Breaking new ground

[erussell]

Should check out Stealth cams, I know people give them alot of crap for being slow to reset, but I use mine on trails and it works fine. They make flash cams too for a decent price.

http://www.stealthcam.net/HTML/sc_rogue.html

Edited February 28, 2012 by erussell

[Doc]

Should check out Stealth cams, I know people give them alot of crap for being slow to reset, but I use mine on trails and it works fine. They make flash cams too for a decent price.

http://www.stealthca...L/sc_rogue.html

They are all back in the mix again ..... lol. The one problem I have is the lack of good test reports on white-flash cams. Chasinggame.com covers a lot of trail cams and gives sample pictures, but even they are a bit short on covering the white-flash cams. It looks like the IR styles are getting to be the only ones that anyone is interested in anymore, but I have a special use for one or two reasonably priced cams that I want for some fairly good quality color pictures. Anyway .... the search continues, and stealthcam is certainly one of the candidates.

[landtracdeerhunter]

To bad about the Moultries. Always liked their product. We have had good results with their older IR cameras, but they too, are starting to fail. I believe, after two seasons of steady use, their life ends rather rapidly. Maybe the company, you dealt with, buys the sorts.

Edited February 28, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[WNYBuckHunter]

Doc, do you realize that the system firmware is what controls everything on the camera, and it is easy to update. Like, plug it into your PC and run an exe file easy? We arent talking complicated stuff here. It cant hurt to give it a try and see what happens, then return the cams if it doesnt fix it. I have never had an issue with a Moultrie cam that they werent 100% willing and capable of fixing, even if they just replaced the cam. Just sayin.

[Doc]

Too late. Fed-ex headed out the driveway with the packages. I've done my time with them, and am simply not willing to endure one more minute of frustration. Time to move on.

So now I am upping my game a bit and looking at Cuddeback Attack or Capture or Stealth-Cam Rogue or Sniper pro. More bucks, but it looks like an improvement in picture quality and a big improvement in trigger speed. In terms of function, well ...... perhaps that will become a whole different new adventure ..... Lol. It's weird, I seem to be encountering more problems with the white-flash cameras than I have had with my three IR cameras. Although I did have to return a Primos.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Be careful with the Cuddebacks, the guys I hunt with have had every one of theirs back to Cuddeback multiple times and last I heard were ready to use them for target practice lol.

[Doc]

Be careful with the Cuddebacks, the guys I hunt with have had every one of theirs back to Cuddeback multiple times and last I heard were ready to use them for target practice lol.

That's the kinds of comments that I am interested in. I started a new thread inquiring about experiences with a few specific makes and models.

Here is one thing that I am doing to minimize my risks somewhat .... I am only dealing with internet suppliers that offer:

free shipping and shipping returns if necessary

No taxes

And a "no questions asked" return policy

That is one thing that impressed the heck out of me about Hayneedle. All of this fiasco may have been a true frustrating pain in the butt, but didn't cost me one dime. So, the theory is that if I do happen to run into a piece of junk, I won't be dealing with the manufacturer, but simply return it to the seller. However, I am still interested in your Cuddeback comment. Free or not, no one wants to set themselves up for a bunch of frustration and wasted time.

[erussell]

Be careful with the Cuddebacks, the guys I hunt with have had every one of theirs back to Cuddeback multiple times and last I heard were ready to use them for target practice lol.

Ive read that too. Plus there wicked expensive for what you get.

[erussell]

Found this.

http://www.trailcampro.com/stealthcami590review.aspx

[Doc]

Found this.

http://www.trailcamp...i590review.aspx

Not too bad a price. But that 4 second trigger speed is absolutely unacceptable. I think that one is coming off the list. Unless an animal is standing there feeding or something, in 4 seconds they have plenty of time to walk right out of the picture.

In fact as I went through that site, I noticed that all the Stealth-cam white-flash camers were 4 seconds.

I think all the Stealth-cams are off the list.

[erussell]

Unfortunately no one makes one that has a wide trigger area, quick trigger, and clear pics all for a good price. The cheaper ones skimp on some things. My prowler xt IR is so, so with speed, it says 4 second trigger but I have caught birds on it. Now whether or not a whole flock flew through and I just caught the last bird I dont know. The day pics on 8mp are ok but I couldnt beleive how nice the night time pics come out for black and white. And you can change that from low, medium and high MP to.

[Doc]

Cuddeback claims 1/4 second trigger speed. For me that may be worth the extra bucks. I don't know .... I still have a lot of time before I really have to make the decision. So many things to consider .........

[G-Man]

doc, are you just lookng for something just to get a pic or something that will give a pic good enought to enlarge? 3 mp will usually give you enought to see and count points, 5 and up if your looking to print and enlarge. as for trigger times , anything can beat a timer even 1/4 sec . its mostly how you set a camera up to catch game. if your puting in a food/feed area 4 sec isn't going to be a problem. 1 sec still not a problem is shooting up/down a trail. 1/4 seci still set like its going to take a sec. distance from target is also a factor. the wgi cams i have can take a great picture if you can keep it 10-12 feet from where you expect the game to be. the cuddies i have can push that back to about 30' (yes i know the flash says 50 but that is under perfect conditions.. I have had great luck wit factory reconditioned cams(all the problems have already been fixed) i think this is because when they are rolling off assembly line they only check 1 of every ten but reconditioned everyone is looked at... i too have heard some people have problems with cuddies...thing is they have problems with any camera it seems.. and by the time they actuall read directions they have learned to care for their new camera and it works fine, be it what ever brand they just bought. I run 15 cams now with 10 being cuddies. if i didn't get others as gifts/ trying a bargain they would all be cuddies.

[Doc]

I am looking for reasonable quality pic that may be suitable for display. That means good clarity, good color, and good exposure. However, I fully understand that there will have to be compromise. I cannot afford the home-made set ups that use conventional cameras (i'm forgetting the term right now). So I do understand the limitations of most off-the-shelf trail cams on the market. But I do have some great photo opportunities of critters other than deer down in the swamp and creek across the road. (Mink, muskrats, beavers, coons, etc.)

So I'm dealing with critters that are on their way from somewhere to somewhere and it may be only an instant when they are going by or on a trail. Consider how fast a swimming beaver comes into the frame and then is out. I know for a fact that deer very often can beat 4 seconds by a bunch. I have a lot of tail shots from some cameras that are much faster than 4 seconds .... lol. Being set up down at ground level, something like a mink may not be in the frame for long at all as they pass through some rather narrow openings in the swamp grass. The trigger speed will probably be more important for small critter photography than for deer photography.

It is true that no matter what make and model camera you choose, somebody will have had a bad one or two. It's hard to use that kind of consumer judgements because it seems that just about all of the different manufacturers seem to have quality control shortfalls. But at least these kinds of opinions can give a kind of rough feel for what to expect. I'll be dealing with suppliers that have free shipping, no sales tax, no-questions-asked return policies, and free return shipping policies. So that kind of helps with the risk.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Have you still ruled out a homebrew? Seriously, you are never going to get better than one of those in a flash cam.

[Doc]

Have you still ruled out a homebrew? Seriously, you are never going to get better than one of those in a flash cam.

I really haven't found a source of homebrew cameras to get cost and procurement data from. My initial reaction is that they might be out of my price range. Also, I wonder about such things as warrantees and returns, etc., just in case something were to go wrong. My understanding is that these homebrew approaches use standard digital cameras. That does make me wonder how they have weather-proofed them to eliminate such problems as condensation, rain, snow, freezing etc. I guess there's just a few too many questions without any reliable source of answers.

[nyslowhand]

FYI - These home-brew cams are encased inside of typical trail cam moisture-proof cases.

Want a winter project? Lots of forums discuss this. Do a search.

http://www.huntnbuddyproducts.com/videopage.html

[Doc]

As a do-it-yourself home project, I have absolutely no interest in homebrew construction. I have very little talent or abilitiy or patience with such things. As far as buying one of these from individual tinkerers, I am a bit concerned about the risks and cost. From what I have seen so far, there is no reputable manufacturer building and selling these things in a mass produced fashion, so again their is the risk thing.

My guess is that this is most likely not a way that I am willing to go. For many, it might be a good idea but for me I think I will stay with the standard established trail cam manufacturers and do as good as I can.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Damn it Doc, i think you jinxed me. My new Moultrie I60 is giving me nothing but pink pictures. My old one is fine. I did the firmware upgrade, same thing. Moultrie wants me to send it in. Im half tempted to tell them i just want a refund and buy a Primos cam instead. If this is whats going on with Moultrie, i dont think ill be buying anything from them any more. Pretty sad, because the Moultries are made right over in Farmington at a company right near the Recetrack.

[Doc]

I guess I have a pretty bad feeling toward them now, and it may not even be fair. On the 3 cameras that I had, I did note thatthe serial numbers were very close .... in fact two were actually consecutive. So all three could have been some goofy assembler or component that were bad on one particular day. However, after three cameras, I think I gave them a good enough try. It's time for something else.

By the way .... lol ... Last year I did have to return a Primos. I don't know if you remember or not, but I was getting a whole bunch of black pictures. It was kind of like the IR couldn't always figure out when to come on. The good news .... the replacement works fine. I'm actually quite happy with it.

So, pink pictures eh? I've never heard of that one. did they offer any theories? I am really surprised (and disappointed) at all the quality problems that people have with these things. No moving parts ...... what's the problem ..... lol. There sure are a whole lot of other much more complex electronic appliances and gadgets that seem to be flawless and run forever, but something about these trail cams seems to really pose a challenge regardless of who the manufacturer.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Yep, flourescent pink. They only sent me a predone email saying to check the faqs. I found and tried firmware on my own. No other suggestions. They want me to pay shipping, and the cam is only a month old. Not leaving a good taste in my mouth.

The Primos cam im thinking of is the X cam Blackout. Awesome reviews on them. Hopefully that works better.

[erussell]

Should buy through Dicks sporting goods. I got a 2 yr warranty through them for 20 bucks more. They said if it ever stops working just call the number on the receipt and they will send you a card for a new one.

[Doc]

Should buy through Dicks sporting goods. I got a 2 yr warranty through them for 20 bucks more. They said if it ever stops working just call the number on the receipt and they will send you a card for a new one.

I really have no gripe about the sales and delivery and returns policy of the outfit I was dealing with (Hayneedle.com/Binoculars.com). They have a "no questions asked" complete free refund or exchange policy which includes all shipping charges for initial delivery and return shipping. By the way, they also had a heck of a price, and no sales taxes. Needless to say, I was quite impressed and wouldn't hesitate to do business with them again. While the cameras were quite frustrating, the sales and service of the distributer were top-notch and the whole fiasco didn't cost me one cent.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Should buy through Dicks sporting goods. I got a 2 yr warranty through them for 20 bucks more. They said if it ever stops working just call the number on the receipt and they will send you a card for a new one.

Problem is, I can always beat their prices for trail cams looking online, and not just by 10 or 20 bucks. Ill be calling Moultrie today to speak with someone about returning it, and the fact that I am refusing to pay shipping on such a new piece of equipment. Unless they wipe my butt with gold leaf TP, this will be the last cam of theirs I buy.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Well, called and they wont budge on the shipping. Guess my Moultrie setups will be for sale after I get it back and test it as working. Im done with them.