Superduty Guy
Well-Known Member
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
Thanks
looking for best camera for the money
- Thread starter Superduty Guy
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catsbackr
Well-Known Member
Wildview. About $60. You will be very pleased.
TheAirMan
Well-Known Member
Unless you want to build one yourself, I suggest you contact firemanjim about one of his homebrews.
Shed Hunter
Well-Known Member
Get the white flash Tasco for $50. Do not get the IR version though.
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.
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.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
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.
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).
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.
You did say "for the money", but not just how much money.CMoses said:
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).
BlountArrow
Well-Known Member
Yes and Yes, Bushnell Trophy Cams. You can probably get them on eBay for less than $200 even. I have (3) running now - love them.
backstraps
Well-Known Member
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.
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.
Deerbuster1996
Well-Known Member
primos 35
BuckHunter511
Well-Known Member
Primos 35 OR Spypoint G4, found only online or at Gandermtn
Superduty Guy
Well-Known Member
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'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
CMoses said:
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!!!
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Speaking of which, I just pulled this from another thread to re-post here:CMoses said:
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.FIREMANJIM said:
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:
Superduty Guy
Well-Known Member
that pic looks great, diffently will get in touch with firemanjim
thanks
thanks
Superduty Guy
Well-Known Member
Ttt
Superduty Guy
Well-Known Member
Want to say thanks to fireman and backstraps for there help will diffently do business with them
Living2Hunt
Well-Known Member
Truth cam 35 imo!
W.Seay
Well-Known Member
WGI red 6!
west_tn_hunter said:
Yep.
Midway USA has all trail cams marked down this weekend. Some are 1/2 price. I have had great luck with moultries.
wrightk2
Well-Known Member
Covert 3.0. Runs on 4 AA's and takes great pics. Got mine on sale from wingsupply.com.
Superduty Guy
Well-Known Member
I'll have to check them out to
mr.hicks
Well-Known Member
My Moultrie M80 is my workhorse.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I've quit giving suggestions. All of the cameras experience technical problems at unacceptably high rates. Even the Reconyx bran--that in the past was notorious for flawless long-term operation--has been experiencing problems with their newest models.
Currently, the brands that appear to be displaying the best reliability are Bushnell Trophy Cam, Covert, and HCO Scoutguard, although even those brands produce a few stinkers from time to time.
Currently, the brands that appear to be displaying the best reliability are Bushnell Trophy Cam, Covert, and HCO Scoutguard, although even those brands produce a few stinkers from time to time.
I have a Moultrie m80xt and have had no problems with it at all. The picture quality is great, battery life is excellent ( can get upwards of 1300 photos per set of AA Batteries). It doubles as a plot cam ( shoots a photo every so many seconds for a certain time frame every morning and afternoon), hybrid cam ( plot cam during the day, photos at night), trail cam or will shoot trait video. The feature I like the best is the camera features a anti-blur, which eliminates alot of blur and guessing with low light photos . I gave 130 for it at Bass Pro on sale.
You get what you pay for essentially. I had a WGI Red 6 and took it back the same day, it was a piece of junk at best. Also have experience with Cuddeback and im not that impressed, they are over priced and over rated.
Here is a few sample photos from my pull earlier today.
You get what you pay for essentially. I had a WGI Red 6 and took it back the same day, it was a piece of junk at best. Also have experience with Cuddeback and im not that impressed, they are over priced and over rated.
Here is a few sample photos from my pull earlier today.
Build your own. Its not that bad and you wont be dependent on a company or another builder.
BuckHunter511
Well-Known Member
Primos truthcam 35
