Trail Camera Suggestions

[titelines]

I posted this same topic a couple years ago, but a search didn't uncover it; so apologize for the duplication.

I'm looking to get a trail camera, not for hunting, but to set up on our property to see what's walking around when we're not there. We have a wildlife highway running through our property, and see lots of interesting tracks on it (canine and feline, deer, fowl, bear etc.) and would love to capture some of these critters on film.

Have done a little research and know the basics, but am looking for suggestions.

We don't want to spend a fortune, but would definitely spring for a good, reliable, color unit.

What would you all suggest I get? Thanks!

[Walleye Guy]

The best available in my opinion is Reconyx. However they are very expensive. The pictures and video they take during either night or day time beat anything else I have seen. Last I checked a reconyx was in the $500 range.

I have had decent luck with Moultrie IR-55 series cameras. The batteries last forever and the quality of the pictures is decent. We have also had decent luck with Cuddeback froma quality of picture perspective. However our Cuddeback has also been back to the factor twice for repairs. Maybe we got a lemon.

[Jameson]

Search for people making "homebrews" and selling them. You should be expecting to pay somewhere around $220-$280. They should ask you a bunch of questions about what you are after, and then tailor the camera to fit your needs.

I am done buying retail cameras. Well, maybe for a decoy camera while having another camera concealed to catch a thief.

[FISHINGURU]

I'd get the Bushnell Bone Collector Camera, thats what I did anyway after comparing all the cams and their price.

You can compare each cameras features and performance just poke around the review and test sections and you'll find what your looking for.

[PerchJerker]

A buddy and I have each made several "home brew" trail cams. I'm still using 2 of mine, I think he's still using some of his but I know he's sold some of them too.

We built our own trail cams back then because we got way better performance --- battery life, trigger speed, picture capacity --- than you could get with any of the store-bought cameras. But that has changed.

Based on my buddy's recommendation I'm going to get a couple Moultrie D-55 IRs for next year. He has several different brands now and prefers those. Battery life and picture quality is very good according to him, and that's enough to convince me.

[FISHINGURU]

Guess they didn't like my link, go to "trail cam pro" .com

[Iceboy]

I love my Scoutguard cameras, and they are fairly inexpensive. I had mine out from April to September this year and the batteries were still going strong and I had loads of pics. This was with 8 AA Eneloop rechargables in each, so I didn't even have to send a bunch of batteries to the landfill. Here are some sample pics from my cameras:

http://s373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/Dogboy714Spam/Deer%20cam%20spring%202010/

Sample video:

[fire29]

Bushnell trophy hunter. 8 AA bat. last almost a year. And it takes great pictures.

[harvey lee]

I have the Moultrie 55 camera and was very happy with the pictures and battery life this season. We also have some Cuddybacks but for the money, I will stay with the moultrie as they do what I am looking for.

[titelines]

Thanks very much for all the input! Did a lot of research on my own too and think I've got it narrowed down for what I need it for.