Trail Camera Cable Lock

[Creek]

I will be needing two cable locks.
Any suggestions for one over another?
Or are they all about the same?

 

[smyrnagc]

I have been using these for years. Great cable lock and withstands the weather:

Amazon product ASIN B000LZRKFC

 

[Creek]

I have been using these for years. Great cable lock and withstands the weather:

Amazon product ASIN B000LZRKFC

For some reason I don't see anything. Do you have a different link or name/model?

 

[smyrnagc]

Amazon product ASIN B000LZRKFC
Amazon: Master Lock 8418D Python Cable Lock with Key, 1 Pack

 

[Creek]

Amazon product ASIN B000LZRKFC
Amazon: Master Lock 8418D Python Cable Lock with Key, 1 Pack

Got it, thanks

 

[backyardtndeer]

Been using the python cable locks for a long time. Of 5 of them, I have only ever had one that gave me any issues.

 

[TheLBLman]

Get as many as you can "keyed alike".

 

[BSK]

Get as many as you can "keyed alike".

Agree with this completely.

And as for locks, just remember they only stop the honest. I had a ladder stand with one of the heaviest Python cables on it you can buy. But I lost the key, so had to cut it off. Thought it was going to be a real chore. Yet a small 14" bolt cutter went through it like it was butter. If someone wants your camera, a cable lock isn't going to stop them.

 

[TheLBLman]

More & more, I've gone to using steel security boxes instead of python cable locks.

They are overall comparably "secure", and no more, possibly less likely to be seen than having anything going completely around the tree.

The advantage of the steel boxes is mostly in how they protect your cams from sun & water damage. And, if you're in an area with bears, they can save your cams from total destruction.

 

[smyrnagc]

I am using the security boxes as well...Been using them for awhile. I like them for the protection from the weather also. I have a couple that I leave out all year.

 

[TheLBLman]

If theft is little issue, the easiest to use mount in my arsenal is the Slate River Stealth Mount.

 

[rbreedi1]

I use the ones mentioned above. Like already said, it'll only keep the honest "honest"
But, if on public land, I wouldn't go without one.

 

[MidTennFisher]

I've got the Python lock too and really like it.

As BSK said, if some degenerate really wants it, he'll come back with a heavy duty set of bolt cutters and he'll take it. It's amazing to me how many I see on public land not locked up. In October I found two cellular cameras, about 15 feet apart, both not locked up.

A couple years ago there was one right at the edge of a dove field in an obvious spot where deer come out at night. It was left there for a while, in plain sight and no lock cable. I squirrel hunted that area in the Winter a lot and 3 or 4 times I just had to check to see what was on the SD card out of curiosity. I had my card reader with me because I had a camera elsewhere on that WMA that I'd go check.

Lots of deer in that field at night, a hog or two as well. I always put it back and left the camera as I found it. I'd never steal someone's stuff, but you can bet your butt if you leave it unlocked I'm going to want to know what's on the SD card!

 

[backyardtndeer]

As BSK said, if some degenerate really wants it, he'll come back with a heavy duty set of bolt cutters and he'll take it.

Or they will cut the tree down to take it. Have read stories of small trees being hacked or cut down to steal a camera. Probably a little more likely for a person to carry a folding saw or machete than a pair of bolt cutters. Shame that those types of scum are out there, but they are.

In the time I have been running cameras(about 25 years now), I have never had one stolen(knock on wood), I have had a couple times they were tampered with though. The cable lock as said above just keeps the cameras from walking off with somebody when they run across them, as most don't walk the woods carrying bolt cutters or a saw. With more and more running cell cams these days, the tresspasser that sees the cam with an antenna probably knows it's already too late and would be unlikely to come back to steal it.

 

[BSK]

If theft is little issue, the easiest to use mount in my arsenal is the Slate River Stealth Mount.

I have a ton of these (almost one per camera) and love them. I will even Python Cable lock a camera mounted with the Slate River.

 

[Andy S.]

Get as many as you can "keyed alike".

Ditto! I typically order 4-8 keyed alike. Last order was $150 or so for 8 keyed alike.

 

[TheLBLman]

I have a ton of these (almost one per camera) and love them. I will even Python Cable lock a camera mounted with the Slate River.

The downside to using the Python Cable Lock is the cam then becomes more visible to someone who might take it. So, easier to walk off with a cam on a Slate River Mount, but someone is less likely to see it.

Go figure.

 

[BSK]

Agree TheLBLman. Any time you have something wrapped around the tree, it becomes much more visible. Generally, I only cable lock cams that are near my property line.

 

[TheLBLman]

Ditto! I typically order 4-8 keyed alike. Last order was $150 or so for 8 keyed alike.

I spent about a month trying to get 16 keyed alike.
Was easy to get 4, but not more than 4.