Trail cam recommendations

[mesajeeper]

I am looking to pickup a new trail camera. I would like to spend around $100 but can stretch the budget some if necessary. Any recommendations on cameras in my price range? Or anything I should look for in the cam? I presume I want an IR camera of at least 5 MP. What else is important? Trigger speed? IR distance seems to be a big driver of the cost of the camera. Longer range is better I presume? Any brands to avoid? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make an informed decision. I currently have a couple of older Wild Game Innovations cameras that do pretty well in the day time but not great at night. I am looking for the best bang for my buck.

 

 

[ready2hunt]

my primos cams are are in the price range and do great at night. never had an issue with them. all are IR and hold up well with the battery power- i have never actually had one die yet but they have got real low especially as it gets colder.

 

My best one was even messed with by a bear. broke the clip that held the belt on it as well as the lens protector. I just took out the lens protector and its still running good. 6 1/2 years of seasonal use and they are all still running good. Each cam and company will have it's pros and cons but out of 6 different cams not a single issue, good resolution at 8mp at all hours- I will continue to give my business to that cam.

[Sneaker]

If my budget was $100 I would buy 2 $50 tascos and cover twice the area. They don't shoot far at night, and aren't magazine print quality, but get the job done if you want to know what's there and the batteries last forever.

[AZ23]

I bought the Moultrie M880i at Bass Pro $89.

Didn't want spend more in case they get up and walk away.

[Red Sparky]

I like my Browning the best but I am buying two Primos Truth cams, the 01's to try out. They are about $100 and simple to use.

[prowlerMan]

Brownings. Coverts can suck a fart!

[MT_Sourdough]

I'll agree with other responders and say you're probably better served to think in terms of more cameras instead of better cameras. One thing to look for is the ability to lock them with cable lock or something similar. No guarantee, but it helps to keep honest people honest. Some cheap cameras have no easy way to lock them.

If you place them on a water source, then they are far more likely to grow legs. Losing an expensive cam isn't fun.

If you place them on trails. You'll not get as many animals, but if you place them on trails, you learn a lot about the animals travel corridors and patterns.

As far as a cameras effective night time range can be a bit over rated, depending on your situation. Too bright can lead to white-out pics if critters are too close. In the last year or so, I have bought 13 cameras of different brands and models.

My high end Bushnells had the most sensitive triggers. I'd get pictures of field mice at night. Problem was it would take thousands of pics if the wind blows.

My Cuddebacks have the least sensitive triggers and work best over salt licks where the critters hang around a little bit. Great pics.

I bought the Moultrie 1100i and it was garbage, had it exchanged once, but replacement was not any better.

I like my Stealth cams because they seem to be the best compromise on trigger sensitivity and they take good pics and vids.

You can get a Stealth g30 for $99 and free shipping. outdoortrailcams dot com

If the cam(s) you get is not camo, then camo gorilla tape can be useful. The less visible the better.

[mesajeeper]

Thanks for all the advice. It seems there are so many options at the $100 price mark. I think i have narrowed it down to the following:

 

- Moultrie M880i - $89.97 at Bass Pro. 8mp, 50ft inferred, 8 AA batteries for 13,500 pics

- Wildgame Innovations Cloak 7 lights out $89.99 at Bass Pro. 7mp, 45ft inferred, 8 AA batteries for 30,000 pics

- Stealth Cam G30 $99 at outdoortrailcams dot com. 8mp, 80ft inferred, 8 AA batteries # of pics not specified.

 

Which would you choose and why? Any other contenders I am leaving out?

 

Thanks!

[Red Sparky]

I would buy this one, but that is just me.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Browning-Trail-Camera-1XR-XR-Range-Ops-Series-8MP-BTC-1XR-/390946734397?hash=item5b063dc13d:m:m9fQ60dkUxxdIz9I0WdAOgA

 

The reason I would choose it is the quick trigger speed and quick recovery time. I have 2 and they take great pictures. The batteries seem to last pretty good.

[MT_Sourdough]

^^^^Good Deal

[bonecollector]

I like the Browning BTC-5

[Coues79]

Stealth cam stc p12-6 MP. I purchased several of these this past year and have been very pleased with the purchase. Reliable cameras. Uses AA batteries. Small and compact. I love the price and love the quality. Amazon has them for $60.

[rcdinaz]

If my budget was $100 I would buy 2 $50 tascos and cover twice the area. They don't shoot far at night, and aren't magazine print quality, but get the job done if you want to know what's there and the batteries last forever.

This!

 

They are all really a pretty good deal now days , on sale of course. The image sensor and processing has come down in price at the same time the technology has improved so even the cheap stuff now is leaps and bounds better than 10 years ago. Also all of them are running 2x-3x longer on less battery juice.

 

I would look for low weight

small size

AA battery

 

This should make them easy to pack and cheaper to run. 2 cheap cameras are better than 1 uber cool super cam.

[Red Sparky]

I like the Browning BTC-5

I ordered a BTC-5 today so now I will have 3 Brownings, one Spy point, one Wildgame Innovations, and the two Bushnells when they get here. I think I have an addictive personality. At least game cams are easier to hide from the wife than guns are.