.
 
Good points, Pastorbmp.

Not that Bushnell necessarily has a better cam in it's price range, but when push comes to shove, being an otherwise respectable "brand name", I believe they have more to lose should they not take good care of their customers via their warranties. Some other companies can simply declare bankruptcy, thus effectively voiding their warranties. Failure rate among the cheap cams is very high, no matter the brand, so value of warranty and speed of warranty replacement becomes a big issue.
 
Stay away from IR cams,they scare deer,plain and simple.You get better battery life with them,but they do scare deer.I'd either use a white flash cam or get a blackflash model.
 
:D
Master Chief said:
Who said you could use my post? Jk! I feel honored :)
The tasco will cost in batteries. They will last a good bit over three weeks but I always buy new batteries before I go check them.
Click to expand...
If you're having to replace batteries that frequently, you might save money using rechargeables.

One thing that had always frustrated me about using non-reusable batteries was the dilemma of leaving them out longer (when only half used up) or replacing them at the moment (not sure when I would be coming back).

By going to rechargeables, don't have to worry how much "usage" you've gotten since you last serviced a field cam. You simply exchange them out anytime you visit. You just need two sets of rechargeables per cam, even less if you're running multiple cams and don't have to service them all in the same day.
 
Wes Parrish said:
:D
Master Chief said:
Who said you could use my post? Jk! I feel honored :)
The tasco will cost in batteries. They will last a good bit over three weeks but I always buy new batteries before I go check them.
Click to expand...
If you're having to replace batteries that frequently, you might save money using rechargeables.

One thing that had always frustrated me about using non-reusable batteries was the dilemma of leaving them out longer (when only half used up) or replacing them at the moment (not sure when I would be coming back).

By going to rechargeables, don't have to worry how much "usage" you've gotten since you last serviced a field cam. You simply exchange them out anytime you visit. You just need two sets of rechargeables per cam, even less if you're running multiple cams and don't have to service them all in the same day.
Click to expand...

Great point Wes. But, what started doing, is if my batteries get below a certain threshold, I change them and bring the old AA batteries home. We use them like crazy for other stuff around the house, and the used ones that don't have !00% power will last a long time in stuff around the house. So that way, they aren't wasted.
 
Wes Parrish said:
:D
Master Chief said:
Who said you could use my post? Jk! I feel honored :)
The tasco will cost in batteries. They will last a good bit over three weeks but I always buy new batteries before I go check them.
Click to expand...
If you're having to replace batteries that frequently, you might save money using rechargeables.

One thing that had always frustrated me about using non-reusable batteries was the dilemma of leaving them out longer (when only half used up) or replacing them at the moment (not sure when I would be coming back).

By going to rechargeables, don't have to worry how much "usage" you've gotten since you last serviced a field cam. You simply exchange them out anytime you visit. You just need two sets of rechargeables per cam, even less if you're running multiple cams and don't have to service them all in the same day.
Click to expand...

I check them once a month so I don't trust them for two monthes in my tasco. I usually just switch them into my WGI camera. It's not a good camera but tge batteries would probably last a few monthes in it.
 
Thanks for the posts. I could spend more than $200 if I wanted to.. but for something that I'm going to leave out in the woods and risk getting stolen, I simply don't want to.

I've been learning towards the Bushnell Trophy Cam on Amazon like pastorbmp suggested.. just can't really make up my mind.
 
Since your a tech/gadget person, you might should look into homebrewing yourself. You come out alot cheaper that way, especially if you already have the equipment you need. I build my P41 builds for around a $150 cost, depending on what I can get the camera for. Cheaper cameras like S40, P32 would be less than that.
 
smstone22 said:
Since your a tech/gadget person, you might should look into homebrewing yourself. You come out alot cheaper that way, especially if you already have the equipment you need. I build my P41 builds for around a $150 cost, depending on what I can get the camera for. Cheaper cameras like S40, P32 would be less than that.
Click to expand...

You give me too much credit :) I wish I could build one. I am horrible at stuff like that. :)
 
Jarred525 said:
There are anumber of different bushnell black flash on Amazon at different prices. Wes, which one are you talking about? Is it this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Trophy-B ... lack+flash
Click to expand...
No, that appears to be a 2011 model.
Would only consider the 2012 model black-flash unit myself.
I think it has "HD" on the front of the case.
Harder to find WITHOUT the color viewfinder, but cheaper and otherwise the same cam without it.

Here's a link to a 2012 black-flash model per Cabela's.
Unfortunately, I can't say whether this one has, or has not, the color viewfinder inside it. Both look alike on the outside, and this description doesn't mention it (which may mean it doesn't have it).
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/ ... t103867380

Jarred525 said:
If you had to choose between the Bushnell and Jim's White flash model, which one would you go with? I have a budget of about $200 myself. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Man, you're putting me on the spot with a tough question there.
Jim's cam will be the better lasting value, and the pics from either will be of comparable quality by day, Jim's white flash better at night.

The true black flash will not spook any deer, period. White flash will at times, but not as bad as the cheap so-called "infrared" cams (which actually produce a red "glow" that's very visible to deer). By "spooking" a deer with the flash, this does not mean the deer leave the country. It simply means they get out from in front of the cam, and then tend to walk around it in the future so as to avoid being "flashed".

I'd recommend saving a little more and getting one of each. :)

By the way, I "think" Fireman Jim is now building homebrews with true black flash. Here's a link to his website:
http://www.jtswildlifecameras.com/
 
Jarred525 said:
If you had to choose between the Bushnell and Jim's White flash model, which one would you go with? I have a budget of about $200 myself. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I'll bite. I'd go with Jim's or any other reputable white flash homebrew for that matter. Made in America, tested before sent to you, a great warranty and as Wes already stated, definitely a better return on your investment over time. My homebrew trail cams are my true work horses and have been since 2006.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top