New Radix Trail Cam - Unboxing, Set Up & Initial Thoughts

Yeah, I understand.
Hell I'm not even as concerned with "cheaper" per se, just damn durable and high quality pics and I'd be fine with $130+, lol.

If I could custom build a camera here's my list:
1. True 12mp quality pics. 10 would be fine.
2. Reliable lighting, transition
3. High stop motion ability
4. Single pic burst on 30 sec interval
5. Highest quality night pics possible at a reasonable price irregardless of no glow or visible
6. Reasonable trigger
7. Reasonable range
8. Tough as a damn brick, plastic and UV degradation a 5 year minimum issue.
9. Great case/lens design, no leaks, ants, easy to clean lens'.
11. Normal SD cards.
12. Good battery life. Defeating the laws of physics isn't needed.
13. Don't care abouts...video, multi shot, size, flash type, LCD viewing screen, card size past 16gb, 12v port, USB port, etc...

 

Build that and I'll be your first customer!

 

I guess the number one things that comes to mind for is to not have that damn rubber stopper in the bottom of the case to allow for an external battery pack. Freaking squirrels have eaten them on my Radix, a Muddy and a Bushnell. Freaking irritating and a great way for ant or moisture to get into the case.

 

That is where they will lose me personally. Shoot the $150 was tough and if I hadn't just got an unexpected income off of selling my past bow, I probably wouldn't have bought another one this soon. Honestly, I haven't pull pics from the Gen500 but I've never been willing to go over $150 on a cam and the only reason I own a 500 was they had the pre-order deal...it being up at $200 now most likely means I'll not be grabbing one again unless some deal comes up.

Radix with the PS series and even the pre-orders proved (Covert has proven) affordable options can and are possible...I'll be bummed if they eventually scrap the PS series cams in hopes of expanding upwards more and more into the more expensive cams.

 

Wanted to add one more thing that this discussion made me think of. I would LOVE it if they offered something in the PS-1's size but like the Covert Mpe6 has just a few pre-set options. Just a hang and choose and roll. Cost for them would be minimal, yet the value to most hunters it would be the camera many would love. I mean my one beef with the Mpe6's is they just don't have the greatest pictures...however if Radix could deliver a limited pre-set model that takes PS quality images.....OH MY WORD I'D BUY A DOZEN.

 

This option is being discussed currently. I agree with you 100%.

 

Yeah I knew from some emails it was being considered...I could see them as they progress shift the PS size/model towards this type and have the Gen500 be their mid-flag cam which so far has been awesome for me. Then introduce a higher end possibly the double lens concept discussed.

 

i have a PS 1 nice camera love the size but not enough light at night $150.00 is high seen pictures of the 500 nice but again $200.00 to much most cameras are coming down in price not up JMO

 

I'm in no way a business man, in fact I'm a Nurse. That's about as far away from understanding a business plan as one could get. But why would they want to be the Sitka Gear of trail cameras? Maybe it's just me, but I don't know a single hunter that can afford Sitka. I'm not saying they don't make a great product, but the majority of us can't afford that high a price tag and be willing to get blood & guts on it.

 

USA Trail Cams tried the same thing and look where they are now.


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USA Cams were/are an exact copy of an already available camera though. I bought 2 of those things early on...junk.

 

Speaking of USA cams, what happened to the guy that was pimping them? He seems to have disappeared

 

Probably cutting their losses. A lot of people were duped.


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Some of my best cams are USA cams.

I also have a bunch that don’t work. It was very hit or miss.


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Yea that has been the general consensus across the board I think. I have several buddies that have some. The ones that work, work great...it's just a crap shoot whether they work or not.

 

Agree, some of the crispest images and videos I've had...however I'll be honest only 1 cam over the years from them didn't go back in first year. I now have two new Recruits this season as returns and so far so good outside that one reset itself half way through a sit. Gonna assume it was a card issue.

I love their video mode...only beat by Radix cams video IMO.

 

I agree. Sitka in part is a HUGE success due to the Western hunters that need that extremely top notch lower bulk gear hitting the hills for elk and other game where a lot of hiking is involved. Yes, whitetail guys use it but it is the upper end of guys. IF Radix goes this route I'll be honest I won't ever probably buy more than one a year just flat not worth an ever growing rate if they keep upping it.

The HUGE vast majority of deer hunters are not comfortable shelling over $100, $150 or more in cash for cam. That is why I still think a PS-1 model that has pre-set functions down near the $100 mark would be HUGE for them and then keep perfecting their top shelf stuff. I have faith in Matt and Cliff they have a plan, whether it prices me out of it slowly I still wish them the best.

 

I should also add that Radix image quality in bright lighting is some of the best that I've ever seen without getting into the mega price range. While I understand their desire to take more "natural" lighting pics, I think there still can be some compromise here. Professional photographers use lots of filters & tricks of the trade to get a pic to look hoe they want it to. While game cams obviously can't do that, they can brighten up darker images to an acceptable level. I'm glad they're thinking about making some of these changes. While I don't buy many cameras per yr I'll be watching these and probably purchase when this is fixed. Provided they don't bump the price to much