Wildview Issues

[BML]

Anyone here use the cheap $50 Wildview cameras? I have several of them and they work pretty well. Picture clarity is lacking as it is only a 1.3 mp camera, but you get what you pay for. At $50 a piece I can deal with that.

 

One problem I have noticed though. If I let the batteries go dead, it erases all the pictures on the memory card! I even tried using the ZAR program that Doug suggested, but nothing. I try not to let them go dead, but you just never know when it's going to happen. I had one camera take over 3000 pictures before the batteries went dead and I have had others only take 500. Again, probably just what you get with a $50 camera.

 

Anyway, let me know if this is a problem you have also had or maybe I just have a couple defective cameras.

 

Thanks.

[youngbuck]

I have probably 4 of the 1.3s. Never had that problem. Have you tried different brand cards? I use kingstons and pny. I don't know if. It matters, but could be a cheap fix.

[flyphsr]

that has never happened to me but some times it wont let me look at the pictures in the field have to put the card in the computer. I use the sandisk cards and they seem to work but you can't use more than 2GB card. The battery life is very unconsistat like you said you get what you pay for, but it dosn't hurt as bad when some jerk takes it

[youngbuck]

I always use 1g cards and interstate workaholic batteries. If there's enough critters 2k pics is the norm. Those batteries work really well with the wildviews.

[flyphsr]

I will have to try them I usuly can only make it three weeks no mater how many pics

[BML]

Thanks for the input. Maybe I just have a couple cams with issues.

 

I forgot to add another issue in the original post. When you guys download your pictures do you ever have a problem with some of the pictures being saved in a format that won't allow your computer to retrieve them? I am using the Kingston and ScanDisk cards and it happens with both of them. I am also using a Mac, so maybe that is the issue. I don't know. I just know that I have several cards with a bunch of good pictures on them that I can't get off and onto my Mac.

 

Thanks again for the tips. I appreciate it.

[couesarcher]

I have not expereinced any of these issues with my camera, my only issue is that I can only get 2 weeks out of my batteries. I use energizers in it. After 2 1/2 weeks the batteries go dead and it quits taking pictures. It will show the date of the last picture taken.

I wish I could find a way to get more than 2 weeks of battery life.

 

Terry

[youngbuck]

I've heard macs dont get along with wildviews. Ill have to try some of my cards in my buddies mac to see what happens.

[Hunterjohnny]

None of the saving issues, might be the Mac. Battery life is weak, its almost always dead.

[gotcoues]

I have a few of the cheapy wildviews and have never had any problems. Three weeks is about max on batt life, maybe less. I only use them anymore if I'm afraid they'll get snagged. Gas is expensive compared to dropping that cash on a cam that will last for a few months in the field. I also use the Sandisk cards.

[tjhunt2]

I bought 5 of these cheap trail cams at $25 on a close out sale and they worked fine for a couple years. I just got back today of 5 days scouting and now have only one that works. You get what you pay for.

 

TJ

[thegunsmith2506]

I have had 4 of these cameras. My last one just died this last season. I had lost images a few times when the batteries went dead. I also had 2 cameras that would take pictures non stop from the time you turned them on till the went dead. Imho you can get a lot better cameras for $20 - $30 more. I think it is that simple.... you get what you pay for.

[BML]

Thanks for all the input!!

 

I knew I was going to get a sub-par camera for the price, but I have had such bad luck with people damaging my other expensive cameras that I decided to try out these cheap ones. I am really not all that disappointed with them considering what I paid. They have served their purpose so far.

 

When these ones finally take a crap I might splurge and get some good ones.

 

Thanks again.

 

[youngbuck]

Still some of my favorite cams. Cheap, reliable for me, and they take good enoug pictures for scouting purposes. I have some cheap 1.3s a 2mp and a 4mp. I run wildviews for scouting and the ones Amanda sells for better quality at the spots I haven't seen people. I also use them while hunting on water for a day or two at a time. If you do figure out what is causing the issues let us know.

[kidso]

I have four of them and love them, but probably because I have never had anything better than them. I get between three and four weeks of pictures with the Duracell batteries from Costco. The pictures might be a tad blurry or over exposed some of the time, but I am used to it. I just like to see things on the disc. I had one camera that was sensitive if the batteries shifted slightly and it did not take any pictures. Every now and then for whatever random reason, I have had discs that could not be read in the field by my picture camera so I had to take the discs home to view them on my computer. But for $50, I have left cameras in the field all winter long and through the spring and have gone back to pick them up in the summer. Yes, they were long dead, but they still worked after putting fresh batteries in them again.