Another SpyPoint RANT

[Rick_ca]

So after my 1st camera quit spypoint sent me a new camera out "so far so good", camera arrived i put fresh AA in and long format the class 10 micro SD and installed new firmware everything working out great. Hung from a tree in my back yard for a week 90% signal Im thinking bloody marvelous so off to the bush, put camera up check signal 90% whoop new AA and hooked up 12v external and went to work. Pictures started coming thru then overnight NADA check status signal strength down to 25% tried altering settings nothing worked so call the 800 number. told the service tech the issue and was told to move it to another location i replied its a game camera i want to monitor where i plan to hunt, then was told to put away from heavy foliage again I said its a game camera its strapped to a tree you do understand what a game camera does?. I was then told signal strength was showing 25% yes that why im calling?, was told its could be the provider. Good god signal from towers dont drop signals like that LOL, did i check before setting up in the the bush yes for a whole week and also before setting camera in the bush both areas showed 90%. If spypoint dont hire tech who know what a game camera is how can they be expected to understand its settings come on SPYPOINT get your act together.If I knew who to phone direct at spypoint they would be on my speed dial LOL.

[impact]

Antenna reception is a big factor in any mobile communicating device. It appears the closest antennae in the bush dropped some wattage. You can confirm that by also looking at your phone to see signal strength. I know that power output from towers may vary based on atmospheric conditions. So, if your phone reception is down so would the camera if on the same mobile network. Just a troubleshooting tool for you.

[Rick_ca]

Antenna reception is a big factor in any mobile communicating device. It appears the closest antennae in the bush dropped some wattage. You can confirm that by also looking at your phone to see signal strength. I know that power output from towers may vary based on atmospheric conditions. So, if your phone reception is down so would the camera if on the same mobile network. Just a troubleshooting tool for you.

Did that I have more bars where I hunt than I do at my house LOL

[impact]

Did that I have more bars where I hunt than I do at my house LOL

Well, there ya go...you have a piece of crap camera...lol

[smitty55]

With the amount of poor reviews with Spypoint I've seen over the last 2-3 years I'm surprised they even sell anymore. Lot's of horror stories on Ontario Trail Cams too, although surprisingly one guy posted the other day that he'd had two going well on his third year now. I sure wouldn't buy one.

[warningshot]

i have same issue with 25% signal and phone has 5 bars beside it and cell tower is so close...im beyond frustrated as well. im in a rogers area and would get 25% with bell phone ,

[Ahuntr300]

IMO, It's either their cameras that are cheap, made by the lowest bidder overseas, or their systems that are not performing as they should - Remember, before it comes to your phone, the info has to be processed by them. I have some and although they are working, they are very spotty. As the OP said, sometimes the signal is 90% and sometimes its zero. Sometimes they go to "sleep" then 2 or three days later suddenly wake up. They constantly miss their transmissions times, even though the signal is 90%. I cant figure them out. I am gradually replacing them with Tactacams who so far for me have been champs, without the above problems.

[FishHog]

I get wildly varying signal strengths on various devices. And one thing to remember, your signal strength on your spypoint won't update until you get communication from the camera. If it was 90% prior that setting holds in the display until you get a check in from your camera.

I can move from one side of a tree to the other and go from 75% to 25%. That's just reality of signal strenghts. Stop looking at bars on your phone and think it means anything, look up how to actually get the db ratings on your phone and what they mean, and then go check the spots where you want to put your camera. And not just close, but right against the tree.

While I admit spypoint has some issues, they don't control signal strength in your area. So go see what is available and it might be as simple as moving from one side of the tree to the other. Again, wait to get a communication from your camera to see what it is.

I'm not trying to defend spypoint, but have run into many issues with them and 90% of the time the issues were mine and not understanding how these things actually work. Once I have figured the issues out, I'm quite happy with mine. Will miss the odd check in due to atmospheric conditions, like heavy rain or fog, but I have the same issues with reception on my cell phone in those conditions.

Cell cameras have limitations, read reviews on the others and you will read the same issues. Many more with spypoint, but that is just due to the volume of them out there compared to the others.

[Sam Menard]

Uh oh, my Micro has not connected for a couple of days, and it had been every other day recently. The problem could be the signal (the camera is in a river valley), or that the camera needs the firmware update. Unfortunately I have to wait until the deer hunt in 2 weeks to get it figured out and run the firmware update.

[Ahuntr300]

If you are thinking of buying a cellular camera, take a look at the new Tactacam Reveal SK that will be available in November 2021 - 2 antennas and solar powered!

I think it will sell for about $179-199US.

tactacskv-B.jpg