If you had $200 to buy a trail cam what would you get?

I am wanting to get a trail cam for xmas, I will have about $200 I have looked at reviews and read so much on them that I am just confused! so I thought I would ask the guys that actually have used them. Good pictures & fast trigger speed is what I want, and also nightime photos as well. I dont really need it to shoot videos, just pics. what do you guys use what do you like and what do you hate?

 

Cuddeback

 

I'm getting a Moultrie. Rick James has has had flawless performance out of one of his and I'm going to give it a shot.

 

Cuddeback Capture or a Bushnell Trophy Cam. IMO you can't go wrong with either.

Personally after owning and using several Moultries, I wouldn't buy one again. Trigger speed is pretty slow, and I get a lot of blurry pics, or pics with nothing in them. Battery life and IR flash range is good, but that's about all.

 

Bushnell Trophy Cam. It's been in the woods for 5 months and still has a 50% battery life. Has taken over 4000 pics and shows no signs of slowing down. The camera is just downright awesome. Did I mention it takes AA batteries?

I have 6 other Moultries and they serve their purpose over scrapes and mineral sites, but like Justin mentioned, they have a slow trigger speed. They also shoot a lot of false trigger shots. I wish I had 10 Trophy cams instead of the 7:1 ratio I have now with Moultries.

 

I currently have a couple of Cuddebacks, but was seriously leaning towards getting a couple of these. Glad to hear good things about them.

 

Scout Guard!!

 

I'm still happy with my Moultrie D40's. I know they are cheap, but I've had mine now for 3x years and it's still going strong. I don't think it's been inside at all since the first time I've put it out, it's literally been outside for 3 years now.

Trigger speed is a bit slow, but I use it over mock scrapes, or in the off season over corn.......so it doesn't matter a bit to me. If your looking to catch deer passing perpendicular to the cam, this isn't the camera for you. I have been able to take a LOT of pics though on trails by quartering the camera or placing it facing straight down the trail. Pics can be a bit blurry as well at times as Justin said, but they are still clear enough to take inventory of shooter bucks, which is all I'm looking to do anyhow. I'd rather have 2x D40's than 1x $200 camera, just MHO. Plus if someone steals it, it won't sting quite as bad knowing you only spent $100 and have another one.

 

I plan on getting a Bushnell to try out and you can find them pretty cheap(150-160). I like the Cuddeback Capture as well and the DLC Covert II(I've been using this one a lot this year).

I got a preety good deal on mine when I bought it for $209.99 it came with 2 SD cards, 8 batteries, and free shipping. You can still find them in that price range.

http://www.windwalkeroutdoors.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=963

 

I think between my friends and I we have tried them all and without a doubt I would get a Scout Guard. Just a great little camera. Very small, and in camo the thing is easy to hide. Takes great pictures and video. It will take thousands of pictures on a set of batteries and set up is easy. I am gradually replacing all my cameras with Scout Guards. I have also had good luck with the Moultrie I40 but I can carry 4 SG's to 1 I40.

 

those would be my top two right now for 200.00 Bushnell or Cuddy Capture

 

Never heard of the Scout Guard... Fletch.. I am gonna check them out...

 

There is a camera review website; "chasingame.com". They do a fantastic job of using and reviewing all trail cameras. I would highly recommed the sight to anyone interested in game cameras. They also seem to be quite impressed with the Scout Guard. It is just such a neat little camera and so easy to use.

 

ScoutGuard, DLC, and Bushnell Trophy cam are all basically the same camera with a few minor variations in trigger speed and field of detection. For all intents and purposes they're the same cameras.

I have two ScoutGuards and they're okay, but not great. Pics are a bit grainy, trigger speed seems to be so-so (lots of butt shots), and daytime pics in low light are less than great. Battery life rocks though.

For my $200 I still think you get the best photo quality out of a standard Cudde Capture. If you must have IR, then Bushnell wins. The Capture IR is a piece of crap if you ask me.

 

Bingo


I'm going with the Cuddeback next season. I've been through four Moultrie cameras and have been disappointed. While many of them start out strong, they quickly fall apart (ex. battery life starts to die quickly, LED screen goes out, flash doesn't always work)

 

Just curious which Scout Guards you are running Justin. I have been using the 550V and have loved them. Trigger speed is right at 1 second which is not lightning fast but I have learned to place them at quartering angles on trails or just a little ways back with good luck. There is a small window of time at twilight when the IR kicks in that photos are a little goofy but I have had that with most IR cameras. I guess I just really like how small they are and the abiltiy to hide them from both animals and trespassers. And again, like you said, amazing battery life. I will admit that I dont think any of us here have tried the Bushnell and I will check it out. Thanks.

 

more good info..thanks guys.. Iike the IRs myself.. I have 4 bushnells right now.. they have been great.. well I did send one back in (wasnt reading the card) and am getting a new one in replacement..

 

I also have a 550V that I got direct from ScoutGuard.

Here's a sampling of photos I've gotten with it. Not bad, but not great either. For $200 it's a solid camera, I just prefer my Capture.

 

I have had the same exact problems with both of my Moultries

 

Cuddeback Capture...IMO

Perfect pictures, blazing fast trigger, good battery life.

It is a flash camera, which alot of guys dont like. It also doesn't have burst mode or video mode, 2 nice options. But its super easy to set up, and i have a ton of confidence in mine. Best camera i have ever owned,.
















I think you get the picture quality point....