I wanna hear some input guys. I run some Moultrie M80's now and really have no reason to complain, battery life is awesome, great day and even better night pics, easy to set-up and they save all my info even on a battery change. I have had a couple mishaps with them not taking any pictures but I think it was a faulty SD card problem? Anyhow I have been seeing all the great pics that the popular Coverts around here are taking and I am curious. So a couple questions: -Is it worth investing a little more money on a Covert rather then staying with the M80's? -If so which Coverts would compare with the M80? Any input appreciated guys, I know the old saying "if it aint broke dont fix it" but I curiosity has got the best of me!
Coverts are VERY good camera's. Customer service is the best in camera business hands down! The quality of pics is unreal. Atleast on my MP6 they are. BTW, how are you liking your Carbon Knight?
I have had m80s since they came out in 2011 and run most all of the Coverts and here are my thoughts. Coverts will have way better battery life, sensing, and better day time pictures. Night time pictures from the red40 would compare to the m80. The m80 yes does throw off alot of light at night. Thing is my m80s spooked alot of deer. I say 8/10 deer looked at the nighttime flash from the m80. I run my red40/mpe5 in the same spots I been for years that I ran the m80 in and I dont get the deer to spook nearly as much with the Coverts as they do with my m80. (not saying that just because,but from what I witnessed). I run my red40 on 2 picture mode vs m80 on single mode. M80 on 3 picture mode I can get deer to change their patterns. Trust me I tried it . If I do that 2 picture mode on my m80 I would no doubt have blurry pictures of deer running away. I ran a 2012 black60 next to a m80 black on the same tree for a backyard test.The black60 was picking up stuff in front of the m80 black and I got pissed and gave up wasting my time.. So all in all, you should be looking for a red40. The 2013's have awesome video with sound that Moultrie cant come close to. Here is a link for the best price on a 2013 model > DLC Covert Extreme Red 40 Scouting Camera (try coupon code "dhnet" ) Or a 2012 model for 120$ shipped > DLC Covert
Thanks for the detailed response. Is the Red40 the only Covert you use? If not how do the other Coverts stack up and what differences do you notice between them? Thanks again
I run a 2012 black 60 for security purposes. When I first had it I went through 2 sets of m80 batteries per one change in the black60. I am still on the same batteries since July in the black60.. Unheard of in my Moultries. (below zero temps as of lately) I have 2 mp6blacks and 2 mpe5's (mpe5 on that $50 dollar deal) and a 2013 red40. My circle of friends combined probably have 15 different Covert models and most of them buy another Covert after their first purchase. Few of them were Moultrie users. I dont know anyone now who has a 2013 Moultrie. One friend, but he is going to borrow a mp6black here soon, so he will be converted/Coverted :D To me the only thing I like on the m80 is the night time flash but.... hate the way it spooks deer. Coverts are better to me in all aspects if you want to compare and nit pick them apart. I actually sold a m80 to fund a Covert purchase. So if it is night time flash you are after, red40 is your answer. Blackflash if you are not doing video, Mp6blacks can be had on ebay for $125 shipped. Or just stay tuned here as we post up some Covert closeout deals from time to time when we see them. You wont find a better price online then what us guys post up for sure... What are your main uses for a trail camera?(trail/food plot/scrape/field edge/deep in the woods etc). I can help pinpoint which Covert model will be best suited for the job. I have recommended many of my friends who are first time Covert owners that 2012 red40 deal. Best bang for your buck and the camera is a great camera in any set up. You can also tone the night time flash down if you want as you can set it for 6m/20feet or 12m/40feet. (2013 red40/black60 have that flash option too) So keep us updated and any other Covert line up questions you are in the right place
Thank You for this thread, I have 2 M-80's and even after buying the "Correct SD Card" I am still having problems with the software and getting the darn things to take pictures. What Covert has wireless pack built in for sending pictures?
I used to think Cuddebacks took good pics (which they do) until I looked closely at the Covert pics, which are much better. The only thing is Cudde takes better (color) night pics. I won't get rid of my 3 Cuddes, but I gaurentee I'll have a Covert in the woods next season.
Covert Code Black is the camera that sends pictures via text or email. I dont have one so I wouldnt know the in's and outs. But love the technology. If you have a 2011 m80 here is the software update for the SD card issue= M-80 Software Update But the mp6 is a great little camera too. Alot of people like it. I wouldnt mind adding one to my line up if the deal is right.
I've got 3 M80's, and have very little issues with them. The range of the night IR is outstanding. I have a covert MP6 in the area, and while it takes very nice daytime pictures, I have been very disappointed in the quality of night pictures. Anything outside of about 30 feet, all I can see is their eyes glowing back. The IR doesn't even illuminate then entire field of view, so if a deer is in the corner of the field of view, I can't even tell what it is. I'm not saying the M80's are perfect, they have their issues as well. Mainly the motion blur, but honestly I'd rather have a picture of a buck at 30 yards out with some motion blur then a picture of nothing but the eyes glowing back at me.
Thanks again all for the input! I mostly run my cams on Mineral sites. If not on Minerals I will have them facing down heavily used trails. They are on mountain land, I dont have any fields where I need a long view. I will be keeping my eye open for some up and coming deals!
I made the exact switch you're considering in 2012 and didn't look back. You only think you have awesome battery life. The Covert's will blow away the m-80 in battery life. I'd compare the m-80 to the Red 40 as far as flash range is concerned. I'd actually give the m-80 the edge in flash range but in all other aspects the Red 40 would get the nod. The only thing I really miss from running the Moultrie lineup in the wide angle lens, I've overlooked that with the overall quality of the pics of Covert.
I have both an M80 and a Red 40. I have had the M80 for two years and it's never been out of the woods since I have had it. So I must say it's a real workhorse. I have only ran it in the video mode and the disadvantage to that is it takes a still before the video starts so if the subject is moving along at a good clip, my video will be blank. The M80 takes better night pics because the flash is alot brighter. This can also be a disadvantage if the subject is too close cause the flash will wash everything out. Battery life is kinda hard to compare for me because I run lithiums in the Covert but rechargeables in the Moultrie. The Covert's sensor has a wider detection area which makes it faster but the disadvantage to this is an animal can mill around just outside the cameras field of view and then you will get blank pics. I think the day pics are better from the Covert depending on the lighting. Overall on a 5 point scale I would give the Covert 4.25 and the M80 a 3.75. Hope this helps. Blessings..........Pastorjim Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Bottom line is.... You will have a good camera no matter what you choose. I simply like Covert more because of their added customer service.
Covert battery life is outstanding. Maybe the best in the business.. I have a 2012 Covert Black 60. Takes incredible daytime pictures and one set of AA batteries lasts me about 9 months (on average). The night pictures, however, are sub-par. Like Pastorjim said, the range is not great and from what I've experienced, a deer in motion is blurry 90% of the time. Living in WI and not being able to put out mineral means I have to have a camera that works well on trails. The Black 60 is not the best camera for that situation. I have a small food plot that I put my Covert on and it works well there. I think Moultrie and Covert are the best cameras not named Reconyx.
I've heard Covert has great customer service too. I had to send a camera in to Moultrie and they were great to work with also.. Very fast and ended up sending me a brand new camera.
no problem on the input. My 2nd favorite brand is Moultrie(mainly the m80/m100). But I say it is time for a change and give Covert a try Keep us updated on what you end up doing and I will try to share the best deals when I see them.
I would stick with moultrie. The night flash range is way better than the covert pics I see on here. Also, the battery life on my m-80 has been amazing. I have had it out since June with the same set of batteries and I don't think its been above freezing in Wisconsin since the second week of November.... Mine is on 3 shot burst, and I don't notice it spooking deer. Some have looked at the camera, but are back down to eating in the next 3 shot burst. The day pics are on par with the coverts too. Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
