Cell cams...

[Boll Weevil]

...good, bad, ugly. Interested in your 1st hand experience, reports, and recommendations.
BW

 

[TheLBLman]

When I first started trying them years ago, very disappointing.

I'm now using some Brownings, and am very pleased.

I hear several different brands are working fairly well now.
Some cost more or less than others.

 

[Mr.Bro]

6 cameras bought since 2017. Browning, Covert and 1 Stealth. All are black flash and all run on Energizers Lithium .All are still going and none have given any trouble at all.
3 older Coverts all MP8 Black. Still going strong. Amazing how much cameras have come for the better.
Cameras have given me much more confidence to sit longer and pass up many nice bucks while waiting on that big one. Really big bucks show up maybe 2 or 3 times between August and November and usually don't stay more than 1 minute or two over the Trophy Rocks I use.
I check cameras usually every 3 weeks.
If your planning to hunt close to your camera find that perfect tree first. Personally I don't set up over my camera site. Usually set up 2 or 3 hundred yards away.
Place cameras with easy access to ensure less disturbance of the area.
Good luck!

 

[JCDEERMAN]

No experience with Coverts, but have done the research for my needs and plan on getting them when they come out in June (as I've been told). One unit gathers the pics from all the cameras out in the field and sends it to you in an app. That's my plan.

 

[TheLBLman]

One unit gathers the pics from all the cameras out in the field and sends it to you in an app.

I think this is how most are going to operate in the future.
With the Brownings, you can have many cams on the same "plan".
Each cam can have different settings, and all settings can be remotely changed.
I do settings changes sometimes multiple times daily.

You can set a cam to notify you "immediately" (usually the pic is viewable to me in 1 minute of being snapped)
or on a "schedule".

Some, I just don't need the pics "immediately", and may have the cam "scheduled" to upload the pics twice daily.
Others, I want any pics immediately.

Battery life of cell cams will always be more an issue than with non-cell cams.

More frequent uploads (such as when set for "immediately") will drain your batteries quicker,
as compared to less frequent "scheduled" uploads such as 2 to 4 times daily.
Apparently, a good bit of battery juice is utilized just in seeking the cell service, then connecting to the server. So if this happens each time a pic is taken, could greatly reduce battery life.

As to what setting makes the most sense, many factors, including location, purpose, frequency of triggering events, etc.

For example, if main purpose is security (not wildlife pics) you may want high-resolution nighttime pics, and no change in daily settings.

But for those cams mainly looking for daytime wildlife, makes sense to have the settings change from dusk to dawn.
I may have a cam set to take 4 high-resolution pics as quickly as a few seconds between triggering events, during the day. But at night, the settings may change to 2 medium-resolution pics with a 5-minute down time between triggering events.

Keep in mind, nighttime flash is one of the biggest battery drainers with all trail cams.

With cell cams, higher resolution pics take longer to upload, thus use more battery juice.
Can often take advantage of higher resolution in daytime, but may not need it at night due to limited flash range.

I'm also usually set on true "black" (invisible) flash which uses less battery juice than longer-range flash settings.
The Browning cams have 3 different flash settings,
4 different pic resolution settings,
many triggering options (including field scan),
and can be programmed to take anywhere from 1 to 8 pics per triggering event.
Can also program the timing between those pics, such as 1 second between or 1/3-second between.

So far, I've been getting 3 months battery life with what I consider a lot of high-resolution uploads, in areas with only mediocre cell service.
(Have been averaging over 2,000 upload pics per month per cam.) I've yet to have the batteries die on these, but have just gone ahead and changed them because other users have claimed 3 months is about all that can be expected.

Replace your batteries when it's convenient,
so that it doesn't have to be a special trip due to dead batteries.
May spend a little more replacing your batteries more often,
but hard to put a price on missed opportunities or missed pics.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Good info LBL. I have been pleased with my non-cell Brownings. I have held back on getting cell cams, because I know it will turn into an obsession for me. Few questions:

What specific Browning black flash cell cams are you using?
Are you using lithium batteries?
How much are you paying per month for the service?

This is what I was looking at:
https://www.covertscoutingcameras.com/s ... ras/lb-v3/

The unit plus 3 cameras is $800 ($200 a piece - unit included)
Data plan is $97 a year for 15,000 pics
The only thing the verdict is still out on, is whether these cameras that connect are black flash. It doesn't appear they are

 

[TheLBLman]

Good info LBL. I have been pleased with my non-cell Brownings. I have held back on getting cell cams, because I know it will turn into an obsession for me. Few questions:

What specific Browning black flash cell cams are you using?
Are you using lithium batteries?
How much are you paying per month for the service?

I am using the 2019 model Browning Defender Wireless.
Yes, I use lithiums only in these cell cams.

Browning has several options (which you can change as needed) regarding their cell service.
Have pasted below in from their website.

NO LONG TERM CONTRACTS. THE PLANS BELOW ARE MONTH-TO-MONTH.
NO ACTIVATION CHARGES

ECONOMY PLAN- $12.99 per month. Package includes 1200 Standard Images and 50HD image uploads. Share up to 2 cameras on this plan. ($6 per month for each additional camera)

SILVER PLAN- $19.99 per month. Package includes 2400 Standard Images and 100 HD image uploads. Share up to 3 cameras on this plan. ($6 per month for each additional camera)

GOLD PLAN- $29.99 per month. Package includes 5000 Standard Images, 300 HD Uploads and 100 Video clip uploads. Share up to 4 cameras on this plan ( $6 per month charge for each additional camera)

PLATINUM PLAN- $49.99 per month. Package include 10000 Standard Images, 600 HD uploads a 200 Video clip uploads. Share up to 6 cameras on this plan. ($6 per month for each additional camera)

I currently am using the "gold" plan.

One issue that can catch you off guard is unexpected mass triggering events, where you may have hundreds of cell cam pics taken in just a few hours. Weeds & limbs are growing fast now. All can be ok initially, but as some weeds & limbs grow, then we get high winds, they can start triggering your cam. This is one reason I often use the "immediate" upload setting, so that I can re-program the settings during high wind. I just now had to change one from 1 minute delay to a 30-minute delay because my phone was texting me every 2 minutes with new pics of the wind blowing broomsedge.

Like Covert and most other brands, Browning is also coming out with a new 2020 version cell cam.
I've seen the prototype. It is smaller in size, but that's about all I know different about it.
The 2019 version works as advertised, which is a refreshing change for me regarding cell cams and/or trail cams in general.

I suspect, Browning will likely reduce their monthly cell server fees at some point, hopefully soon.
They are currently at a competitive price point, but the competition is increasing.

 

[TheLBLman]

One reason I went with Browning last year is because of my experiences with their non-cell cams, and their cell cams were more feature-rich in the programming options compared to other cams in the same price range.

If you are familiar with the programming of Browning's non-cell cams, the main difference with the cell version is whether you turn "on" cell or leave it "off".
If "on", the programming shifts to your cell phone and/or computer, where you have the same options you would normally have with the cam in your hand. Using "cell on" adds the options of whether uploads are "immediate" or "scheduled".

I may be wrong, but I think Browning exceeds the programming options of all other cell cams except for Reconyx cell cams, which cost over 3 times as much each.

 

[Boll Weevil]

:super: Thank you all...this is fantastic and just what I was seeking! This will be my first cell camera and it will actually be purposed as a security camera in a location on my farm I need the capability for a rapid response to trespassers.

Very much appreciated!

 

[TheLBLman]

:super:

This will be my first cell camera and it will actually be purposed as a security camera in a location on my farm I need the capability for a rapid response to trespassers.

Couple other things . . . . .
You'll have a choice of AT&T or Verizon towers.
Go with whichever give the strongest signal where you plan using a particular cam.
I have areas where Verizon is non-existent, yet AT&T is strong.
Verizon sucks in many rural areas, and the only reason is because they refuse to pay "rent" to AT&T for AT&T's cell towers.

For nighttime security purposes, true black flash is invisible to trespassers.
The drawback is it's range isn't as far, and you'll have more fuzzy images on anything moving.

The Brownings have 3 flash settings:
Invisible black, fast-motion, and long range.

Regarding these flash settings . . . . . .
For security, usually black flash, but sometimes the fast-motion (especially if targeting moving vehicles).
For deer, I usually use the invisible black flash over scrapes and salt licks.
Fast motion on trails and fields, sometimes long range on fields.

Of course, flash setting is irrelevant with daytime pics.

You can also set these cameras to take video clips instead of pics.
THAT can really eat up your battery life.
Seldom use the video option myself.

 

[gobblesandgrunts]

Snyper trail cameras are starting to get on the scene. Very happy with mine

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Bgoodman30]

Ive been very pleased with the Coverts. I have kept one running almost continuously for over a year with a solar charger I recently lost it when the solar panel came unplugged from a squirrel or winds or something.. The new ones have great battery life so I just use lithiums.

Zero pressure/ scent free scouting is the only way to go.

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

I just ordered an Exodus Render. It's my first cell cam purchase. There 5 yr warranty is why I went with it. Ill update later on in the season after some run time.

 

[philsanchez76]

I now have 4 Bigfoot cell cams (only $150). Bought them from amazon but they are made and warrantied by Western Recreation which is a USA family owned archery company in CO. Excellent customer service. I have as much fun hunting deer with these cameras as I do hunting them with weapons during the regular season. These cam's have been in the woods 365 days a year for the last few years and I haven't had any problems. Data is about $40 per year. And you can set the cam's to email you low resolution pics to save your data or you can do high res. pics if you want to but it uses more data. I also have 1 spy point link micro that's been just fine too. I can equate at least 3 deer kills to these cell cams from last season. Worth every penny so far.

 

[Specializedjon]

I personally don't use cell cams. I get why they're used...I'm just a traditionalist and like the anticipation of getting the card and seeing what I've got. My own little "Christmas in August". And I'm cheap.

 

[philsanchez76]

...good, bad, ugly. Interested in your 1st hand experience, reports, and recommendations.
BW

Boll Weevil- I am on another cell cam thread on saddle hunter website and heard about these Ridgetec cams. They send hd video to your cell phone. Really awesome quality. I don't have one but was impressed by the tech.

Here's a link. https://www.trailcampro.com/products/ri ... out-4g-lte

 

[wobblegobble]

I was very disappointed in Moultrie last year especially the data plans...I'm with spypoint now and so far so good.

 

[Tn Joe]

I've been using Covert's for about 4 yrs now. Been really happy with the cams and their customer service has been awesome

 

[Westnvol89]

I've been looking to get in on a cell cam but everyone I think about buying has mixed reviews online


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[102]

To whom it may concern...
Fact, Boone and Crockett does not recognize "hunter killed" animals after the image of that animal has been transmitted to a device (this includes linked cameras), SD card cams where the hunter must physically be present at the camera location in order to read the cards are fine.

Pope and Young varies a bit. I strongly suggest that you not use a cell cam or linked cell cam system.

That being said, nobody really cares about this rule, until they kill a book buck and have to sign an affidavit of Fair Chase!!!

This is what I do. I use a cell camera. It transmits images to my cell phone and about November, when things start heating up and young bucks get frisky, I turn off the cell phone options because I know there is a good chance a shooter is about to show up. This allows me to continue capturing pics on SD card and I check it the first morning or afternoon in! No big shooters transmitted.

On a more realistic note, I have learned these cameras can hurt about as much as they help. I am certain that big deer learn to avoid them. Also they may or may NOT send ALL the pics!!! Also I take one climbing stick and put them up about 8'.

 

[gobblesandgrunts]

To whom it may concern...
Fact, Boone and Crockett does not recognize "hunter killed" animals after the image of that animal has been transmitted to a device (this includes linked cameras), SD card cams where the hunter must physically be present at the camera location in order to read the cards are fine.

Pope and Young varies a bit. I strongly suggest that you not use a cell cam or linked cell cam system.

That being said, nobody really cares about this rule, until they kill a book buck and have to sign an affidavit of Fair Chase!!!

This is what I do. I use a cell camera. It transmits images to my cell phone and about November, when things start heating up and young bucks get frisky, I turn off the cell phone options because I know there is a good chance a shooter is about to show up. This allows me to continue capturing pics on SD card and I check it the first morning or afternoon in! No big shooters transmitted.

On a more realistic note, I have learned these cameras can hurt about as much as they help. I am certain that big deer learn to avoid them. Also they may or may NOT send ALL the pics!!! Also I take one climbing stick and put them up about 8'.

Are you serious about the rules? Wow I had no idea about that!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[rtaylor]

I got 2 Spypoints for my farm a couple of months ago and I love them. It's like Christmas every time my phone chimes. Being able to get the pictures real time is awesome and being able to change the settings on the camera from the phone is great too.

 

[waynesworld]

Thanks for starting this thread and thanks for all the input I have been thinking on this for over a year and now think i may have to start looking for the most economical set for what i need. One question is if they have one sending as JCDeerman stated will you only have one plan?


Re: Cell cams...
Unread postby JCDEERMAN » 14 May 2020 08:27

No experience with Coverts, but have done the research for my needs and plan on getting them when they come out in June (as I've been told). One unit gathers the pics from all the cameras out in the field and sends it to you in an app. That's my plan.

 

[102]

To whom it may concern...
Fact, Boone and Crockett does not recognize "hunter killed" animals after the image of that animal has been transmitted to a device (this includes linked cameras), SD card cams where the hunter must physically be present at the camera location in order to read the cards are fine.

Pope and Young varies a bit. I strongly suggest that you not use a cell cam or linked cell cam system.

That being said, nobody really cares about this rule, until they kill a book buck and have to sign an affidavit of Fair Chase!!!

This is what I do. I use a cell camera. It transmits images to my cell phone and about November, when things start heating up and young bucks get frisky, I turn off the cell phone options because I know there is a good chance a shooter is about to show up. This allows me to continue capturing pics on SD card and I check it the first morning or afternoon in! No big shooters transmitted.

On a more realistic note, I have learned these cameras can hurt about as much as they help. I am certain that big deer learn to avoid them. Also they may or may NOT send ALL the pics!!! Also I take one climbing stick and put them up about 8'.

Are you serious about the rules? Wow I had no idea about that!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

100% serious!

 

[Shed Hunter]

To whom it may concern...
Fact, Boone and Crockett does not recognize "hunter killed" animals after the image of that animal has been transmitted to a device (this includes linked cameras), SD card cams where the hunter must physically be present at the camera location in order to read the cards are fine.

Pope and Young varies a bit. I strongly suggest that you not use a cell cam or linked cell cam system.

That being said, nobody really cares about this rule, until they kill a book buck and have to sign an affidavit of Fair Chase!!!

This is what I do. I use a cell camera. It transmits images to my cell phone and about November, when things start heating up and young bucks get frisky, I turn off the cell phone options because I know there is a good chance a shooter is about to show up. This allows me to continue capturing pics on SD card and I check it the first morning or afternoon in! No big shooters transmitted.

On a more realistic note, I have learned these cameras can hurt about as much as they help. I am certain that big deer learn to avoid them. Also they may or may NOT send ALL the pics!!! Also I take one climbing stick and put them up about 8'.

Are you serious about the rules? Wow I had no idea about that!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

100% serious!

I can actually understand that rule. Do I agree with it or care? Not really. The defining line between fair chase or not is something that is and always will be a matter of opinion. Will getting pictures sent to your phone notifying you that a deer is in a particular area at a particular time give you a significant advantage? Why, yes. Yes, it will. Will 1000 acres of low pressured and well managed land with shooting houses give you an an advantage? Yes. Will a recurve bow that shoots an arrow at deadly speed on public land big woods give you an advantage over that deer? Yes, undoubtably.

IMO, the Boone and Crockett club should be a book of all non farm raised deer kills within legal means and even documentation (without hunter glorification) of illegal kills. For no purpose other than statistics.


As for the main topic.. I really want one but I don't have cell service where I hunt so it's just an added expense without purpose. It would make my day to get random pictures deer throughout the day. I'm all for them. If I had my pick I think I'd get the newer Browning or an Exodus

 

[102]

"IMO, the Boone and Crockett club should be a book of all non farm raised deer kills within legal means and even documentation (without hunter glorification) of illegal kills. For no purpose other than statistics."

Actually...that IS what it is!

Any deer (unless proven ILLEGAL Pick up, Hunter found, crossbow, rifle, car...may be entered by the OWNER of animal.

B/C honors the ANIMAL.

But in hunter category there are rules!!!

 

[Antler Daddy]

The new Reveal Tactacam and pricepoint is interesting for cell cams. Spypoint 100 free pics canT be beat for a basic security or a trail cam.

 

[Shed Hunter]

"IMO, the Boone and Crockett club should be a book of all non farm raised deer kills within legal means and even documentation (without hunter glorification) of illegal kills. For no purpose other than statistics."

Actually...that IS what it is!

Any deer (unless proven ILLEGAL Pick up, Hunter found, crossbow, rifle, car...may be entered by the OWNER of animal.

B/C honors the ANIMAL.

But in hunter category there are rules!!!

So how does that work in this situation? I'm just curious. What do they label it?

 

[102]

I have not encountered this situation. But my guess is that they would call it a pick up???
If someone were to tell me they had legally killed the animal, but used a cell camera, I would call B/C to ask for a ruling as to how it was to be entered.
But I am certain it would not be entered in the hunter category.

 

[Shed Hunter]

Alright 102 I'm going to settle this one.. I'm headed to tractor supply after work to get that $50 Spy Point cell link adapter. Now I just gotta find and kill that booner