Cell Cam woes

[Sam Menard]

I own 8 cell-capable cameras for deer hunting: SPYPOINT link micro, SPYPOINT Flex, and 6 SPYPOINT Cell Link units that are paired with 3 SPYPOINT Force 20’s and 3 WGI Mirage 16’s.

I spent a considerable amount of time in the off-season testing everything and working out the bugs so that everything would be functional come May. In fact during my testing I discovered that the Cell Link units aren’t compatible with WGI Prizm cameras sold by Canadian Tire… so I use those in a non-cellular capacity for monitoring moose.

Anyway, I set up the 8 cameras and 6 Cell Links in early May and everything ran smoothly upon initial setup. Keep in mind that I live 6 hours from where the cameras are so just can’t go out and troubleshoot problems when poop happens.

A few weeks later, I noticed that the Flex camera went down. I had a friend check it out and the lithium batteries had died. Not sure why but it may be related to a remote firmware download. The batteries were swapped out and the camera ran smoothly until I pulled it last week. I was pleased to see that the batteries lasted for 6 months and the camera recorded over 7200 images.

At the end of May, one of
my Cell Link/WGI cameras went down. The Cell Link was still operational but was not sending photos. I’m not certain but the problem might have been related to the data cable not being inserted properly into the SD slot in the camera (an animal might have tugged on the cable).

In June, a bear swatted one
of my cameras so that it pointed off to the side… better than nothing
In July, 2 more cameras went down. A Cell Link paired with a Force 20 stopped sending photos. The Cell Link worked fine, but there might have been an issue with the
data cable going into the camera. During testing, I discovered that closing the camera door could cause shift the cable resulting in the SD adapter making a poor connection. Weird!

My 4-year old Link Micro mysteriously stopped connecting to the cell network but continued to take photos. Might be time to chuck it
and buy something new.

Also in July, the immediate area around one of my CellLink/ WGI cameras was logged. The
fellow running the feller buncher was good enough to leave my camera there (he cut the tree above it, same with the feeder), but he
removed the data cable from the camera (to check the SD card?) but didn’t properly reinsert it into the
slot.

In August another Cell Link/Force
20 combo went down. This time the problem was caused by an animal (bear?) that bit through the data cable.

Then in October, a neighbouring land owner mistakenly removed a Cell Link/Camera combo thinking that they were set up on his land.
We had a good chat are good, no hard feelings.

So pretty much every camera had a issue this year. It was frustrating to say the least.

[trky chsr]

I have 2 original Spypoint Micros that I have never updated. I have also experienced the odd time when they wouldn't send pics for a couple of days but then start working again. Other than that I have had no issues. Interesting report on the Flex as I would like to get another camera. I have a Tactacam and although it has far superior resolution it's a battery hog. Once it got cold lithiums wouldn't last a month and alkalines also only last a month (and it takes 12 of them). I have a Cell Link as well but haven't been able to get it to work with the cameras I have (non Spypoint). I haven't formatted the sd card though so that may be the problem.TC

[Sam Menard]

I have a Tactacam and although it has far superior resolution it's a battery hog. Once it got cold lithiums wouldn't last a month and alkalines also only last a month (and it takes 12 of them). I have a Cell Link as well but haven't been able to get it to work with the cameras I have (non Spypoint).

All of my cameras and Cell Links run on lithium batteries and they are good for at least 6-8 months without having to swap them out. I make a point of measuring the voltage before and after setting them up and I’m pleased at how little power they use. Mind you they
only upload once a day and photos
are taken at intervals around 30 seconds. I should be able to get another year out of the Cell Links.

As far as pairing your camera to your Cell Link, check YouTube as SPYPOINT has videos on how to do it. Basically update the firmware, use a class 10 micro SD card with less than 32gb capacity, and make sure that you have cell service.

Good luck.

[trky chsr]

I may try lithiums again but we'll see. I had Energizer and they ran for 2 months until it got to about freezing, then I got low battery warnings from the camera. I pulled it and checked the batteries and 2 of them were very low (1.2v). I replaced them as I had purchased a 18 pack but once in the field I got "low battery" once again and found a couple more low ones. I contacted Energizer and after sending pictures of the batteries they did stand behind their product and send me a cheque but it soured me on the expensive batteries. I do test the voltage before I install them as well. In contrast this is the second season with the same Duracells in my Spypoints. I'll have to give the Cell Link another try as I've got several other cameras as well. TC

[Species8472]

Seems like there are pros and cons. I been sitting on the fence for a while now and think i will probably continue to do so. In fact i haven't even run a conventional cam in 5 or 6 years now. Just been winging it based on sign discovered from boots on the ground scouting. Weird there was a time when i was running 8 or 10 cameras but now am content with none. I kinda enjoy the surprise now.

[Sam Menard]

Seems like there are pros and cons. I been sitting on the fence for a while now and think i will probably continue to do so. In fact i haven't even run a conventional cam in 5 or 6 years now. Just been winging it based on sign discovered from boots on the ground scouting. Weird there was a time when i was running 8 or 10 cameras but now am content with none. I kinda enjoy the surprise now.

Running cameras can be a lot of work and can also set up unrealistic expectations. I totally understand the surprise factor of not knowing what might show up.

[machron]

Same kind of issues here as well. Have 3 spypoint micro ltes. Worked well all summer, then around the start of September, there were connection issues. Whenever I turned the cameras on, the lights would flash and go nuts, but wouldn't connect or take pics even. Sat in the hunt room until I had a chance to call the help line, but I never got around to that either. On a whim, turned them both on Tuesday night of this week, and they fired right up and were sending pics to my phone almost immediately. Now the biggest problem is that they are both still sitting at my house, and not in the field doing their job.

[sabmgb]

had a mirco die this year, but it was the first one I bought so 3 or 4 years old. I have 2 others that work ok, they have started sending pictures a few hours after the take them, which is ok. i ordered a LM2 that wouldn't connect to the cell system, returned it and another on its way. If they don't work out of the box, don't hold your breath for getting an help from their tec support people. They are good at reading the same page you can, but nothing else