Trail cam help

[Remington700]

I am sure this is like the Chevy / Ford debate, but which trail cam would be best. I am looking at getting a few for my farm. I need a cell phone one because I live too far to pull cards. What is the best price and most reliable one you've found.
Thanks in advance!

 

[rem270]

Like you said there will be different opinions. I have 6 tactacam Reveal X and they all have been great. Did have one mess up a couple weeks ago and I went and pulled it down. Got around to changing the SD card last night and that fixed the problem. Battery life is excellent, I like to run the Energizer Max batteries. I know some run the lithium and I'm sure get more life than I do with the "regular" ones. Pics can be grainy at times but if it's a buck I want to see better I request an HD pic and it clears it right up.

I started out with a spypoint and pics were so grainy I couldn't tell much of anything. On top of that the battery life sucked.

 

[ttf909]

Like the tactacam better than any I tried so far. Actually better than reconyx.

 

[BSK]

I like the Spartan cell cams but they are much more expensive than the Tactacams.

 

[ttf909]

I like the Spartan cell cams but they are much more expensive than the Tactacams.

Have not tried spartan.

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . . which trail cam would be best.
I need a cell phone one because I live too far to pull cards.
What is the best price and most reliable one you've found.

"Best" will always be a matter of perspective.

To a large degree, you will get better by paying more, up front.
Some of the lower cost options (at time of purchase)
have higher monthly cell fees (costing more over time).
With cell cams, battery life is a huge part of the cost issue as well.

I highly recommend studying the comparative tests performed by
www.trailcampro.com
as well as reading their user reviews.

Personally, I'm currently using 3 different brands of cell cams (and many different models within those brands). Am using Tactacam, Browning, and Ridgetec.

Of these 3, Tactacam is the least reliable, and most costly to operate ongoing (after purchase).

Most reliable and least costly to operate (ongoing after purchase) are the Ridgetecs (which appear very similar to Spartans). If I were adding any more cell cams at present, I would be adding more Ridgetecs.

 

[Planking]

I'm using 3 tactacam reveal x and I love them. I don't have any complaints so far. I haven't used any of the other ones so I would listen to LBL man.

 

[TheLBLman]

One other thing, imo, you really NEED to use lithium batteries for winter use in cell cams.

Some models require 8 AA's, some 12, some 16.
Batteries will die with some within 3 months,
while batteries may last a year in other models.

The battery life comparison at www.trailcampro.com is well done,
and fairly shows the differences. Personally, I usually beat their projections,
but those projections they make are under very fair & same assumptions for all models tested.

If running video mode on cell cams,
battery life may be less than half what you'll get will regular still pics.

And like the monthly cell service fees,
replacing batteries is an ongoing user cost of operation.

I'm using 3 tactacam reveal x and I love them. I don't have any complaints so far.

No doubt, Tactacams work, and are among the cheapest (up front) cell cams.
I suspect most Tactacam users have not tried many other brands/models, especially something like a Spartan or Ridgetec?

 

[muddyboots]

I've had moultrie, wild game, bushnell and covert. All stink. Miss deer and a million false images. My family got me a reconyx for Christmas few years back. All I use now. Worth every penny. I have no experience with the cell cams

 

[backyardtndeer]

I have had pretty good luck with my moultrie cams, but those are all regular cams.

Only had a cell cam for a little over 2 months. @Carlos gave the heads up for the stealth cam deal from Sam's club in the deals forum https://www.tndeer.com/threads/call-cams-at-sams-club.424198/. Been pretty happy with it so far. I would buy another.

 

[Spurhunter]

TheLBLman is the authority on cellular trail cams on this site IMO, but I'll throw in my $0.02. I've had Spypoints and Moultrie Deltas and they were garbage. The new Moultries might be better, but I wouldn't take a chance. I currently have 4 Brownings (recommended by TheLBLman) and 2 Tactacams out. The Brownings have a lot more features, settings, take less batteries, are a lot better on batteries, but cost a little more. Right now Trailcampro has a really good deal on the Brownings I use.

https://www.trailcampro.com/product...-pro-scout-2-pack?_pos=1&_sid=e59a0dc76&_ss=r

 

[Shed Hunter]

I bought another reveal and I'll tell you what-I really don't like them for basic reasons. There's no reason for the camera to only send the second picture in the sequence and the video is even worse. It won't just take a video. It takes a picture before it will take a video. Therefore you essentially have a video from a camera with terrible trigger speed

 

[Spurhunter]

I bought another reveal and I'll tell you what-I really don't like them for basic reasons. There's no reason for the camera to only send the second picture in the sequence

I've been told the new PRO models will send every pic, but mine are like yours. Only the second pic.

 

[TheLBLman]

I've been told the new PRO models will send every pic, but mine are like yours. Only the second pic.

I have one of them in testing now.
While this is true, BUT ONLY IF you're willing to pay a higher monthly fee for the Tactacam cell service.
I believe this is an EXTRA $9 monthly on top of their regular monthly fee.

This add-on "feature" is called "Pro Xtra".
It also provides for unlimited HD photos as well as some other "perks".
I think that's "too much" extra,
and will not be testing this particular "feature".
(Compared to the Ridgetec service plans, Tactacam is highway robbery.)

Another Tactacam option is to buy 50 HD photo uploads for an extra $5.
But it's a one-time $5, compared to that $9 deal being monthly.
The $5 buys 50 HD uploads, even if it takes several months before you use them up.

As a workaround, I typically set my Tactacams to 1 pic per triggering event,
with no delay. This will typically result in my getting 2 pics when a deer walks by, but often, 1 when the deer is entering, and 1 while exiting the frame view.

But then, "no" delay can result in a lot of nuisance pics of nothing, such as when the sun hits a weed, and the wind blows the weed. You may get 100 pics of a weed blowing in the wind in a single hour.

 

[T2D2]

I had a terrible experience with Tactacam - both product and Customer Service. I'll never recommend or use another product of theirs again.

I would also recommend against Cuddeback. I most recently replaced a multi-camera Cuddeback Cuddelink system with WiseEye cameras. So far I have been very pleased.

I have no experience with Reconyx, Spartan, or Ridgetec.

 

[TheLBLman]

"Friends Don't Let Friends Buy Cuddeback" :)

 

[ZachMarkus]

"Friends Don't Let Friends Buy Cuddeback" :)

Ain't that the truth

 

[deerhunter10]

I have 5 tactacams and 2 bushnell. Both have worked very well for me. The busnell takes better pictures. But not by a lot. If money isn't a factor spartan or reconyx. Bushnell are 2 years old. Tactacams about 6 months. At the end of the day they are 100 dollar cameras. While I would say that's cheap it isn't expensive either. I don't have their cell cameras but I am highly impressed with my brownings have 5 regular cameras and they take great pictures. Will be looking into their cell cams just know that their app wasn't that great from what I heard but have zero experience with the cell side of them. Stay away from spypoints! The rest there will always be a lemon here and there.

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

I am sure this is like the Chevy / Ford debate, but which trail cam would be best. I am looking at getting a few for my farm. I need a cell phone one because I live too far to pull cards. What is the best price and most reliable one you've found.
Thanks in advance!

Reconyx seems to be the best

Spartan is too

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

The problem now is not the trail cameras it's finding lithium ion batteries to power the bastards!

lithium ion batteries have gone up tremendously, almost triple in one year!!!!

So you might wanna also consider a 12 V set up however I'm too lazy to do that

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

I have 5 tactacams and 2 bushnell. Both have worked very well for me. The busnell takes better pictures. But not by a lot. If money isn't a factor spartan or reconyx. Bushnell are 2 years old. Tactacams about 6 months. At the end of the day they are 100 dollar cameras. While I would say that's cheap it isn't expensive either. I don't have their cell cameras but I am highly impressed with my brownings have 5 regular cameras and they take great pictures. Will be looking into their cell cams just know that their app wasn't that great from what I heard but have zero experience with the cell side of them. Stay away from spypoints! The rest there will always be a lemon here and there.

Agreed

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

I like the Spartan cell cams but they are much more expensive than the Tactacams.

Ive got a good write up in my posts on Spartan cams

Very $

I have figured out how to get more data out of them by lowering the amount they take pictures and switching cameras from video to photo


I do really enjoy them now

Running 2 full time

 

[TheLBLman]

I have figured out how to get more data out of them by lowering the amount they take pictures and switching cameras from video to photo

Exactly.

For me, the main attraction of cell cams is eliminating the need to visit the cam sites on a regular schedule, whether that be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc. The less a cam site visit is required, the better. A near equal benefit is getting the pics sooner instead of a week or two later.

But when set to video mode, the more practical (where data is reasonably limited monthly) cell "plans" can be quickly used up before a month ends. Using video mode in cell cams will necessitate a more expensive monthly service plan than was otherwise necessary.

Then, in video mode, batteries die in a matter of weeks (or days) instead of months.
IMO, video mode is best reserved for non-cell cams, albeit there are exceptions.

Another "trick" to significantly increase battery life with cell cams, is programming them to take less pics (requiring flash) during the night. I have many my cell cams set to trigger as often as every 1 second taking 3 pics per triggering during the day; but then the settings change to every 30 seconds with 2 pics per triggering during the night.

In order to make these changes twice daily, the cams' programming needs to reliably work. The Brownings will re-program correctly @ 90% of the time, only not if too many changes are made simultaneously. The Ridgetecs are closer to 100% no matter how many changes at once. The Tactacams are a crap shoot.

Just keep in mind the biggest battery drain of cell cams is usually the frequency of uploads, number of pics/videos uploaded, followed by nighttime flash. Your overall settings effect every one of these factors.

Then, if you set your cell cams to "instant" uploads (per each triggering event) rather than "scheduled", that "instant" gratification will greatly cut your battery life. I usually set my Brownings to upload 6 to 8 times daily. Most of my Tactacams will only allow either up to 2 times daily (4 with the latest "pro" model) or instant. The Ridgetecs have no limits, totally up to the user as to frequency of uploads.

Unless used more for security than wildlife, I typically don't need nor want "instant" uploads in the middle of the night. But do sometimes switch over to "instant" during the day, scheduled at night, and again, making such changes twice a day requires cell cams that are reliable to actually make those changes (and make them timely, not 24 hrs later).

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Exactly.

For me, the main attraction of cell cams is eliminating the need to visit the cam sites on a regular schedule, whether that be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc. The less a cam site visit is required, the better. A near equal benefit is getting the pics sooner instead of a week or two later.

But when set to video mode, the more practical (where data is reasonably limited monthly) cell "plans" can be quickly used up before a month ends. Using video mode in cell cams will necessitate a more expensive monthly service plan than was otherwise necessary.

Then, in video mode, batteries die in a matter of weeks (or days) instead of months.
IMO, video mode is best reserved for non-cell cams, albeit there are exceptions.

Another "trick" to significantly increase battery life with cell cams, is programming them to take less pics (requiring flash) during the night. I have many my cell cams set to trigger as often as every 1 second taking 3 pics per triggering during the day; but then the settings change to every 30 seconds with 2 pics per triggering during the night.

In order to make these changes twice daily, the cams' programming needs to reliably work. The Brownings will re-program correctly @ 90% of the time, only not if too many changes are made simultaneously. The Ridgetecs are closer to 100% no matter how many changes at once. The Tactacams are a crap shoot.

Just keep in mind the biggest battery drain of cell cams is usually the frequency of uploads, number of pics/videos uploaded, followed by nighttime flash. Your overall settings effect every one of these factors.

Then, if you set your cell cams to "instant" uploads (per each triggering event) rather than "scheduled", that "instant" gratification will greatly cut your battery life. I usually set my Brownings to upload 6 to 8 times daily. Most of my Tactacams will only allow either up to 2 times daily (4 with the latest "pro" model) or instant. The Ridgetecs have no limits, totally up to the user as to frequency of uploads.

Unless used more for security than wildlife, I typically don't need nor want "instant" uploads in the middle of the night. But do sometimes switch over to "instant" during the day, scheduled at night, and again, making such changes twice a day requires cell cams that are reliable to actually make those changes (and make them timely, not 24 hrs later).

Also , when you are new to cameras you want that video

I had video mode on all because it was novel

Now photos only, cannot afford video anymore lol

 

[TheLBLman]

I had video mode on all because it was novel

Indeed!
Fun to watch & hear the video clips!
But EXTREMELY TIME CONSUMPTIVE to review those video clips!

Still, pun intended, the image quality remains higher with still pics.

I utilize the "field scan" mode (with still pics) on my Ridgetecs a lot.
I can evaluate antlers at over 200 yards in a field with those pics (better than video mode).
"Field scan" is simply programming the cam to take a pic (non-triggered) at scheduled intervals,
such as every 5 minutes, all day long. I can typically review a day's field scan pics in about the same amount of time it takes for only a couple 20-second video clips.

Field scan is mainly a useful feature in large fields, or in places where you can see things (and expect to see things) well beyond the triggering range of the cam. It is not a feature one would typically use in the woods, or over scrapes, salt licks, trails, etc.

 

[DMD]

I got three of these:

Amazon product ASIN B0BBWTSXWV
They were real easy to set up and seem to work well, so far. You can watch and get these cheap.

 

[TheLBLman]

They were real easy to set up and seem to work well, so far. You can watch and get these cheap.

Will these transmit pics to your computer, or just to your phone?
(Reason I ask, is because the description only said to your phone.)
Most cell cams will do both (simultaneously).

 

[DMD]

Will these transmit pics to your computer, or just to your phone?
(Reason I ask, is because the description only said to your phone.)
Most cell cams will do both (simultaneously).

I dunno. I just have them transferred to my phone. I can upload the ones I'm interested to my computer from my phone. Good question. I'll check into it.

 

[Ridge Rooster]

My Spartan cameras have always operated flawlessly. May not be the least expensive but I like not having to replace every couple years.

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Indeed!
Fun to watch & hear the video clips!
But EXTREMELY TIME CONSUMPTIVE to review those video clips!

Still, pun intended, the image quality remains higher with still pics.

I utilize the "field scan" mode (with still pics) on my Ridgetecs a lot.
I can evaluate antlers at over 200 yards in a field with those pics (better than video mode).
"Field scan" is simply programming the cam to take a pic (non-triggered) at scheduled intervals,
such as every 5 minutes, all day long. I can typically review a day's field scan pics in about the same amount of time it takes for only a couple 20-second video clips.

Field scan is mainly a useful feature in large fields, or in places where you can see things (and expect to see things) well beyond the triggering range of the cam. It is not a feature one would typically use in the woods, or over scrapes, salt licks, trails, etc.

This is true as well, completely agree, the time to review video clips takes too long and the utility is not much. I have realized the video portion is only good for security and getting tags off a car. Everything you have said I agree with. I will look into the field scan mode, that is a fantastic idea, thank you for mentioning it, never knew about it!