Game Camera Gift Buyer’s Guide

Posted on November 18, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

Digital Scouting Camera
Buyers/Gift Guide
There are several considerations when buying a scouting camera for yourself or as a gift. We will cover these considerations to help you make a better buying decision. This will help you get the camera that best suits your needs without having to go through the embarrassment of buying an unwanted gift or going through the hassle of returning the camera.Price
Price is probably the most important decision factor when buying a camera. Cameras range from around $75 upwards to $400+. Determining your budget will make the camera buying decision much easier by narrowing down the countless number of cameras available. We like to categorize the cameras by price and help you make the best decision in the price class you have chosen. The classes we have chosen are the $100 range ($75-$120), the $150 range ($120-$175), the $200 range ($175-$225) and the $250 and up range.

We have found that a more expensive camera does not always mean a more reliable camera. Usually you get a better picture, better battery life, better flash, and more bells and whistles in more expensive cameras. Less expensive cameras usually have the basic features and usually lack in battery life and flash range.Our Picks for Price Range

$100 range

Wildgame IR4C - 4.0MP, A good all around camera for “seeing what’s out there”.  Fast trigger (1.2 seconds), Good IR Flash 40+ feet, lacks in battery life (4 C-cell) but will still capture 4500 pictures in ideal conditions. Camo cover. reg. $89.99
SALE $79.99. More Info…

Wildview TGL5IRNXTS1 – 5.0MP, Battery life lasts around 2000 pictures, Easiest camera to use with simple toggle switches for settings. Great starter camera, 40 foot IR flash, NXT camo cover. reg. $99.99
SALE $84.99 MoreInfo…

$150 range

Primos Truth Cam 46 – 5.0MP, A great battery life (~7000 pictures), a good IR flash for trails or feeders (50 feet), up to 3 shots per triggering, about a 1.5 second trigger. An overall good quality camera. Matrix Camo cover. reg.$129.99
SALE $119.99  MoreInfo…

MoultrieGame Spy M100 – 6.0 MP, Compact unit, Built in 2″ viewing screenand real time setup view. Time Lapse Plot Mode, 1.5 sec trigger time, Takes 8 AA batteries (+/- 7000 pics), Adj motion sensor, Up to 3 shots per trigger, Excellent Flash up to 70 feet, Camo cover. reg. $179.99
SALE $159.99 MoreInfo…
$200 range

Bushnell Trophy Cam 119446C – 8.0 MP, Compact 5.5″ x 3.5″ unit, Fast 1sec trigger time, Takes 8 AA batteries (+/- 10000 pics), Adj motion sensor,Up to 3 shots per trigger, Flash is good to 35-40 feet, Bone Collector camo model. reg.$229.99
SALE $189.99 MoreInfo…
$250+ range

CuddebackAttack IR – 5.0MP, The fastest trigger time at under 1/4 of a second.  Best battery life on the market at up to 50,000 pictures (4 D-cell), A great 60 foot flast. Easy rotary switch setup, Cuddeback picture quality is best on the market.  $229.99, MoreInfo… 

 

Battery Life

Battery Life can be crucial to making sure the camera is always taking pictures when you are not there. If your hunting camp is 6 or 7 hours drive (or more) from where you live, you want to make sure the batteries are going to last until your next return. If that is going to be a month or more, battery life can become crucial. We base battery life on the number of pictures they can take. Some cameras also have an external battery kit that you can purchase to extend the battery life of the camera.

Top Picks for battery life

CuddebackAttack IR (+/- 50,000 images)

Bushnell Trophy Cam 119446C (+/- 10,000 images)

Moultrie Game Spy M100 (+/- 7,000 images)

 

Trigger Speed

Trigger Speed is the amount of time the camera takes from the moment it senses the subject until it takes the picture. This ranges anywhere from about a second to 3 or 4 seconds depending on which camera you purchase. If the camera is set up on a feeder, watering hole or some other food source the trigger time is not as crucial as setting up a camera on a fast moving trail where a slower trigger time might produce ‘blank pictures’ because the subject has already moved out of the frame of the picture before the shutter snaps.

Top Picks for Trigger Speed

Cuddeback Attack IR (Less than .25 second)

Bushnell Trophy Cam 119446C (Less than 1 second)

Wildgame IR4C (About 1.3 seconds)

 

Detection Zone/Sensitivity

These cameras use a PIR sensor to detect the presence of an animal. A PIR detects the movement of heat like a warm bodied animal moving against a cooler background.  All cameras have different detection zones in both width and depth.  The goal of scouting is to capture images of as many animals as possible, so a wider more sensitive detection zone is better than a narrow or shorter detection zone.

Top Picks for Detection Zone

Bushnell Trophy Cam (wide, 45 feet)

Moultrie Game Spy M100 (wide, 45 feet)

Wildgame IR4C (wide, 40 feet)

 

Flash Type

There are two types of flashes in the cameras today. Some are the regular white flash (incandescent) like a regular digital camera would have. This type produces color pictures at night and are usually better quality because this type of flash puts out more light for the camera to capture. The other flash is infrared and is more elusive. This flash does not put out any visible light, so nobody would know the flash triggered unless they are looking directly at the camera (IR cameras flashes put off a red glow when taking a picture). These cameras do take a black and white (infrared) image and do not put out as much light as a white flash camera. The IR cameras are better for deer who spook very easily or if hunting public grounds or other land where you do not want others finding your spot/camera. (IR cameras are also used for security purposes, even though they bulbs glow red a bit when taking a picture)

Infrared Cameras

White Flash Cameras

 
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Wildgame Innovations Pulse 10D Review – Scheduled

Posted on October 31, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

More information will be posted once the review gets underway.

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Wildgame Innovations Pulse 10X (IR10X) Game Camera Review – In Progress

Posted on October 31, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

Oct. 22nd 2011: Tried downloading the app for the iPhone 3Gs while at deer camp, and was told that I needed to upgrade to the 4.1 Os.  Will have to get some updating done before we can proceed with the iPhone.

Oct. 15th 2011: Placed this camera out in the woods and downloaded the app for the Android based smartphone and were able to capture some pictures and send them over to the phone.  It works.  We are going to play with this camera for a while and then report our findings.

See the Pictures of the Wildgame Pulse 10X.

All cameras are placed in their respective “class” based on price. This way, we are not comparing a $100 game camera with a $300 one. We took the most common features and compared them to other cameras in its same class, then we ranked the cameras based on best value or ‘best in class’ for each price range.

Results: Class $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 (to see full results, click on results link)

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Wildgame Innovations Pulse 10 (X10) Review – Scheduled

Posted on October 31, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

More information will be posted once the review has started.

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Primos Truth Cam 60 Review – Complete

Posted on October 6, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

Primos Truth Cam 60 Review 63030 – Complete. Primos usually makes a good quality product and prove it again with the Truth Cam 60. Probably one of the better built sub-$200 cameras on the market. It has an easy to read menu screen and has a good trigger speed of under 1.5 seconds. Battery life can run a bit less than some of the other cameras that run off AA batteries, but with the new battery kit from Primos, battery life can be extended to pleasing ranges.

There were some reports of “filter clunk” and blurry pictures, but those issues seemed to be with previous versions of the camera, and no longer are an issue with the most recent shipment. Other issues are a red light that triggers when the camera takes a picture. Wildlife won’t care so much and can be easily taped over with black electric tape if the desire arises.

August 29, 2011 – Batteries dead at 3400 pictures.  This was about what we expected with the 3800 images from the Truth Cam 46 from earlier tests.

August 1, 2011 -  A few weeks into the field and the camera is snapping away.  Have about 1400 pictures so far and expect to get about 4000 pictures out of this set.  We will see.

July 11, 2011 – Earlier tests of detection zone found that in ideal temperature conditions, the PIR sensor could detect up to about 60 feet. With this heat, 100+, the detection zone looks to have dropped to about 35-40 feet. The detection zone on this camera is a little more narrow than some of the other cameras, but seems to function well at longer distances.

See the Pictures of the Primos Truth Cam 60.

All cameras are placed in their respective “class” based on price. This way, we are not comparing a $100 game camera with a $300 one. We took the most common features and compared them to other cameras in its same class, then we ranked the cameras based on best value or ‘best in class’ for each price range.

Results: Class $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 (to see full results, click on results link)

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Primos Truth Cam 35 Review – Complete

Posted on October 6, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

Primos Truth 35 (63010) Review – Complete. The Truth 35 is an easy to use toggle switch based camera that has a fast trigger.  The flash is average at 40 feet, and the detection zone can reach out to about 50 feet but is a little narrow. This is a good starter camera with some of the features of its big brothers (Truth 46 and 60) like a fast trigger speed and fast wake up time.

August 31 2011 – Camera took just under 3600 images.  This is about average with the Truth 46 and 60 cameras (all took between 3400-3800).

August 11 2011 – Taking pictures again.  Captured almost 1000 pictures in the last 10 days.  Should have some battery life results in a few weeks.  Night time images still a little blurry.

August 1 2011 – Camera was not taking pictures.  Probably another SD card issue.  Have had a few ‘generic’ cards that have not worked well for us in any of the cameras.  Putting a SanDisk in there and try again.

July 11 2011 – Had this camera out for a few weeks, and seems to be working just fine.  Setup was easy.  Captured 1200 pictures in the first couple of weeks.  Some are a little blurry when there was decent movement from wildlife.  Might be better suited on a feeder or watering hole with slower moving traffic if this blurriness is common.

See the Pictures of the Primos Truth Cam 35

All cameras are placed in their respective “class” based on price. This way, we are not comparing a $100 game camera with a $300 one. We took the most common features and compared them to other cameras in its same class, then we ranked the cameras based on best value or ‘best in class’ for each price range.

Results: Class$100 $150 $200 $250 $300 (to see full results, click on results link)

For pricing on Game Cameras, Click Here.

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Moultrie I-45S Game Camera Review – Complete

Posted on August 12, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

Moultrie I-45s Game Camera Review (DGSI45S) – Complete.  If you are looking for a camera that will send images to your internet enabled computer, then this is a good set-up.  The new Pay-as-you-go modem only requires you to use the service while you have your game camera out (monthly purchase) instead of year round.  The camera itself is an average model with a trigger speed of around 1.5 seconds.  Standard 45 foot flash and detection zone and average battery life.

August 27 2011 – The Illumi_Night IR Flash does seem to be a bit better than previous models.  This camera with the modem can send pictures to a webpage that can be logged in anywhere there is internet access.  The biggest issue is being able to use this camera where there is Cellular service (AT&T).  We have found many places (where trail cameras are placed) have little or no cellular reception which makes this just a standard game camera.

August 12, 2011: We just got the new version of this game camera in.  Moultrie has added their new Illumi_Night IR Flash which claims to be more intense than previous models.  They have also, like many other new models on the market, added time lapse which you probably would not want to use with your Pay-as-you-Go modem that was also recently released.  The new modem allows you to purchase a month of service or a set number of pictures (which ever comes first), and does not require any long term contracts.

See the Pictures of the Moultrie I-45S.

All cameras are placed in their respective “class” based on price. This way, we are not comparing a $100 game camera with a $300 one. We took the most common features and compared them to other cameras in its same class, then we ranked the cameras based on best value or ‘best in class’ for each price range.

Results: Class $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 (to see full results, click on results link)

For pricing on Game Cameras, Click Here.

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Bushnell Trophy Cam Black (119467C) – Complete

Posted on July 27, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

July 27 2011 : Bushnell Trophy Cam Black (119467C) – Complete. The Bushnell Trophy Cam Black camera is the top of the line for Bushnell.  This $300 camera has some extra features that its little brother (119466C) does not have.

For starters the 119467C has a built-in viewing monitor. This is by far the biggest feature over the 119466C. The 119467C also boasts HD Video at 1920×1080 resolution where the 116466C only has 1280×720 resolution. The image stamp on the 119467 also includes the Temp and Moon phase on the images instead of just the Time and Date.

Since our tests were not extremely in-depth with the video resolution, we have decided to just review the 119466C instead of both cameras.

We took the most common features and compared them to other game cameras in its same class, then we ranked the scouting cameras based on best value or ‘best in class’ for each price range.

See the Pictures of the Trophy Cam Black

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2011 Bushnell Trophy Cam Review 119446C (Bone Collector) – Complete

Posted on July 27, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

Note: The Bushnell Bone Collector Trophy Cam (119446C) is the same unit as the 119436C, but with a camo case, and retails for around $229.99.  Since the cameras are the same, you can read the review of the 119436C here

July 6 2011 : Bushnell Trophy Cam (model 119436) game camera review in progress. This little camera is really kick’n it. The new Field Scan (Time Lapse) is about the best we have seen. Really helps to have a camera with this kind of battery life. Found out the other day that a memory from this trail camera can be viewed on the TV using Nintendo WII.

The Bushnell Trophy cam came in a close 2nd in the $200 Class.  The extra battery life and slightly faster trigger time over the Moultrie M100 was just not enough to hold the M100 from gaining top honors.  The 2011 Trophy Cam has a good detection zone allowing it to capture more pictures than some of the other cameras around.  It has an o.k. flash range of about 40 feet, so make sure your subject will be within that range when setting up the camera.  Some of the advantages over the previous years model is a cleaner night time picture and the new time lapse feature offering a realistic time lapse interval of about 5 seconds and up.

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Wildgame RED 4 (model n4) Review – In Progress

Posted on July 27, 2011 by GameCameraGuys

July 27 2011 : Wildgame RED 4 (model n4) game camera review in progress. We started testing the N6, the RED 4s big brother, and ran into a snag.  We decided not to test the RED 4 until the RED 6 review is complete.  You can read the ongoing review of the RED 6 here.

See the Pictures of the Wildgame N4

All cameras are placed in their respective “class” based on price. This way, we are not comparing a $100 game camera with a $300 one. We took the most common features and compared them to other cameras in its same class, then we ranked the cameras based on best value or ‘best in class’ for each price range.

Results: Class $100$150 $200 $250 $300 (to see full results, click on results link)

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