Non Cellular Cameras Fading Away

[UTGrad]

I was looking for some non cellular cameras and they are becoming a relic of the past. Just about everyone offers a wide variety of cellular cameras, but SD card only cameras are getting harder to find. Moultrie doesn't even have a good ole SD card camera on their site.

I have a cellular camera and they are nice, but with all the subscriptions in my life, I really don't want to pay a service for every camera I have in the woods.

I see Gardepro on Amazon has good reviews and an SD card only option.

Looks like the game camera companies want to boost profits on the cellular plans. I can tell you right now they are making a lot of money on those plans. They have big accounts with wireless providers and they are getting data service for very cheap.

 

[deerhunter10]

There's still several that have regular cameras. Browning, gardepros, wise eyes, Spartans, reconyx all great choices.

 

[redblood]

Check out the gardepro wifi cams. I have 2 and while not as handy as a cell cam, you can upload photos from within a 100 ft and can be places near rds or treestands for downloads

 

[UTGrad]

Check out the gardepro wifi cams. I have 2 and while not as handy as a cell cam, you can upload photos from within a 100 ft and can be places near rds or treestands for downloads

Downloads to phone over WiFi?

 

[redblood]

Downloads to phone over WiFi?

Yes. Download this one this morning from rd

 

[timberjack86]

There's still places in East TN that doesn't have cell service. Guess those will be places you just can't use a camera once the sd card cameras fade away?

 

[Wrangler95]

My Spypoint cell cams have a micro SD card so it will take pics still without a plan just like sd cams always have done!

 

[Shed Hunter]

There's still places in East TN that doesn't have cell service. Guess those will be places you just can't use a camera once the sd card cameras fade away?

They won't fade away. This is purely speculation but I always thought Mounties cameras were junk. I do hear the edge cell cams work really well. Maybe they made the decision to focus on one thing to keep quality better.

Most of the medium range cameras I've bought and higher end ones don't work anymore. The best cameras I have, although picky with memory cards, are the cheap stealth cams

Also worth mentioning the only browning I have is still running as well.

 

[BSK]

The camera makers are just responding to demand. Everybody wants cell cameras. Personally, I have no use for them. I'm an SD Card only guy. Several manufacturers still make good non-cellular cams, but I've noticed they're not investing much in new technology with that line-up.

 

[TheLBLman]

Most cell cams still work as a "regular" cam.
In many cases, buying a cell cam is no more expensive than a non-cell.
Just have the option of using it as you prefer.

 

[UTGrad]

Moultrie has moved to non SD card cellular cameras.

If a cellular camera will operate on SD card without a plan, that's good.

 

[BSK]

The other problem with cell cams is video. I've switched to all HD video, and not many of those are going to be sent via cell.

 

[30-06 type of guy]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EXO-Cell...MIksn4kJ66jwMVVzHUAR0T8TUhEAQYAiABEgIalvD_BwE I have one of these moultrie cell cams. They take an SD card still and has pulled me thru in a gar hole. $30 tasco not available anymore ?

 

[backyardtndeer]

If a cellular camera will operate on SD card without a plan, that's good.

All my stealth cell cams take SD cards, BUT without a plan they do not take pics.

 

[UTGrad]

I had a stint in cellular business sales and I can tell you these camera companies are marking up the data plans an absurd amount.

I bet Moultrie pays Verizon/AT&T well under a dollar per unit per month and their entry level plan to the consumer is $10/month per unit.

 

[Ski]

I see Gardepro on Amazon has good reviews and an SD card only option.

Here are a couple videos from a Gardepro A5. The A50 & A60 are even better with 4k. Pics are just as clear. I've not had a real high end Browning but I've had a lot of mid range Brownings and many, many other brands. None I've had compared to the Gardepro & Meidase cams I get from Amazon. They're all I'm running this year. I bought dozens of them when they were cheap in the off season to replace all my other cams.

Night video

Day video

 

[redblood]

Here are a couple videos from a Gardepro A5. The A50 & A60 are even better with 4k. Pics are just as clear. I've not had a real high end Browning but I've had a lot of mid range Brownings and many, many other brands. None I've had compared to the Gardepro & Meidase cams I get from Amazon. They're all I'm running this year. I bought dozens of them when they were cheap in the off season to replace all my other cams.

Night video


View attachment 290752

Day video


View attachment 290753

superb bucks! And great quality. Those are off sd card?

 

[jcloer]

I have used a number of both cell and non-cell cameras. As seems to be typical, the ones I really like have all been obsoleted. SMH. The latest was Cabelas Outfitter 4 Black. Great camera but they replaced it this year with what appears to be a cheap piece of junk and has less resolution. I have since moved to GardePro A3S non-cell cameras and I like them a lot. They're reasonably priced, take great pics/video and have good battery life.

I'll probably check out the wireless version for my home property so I can try to minimize putting my scent all over the travel corridors and bedding areas, but so far... I have probably 10 of the A3S and am very happy with them.

 

[Ski]

superb bucks! And great quality. Those are off sd card?

Same buck same spot same cam, just day & night. Yes that's an SD cam. It's an older version. There are two newer versions that have even better imagery. My favorite part is the sound clarity. You can hear him eating. During rut you can hear them make all sorts of grunts & growls that you never even knew a deer could make. Here's one where you can hear him clear his throat.

 

[BSK]

Same buck same spot same cam, just day & night. Yes that's an SD cam. It's an older version. There are two newer versions that have even better imagery. My favorite part is the sound clarity. You can hear him eating. During rut you can hear them make all sorts of grunts & growls that you never even knew a deer could make. Here's one where you can hear him clear his throat.

I was going through my videos the other day, and for a Garde Pro video, I had the sound turned up so I could hear subtle sounds. Then one of the does in the plot blew at a coyote. Darn near made me jump out of my chair it was so loud!

 

[UTGrad]

That's it. I'm sold on a WiFi Gardepro. I'll be getting one shortly.

 

[jcloer]

Here are a couple videos from a Gardepro A5. The A50 & A60 are even better with 4k. Pics are just as clear. I've not had a real high end Browning but I've had a lot of mid range Brownings and many, many other brands. None I've had compared to the Gardepro & Meidase cams I get from Amazon. They're all I'm running this year. I bought dozens of them when they were cheap in the off season to replace all my other cams.

Night video


View attachment 290752

Day video


View attachment 290753

I've had several Brownings and while I love the quality of their pics/videos, I found them to be the least user friendly cameras I've owned. My largest complaint with them was the orientation of the SD card. The slot is recessed into the side and they have the card put in backward, which makes it almost impossible to grab hold of the SD card to remove it. Incredibly frustrating.

 

[Andy S.]

Most cell cams still work as a "regular" cam.

Only if it has a SD slot. Many newer model cell cams do not have a SD card slot, thus cannot be used as a regular trail camera.

 

[Andy S.]

OP - several viable "SD Card" camera options on eBay. You can get quality Reconyx non-cellular cameras for roughly $200, with the expectation that they will work as long as you run them. Some of my original Reconyx cameras are right at 20 years old and stick taking pics just as they did out of the box. Good luck!

 

[jcloer]

Cell cams are great for certain things but man...they sure do like to bend you over on service. I run TactaCams and the pricing is ridiculous. My SD cams generally provide better pics/video and TC charges monthly fees for each camera, then charges you if you want to send any high res stuff to your phone. You do still have the SD card that you can pull that stuff from, but that pretty well negates the need/desire to use a cell cam. SMH

 

[Antler Daddy]

I never do it, but cant you activate cell service for like October - Dec and then just turn off the cell service and cam keeps taking photos on SD card?

 

[redblood]

Cell cams are great for certain things but man...they sure do like to bend you over on service. I run TactaCams and the pricing is ridiculous. My SD cams generally provide better pics/video and TC charges monthly fees for each camera, then charges you if you want to send any high res stuff to your phone. You do still have the SD card that you can pull that stuff from, but that pretty well negates the need/desire to use a cell cam. SMH

the wifi cams can help reduce the need for cell cams in certain areas, but not everywhere unfortunately

 

[Andy S.]

I never do it, but cant you activate cell service for like October - Dec and then just turn off the cell service and cam keeps taking photos on SD card?

Yes.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I have several areas with no service that I still use regular cameras in. I have bought a couple of the gardepros over the last year or so and have been impressed for sure.

 

[TheLBLman]

Only if it has a SD slot. Many newer model cell cams do not have a SD card slot, thus cannot be used as a regular trail camera.

Good point.
I have noticed that some of the newer cell cams don't have an SD slot.
IMO, that's a marketing tactic to force buyers to buy cell plans,
even when not needed.
I'll avoid those brands & models.

I would not want a cell cam that wouldn't double as a non-cell cam.