Trail Camera Recommendations

[BeeMaa]

Wife and I are looking for a few trail cameras and wondered if anyone here had a recommendation. It will be used in all weather conditions and in a mixture of hardwood and pine trees. There is also the added threat of two-legged interlopers that I'd like to keep from noticing them if at all possible.

Things I would like...
- Solar powered option
- Wi-Fi compatible
- 100' camera range
- Pictures AND video
- No flash or light that would alert game animals
- Price less than $200 for the camera/solar/wi-fi combo.

I'm open to all suggestions and learning more about these things. I've used them before, but it's been a number of years and I know the technology has moved quickly to surpass my current stock that was middle of the road 15 years ago.

 

[NDWoods]

I have used Spartan for many years with zero complaints. Their repackaged Ghost is $130 and is what I use with a solar panel. It has internal rechargeable and backup AA batteries so no battery box needed.

Very easy to manage from phone or laptop. I have their solar panels on mine and basically have no need to touch them ever. Formatting SD card and everything else is done through the app.

 

[Fatback]

I need a couple as well so I am following along.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve been very unhappy with SPYPOINT…

Lithium battery packs suck… their internal solar panels suck… photo quality is average…

 

[ThreeJacks]

I have and use several Tactacams and I am very happy with them. I currently only use the photo applications but the video I have seen from them are really good. I tried some other brands and did not like them. I think Tactacam recently had an offer to trade in old cameras and they would give you around $50 off. The Tactacams are available in my area at Walmart, Tractor Supply, etc. and online. I use the rechargeable batteries and I have one solar panel that I have not tried yet. Their customer support has also been very good.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have no recommendation in that price range. I used to use StealthCam and still have those but not really used for game anymore, more security around camp.

I upgraded to Reconyx cellular for game viewing. When they say "See what you have been missing" they are not kidding. Way more sensitive than the StealthCam. I have them mounted inside security boxes and then those are attached to a mounting bracket which is Transmission poles and locked with a steel cable gun lock. The Reconyx solar charger is mounted using the Reconyx branded mount to the same pole. Unfortunately, that setup exceeds your price limit.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Stay far away from Spypoint!!! They only last one season and their warranty is useless.

 

[BeeMaa]

@mdwest & @Graham Hunter - Appreciate the heads up on Spypoint.

 

[skydiver386]

I had dozens, and most are junk after 2 or 3 seasons. Beware of anything that has the solar panel mounted onto the camera itself. These are a horrible idea because to get enough sunlight onto the solar panel, you have to point the camera into the sun, and this will mess with the IR detector, giving you tons of blank pictures, or none at all.

The best cameras out there are the Reconyx brand. Twice as expensive as some others, but last forever. I have one on my Florida property that has survived 3 major Hurricanes along with it's solar panel, and all I had to do was re-aim it at my pond. Some friends have original Reconyx Hyperfire cameras made in 2002 that are still in use, BEAT THAT!

Reconyx are made in the U.S., and they will fix or replace any of their products.

Reconyx HyperFire 4K Ultra HD (Non-Cellular)

Buy the Reconyx Hyperfire 4K Ultra HD Non-Cellular Trail Camera here! This no glow cam works well in harsh conditions and offers scheduling options.

www.trailcampro.com

Reconyx Solar Charger 10 Watt

This Reconyx 10 watt solar panel battery charger can be mounted on a wall, post, or tree for easy access. Order this quality Reconyx solar panel charger here.

www.trailcampro.com

These 2, plus the Reconyx cable are what I have.

My suggestion is to mount the camera about 10ft high in a tree, pointed slightly down. Put the solar panel toward the sun to keep the battery charged and forget about it. The way most people spot, and then steal a trail cam is because it's at eye level, and it's only attached with the strap provided. Mounted higher and it's out of sight, even to someone looking for cameras.

I call this the Tina "I'm so excited" trail camera, as she gets so wound up every time she sees a Deer, Hog, Turkey or Coyote on our camera.

Another bonus of the Reconyx cell program is it costs me $5 a month for cell camera service. I would even think of anything else.

 

[BeeMaa]

I have no recommendation in that price range. I used to use StealthCam and still have those but not really used for game anymore, more security around camp.

I upgraded to Reconyx cellular for game viewing. When they say "See what you have been missing" they are not kidding. Way more sensitive than the StealthCam. I have them mounted inside security boxes and then those are attached to a mounting bracket which is Transmission poles and locked with a steel cable gun lock. The Reconyx solar charger is mounted using the Reconyx branded mount to the same pole. Unfortunately, that setup exceeds your price limit.

I took a look at the Reconyx website, you were not kidding about the price. But I suppose you get what you pay for. Which ones did you get?

EDIT - After reading the comment from @skydiver386, we may be investing more money than we planned. Big surprise...good gear is $$$ but worth it.

 

[tinktink12]

I had dozens, and most are junk after 2 or 3 seasons. Beware of anything that has the solar panel mounted onto the camera itself. These are a horrible idea because to get enough sunlight onto the solar panel, you have to point the camera into the sun, and this will mess with the IR detector, giving you tons of blank pictures, or none at all.

The best cameras out there are the Reconyx brand. Twice as expensive as some others, but last forever. I have one on my Florida property that has survived 3 major Hurricanes along with it's solar panel, and all I had to do was re-aim it at my pond. Some friends have original Reconyx Hyperfire cameras made in 2002 that are still in use, BEAT THAT!

Reconyx are made in the U.S., and they will fix or replace any of their products.

Reconyx HyperFire 4K Ultra HD (Non-Cellular)

Buy the Reconyx Hyperfire 4K Ultra HD Non-Cellular Trail Camera here! This no glow cam works well in harsh conditions and offers scheduling options.

www.trailcampro.com

Reconyx Solar Charger 10 Watt

This Reconyx 10 watt solar panel battery charger can be mounted on a wall, post, or tree for easy access. Order this quality Reconyx solar panel charger here.

www.trailcampro.com

These 2, plus the Reconyx cable are what I have.

My suggestion is to mount the camera about 10ft high in a tree, pointed slightly down. Put the solar panel toward the sun to keep the battery charged and forget about it.

I call this the Tina "I'm so excited" trail camera, as she gets so wound up every time she sees a Deer, Hog, Turkey or Coyote on our camera.

Another bonus of the Reconyx cell program is it costs me $5 a month for cell camera service. I would even think of anything else.

This has been an excellent camera. @BeeMaa I get a picture of our pond once a day sent from Florida to Ohio. It gives me the temperature outside, time and date. I can see the level of the water in the pond. It has lasted over 4 years thru 3 major hurricanes, wind storms etc. we had to re-aim it twice. Once from a storm and once a raccoon decided to play with it.
Here are some pictures it took.

 

[Quest#1]

I have tried them all. I have settled on tacta cam reveals the last 4 years. Run about 22-25 of them depending on year. Some models come with solar or you can add one. Have cams in the field for 2 plus years now with solar hooked up and still have full battery.

For the 2 legged intruders go with the tacta cam defend with added solar.

Spy,reconx,spartan,browning had good luck but our property doesn’t have great cell service and showed with those brands. The tacts will work even where our phones wont. And much cheaper cam.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have the Hyperfire 2 Cellular Cameras, Reconyx Security Enclosures, Reconyx Solar Chargers, Reconyx Solar Mounting Brackets and T-Mate Camera Brackets & Treemate adapters (and use a carriage bolt, so that it cannot be unscrewed from the rear), and Master Lock steel cable gun locks.

 

[Pheroze]

I’ve been very unhappy with SPYPOINT…

Lithium battery packs suck… their internal solar panels suck… photo quality is average…

Oh brother, Spypoint has given me pictures of trees or f-all. I am so dissatisfied with them.

 

[Dparr]

Latest version of SPYPOINT is even worse - run!

 

[farmer_john]

Im playing with some moutlrie onea i juat got jury is out on it

 

[BeeMaa]

I have the Hyperfire 2 Cellular Cameras, Reconyx Security Enclosures, Reconyx Solar Chargers, Reconyx Solar Mounting Brackets and T-Mate Camera Brackets & Treemate adapters (and use a carriage bolt, so that it cannot be unscrewed from the rear), and Master Lock steel cable gun locks.

That is quite the setup. Is this security for a camp/hunting area?

My wife and I are seriously considering the Reconyx systems. Estimating about $1K per camera to include the camera, solar charger & bracket, plus the cell plan.

 

[Quest#1]

Lol $200 to $1000 that escalated quickly!

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

Say what you want about Spypoint, but I think that they are worth the value. The solar option works pretty good for their price point, but they do need to be actually in sunlight which limits the spots they can be used. The issue I have had from a sample size of about a dozen is that 1 couldn’t be set up at all, 3 that were left out year round didn’t survive the year, and 1 lost a battle to a cow

 

[ThreeJacks]

Some of my Tactacams I have had for 5-6 years with very few problems. I can use the battery pack on all but one (oldest camera), I have an extra battery pack (or two) that I can charge and then swap out when needed. I had one that had a bear encounter, but it survived with minimal damage.