I'd like to get one or two game cams to pick up critters right around my home. I'm thinking range would not have to be long. Figured I'd check here to see if there was some clear no-brainer one that everyone is getting and loves.

Thanks!

I have several, but am most happy with my Browning Dark Ops.

Browning makes a few other models as well.

Check out reviews get info, and purchase here Trailcampro their prices are right on line with Amazon etc.

I have had 3 Covert cameras operating continuously in the UP for the last 3 years going on 4. They aren't always the fastest cameras but they have good range, decent night vision options, and the batteries last a long time. Mine take 6 or 8 AA batteries (user choice). I use 8 and they last for about 2-4 months depending on game activity. The rut season results in about a 3-5 week life on the batteries before I start losing night vision range and sensitivity to temps.

Edit to add: I'm usually getting about 500 pics each week per camera. Rut will double or even triple that.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DanPatWork,

i would stay away from Spypoint. I have had a bunch of headaches with mine.

I have a bushnell cheapy that works but you need to program it everytime unless I do not get how it works. Which is a pain in the ass.

I hear good things about some browing and primos but I want to spend around $50 not $150 for these chinese gadgets.

So I do not really have a good answer for you.

I had good luck with some Primos in the past, but they were getting old and the cows messed with them so I replaced one with a Browning this year, I'll know this weekend how it turned out. I tried some Wildgame Innovations ones, they were all turd-tastic. Goofy blinking errors in the video, they spooked the deer, many of the videos were of deer looking at it bobbing its head up and down and then running away. You get what you pay for I guess.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Scuba Steve Sig,

I have an ENKEEO. This one: Game Camera

Cheaper than most others, and allows up to ten minutes of video per trigger. I'm really pleased with it. I use rechargeable Energizer AAs in it.

I've had two Browning Strike Force HD Micro since February. I'm satisfied with the video quality & battery life. I'm probably going to get one or two more.

Here is a night shot for reference:

I have a bushnell im happy with.

I heard to stay away from the Wild Game Innovation cameras. My research also showed to stick with AA battery cameras as C and D batteries do not hold up as well in cold temps.

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
I've had two Browning Strike Force HD Micro since February. I'm satisfied with the video quality & battery life. I'm probably going to get one or two more.

From the looks of it, that cougar was in frame for quite some time before the camera picked it up. Looks like very slow response time. Nice clarity tho. Much better than the piece of junk Bushnell I’ve had for years.

I paid $250 for a Bushnell Trophy Cam HD Max back in 2012. I have Never liked it. Slow to react, poor picture/video quality and it takes 12 AA batteries. Would love to replace it. Thinking Browning, but the color scheme on those cameras make them look like they would stand out like a sore thumb.

This is what I currently have. It’s my first game cam, and I’ll probably end up with a couple more. I’ve had some really good pics both day and night come from it. Batteries lasted a long time, well over 9 months.

quote:

Originally posted by wingspar:

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
I've had two Browning Strike Force HD Micro since February. I'm satisfied with the video quality & battery life. I'm probably going to get one or two more.

From the looks of it, that cougar was in frame for quite some time before the camera picked it up. Looks like very slow response time. Nice clarity tho. Much better than the piece of junk Bushnell I’ve had for years.

I have it on ten second delay. It makes it easier for me to parse down 200-300 clips of rabbits & squirrels.

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:

quote:

Originally posted by wingspar:

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
I've had two Browning Strike Force HD Micro since February. I'm satisfied with the video quality & battery life. I'm probably going to get one or two more.

From the looks of it, that cougar was in frame for quite some time before the camera picked it up. Looks like very slow response time. Nice clarity tho. Much better than the piece of junk Bushnell I’ve had for years.

I have it on ten second delay. It makes it easier for me to parse down 200-300 clips of rabbits & squirrels.

You mean, the camera does not start recording until 10 seconds after something comes into frame? That’s a setting you can set in the camera? If so, that explains why you did not capture the cougar coming into the frame. Much better video quality than my current cam has.

IIRC, it was a setting. I'll check the instructions when I get home.

I have a Moultrie A5 with Energiser Ultimate Lithium batteries that have been in it since new.

Been very happy with it, especially after a couple of lesser units.

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
IIRC, it was a setting. I'll check the instructions when I get home.

Thank you. It does seem like it must be a setting if there is a delay like that, missing half of the cougar altogether. The motion detection and video quality of my trail cam leaves everything to be desired. It makes me leery of purchasing another one, but if I had a real good one, I’d use it more.

Just getting back to you Wingspar...
There is a selection option for delay. My only guess as to why this matters may be when using it in photo mode. Presumably it's to allow the subject to get into the frame fully before snapping the pic. I never really thought about it much, but will check it out next time I'm up there. Anyway, like I said it helps when dumping a bunch of useless clips.

Here is a daytime shot of a bobcat for comparison:


Another night video from this past August:

I have six Browning Dark Ops HD 940's at my deer camp that have served me well. The pictures are clear and they have stood up to both cattle and rain.

I really like their battery consumption levels - Browning has made some major advancement over the years.

Thanks for the advice guys. I need to get this rolling. Wish I had it last summer. Something dug out the ground hornets nests. I kind of think it was bears.

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
Just getting back to you Wingspar...
There is a selection option for delay. My only guess as to why this matters may be when using it in photo mode. Presumably it's to allow the subject to get into the frame fully before snapping the pic. I never really thought about it much, but will check it out next time I'm up there. Anyway, like I said it helps when dumping a bunch of useless clips.

Here is a daytime shot of a bobcat for comparison:

Thanks for the info. Image quality still leaves something to be desired, but is leaps and bounds better than what I have and costs less than what I paid several years ago.