Covert Extreme 60 disappointment

[Mr.Bro]

1ST pull today.
For about 30 minutes every morning and evening all pics are washed in almost solid white.
1 night sequence was almost solid black.
All night pics look foggy.
I swear the MP6 blacks are much better pics.
MP12 day pics aren't any better quality than MP8s.

After seeing CAW great Reconyx pics . Well im pretty pissed.

Rant is over.

 

[Andy S.]

That sucks big time, I'd definitely have it in the mail to Covert on Monday. I wish you better luck in the near term.

 

[Andy S.]

....great Reconyx pics .

Reconyx......the only cam that I have owned that has batted 100% thus far, and I have owned many over the last decade. They are expensive, but they are the most dependable work horse out there IMO.

 

[Mr.Bro]

That sucks big time, I'd definitely have it in the mail to Covert on Monday. I wish you better luck in the near term.

Still hangin. Be 2 weeks before I can get back to pull it.

Think ill call Monday and order a couple MP6s they have on sale.

Then ill have a replacement to swap out.

Really disappointed.

My 7 year old Moultries make better pics.

Afraid to try the Reconyx. Kind of like Angels Envy or Pappy Van Winkle Whiskeys. Like em but cannt afford em.

 

[Andy S.]

Think ill call Monday and order a couple MP6s they have on sale.

I have been tempted to do the same myself.

 

[TheLBLman]

That sucks big time, I'd definitely have it in the mail to Covert on Monday. I wish you better luck in the near term.

x 2

There is definitely a flaw with your particular Extreme 60 unit. Covert will very quickly "fix" it or replace it, assuming you contact them. But make no mistake, the Extreme 60 unit is superior to Covert's MP6 units.

 

[pass-thru]

I had the same problem in one of mine, it was under warranty and replaced.

I am pretty much done with covert. I have had 3 of the black 60's, and this how it has gone for me:

1. Stolen within a week of putting it up. Cable locked to a tree, they broke the plastic cable receivers and took an otherwise reusable camera. That could not have been done with a Reconyx. In fact, I put a reconyx up and got the guys when they came back, and successfully prosecuted for trespassing.

2. Blackout/whiteout in 10% photos for 9 months. I contacted them and they said send it in. When I pulled the camera at that time the seal had failed and the camera was filled with water and completely unusable. Replaced under warranty 9 months ago, still have replacement.

3. Seal failed straight out of box, camera failed. Replaced under warranty after a several month wait on backorder. I bought the camera 8 months ago and have had the replacement for about a month.

I have had the same Reconyx for 4 years with no major problems and that is what I will buy in the future.

 

[DaveB]

Just priced the Reconyx and figure I must be having a bad day. Over $400.00 bucks for a trail cam?

Since I am at work maybe I cannot view some more reasonable prices. Anyone have links?

 

[Andy S.]

Over $400.00 bucks for a trail cam?

Correct. Black flash is usually $550+ NIB and you can sometimes find them used for $400-450. They hold resale value like a John Deere tractor. They are the most reliable trail camera that I have ever used, hands down.

 

[CAW]

Here's the thing about Reconyx...Yes, they definitely cost a lot more when you purchase them. I have the HC600s and they were all $500.00 each bought in bulk. They add up, that's for sure.

BUT.......

When you look at the overall cost of Reconyx cameras, I would argue that they are actually LESS expensive than any camera on the market. Why? Because they work. When you buy a cheaper camera that fails, those costs add up as well, it's just on the back end. Think about all the gas and money spent going to check cameras that failed. There is nothing worse than driving to your property after your cameras have been out for 2-3 weeks and find that you do not have a single picture, the batteries are dead, every image is white, etc. AND the one thing that cheaper cameras cost you that you can never get back is your time. Now, not only did you waste all your time and money checking a camera that did nothing, you have to then mail the camera back in and wait for repairs. You get your camera back, a few months go by (if you're lucky) and then you start the process all over again.

Four years ago I ran several tests between Covert, Moultrie, Cuddeback and Reconyx. I put them all over the same lick with similar settings. The Reconyx took the most pics and picked up subjects that the other cameras did not. It wasn't even close. And to me, that missing data is a cost as well since I depend on that data to make critical decisions. Since then, I only buy Reconyx and have not had a single failure. I still have a couple of Coverts and they are the best of the Chinese cameras in my opinion, but nothing beats a Reconyx.

So sure, you can buy cheaper cameras. And yes, you can buy 3-5 cameras for what one Reconyx will cost you. But if the cheaper cameras aren't taking pictures, have you really saved any money? I would argue that in many cases, you actually spend more.

 

[Andy S.]

Good explanation CAW, I agree 110%.

 

[Mike Belt]

I couldn't agree more. Take a $200 camera that fails shortly after you start using it. Replace it with another $200 camera...even if it's an even swap. You're out the time and money and then you have to see if it's going to work and if so, for how long. Maybe it'll last a year. Maybe it'll last 2 years. Replace it again and go through all that again. Now 2 years down the road you're out $400 and still may not get the pics you desire. Never mind the headaches through the process. A ReconyX works like it's supposed to straight out of the box...this year, next year, and on into years down the road. My first one is going into it's 9th year and still works like a charm. Whenever I check it I fully expect to have lots of good pictures and am never disappointed. I've now added their newer cameras capable of video and am amazed at the end result. I can't praise them enough. The only downside is the price but spread out over the years of usage they are actually much cheaper than all the less dependable cameras. Also, I believe the company dictates the price. It doesn't matter where you buy them or how many you buy, the cost is the same...$599 for the XR6 Ultrafire.