stringtalker
Well-Known Member
What trail camera's, not cell camera's are most dependable. I'm using wildgame innovations now for about 3 years now with no issues
Regular trail camera's
- Thread starter stringtalker
- Start date
BSK
Well-Known Member
I can only speak for Browning. They are so good function-wise, battery life-wise, and dependability-wise that I've switched to only running Browning. Other models may be good as well, but I've tried a lot of brands and Browning currently tops everything I've tried.
Mr.Bro
Well-Known Member
My 3 year old WG quit also. For a $50 dollar black flash it was OK.
Go Browning if you want great battery life, great pics, great videos and years of trouble free pics.
Go Browning if you want great battery life, great pics, great videos and years of trouble free pics.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
My findings as well, at least anywhere around the Brownings' price points.
Can say same for the Browning cell cams.
When thinking about pricing, don't just consider the initial cost of a cam.
Also consider how often you need to replace batteries, trigger speed, options for settings,
and perhaps most of all: Dependability to get the pics when something walks in front of it!
BSK
Well-Known Member
I'm up to 12 Brownings now, some on their 4th year. No failures, no returns. Best features of any trail-camera I've ever owned, bar-none.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Still using Moultrie cams.
WanderingNomad
Well-Known Member
BSK, What are the Browning camera model(s) you use please?
BSK
Well-Known Member
I have some of their earlier models, but right now I'm focusing on the Spec Ops Elite HP4 and HP5. I like them both. The HP4 has a night flash that is more of a flood-light effect, lighting up the entire area in front of the camera. The HP5 has more of a spotlight effect, getting longer range illumination in the center of the image, but not as much at the edges of the image. The HP5 also has better color in daylight images. I use the HP4 in wooded set-ups, while I use the HP5s primarily on food plots, where the longer range flash is helpful. Both are true black-flash and have shockingly long battery life. I run my cameras from the beginning of August through mid-January and I've never had to change batteries during a season (collecting all video, which takes a lot of juice for the night-time illumination). In fact, often they are still going strong the next season.
When I was using regular cams I had 6-8 wildgame cams. Some would last for years and some would crap out after a year or less. I just considered them throw aways as I'd find sales on them for $30-50. They always tooks good pics but the best pics were from Browning's I had. Don't remember the model right off but bought 3 off a member here and all worked great. 2 got stolen out of my truck and the 1 I have left I haven't used it in 2-3 years.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I'm still amazed you can get the quality of the HP4 and HP5 at around $190 retail. That's not cheap, but considering the quality of the units and the quality of the images/videos from a true black-flash, it's still an amazing price. When black-flash first came out, a decent unit ran $600.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I too found the WGI cams a hit or miss proposition. You would get a good one and then get a unit that was garbage. They definitely have a QC problem in their manufacturing. But if you are lucky and get a good one, they are great cameras for the price.
BSK
Well-Known Member
Covert and Bushnell still make good cameras.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
One very important factor many overlook is battery life.
The long battery life of the HP4 and HP5 can save you over $100 in only a couple years
compared to an initially (point of sale) lower cost cam with poor battery life.
This is even more true when running video.
The HP4 and HP5 cams use 8 AA batteries.
Since I more often prefer still pics over video,
my "go-to" Browning cam (when not wanting cellular feature) is the "Dark Ops" (also a true invisible black flash unit).
The Dark Ops has 2-yr battery life & only requires 6 AA batteries.
It is also physically smaller in size than the HP4-5 units.
Dark Ops typically costs @ $20 less than the HP4-5.
https://www.trailcampro.com/products/browning-dark-ops-pro-x-1080
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
One thing many people may not realize, the Browning cell cams (as well as most cell cams) can also be used as a "regular" trail cam (simply don't use the cell feature). You can use or not use the cell feature on a monthly basis. For example, you might have a particular unit "off" in July, then turn it "on" (for cellular transmission) in August.
This newest Browning cell model is a "red glow" (I normally prefer "black" flash), but in my experiences with Browning red glow cams, simply set the flash to "economy" mode, and you get the practical equivalent of black flash, yet still have the option for greater flash range if needed (such as using on a field).
On scrapes & salt licks, I only use black flash or red glow set to "economy" (very low-intensity flash).
https://www.trailcampro.com/products/browning-defender-vision
At any rate, this particular new Browning cell cam costs less than the Dark Op non-cell.
This cell cam is rated for over a year as a cell cam, so suspect that would mean over 2 yrs if used just as a "regular" trail cam.
This newest Browning cell model is a "red glow" (I normally prefer "black" flash), but in my experiences with Browning red glow cams, simply set the flash to "economy" mode, and you get the practical equivalent of black flash, yet still have the option for greater flash range if needed (such as using on a field).
On scrapes & salt licks, I only use black flash or red glow set to "economy" (very low-intensity flash).
https://www.trailcampro.com/products/browning-defender-vision
At any rate, this particular new Browning cell cam costs less than the Dark Op non-cell.
This cell cam is rated for over a year as a cell cam, so suspect that would mean over 2 yrs if used just as a "regular" trail cam.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I have several of the Browning Dark Ops Pro XD cameras. They were awesome for their time. And despite what Trailcampro says (they list them as "low-glow"), they are true black-flash. Their downsides are not the greatest night imagery (a bit grainy), and night video illumination is fairly short-range. But they are still good cams. Because of their shorter-range flash, I limit their use to up-close set-ups, such as scrapes.
In terms of longevity, I've had good luck with certain models of WGI, Moultrie, Bushnell, Covert, and Muddy. I've had bad luck with WGI, Muddy, & Moultrie. The cheap cameras off any brand seem to be less dependable while the higher end stuff seems to get you what you paid for. That's been my experience.
Moultrie used to be my go to but several years ago they changed things up and went to crap. Not only were the newer line of cameras junk, the firmware in the older cameras were becoming unsupported by newer computer operating systems and Moultrie hasn't done a good job of offering updates. I still have several of their cams that are pretty dang old and still use them without a hitch. But I've lost a lot of them due to not being supported anymore, and nearly all of the newer cams I tried zonked out within a season or so. I had all but given up on them until the most recent cams that are tiny. They take only 4 batteries and if not running video the batteries last well. I've not had one of the tiny cams go bad yet but it's only been a couple seasons so time will tell.
BSK has me on the Browning kick right now. So far he's right and I'm liking them in every way. Good image, good battery life, they don't miss much, and not a lot of false triggers. I also buy a lot of the cheap Amazon cams. They're pretty good for the money but I'm not sure I've had one last more than 2 seasons. Probably have but I lose track. I run dozens of non-cell cams on half dozen or so properties in two states plus public lands I hunt. Lots of them get checked only once a year so in order to keep battery life I set them at lowest image size on single photo mode. Cams that I check regularly enough to keep batteries freshened up will be set at higher quality images or video. The way you use a camera largely dictates battery life and camera longevity. Case in point, a camera watching a summer salt lick will potentially be taking THOUSANDS of pics per week. It's going to zonk out at some point. A camera set to watch an obscure, rarely used rut trail might only take 100 pics in a year. It can soak in place for a couple years without batteries dying and the cam will last forever. So expect some reasonable variance in camera longevity depending on how you use it.
Moultrie used to be my go to but several years ago they changed things up and went to crap. Not only were the newer line of cameras junk, the firmware in the older cameras were becoming unsupported by newer computer operating systems and Moultrie hasn't done a good job of offering updates. I still have several of their cams that are pretty dang old and still use them without a hitch. But I've lost a lot of them due to not being supported anymore, and nearly all of the newer cams I tried zonked out within a season or so. I had all but given up on them until the most recent cams that are tiny. They take only 4 batteries and if not running video the batteries last well. I've not had one of the tiny cams go bad yet but it's only been a couple seasons so time will tell.
BSK has me on the Browning kick right now. So far he's right and I'm liking them in every way. Good image, good battery life, they don't miss much, and not a lot of false triggers. I also buy a lot of the cheap Amazon cams. They're pretty good for the money but I'm not sure I've had one last more than 2 seasons. Probably have but I lose track. I run dozens of non-cell cams on half dozen or so properties in two states plus public lands I hunt. Lots of them get checked only once a year so in order to keep battery life I set them at lowest image size on single photo mode. Cams that I check regularly enough to keep batteries freshened up will be set at higher quality images or video. The way you use a camera largely dictates battery life and camera longevity. Case in point, a camera watching a summer salt lick will potentially be taking THOUSANDS of pics per week. It's going to zonk out at some point. A camera set to watch an obscure, rarely used rut trail might only take 100 pics in a year. It can soak in place for a couple years without batteries dying and the cam will last forever. So expect some reasonable variance in camera longevity depending on how you use it.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
I also have two of Moultrie's most recent version of their tiny 4-battery units.
Moultrie Micro-AC42i
I like how "tiny" they are, but that's about it.
They are not as "user friendly" as prior Moultrie models, and the pics are particularly poor quality for something advertised with such high megapixels. Flash range is also short.
I agree on all points. Given only four batteries I didn't expect much for flash power, especially for the black flash model. However I did expect better image quality. I don't have to have a lot of options or adjustments but I do expect a 42mp camera to take clear pictures, and these cameras do not.
WanderingNomad
Well-Known Member
themanpcl
Well-Known Member
My experiences. The most "dependable" I have is a Stealth I bought in 2014 and still in use. Best pic quality of all my cams. Best trigger. Can't set the date/time anymore but I can do calendar/time math when I pull...lol. I have tried non cell Muddy, Primos, Tasco, Victure (amazon vendor), Wildgame, Cuddeback.... I consider all non cell cams disposable. The Stealth is a unicorn...it won't die...lol.. I get $20-$30 cams and expect to get 3 yrs out of them and if so, I win.
BSK
Well-Known Member
Amazing how the quality of cams comes and goes. I suppose it has to do with management decisions. The Nontypical cams were the best in the business at the time. Then they were sold and relabelled Cuddeback. The quality became trash for at least a decade. However, I hear their cams have improved of late.
The first couple of Browning cams were total garbage. Not even worth having. Then they got their act together and now make the best cams on the market.
Moultrie has come and gone several times! I've had good ones, I've had trash ones.
themanpcl
Well-Known Member
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
And, both "good" & "trash" factors vary greatly, both can be within the same cam!
Some cams produce really nice "good" pics, yet struggle with reliability to get a pic,
having such issues as slow trigger speeds, and subpar sensors.
Just a general rule of thumb:
The cheaper (at point of purchase) cams will have slower trigger speeds and subpar sensors.
They will also have subpar circuitry, i.e. subpar battery life.
Many will also not work well with certain sd cards, are may not work at all with high-capacity sd cards, such as above 32gb. I use mostly 64 & 128gb high-speed cards now, and most brands of trail cams will still not accept anything above 32gb.
DCA-DEER
Well-Known Member
Wal mart Tasco 30 to 35 bucks cheap and make good pics
Surprisingly good daytime pics, and night pics are what you'd expect for a $35 camera. The ones I have seem to be plenty reliable as well. Operating is a whole lot like the Moultries.
Use to be a huge Covert fan, not so much anymore. Most recent ones I bought lasted less than 2 years before menu issues arose. Still take pics but can't change some settings which seems to be a common failure for them. Do have one Covert that has to be at least 10 yrs old & still works but haven't been able to change settings in years . Their customer service has also been good to deal with imo.
BSK
Well-Known Member
Interesting.
themanpcl
Well-Known Member
I have 2 on my lease. I find these to take ok pics in daylight but night, not so good. Seem to be reliable but quality is not great.
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