August 05, 2011
Trail cameras are everywhere these days, but what exactly should you look for when purchasing one? And how can you tell the differences between one and the next? To help you in your search, we narrowed the list to 10 of the best on the market today.
Wildgame Innovations Micro 6 Red The Micro 6 Red from
Wildgame Innovations ($129.99) is small enough to fit in your palm but powerful enough to capture the trophy of a lifetime. The product is equipped with a 30-piece infrared flash, which allows for clear pictures and videos in the sun or under the dark of night. This 6 MP trail camera features lightning quick trigger speeds and a sensor range of 45 feet to capture anything that steps in front of it. Additionally, a large LCD display screen makes for simple setup.
Spypoint Tiny-W Spypoint's Tiny-W ($199) is advertised with a zero-second trigger time due to a pair of extra motion detectors set at a 120-degree angle to 'wake up ' the camera and five other sensors before an animal enters photo range. Designed to avoid the frustration of having a camera stolen from the field, the Tiny-W also records images on the Blackbox receiver that can be placed anywhere within 50 feet of the camera to capture thieves in action. The Tiny-W has 8 MP resolution and automatic infrared adjustment.
+1 Bonus Accessory: Slate River EZ-Aim Game Camera Mount If you've ever found an awesome trail camera location but couldn't find a good spot to mount your unit, you'll want to check out the all-new EZ-Aim Game Camera Mount from
Slate River ($24.95). The mount provides you with a simple, inexpensive way to place your camera in that perfect location. The auger features a corkscrew tip with CNC machined threads to pull itself into a tree after a quick and easy start. A ball socket allows for 360-degree rotation and tilts up to 45 degrees in each direction for perfect positioning. The unit works with all trail and video cameras with a standard threaded tripod insert. Also available is the EZ-Aim Ratchet Strap mount and the EZ-Aim T Post mount for varying camera setups. Camera is not included.
Moultrie Feeders Game Spy M-100 The Game Spy M-100 from
Moultrie Feeders ($199.99) is an infrared camera that features widescreen pictures and videos and up to a one-year battery life. The 6 MP camera has Moultrie's new Illumi-Night sensor for clear nighttime photos. Images will appear in a 16:9 format to provide a widescreen field of view, and with three operational modes, users can program the system to best fit their needs. In addition, the M-100 includes video with sound, digital zoom, barometric pressure reading, password security and Realtree APG camouflage.
Bushnell Trophy Cam Bushnell has added several upgrades to its Trophy Cam line for 2011 (price varies by model). New trail cameras are available with enhanced video resolution in addition to an audio recording feature. Also, each new device can use SD cards up to 32 GB so you can store more than 20,000 images. The product is equipped with Field Scan mode, allowing you to set the camera to take photos throughout the day without being triggered. Other new options include Low-Glow Black LEDs for maximum stealth and models with picture viewers now have a larger 2x2-inch screen with zoom feature.
Cuddeback Attack Three years of development has resulted in
Cuddeback's new Attack line of scouting cameras ($230). The Attack and the Attack IR feature Cuddeback's Ultra Hair Triggers to snap an image within a quarter of a second, which means you are very likely to catch an animal on the move. Operating on four D batteries, the Attack IR will take 50,000 images per set while the Attack with snap over 10,000. Users will receive 5 MP infrared images that are clear and void of common problems such as motion blur.
Primos Super Model Primos offers its Super Model trail camera ($229.99) that is advertised as being small in size but big in performance. Its built-in photo viewer is sure to come in handy, along with the Super Model's 0.3-second trigger speed. The 7 MP camera has 40 infrared LED's for extended night range. Featuring a battery life of one year or 30,000 images, the Super Model also has a 2.5-inch, true color LCD screen that allows you to quickly review, save, delete or organize photos right on the spot.
Leupold RCX-2 Leupold's RCX-2 ($279.99) is a 10 MP camera that offers both audio and video with a trigger speed of under one second. With capability to shoot up to 10,000 images during its battery life, 28 MB of onboard memory and a Lock-Down Security Plate included, the convenient RCX-2 is one of many Leupold cameras to operate off its Controller/Viewer ($149.99). Advertised as the 'hub ' of the RCX series, Leupold's Controller/Viewer plugs into the USB jack in each of your cameras to give you complete control of your photos.
BuckEye ORION Wireless Camera The ORION Wireless Camera from
BuckEye Cam ([imo-slideshow gallery=1],050) features completely invisible infrareds to eliminate red glow. In addition, each device is heat- and motion-activated to ensure the ORION prevents false triggers and shoots only the images you want with its 3.1 MP system. You can connect up to 30 ORION cameras to BuckEye Cam's CellBase ([imo-slideshow gallery=1],999), which wirelessly gathers images from the cameras and then transmits them over a cellular network so you can access your pictures from anywhere in the world through your computer.
Reconyx HC600 HyperFire The HC600 HyperFire from
Reconyx ($549.99) features a rugged, weatherproof enclosure to ensure quality performance in both the sizzling heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter. With night vision up to 50 feet and quick trigger speed, the HC600 captures the hard-to-get photos with ease. Operating off 12 AA batteries, users will get more than 40,000 images before having to replace them. The device has video capability at up to two frames per second and shoots pictures with 1080P High Definition at 3.1 MP.
Stealth Cam Archery's Choice Scouting Camera The new Archer's Choice Scouting Camera from
Stealth Cam ($169) was developed with Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo's in-field experience. The compact device captures images with 8 MP resolution and a one-second trigger speed. In addition, each camera has a time/date/moon stamp on all files to present hunters with all the important scouting tips. The product has 38 infrared emitters with a range of over 50 feet to provide excellent quality no matter the time of day. A mounting strap and a 12-volt auxiliary power jack is included.
