Trail-Cam Suggestions?

[phil]

Hello all, today one of my trail cams broke. The flash no longer works. This is my 2nd trail cam to malfunction in 2 yrs with both warrantees just having expired! They are the stealth-cam predator 5.0, and the wildview 2.0. After calling stealth-cam, they said the best they can do is for me to send it back and they can replace it for a refurbished one at a discounted price. With my on line coupons, I can replace it for a new one at the same price from Cabelas! Needless to say, im done with stealthcam!
Any suggestions on one to buy that will last more then a yr? Also, what are your feelings/experiences with the ones with a flash as opposed to the infrared in spooking mature deer?

[hiking]

I have 3, all homemade. they work great and no issues, but I think now you can buy cameras just as good and for about the same price to make them.
you just need some input from the users on this board.

[huntone]

I have two Bushnell Trophy cams and have had problems with one of them.
Sent it back and got a new one from them, it took a month. However they have a two year warranty and they seem to stand by it.

I also have some of the old Cuddleback cameras that are very high quality.
Haven't had a problem with any of them and they are about four years old.
If I were only wanting one camera I would get the highest quality I could.

I have seen deer spook a little with the IR Trophy cams, while the camera is in the video mode and have seen them bothered a little with the camera in the camera mode. I have a video of the deer if I can post it.

Here is a great link for reviews and a informative forum to check out.http://www.chasingame.com/

I hope this works, Spooked deer
http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv32 ... 000263.flv

[NewGuy]

I've heard good things about the Scoutguards. I just picked one up and plan on putting it out tomorrow. I did make a steel bracket for it to hopefully keep the thieves at bay. Also scored a camo python lock for 12 bucks on clearance.

[Golden Eagle]

I have had good luck with Moultries. I40 and D40

[diesel]

Where are you? I replaced a flash for my brother in his wildview camera ; If you want I bet I can replace the flash for you as well. if you go to Hag's house they are selling some good home brew cameras to raise money for a good cause.

There is the link;
http://www.hagshouse.com/forums/index.php?showforum=4

[wabi]

I bought a Bushnell Trophy cam this fall and it works very well.
The key features I was looking for was IR night pics and long battery life.
It uses 8 AA batteries and with rechargable NiMH batteries it works to suit me. I change 4 of the 8 every couple of weeks and it has been taking pics for over 2 months now with no interruptions.
I just pulled the card today after putting 8 new "hybrid" Duracell NiMH batteries in it and with 325 pics on the card it was still showing battery level at the same mark as when I started.

(I am going to buy more of the "hybrid" NiMH batteries in the future! They are supposed to hold their charge much longer - up to a year - and they can be used right out of the package without charging)

[trky chsr]

I have 2 of the wildview cameras which I have had for about a year. I have had no problems with mine. I got the pair for $100.00 from Can-Tire on sale. If you want some good comparisons check out chasingame .com. They do independent tests on a variety of cameras. TC

[Crispy]

My cudde back has been outside hanging from trees for over 4yrs, never bring it in, never had a problem. Still takes great pics and the trigger speed is great, battery life is good also but have nothing to compare it to. Think I would try IR Cudde back if I ever get another. Hope this helps, Crispy

[crazyfarmer]

Cuddeback Capture(not IR model)

Bushnell Trophy Camera

either of the above would be a good inveestment in the 199.99 range and willlast for a good while. I have 9 captures and 2 trophy cams and none have had issues. The trophy cam seems to handle battery life best with 4-5 months on average. The Capture is getting 3-4 months which is plenty for me! Beats most cams that might give you 1 month battery life

[warningshot]

i have a bushnell trophy and a stealth cam ir ...the bushnell has great battery life and quick trigger speed so far so good .....i have had the stealth replaced 2 times now ..seems to be working ok now but we'll see..it has very slow trigger speed ..had somebody up to no good by my stand on a 4 wheeler but the camera wasn't quick enough to pick up the culprit but i did have the time he or she went by..... if i would have had the bushnell there i would have 3 pics of the cilprit ..stealth is a pig on batteries ... believe it or not ...i do like both cams

[Limbs and Sticks]

For a little over 200.00 bucks you can get 2 moultrie d40 with 2yr warranty from bass pro, I have no prob with any of my moultries and good pics

Wes

[phil]

..thank you all for your advice!...i think i will pass this info along to my wife for x mas ...i will try and replace my flash in my broken one too!

[GaryM]

I bought a Highlander that took film quite a while ago and it worked okay. I bought a Moultrie a couple of years ago when I went digital and it worked okay for a coulple of years but the sensor seems to be getting slow now. Might go homebrew next time. Gary

[crazyfarmer]

if you want, do a search for my name and cuddeback capture or trophy cam. I have more than enough pics posted to help you make up your mind if images speak for themselves

you will get quite a few blank pics with the trophy cam. The capture is the only camera ive used that 98% of the time it has a deer in perfect view for the show. Some even in mid jump

most cameras work ok and will get you a picture so any will do the job. Each brand will have a few bad apples in the bunch also. I just hate seeing people get sub 100 buck cameras which work for 2 weeks and then they get a bad idea about trail cameras. Granted, some of those 100 buck cams could outlast the top of the line ones:-P But its a 50/50 chance