Posted: 7/14/2012 8:04:09 AM EDT
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Can anyone recommend a trail camera that has a decent trigger time and will last more than one season?
Someone asked this last year but I don't recall a definitive answer. I've been through 2 Stealth cameras in as many years and between the poor trigger time, poor dependability, and lousy customer service, I've given up on those. I don't care to air dirty laundry on any forum but I've given Stealth more than enough chances to supply a good product and back it up. There are so many choices out there, maybe some of you can at least tell me what else to stay away from. Thanks |
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I had not even heard of the Reconyx before. You guys are amazing.
Did some web research and the specs of those things are impressive, including the price! Holy Moley they aren't cheap. And it doesn't look like they are discounted anywhere. But, I don't buy cheap guns either, and I already experienced what you get with cheap trail cameras. If I can get past the price I think I've found exactly what I've been looking for. |
| I think this is about the best deal going for trail cams right now. |
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Which ever one you decide to go with, look it up on Amazon and read the reviews, if my Dad had done that he wouldn't be so unhappy with his. That's exactly what I'm doing. I'm getting mixed reviews on everything except the Reconyx, which are excellent. But that sucker costs twice what most of the others cost. I think I'm on the cusp of trail cam overload. 
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Treat them like u would guns u wouldn't fight zombies with a hi point would. So y use a hi point to look for trophy deer. That's a great analogy except I know more about what is a good gun (not counting that AMT Hardballer piece of crap that I got back in the 80s) than I do about the virtual plethora of trail cams that are out there. I'm trying to weed out the Hi Points, hopefully I'm getting it narrowed down. |
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I'd love a reconyx, but aren't they ~$500? That's more than I'm willing to spend on 1 camera. I'd rather get two Cuddeback's for that.
I'm considering another low-mid grade Moultrie since I'd like to pick up two cameras. I've been using the lower end Moultrie's going on 4 years now (6V lantern battery style). They're on their last leg, but have been good for feeding stations. I would really like a Cuddeback to get the 1/2 second trigger speed. That's what you need if you're going to be putting the camera on trails vs feeding stations. I'm tired of getting a pic of the woods with no deer, tail pics, or the back half of the deer in the pic when it walked by and the camera couldn't wake up fast enough. 
LIke mentioned, the options are overwhelming. After reading reviews on some that caught my attention, I'm glad I didn't buy. Seems there is alot of junk out there. That explains why some are in the $500 range though. I missed the sale Bass Pro recently had on some Cuddeback's for around ~$100-150 (flash not IR). I'll probably end up with a Cuddeback due to the trigger speed. |
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The Reconyx model I like is 550 bucks! That's a tough pill to swallow.
The Cuddeback Attack IR has some great features including the fast trigger speed, which is what I really want and of course the price is a lot friendlier. BUT, read the reviews of the Cuddeback that are posted by the big retailers. Downright scary. For every positive review there seems to be 3 or 4 very negative reviews. It just doesn't give me a warm fuzzy. |
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The Reconyx model I like is 550 bucks! That's a tough pill to swallow. The Cuddeback Attack IR has some great features including the fast trigger speed, which is what I really want and of course the price is a lot friendlier. BUT, read the reviews of the Cuddeback that are posted by the big retailers. Downright scary. For every positive review there seems to be 3 or 4 very negative reviews. It just doesn't give me a warm fuzzy. I have sold Cuddeback cams at my shop and I also have several of my own..... I have had minor issues but Cuddeback's customer service has always been polite, responsive and downright impressive when I've contacted them. They have also been VERY good when it comes to returning emails and believe it or not phone calls. You can find cheaper cams but Cuddeback will be a solid choice when considering cost v. performance/customer service. TD |
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TD
It was your earlier post that got me looking at the Cuddeback and it is still on my short list. But, again, looking at reviews, for every negative review there are similar negative comments about Cuddeback customer service. I personally throw out at least 50% of those knowing how people act toward vendors. As in nasty. And then those people vent because something didn't go their way. I've gotten a lot of free stuff from vendors over the years just by being......nice. Well, I'm off to N. Georgia now with replacement parts for my feeder that a black bear tore to shit. |
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TD It was your earlier post that got me looking at the Cuddeback and it is still on my short list. But, again, looking at reviews, for every negative review there are similar negative comments about Cuddeback customer service. I personally throw out at least 50% of those knowing how people act toward vendors. As in nasty. And then those people vent because something didn't go their way. I've gotten a lot of free stuff from vendors over the years just by being......nice. Well, I'm off to N. Georgia now with replacement parts for my feeder that a black bear tore to shit. I to have seen negative reviews regarding Cuddeback's customer service but I can only comment on my 1st hand experiences. On one occasion I sent an email to tech support and they called me on the phone the following day and stayed on the line until I was satisfied with their solution. I'm sure their customers service suffers when the call volume increases 500% during deer season especially from people that can't follow the instructions for the initial camera set-up. BTW: You need to let those baby N. GA deer grow and come hunt a few S. GA corn fed bruisers. Here's a couple of full grown slobs from last season shot on my Attack IR. This cam is located on a trail leading into a large field planted with soybeans. TD 
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The best I've found so far for the money is the Primos 35. I have used a lot of them, and this one is by far the best for the money. Usually under $100. The batteries last longer, and pictures are clearer then most. Also it has more options including video and 3shot setting.
Plus it has a good night picture quality. I have 3 and will be buying a couple of more this year. Don't get Moultrie, and wildgame innovations are ok, but the batteries drain in like 3 days if you use the flash for night pictures. And remember to get several SD cards so you can easily switch them out. 2gig card will hold a LOT of pics. I've never filled one up yet. Good luck. |
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Ah, more good info, thanks.
TD, You're right, big mountain deer are a little scarce compared to the Southern Zone. And the terrain is not too friendly. The last deer I killed just about killed me and my hunt partner getting it back to my cabin. Neither one of us is a spring chicken and we were whooped, but damn if we don't have a good time retelling the story. The last club I belonged to was down in Wilkinson County. It was great hunting but some high roller elitists got control and bumped the dues way up to get rid of the rif raf. It worked, I left! 
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I've owned at least 1 of just about every brand of trail cam and never had one last more than 2 years. With that in mind I have been buying the Wildgame cameras lately. I figure if the life is that short why spend 200 bucks for 1 when you can spend 200 for 2 cameras.
The trigger speed is not as fast as a cuddyback but if you place you camera facing up the trail instead of across it you'll get the deer in the frame. As for battery life I have gotten as many as 3000 pics without killing a set of batteries. This is with the camera covering a feeder taking picks 24 hrs a day. The only drawback is some of their models have a noticable "kaclick" when the camera activates. I will say to stay away from the wildview cameras. I bought 1 just to give it a try and regreted it. |