I know this subject (cell cams) has been talked about quite a bit already but I'm hoping to get a few answers for my uncle. My uncle currently lives out west but is just starting a build out in the Black Hills of SD. He just text me wondering what his options are for a cell cam that he could use to keep an eye on the build process. I don't think he needs 100 pictures a day by any means but would like to keep an eye on the site. He is on Verizon; not sure if that matters. 1) What brand/model do you guys feel is the best for this situation. 2) Battery life is the biggest concern I would think so needs to be good battery life with the ability to have a solar panel/backup battery. 3) Is there any camera out there where he can set it to only take a picture at certain times throughout the day or are these all still triggered by motion only? 4) I don't believe price point is an issue. 5) Not sure how often he'll get there until the build is done so something where all settings can be changed via phone (maybe all are that way?). 6) Black Hills weather so something that can handle that environment. What other things do I need to look at regarding cell cams? I will do much more extensive research but hoping to get a starting point from you guys! Thanks!
I own a Moultrie without an antenna. I placed it in an area with hit or miss cellphone reception, and the cameras reception was exactly that, hit or miss. My next cell camera will be a higher powered one with an antenna. I'm a big fan of Browning cameras, but I believe the Browning cell camera requires 12 lithium batteries. Something to think about is battery life when choosing. Most cell cameras offer either AT&T or Verizon service. So check the coverage area for where he will be located and see which carrier has best coverage.
Spartan gocams are really good. I have 5. One is at my son's property where he is getting ready to start building. I have 6 volt battery packs for all of them and they last over 4 months. No need for the solar panel. I have one charged battery I can swap out when needed. You can even get videos sent to your phone. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
If your uncle will adopt me, I'll be glad to furnish the camera. Sounds like a great place for hunting and fishing.
Haha right! I will likely only shed hunt out there for now but I can't wait! Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Just like this black flash. Mine has different camo. https://spartancamera.com/products/spartan-camera-4g-lte/realtree-spartan-gocam-edge-v Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
He won't be sorry. My next one will be the Spartan ghost cam. It cost more but it has internal batteries to get better battery life. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
I think that's the model he's leaning towards. I'll keep you updated! Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Yes I would like to know how he likes it. Two of mine are 3g and 3g will go away at the end of this year. I will get two more after that. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Distance is going to be your main hurdle with a trail cam. If it were me, I'd consider putting it on a time lapse setting and put it a bit further back to capture a bigger area. You're using this for surveillance, not a smaller area taking pics of animals. Also using it for this purpose, you want it hidden. Animals don't care about the camera. People you want to keep out will care and are likely to steal it along with whatever else is there. Not that it can't be done with a trail camera but you have to change your mode of thinking with where to put it. If it's too far away for motion, the time lapse setting will hopefully help. You'll have more pictures of hopefully nothing, but it will allow you to put them out of a general line of site and the camera(s) will be less noticeable. If the general idea behind using them is kind of a "just in case" thing, I'd consider getting a couple of cheap plastic signs saying the area is under video surveillance. You could also get a fake security camera that really does nothing and put it in a reasonably obvious place. Trust me, me, most of these people aren't the sharpest tools in the shed and they might take stuff anyway but it will most likely keep people away. That's a cheaper route especially if he really won't use the cameras after the fact. I once watched a show called, "To catch a thief". The professional burglar said the biggest deterrent from him was a sign in the front yard saying the house was monitored by a security company. He said he'd pass it up and find one that didn't have the sign. Anyway, since I typed so much, guess that's my 3 cents. :-)
^ Good info! I guess it is more so for him to be able to see the house build progress more than actual surveillance as they are 10 hours away. It will certainly double as both however and he said he'd send me all the wildlife pics!
No, but you may find some unscrupulous people on Ebay trying to get rid of them. They won't work after December 31 2020. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
My son's driveway. Waiting on gravel. 20 ft in tree and you can't see it unless you know it's there. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Good deal fixing to buy two more since 3g is going away at the end of the year. Let me know how he likes it. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
