Reliable but affordable trail camera?

I need some new trail cameras.
I already have a few; all of them were a “good deals”; none works properly...
I’m not too big on electronics and my expectations aren’t overly high, but a picture or two would be nice if cubs play right in front of the camera for an hour.
Perhaps someone knows why trail cameras work fine right after setting them up (test picture) and then freeze up after a couple of hours/days (and yes, I put fresh batteries in).

Otherwise, I was hoping someone could suggest some models that are affordable, but foremost reliable. I don’t need sound, colour, video, high resolution – just a decent motion detector, SD card slot and infrared flash. The main reason for something inexpensive is that they will be set up on public land and will be infrequently checked

I am a big fan of ScoutGuard cameras-neither they are a "really" cheap nor overly expensive.But they are going ,going ,gone-hard to buy them anymore,and perhaps there are more modern ones out there.
Happened to buy 2 Simmons Whitetail 5 MP Black LED cameras on a whim........... when Sail opened in Cambridge (just due to the good deal-each cost me 50 $+tax after rebate)and I am REALLY impressed.
Good pictures-good battery life-good trigger time-black light at night-lapse time of 5 sec.No problems after using them 2 seasons, each of the 2 are still going as new...:thumbup:
Even nowadays they can be bought when they are on sale for like 90 $.I would recommend this camera(eventhough I am a ScoutGuard guy...........:))
Oh yeah, you can buy custom made security box for any camera from a guy in the state, not really bad prices either -like 40$ a pop...........but then you need to add this as a cost to your camera set up-so it may not be worth it.

I second the Simmons Whitetail series. I own 2 and have another on hold for me. The only negative with them is they don't have a great flash range. For me though the price and performance are well worth it. TC

Spypoint force-10

I bought two Simmons pro hunters off Costco.CA last year and they ran me about 50$ a unit, great price , was happy with quality.

Biggest thing for me is they have to take AA, as I dont like lugging huge expensive batteries into the field, can pick up at a "not bad" price of I have to pick up at a general/corner store.

As an aside, I haven't seen them again on the website, wish I bought more at the time.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by tracer

Spypoint force-10

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I'm using spypoints, the iron 9 and the smart cam, purchased from whitetails crossing trail cameras, no problems good prices...

I've used Spypoint X-12 with pretty good success.

Keep your eye on TSC stores. They put them on sale periodically for around 89-100.

I have two Simmons (made by Bushnell I think); too good to be true deal at Cabelas - well, actually not a good deal in hindsight as they never worked flawlessly.

I have a UWay I find unreliable and hard on batteries. I HAD a cuddeback E3 black flash that I really like ($175) but it walked so I'd say keep the price in mind in case it walks. Unless you have exclusive private land with no trespassers I wouldn't spend more than $50 for any camera.

I've been looking for a few months. The cams must only go on sale in the fall.

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Originally Posted by Waftrudnir

I need some new trail cameras.
I already have a few; all of them were a “good deals”; none works properly...
I’m not too big on electronics and my expectations aren’t overly high, but a picture or two would be nice if cubs play right in front of the camera for an hour.
Perhaps someone knows why trail cameras work fine right after setting them up (test picture) and then freeze up after a couple of hours/days (and yes, I put fresh batteries in).

Otherwise, I was hoping someone could suggest some models that are affordable, but foremost reliable. I don’t need sound, colour, video, high resolution – just a decent motion detector, SD card slot and infrared flash. The main reason for something inexpensive is that they will be set up on public land and will be infrequently checked

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My suggestion would be to format the cards with the camera each time you swap cards. If you're already doing that I'd try a different brand of card. SD cards can be finiky.....

What Gregoire said about the cards I second that. When buying the cards make sure they are rated for the temperature they will be in. I use D Link from Canada Computers with good luck. I use micro SD cards and carry a tablet to review the pictures.

I own a few different brands of cameras and if you look at my previous posts you will see my feedback in other threads.

I've been using Moultries for many many years....they work and take great pictures. I buy them off eBay, there is a 'store that sell great package deals with a bear box. I've ordered a few things from this company and have no complaints.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOULTRIE-Gam...4AAOSwYHxWOlco

"all of them were a “good deals”; none works properly..." You get what you pay for.

I have 6 of the Cabela's house brand, various models. All bought at big discounts on boxing day online over the last few years. Using the cheapest SD cards that were on sale at best-buy at the time. Other then operator error, never a problem.

I think every brand has had massive improvements in the last few years. The cheapest camera today is as good as the best 5 years ago. Most every brand makes cameras at different price points so you need to look at trigger speed, megapixels and other features like burst mode, IR etc. not just the name.

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Originally Posted by Gregoire1960

My suggestion would be to format the cards with the camera each time you swap cards. If you're already doing that I'd try a different brand of card. SD cards can be finiky.....

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I remember having issues with micro cards in adapters many years ago. so why not now with old regular SD cards. Plenty of time left to play around with the cards - won't hurt and maybe that's it

I have 2 primos truth cams and the have worked great for the 3 yrs I have owned them. Not too pricey, I picked mine up for 120 on special at SAIL. I also used 4 Simmons Whitetail cams on 2 different properties that I hunt and all worked well except for the short range at night as mentioned earlier in this thread. I have had bad luck with bushnell cams. I have had a couple of expensive ones crap out real quick on me and their warranty in my experience is terrible.
Good luck.

TSC always have some sort of trail cameras on sale. I have bought Stealth Cam,Moultrie, and spy point on sale at TSC.
For the dollar I like the Stealth Cam I have three and all take good pics and nice videos.

I have had good luck with the Bushnell Trophy Cams. Not the cheapest but outstanding battery life and if you ever had a problem, (I had bear work one over on me a couple weeks ago) their repair shop is in Vaughan just around he corner from Bass Pro. I dropped in there today and they fixed me up in under 10 minutes.

OP... thought I would post here cause I'm looking for cameras as well.
Anyone have suggestion on cameras under 150$?

also what batteries handle the cold weather better?

Are SD cards affected by the cold?

"I've been using Moultries for many many years....they work and take great pictures. I buy them off eBay, there is a 'store that sell great package deals with a bear box. I've ordered a few things from this company and have no complaints.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOULTRIE-Gam...4AAOSwYHxWOlco"



Hey Mike. I came across this thread and checked the link you posted and it looks like a good deal for what I need.
Just curious, what was shipping time like from the seller?

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Originally Posted by mattadam

Hey Mike. I came across this thread and checked the link you posted and it looks like a good deal for what I need.
Just curious, what was shipping time like from the seller?

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Unfortunately I couldn't tell you to a Canadian address; I had them ship to my USPS P.O. Box in Ogdensburg NY and I picked it up there. It took less than a week to get it to there.

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Originally Posted by louisd33

TSC always have some sort of trail cameras on sale. I have bought Stealth Cam,Moultrie, and spy point on sale at TSC.
For the dollar I like the Stealth Cam I have three and all take good pics and nice videos.

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Batteries last forever in the Stealth camera.......easy to use I have 3

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Originally Posted by Gregoire1960

My suggestion would be to format the cards with the camera each time you swap cards. If you're already doing that I'd try a different brand of card. SD cards can be finiky.....

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Tried with a new card, but never got to the bottom of it since some nice guy cut the (granted, really cheap) chain and the camera with the new card was gone. since it was about 500m away from the next trail and on a massive tract of crown land, the list of who would ever venture there other than a fellow hunter is relatively short

Ended up going to SFRC and picking up a promos truth 46 ultra hd 109$ before taxes, here's hoping I got one that doesn't have to be sent back lol

I'll let you guys know how it works.

I don't mind my Cuddeback E3 black flash, but I don't think it was really worth the price. It has worked well enough for me but doesn't always trigger (I'll go pick up my card, and it misses my dog who runs by before me). I bought a Stealth Cam RX24 this year (half the price of the Cuddeback). The trigger seems sensitive enough and the speed is good (3 pictures of running deer) but you get motion blur even in the daylight. Can't win!

I just wanted to add an update. I got a real good deal on the Primos Bullet Proof cam (the kind you don't have to program). They were like $35 after rebate. I'm actually quite impressed with them. They seem to have a pretty quick trigger speed and take very good pictures and video. They also have a pretty good flash range. If you happen to get one send me a PM and I'll tell you how to set the time/date as the way they tell you to do it in the instructions does not always work.

Can I ask where you found that deal?

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Originally Posted by trky chsr

I just wanted to add an update. I got a real good deal on the Primos Bullet Proof cam (the kind you don't have to program). They were like $35 after rebate. I'm actually quite impressed with them. They seem to have a pretty quick trigger speed and take very good pictures and video. They also have a pretty good flash range. If you happen to get one send me a PM and I'll tell you how to set the time/date as the way they tell you to do it in the instructions does not always work.

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where did you get them?

The rebate was at Cabelas Canada and expired Oct.31st.

The cheapest I found with a quick internet search was Costco http://www.costco.ca/Primos-Bullet-P...100295296.html

Actually just got the Cabelas Black Friday flyer starting on Friday the camera is on sale for $70 with a $30 rebate... final price $49.