What camera do you prefer

[Taylormike]

I'm always battling a difficult decision when buying a game camera.  I have my share of experience but probably nothing compared to some of you.....

 

I will try to keep this sweet and to the point. 

 

I have had Stealth, Moultrie, Cuddeback, and a few not so popular brands.  I currently have a Cuddeback and a Moultrie.  My cuddeback was a gift and the camera was nearly 500.00 or so, *INSANE* in my book or I should I our wallets.  I wouldn't have spent nearly that much.   Keeping my wife and kids in mind, I just can't justify spending that much.  My wife is always flabbergasted at the cost of these tools.

 

My experience over the last 7-10 years is that the best camera for my buck our the Moultries.  I have had two different models, both under 129.00 and they have performed good to excellent.  Pictures clear and camera has some decent speed.  I don't care for how the clarity is too much, as long as I can see what has been filmed.  It's not for framing but for seeing when and what has gone through the property.

 

What cameras do you guys and gals like?  I'm more interested in the best deal, rather then a camera that is over-priced do to all of its gadgets.

 

Thanks!

[Bowtoons]

If you can find the Moultrie m-80's grab them. They're a great little cam for the money

[Taylormike]

OK Bowtoons, I will look into them.  Yes see, Moultrie seems to make a very decent cam....

 

I want to invest in two more....

[Deerthug]

I've only had Bushnells and the last one I had lasted over 1 1/2 yrs on the same set f Lithium batteries until it got stolen last month. I just got a new one today and a metal lock box from Amazon for $128 shipped free.

[Bowtoons]

OK Bowtoons, I will look into them.  Yes see, Moultrie seems to make a very decent cam....

 

I want to invest in two more....

Just be careful. Some of the models they (Moultrie) make are junk! For a little more you can get the eyecon cams which are a very good cam also. The black widow models are great and I believe they're around $200.

[HUNTINGS IN MY DNA]

I have been using Bushnell trophy cam for years 8mp hd no complaints here

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave!

[fasteddie]

I have some old Wild View cameras ..... they are junk

 

Two Stealth cams that no longer work ......

 

A Moultrie I-40 camera that won't work . I sent an e-mail to Moultrie and never heard from them . 

 

I have 3 of the Primos Blackouts ... they work well , a Truth Cam ultra that works fair , a Moultrie GameSpy 

I-35 that woks great , a Moultrie D338s that I havn't used yet and a couple others . Except for the I-40 camera , the moultries have been the best . 

[BackWoods Hunter]

Funny you asked that. I just researched this same question and bought one. My search took me to archerytalk.com where I found a thread on it. Almost every single post recommended a trail cam called Covert, cost $170. So I bought the Red 40 model.

I put it out and got some videos. Shortly after I checked it, I found that it records in an .avi format. Well, Windows doesn't like avi and neither does my iphone. I had to download a freeware program to view them. Strike 1.

I put it back out and checked it again a few days later. When I opened it I noticed water on the batteries. I pulled the SD card and noticed water on that. Strike 2.

When I got the SD card back to check the videos, they were corrupt. Strike 3.

Maybe I just got a bad one, who knows. Good luck in your search, I hope it works out better than mine.

Although I couldn't find the thread I was referring to, I did find this one that is recommending others.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1844649

Edited November 30, 2013 by BackWoods Hunter

[thphm]

Looking to get a Moultrie 800, my a little over a year old Bushnell Trophy Cam , Does not keep the correct date and time after resetting a number of times and when dowloading the pictures they come out pink.If you get one get an extended warente.

[fasteddie]

A few of the members swear by the Covert Cameras and think they are the greatest . Black Flash is supposed to be the thing now . 

[BackWoods Hunter]

I can tell you that the red freaked them out. So much so that I switched it from vid to pic just to try to get them not to stare at the camera.

[fasteddie]

I have had them come back for more pics with a Red Flash . Same with the Black Flash . I wonder if it's the noise that they are curious about ........

[phade]

Funny you asked that. I just researched this same question and bought one. My search took me to archerytalk.com where I found a thread on it. Almost every single post recommended a trail cam called Covert, cost $170. So I bought the Red 40 model. I put it out and got some videos. Shortly after I checked it, I found that it records in an .avi format. Well, Windows doesn't like avi and neither does my iphone. I had to download a freeware program to view them. Strike 1. I put it back out and checked it again a few days later. When I opened it I noticed water on the batteries. I pulled the SD card and noticed water on that. Strike 2. When I got the SD card back to check the videos, they were corrupt. Strike 3. Maybe I just got a bad one, who knows. Good luck in your search, I hope it works out better than mine. Although I couldn't find the thread I was referring to, I did find this one that is recommending others. http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1844649

 

First off - the fact that the video files won't play in some people's Windows Media Player is like saying my Ford Escape Hybrid is junk because I can't run E85 in it, just regular old gasoline. It's merely a file type and downloading a free video playing program, isn't a big deal. This is the age or apps and programs. If anything, blame Bill Gates, because Windows isn't the 500 lb gorilla in the room any longer.

 

Second - the water. I have had condensation on two of my Coverts. Let's just say that's a small fraction of the Coverts I run. There's a multitude of reasons behind it, most brought on by the user, but the case itself can warp in certain circumstances. The warping can occur when using a python lock or lock box because the user tightens down the cam into the case/or with the python that it warps the housing. More often than not, it's simply a facet of changing batteries or cards when the cam is in a humid environment or when it is raining. The condensation is seen when the difference in night/day temp is big. It has not ever once resulted in a card corruption for me, and if I have a cam that keeps doing that for some reason, I simply return it. Look at the upper latch area, if that is not visibly warped, it's likely user error. I've also had junk get in the seal of the rubber lining, causing water to go in. The problem you want to avoid is repeated condensation that will eventually break down the internals. The funny thing is though, I've had a Covert under water overnight and not a drop of water got in it.

 

Third - corrupt card. I find this in most cases to either be the card or the user not formatting the card. Format the card in the cam, and then turn it to on. Use that card for the cam. Cards also go bad pretty easily as contacts on the cards can be worn down. I will say I had some issues with Sandisk cards in my Coverts. I formatted them and it seemed to resolve 90% of the problems. Ones that kept giving me issues, I junked the cards and other brands have worked fine, like PNY, or DaneElec or Team GB. Memory cards are notoriously finicky and are often the cause of may problems people associate with a camera, regardless of brand.

 

To help run you Red 40 on video, turn down the light output to half. This will help avoid the deer in headlights look, although I am a big proponent of black flash. The '13 Red 40 takes great vids. Also, run it on 720P and not 1080 as the frame rate is higher in 720 and will provide much better quality.

[phade]

I have had them come back for more pics with a Red Flash . Same with the Black Flash . I wonder if it's the noise that they are curious about ........

 

Red Flash is better suited for pics than video from a deer avoidance perspective.

[BackWoods Hunter]

First off - the fact that the video files won't play in some people's Windows Media Player is like saying my Ford Escape Hybrid is junk because I can't run E85 in it, just regular old gasoline. It's merely a file type and downloading a free video playing program, isn't a big deal. This is the age or apps and programs. If anything, blame Bill Gates, because Windows isn't the 500 lb gorilla in the room any longer.

Second - the water. I have had condensation on two of my Coverts. Let's just say that's a small fraction of the Coverts I run. There's a multitude of reasons behind it, most brought on by the user, but the case itself can warp in certain circumstances. The warping can occur when using a python lock or lock box because the user tightens down the cam into the case/or with the python that it warps the housing. More often than not, it's simply a facet of changing batteries or cards when the cam is in a humid environment or when it is raining. The condensation is seen when the difference in night/day temp is big. It has not ever once resulted in a card corruption for me, and if I have a cam that keeps doing that for some reason, I simply return it. Look at the upper latch area, if that is not visibly warped, it's likely user error. I've also had junk get in the seal of the rubber lining, causing water to go in. The problem you want to avoid is repeated condensation that will eventually break down the internals. The funny thing is though, I've had a Covert under water overnight and not a drop of water got in it.

Third - corrupt card. I find this in most cases to either be the card or the user not formatting the card. Format the card in the cam, and then turn it to on. Use that card for the cam. Cards also go bad pretty easily as contacts on the cards can be worn down. I will say I had some issues with Sandisk cards in my Coverts. I formatted them and it seemed to resolve 90% of the problems. Ones that kept giving me issues, I junked the cards and other brands have worked fine, like PNY, or DaneElec or Team GB. Memory cards are notoriously finicky and are often the cause of may problems people associate with a camera, regardless of brand.

To help run you Red 40 on video, turn down the light output to half. This will help avoid the deer in headlights look, although I am a big proponent of black flash. The '13 Red 40 takes great vids. Also, run it on 720P and not 1080 as the frame rate is higher in 720 and will provide much better quality.

I don't know what to tell you buddy. Like I said, the camera was highly recommended by others on archery talk and that's why I bought it. I also said that maybe I just got a dud. The thing was brand-new and had frozen ice in it. It wasn't condensation. Because it was brand-new, it's unlikely there was anything wrong with the O-ring. I don't know why it leaked. When I exchange it, I'm certain the next one will not. I had use this SD card several times recently and had no issues with it. The fact that when I removed it and water was dripping out, makes me believe that if my SD card is faulty, it's not because of the card, it's because of the leaking camera.

I also said that the AVI video would not load on my iPhone. The fact that the video will not load on iOS or windows makes me wonder why anyone would use it.

Because of these two things, I am disappointed with the camera. This is just my one opinion of the camera. I'm sure it's a great product, I just happen to get a bad one. That doesn't mean I'll risk another $170on another though.

[sampotter]

I have 11 Bushnells and 4 Coverts. I like them both. Both have good battery life. The Bushnells seem to have better video and the Coverts have better still photos- some so good that I am going to frame them and hang them on the wall.

 

[BackWoods Hunter]

Nice shot

[Paula]

I got my covert in July, had it running till a month ago, had to change my batteries. Still love the pictures from it and i love my bushnell also

Edited December 4, 2013 by Paula

[Taylormike]

Wow Sam,

 

Those Coverts take a beautiful picture. Quick question:  Did you ever get a chance to harvest that buck on camera? 

 

Nice Pic

[CuseHunter]

I like my covert mp6. Great battery life which is a huge category for me, nothing worse then pulling a camera that died after a week or two.

[Meat Manager]

Hco Panda Blackflash MMS and a Plotwatcher Pro.

Next year I'm bumping up to a Covert MMS...realtime text pics are a must. I like my panda for this but battery life and flash range are better with covert for a little more chedda.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited December 4, 2013 by Meat Manager

[nycredneck]

Bushnell Trophy Cam for me, excellent battery life, great pics day and night, video is very cool as well. It's not too spendy in the long run, I've had mine for 4 or 5 yrs now.

[sampotter]

Wow Sam,

Those Coverts take a beautiful picture. Quick question: Did you ever get a chance to harvest that buck on camera?

Nice Pic

Thanks. I'm actually headed back up tomorrow night for the last 4 days of the NZ. The steps to my camp are 10' to the right of the camera. This buck has been through a couple of times on patrol. I do know where he sleeps though...

[Taylormike]

Good Luck and Harvest that deer!!!

[phade]

I don't know what to tell you buddy. Like I said, the camera was highly recommended by others on archery talk and that's why I bought it. I also said that maybe I just got a dud. The thing was brand-new and had frozen ice in it. It wasn't condensation. Because it was brand-new, it's unlikely there was anything wrong with the O-ring. I don't know why it leaked. When I exchange it, I'm certain the next one will not. I had use this SD card several times recently and had no issues with it. The fact that when I removed it and water was dripping out, makes me believe that if my SD card is faulty, it's not because of the card, it's because of the leaking camera.

I also said that the AVI video would not load on my iPhone. The fact that the video will not load on iOS or windows makes me wonder why anyone would use it.

Because of these two things, I am disappointed with the camera. This is just my one opinion of the camera. I'm sure it's a great product, I just happen to get a bad one. That doesn't mean I'll risk another $170on another though.

 

You may be best swapping it out and finding a brand you can trust. How did you attach it to a tree?

 

Just as an FYI, anything below the Reconyx line (and often including it), will have instances where returns are necessary it's the nature of putting a cam outside in the elements. I believe you will find Pat and the Covert team to be above all in service quality.

 

Good luck to you.