cameras?

[jay83196]

Just curious what cameras people recommend, I've used Moultrie and cuddy back with good success, bad luck with stealth cam, and a older bushnell. Looking for a few IR cams this year nothing super exspensive $200 or so. Cabelas recommended a stealth cam scout (5mega pixel was 159$).

Thanks,

[#fishhunt#]

Many good things said about Moultries on prior forums here. I picked up the Moultrie D55IR at Fleet a couple weeks ago for 99.00. I haven't got it out yet but cant wait to see how it works. I think one of the best things said about moultrie is how long the batteries last.

[WaveWacker]

I have 4 moultrie flash models (3-D40 and 1-D50). The oldest one is probably 8 years old now and the flash is beginning to get "goofy" on me. Probably not worth trying to fix for the $100 that it cost me. Overall I've been very happy with them. Still have to select out places to set them as I try to face them as N. as possible or I'll get a lot of false pics. Have to make sure all the grass/brush is clipped down in front of it. Have to be aimed at least slightly down the trail to get pics (I've since established some mineral sites in front of my traditional locations in order to get them to stop a bit). Only things I struggle with is the bungee cords that they have for fastening (adjustable straps would be better) and I can't really say that the battery life is all that great. I'll get anywhere from 150-200 pics of "things" throughout a 1-2 week period and that drains things down some. I also don't like dealing with the 6-D batteries. Don't get me wrong...what does one expect for ~$100 right??

Anyhow, just to switch it up a tad, I've just recently picked up the Bushnell Bone Collector Trophy cam. Heard mixed reviews but I really liked the small size, quick strap for fastening it to trees and mainly that they use AA batteries that are suppose to get a heck of a lot of long life. Can run on either 4 AA or 8 AA batteries. I don't really belive that will translate into the advertised 6 - 12 month life up in MN but we'll see. The "Bone Collector" one is like $239 with the regular Trophy cam being right at that $200 mark. Only difference is that the BC one is camo.

I am use to the color night pics so we'll see how I like the IR now??

Have not went with the Cuddy back as others that I've known that had them said that they are good but way over hyped. I think they have come down in price however some in recent times.

I think at times I get more of a kick running around with camera's seeing all the different animals running around!!

[InTheNorthwoods]

Just curious what cameras people recommend, I've used Moultrie and cuddy back with good success, bad luck with stealth cam, and a older bushnell. Looking for a few IR cams this year nothing super exspensive $200 or so. Cabelas recommended a stealth cam scout (5mega pixel was 159$).

Thanks,

I have used the Moultrie IR's with good results. If I were to buy another one right now it would probably be the Bushnell for $200. I hear lots of good things about them. Whatever you do, I would recommend going with an IR camera as it will save you alot in batteries (and consequently gas driving to check the camera and to replace batteries) over the long haul.

[Code-Man]

I have

Moultrie D-40 awesome pictures video is ok but has three shot burst which I like. Also it's so easy to set up especially with the lazer aim! I think they are selling them now for around 80 dollars.

Wild Game I-4.0 or I-40 trigger is very slow on it and you do not have shot burst so I have it on video. I think it does pretty dang good video but I have never had it on camera mode. I do like how small it is so you can haul it in and out without a lot of weight. Batteries are hard to get in and out but 4 C's lasted 2 months with lots of videos during turkey hunting. Good camera for 90-95 dollars.

Moultrie IR-55 it's their new infered one I believe. I haven't seen pictures yet same guts as the older models but no Lazer Aim. I got it from Fleet for that 99 bucks I think retail is usually 130ish. I did put it out and it didn't work. I knew i was going to have issues when I put the card in it and it didn't say I had any space on a new 4gb card. New one works just fine hopefully getting it out today. Very easy to set up I do like how you will not forget to put your card in it since you can't set it without it saying INSERT SD CARD. Does video and Camera but I have it set for 3 shot burst.

I had a Stealth Camera Pro Scout IR (180 dollars) which sponsors Jim Shockey. Easy to set up put it out over christmas had great pictures 9 shot burst video has sound which I didn't play with put it out this spring for turkeys took great photos one time changed out sd card and it locked up and couldn't unlock it. Took it in they sent it in and after 2 months Stealth Camera Credited the store without telling them so I had to do the work to get the money back.

WISH LIST

The Bone Collectors have a camera which I saw at Gander Mountain. Takes AA batteries holds up to a 16gb card and brags they can last all season on one set of batteries. Was very tempted to get it but girlfriend and mine's anniversary was last weekend and her birthday is two weeks out...money is tight so a 200 dollar plus camera is out for a few more weeks/months!

Hope this information was useful! I try not to be partial but of the three brands Moultrie so far has been most User Friendly but I also don't mind my Wild Game

[FishingWebGuy]

...

Anyhow, just to switch it up a tad, I've just recently picked up the Bushnell Bone Collector Trophy cam. Heard mixed reviews but I really liked the small size, quick strap for fastening it to trees and mainly that they use AA batteries that are suppose to get a heck of a lot of long life. Can run on either 4 AA or 8 AA batteries. I don't really belive that will translate into the advertised 6 - 12 month life up in MN but we'll see. The "Bone Collector" one is like $239 with the regular Trophy cam being right at that $200 mark. Only difference is that the BC one is camo.

...

WaveWacker,

Did you get a chance to test out the Trophy Cam at all? I am looking to get a couple new cams in the next week or so and really like the looks of these. The 50' range alone blows my Moultries away not to mention the small size and cheaper batteries.

I like my Moultries but have been having problems with the display on one of them and the other had a handfull of corrupted pictures on it last time.

[shedaddict]

I currently run two Bushnell Trophy Cams. I would definitely recommend this camera. I am amazed at the trigger speed on the camera and the battery life. I left up one of my cameras in an area over winter last year because I wanted to see when the bucks were going to drop there antlers; I still haven't changed the batteries in that camera. So in that particular camera, they've been going solid for 9 months. They are getting lower, but they still work. I don't think you can ask for much more. As far as ease of use, they are very simple to work with. Both of my cameras older models(pre Bone Collector). I typically get 620-640 pictures when the setting is on 5mp using a 1gb card; double that with the 2gb card. Where I have my cameras, this only lasts me about a week depending on the setting I have it one. The new Bone Collector camera allows for more memory on the SD card and there are more IR lights. I have never had an issue with pictures at night, but the additional memory capacity will be a plus.

The only negative I have on the cameras is the security. I broke off the hole where the lock goes through on two cameras. I took both of them back, but on the third, I invested in a bear box. I can bungee the box right to the tree and then run a python lock through the box; it's a pretty nice set up. Only problem is, you've added another $35 for the box and $15 for the cable, but imo, well worth it.

Here is a recent pic that shows the IR.

[HunterLee]

I like my cuddeback capture ir. 250 bucks or cheaper if you look on the computer. The pics are just as nice as the one posted above, but i get about 3-4 weeks out of the 4 d batterys. The cuddeback doesn't have any flash what so ever, I know some ir have a red flash but mine has nothing at all.

[FishingWebGuy]

Shedaddict,

Thanks for the recommendation. I am going to either buy 2 Bone Collectors tomorrow or 2 DLC Covert II assassins. The DLCs are about $20 cheaper each but otherwise very similar. I was leaning towards the DLCs but based on your review I might just get the Bone Collectors.

The Bushnells have 5' more of range and a couple more IR LEDs but otherwise the cameras seem like they come out of the same factory.

[Boar]

Hey shed, what do those bushy's run ya? Boar

[hockeybc69]

Beware of the 2010 Bushnell Trophy Cams.

Go to www dot chasin game dot com and check the reviews and posts about them so far this year. Kinda a bummer. I have a pair of the 09 BTC models and they are awesome.

Sorry for the crappy web address, but its blocked for some reason. remove the space between chasin and game.

[BLACKJACK]

I really like the Moultrie cameras, for $100 you get a lot of camera, good pictures, reliable, easy to use. I have three of them, two older ones that take the 6 volt battery and one of the new D55 IR's. I have set my self up with extra rechargeable 6 volt batteries and extra SD cards and just swap them out every couple of weeks. I've had the D55 IR about 6 weeks, it works good, but the IR pictures are a little more fuzzy than I'd like. I'm going out today to buy another Moultrie, the D55, good reviews on it over at c h a s i n g a m e dot com. The nice thing about the newer Moultries is the external power port, you can either hook it up to a solar panel or what I'm going to do is get an external jack and hook it up to a Vexilar battery, I'll never have to worry about batterys.

[FishingWebGuy]

Thanks for the url HCB69. I wonder if those production issues are why the Bushnells are sold out at so many places.

I went with the DLC Covert IIs. Everything I've read says they are nearly an identical camera to the Bushnell. I got a pair of them for $358 delivered.

[shedaddict]

FishingWebGuy, you'll have to let me know how the Converts work out for you.

The cost of the Trophy Cam 09 models that I bought were roughly $180. BeeBusy Outdoors usually has them for a pretty good deal and I wait for Cableas to send me the $20off purchase. Also, if you are putting them in a security box, there's no reason to pay more for the camo.

I have also heard there are some issues with the Bone Collector camera, but all new cameras will have some issues. Most of the small cameras are coming out of the same factory in China. There's also the issue of camera companies getting thier ideas ripped off in China and then a company reverse engineering them, so the companies are forced to come out with a product that may have a few bugs in them and then fix them as they arise. I will wait to buy the Bone Collectors until they have some of the bugs worked out. I may even buy another 09 model because they will probably be cheaper.

[Boar]

Just bought teh new moultrie D55IR at scheels, really like the how the sd crd port is right there an all teh controls are at the ready, for he price I hope it preforms well, have a IR 6.0 an the sd card port really su ks an the thumb screw nuts are a pain, but love the pics, also have teh flash 5.0 an like how that works but burns threw bateries cuse of the flash, So ready to go for now, Boar

[friz]

boar,

just got one myself on friday, took some pics friday afternoon and after dark in backyard- doesn't seem to bad,maybe not quite as good as my I40's but i'm not looking for museum quality so it looks like a keeper and like you say the sd card slot is way handier. Won't be long..........

[FishingWebGuy]

I got my 2 DLC Covert IIs yesterday and tested one out today. When the package got here by Fedex I thought some mistake was made because the box was so small and light. But both cameras were actually in there. Every time I look at them I can't get over how small they are.

We'll see how they work throughout the season but I do have 2 immediate issues that I will get over quickly if the cameras perform as advertised.

1. They don't record temperature or moon phase. I don't really care a whole lot about either one but they really were nice to have recorded on the Moultrie images. They are interesting data but they don't have any impact when when I actually hunt. I can't figure out why a camera sold today wouldn't record this data along with atmospheric pressure.

2. To test the setup (i.e field of view) they want the camera in "setup" mode. Well the camera is only in "setup" mode when the remote is attached and the remote can't be attached when the door is shut. So testing setup this way is pointless. But there is a plus side to this as well...

The plus side or one thing I really like besides the size is that when the camera is on and the door is shut it is ready to go. There is no chance of walking away from this camera and not having it in the correct "mode". Which is a problem I have had with the Moultries especially when the displays start going out.

I actually like the remote for programming also. It is easier to hold the remote in your hand and view the screen on it instead of holding the whole camera.

They will both be setup in the woods next weekend and I should have pictures back in 4 weeks.

[Code-Man]

I haven't gotten "pictures" of any bucks yet but I got video and when I went out to see the cameras I jumped two bucks one was 10 pointer probable 130 already! the other was 12 points with double drop tines probable already near 150...biggest deer I have seen in YEARS!

I know people are always curious about what camera does what so here is some help I do not know how to post pictures but the links will help.

Stealth Cam Sniper Pro Jim Shockey 8.0 IR 160-180

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=60646507&l=0da21fad07&id=13950794

Lasted about a month before it locked up.

Wildgame 4.0 IR about 90-100 dollars

Moultrie D-40 about 80-90 dollars (Digital Flash)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=60955708&l=9f82bb5c65&id=1395079

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=55633223&l=dd855ba826&id=13950794

Moultrie D-55IR got mine for 95 but seeing them around the 110-120 mark

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=63439968&l=dd3af1aa16&id=13950794

I have not played with the video on the D-55IR for I just got it taking pictures this week. Once they get out of velvet then I think I will play with it a bit more. Hopefully this will help with what cameras to get. Granted they are only a few but Moultrie are easy to set up and operate.

[Boar]

hey frit, can ya post a pic taken with the d55? boar

[mudslinger64]

Boar,here are a few more with the D55IR.i dont think the day pics are to bad but the night ones seem blurry,it seems like if they are moving much it wont freeze the action either day or night.but it lets me see whats out there.the trigger speed seems ok there are a couple headshots.i had it set for a 3 shot burst.the camera was also facing south maybe if it was facing north they would not have the glare goin on.

[Boar]

thanks mud, their doable I guesse, just a basic need of time, type of animal an a idea of size is all ya really need, but clarity is kinda a big issue with bear cause all their body parts blend togehter, but a bear is'nt gonna be practicing his time in the 40 yrd dash either. We'll see, maybe I'll return it at the end of the season if I get the same type of pictuers, sucky thing is that we had a hard drive put in our lap top an lost all software programs like wizard that allows us to see sd pic, an put them in a file, I migh not be posting pics this year. Oh well You will all have to believe me when I say a shot booner over 500 lbs. Boar

[mudslinger64]

ya,i will believe you.what kind of 6.0 camera do you have?i was thinking about possibly picking up the Moultrie 6.0 Outfitter IR for $140 anyone have one?

[Boar]

I have the moultrie 6.0 ir, infield viewing which is small, but its the 300$ modle an the best camera I have, I'd buy another if it was'nt for the price. Boar

[BLACKJACK]

I have the moultrie 6.0 ir, infield viewing which is small, but its the 300$ modle an the best camera I have, I'd buy another if it was'nt for the price. Boar

Price is kind of why I went with the D55 models, hate to have a $300 camera 'walk away', also I can buy 3 for the price of one. A person also doesn't need that many megapixels, I'm not publishing the photos.

The posted pictures look kind of like the ones I've gotten from my D55IR, a little blurry but you can see and count the points so I guess its ok. Daytime pics are fine.

[hockeybc69]

The only real upside to more megapixels is that you can zoom better on deer that are further away.

I am fine with the lower MP cams for sure.