Which Trail Camera

guncollector · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 9:08 pm Post subject: Which Trail Camera

I plan to pick up at least one trailcam before next season. Might even try to set it out before the fawns are born and watch them as well as the developing bucks.

Some of the older posts have opinions on which camera is the best but things change in a hurry in the digital camera world. So which camera(s) do you like? What features are most important? How many megapixels do you really need?

Thanks!

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

IMO, the moultrie 200 due out this june will be the one to beat.

MEgapixels doesnt matter to me. I like A) fast trigger time, this is irrelevant if you put your cameras on a feeder though. B) Image quality, some are HORRIBLE such as the Stealth WD2. 3) Flash range, 4) battery life.

Where and how will you be using a trail camera? IT changes quite a bit what cameras might fill your needs.

-DallanC

guncollector · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Which Trail Camera

Thanks Dallan.

My primary use, at least initially, will be to check prospective bow stand sites before I move my stand or set up a new one. These will be on trails headed towards a feeder or other food source but not right at the feeder. The deer on my lease don't seem to hit the feeders during daylight until very late in the season so I'm hoping to find out where they do want to be.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

guncollector wrote:

Thanks Dallan.

My primary use, at least initially, will be to check prospective bow stand sites before I move my stand or set up a new one. These will be on trails headed towards a feeder or other food source but not right at the feeder. The deer on my lease don't seem to hit the feeders during daylight until very late in the season so I'm hoping to find out where they do want to be.

That situation requires a true pure "Trail camera". These are cameras with a very fast trigger time.

Alot of cameras have a 3 second reaction time, others with fast trigger times sometimes have "sleep mode" issues which means the camera stays active for a time, then goes into sleep mode with no activity. Once it gets activity it "wakes up" and subsequent action triggers the camera quickly.

I use a Bushnell 119200, they are found in the $120 range lately. It boasts a .25 second reaction time, takes pretty good quality images... its flash sucks though for night usage and it doesnt have external port for solar or external batterys. Some 119200's have the above mentioned "sleep mode" issue but bushnell is replacing those models for free.

The new Moultries will have a 1 second reaction time and they will have the sleep mode feature removed. Time will tell however just how the models will turn out.

-DallanC

guncollector · Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Which Trail Camera

Dallan - you mention the Moultrie 200 dut out in June. There is a Moultrie 200 Gamespy that has been out for a while. Is something new coming?

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Quote::

1 second (or less) trigger time
Improved battery life (5 months)
4.0 megapixels
Powered by 6 D cell batteries
White flash
Remote flash locator
Time, Temp, Barometric Pressure stamp
Ability to upgrade software on the cam
June release date