How long should a trail cam last?

[woodman]

I went and checked some of my trail cams and now I have two more that have quit working. I am getting a cabinet loaded up with trail cams that don't work. I mount them to locations inside of lock boxes for protection, but I use them year round. I have different brands and I can not say that it is one brand only that stops working. It seems as if I lose them when they go through the winter out in the woods. I have a few hundred dollars worth now that have quit working. It is frustrating, but I am curious if other people are experiencing the same thing and maybe this is to be expected. I really would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

[NWBREW]

I have one of the big bulky IR stealthcams that has been working for years...year long. It's old...probably 6 or 7 years old.

I have a newer stealthcam Delta 8 that is nothing but crap though. Stay away from the Delta 8 

[Southpole]

I have a Bushnell bone collector trophy cam. I've had it for 3 years now. I put it out all year long, temperatures from -10 to 80 degrees. I had one issue with it taking pictures non stop, probably a year and a half into it. I sent it in to Bushnell, they fixed for nothing. Got it back. It worked great again, except the night time picture quality changed from great to grainy. I think it's just wearing out. I will be purchasing another one, as I'm still happy with the purchase price, battery efficiency and picture quality (before it got grainy). I also have a Wildgame innovations camera I bought for around $130 when they first came out (they're much cheaper now). It's not as efficient as the Bushnell, the night time pictures don't reach out as far, and it doesn't tolerate extreme cold temps., but I haven't had any issues other wise. I was given a Moltrie about 6 years ago (I can't remember the model) it was terrible on batteries, took okay picture's and lasted 6 months and croaked. Those are my game cam experiences.

[woodman]

I have a Bushnell bone collector trophy cam. I've had it for 3 years now. I put it out all year long, temperatures from -10 to 80 degrees. I had one issue with it taking pictures non stop, probably a year and a half into it. I sent it in to Bushnell, they fixed for nothing. Got it back. It worked great again, except the night time picture quality changed from great to grainy. I think it's just wearing out. I will be purchasing another one, as I'm still happy with the purchase price, battery efficiency and picture quality (before it got grainy). I also have a Wildgame innovations camera I bought for around $130 when they first came out (they're much cheaper now). It's not as efficient as the Bushnell, the night time pictures don't reach out as far, and it doesn't tolerate extreme cold temps., but I haven't had any issues other wise. I was given a Moltrie about 6 years ago (I can't remember the model) it was terrible on batteries, took okay picture's and lasted 6 months and croaked. Those are my game cam experiences.

Thank you for your feedback, I have had two Trophy cams go bad on me so far and a couple of Moultries also. I do like both models for different reasons just wish they would last.

[Southpole]

Some of my family members also have Bushnells and the haven't had any issues with them, except for one of the 6 they had the same non stop picture taking like mine. But that's it for the troubles. They are all still working fine.

[woodman]

Some of my family members also have Bushnells and the haven't had any issues with them, except for one of the 6 they had the same non stop picture taking like mine. But that's it for the troubles. They are all still working fine.

Do they leave them out in the freezing weather?

[oldleclercrd]

Dont leave them out in the winter and they will last longer. 

[IBspoiled]

Two years if your lucky! So don't forget to send in your warranty info in case they poop out on you early 

[Southpole]

Some of my family members also have Bushnells and the haven't had any issues with them, except for one of the 6 they had the same non stop picture taking like mine. But that's it for the troubles. They are all still working fine.

Do they leave them out in the freezing weather?

they don't leave them out all winter like I do.

[bobcat]

I've got a Moultrie D40 that I've been using for 3 years with no issues. I have it out in the woods about 10 out of 12 months. It's out right now, and it was out all last winter as well. I've got a Tasco that I paid $40 for that's seen 2 years of constant use with no problems. I had another but it got stolen last winter. I have a Primos 35 and a Primos 46, but only have had them for a little over a year now, so can't really say on those two but I've only had them at home for maybe 1 month in the last 14 months. Then I have two Wildgame Innovation cameras but again, those I have only had for just over a year so I can't comment on their longevity. But all my cameras are out in the woods 99% of the time.

[woodman]

I've got a Moultrie D40 that I've been using for 3 years with no issues. I have it out in the woods about 10 out of 12 months. It's out right now, and it was out all last winter as well. I've got a Tasco that I paid $40 for that's seen 2 years of constant use with no problems. I had another but it got stolen last winter. I have a Primos 35 and a Primos 46, but only have had them for a little over a year now, so can't really say on those two but I've only had them at home for maybe 1 month in the last 14 months. Then I have two Wildgame Innovation cameras but again, those I have only had for just over a year so I can't comment on their longevity. But all my cameras are out in the woods 99% of the time.

bobcat, I have read in the past that you used Tasco as one of your cameras, so I decided to try one. It lasted about four months and now you have to get within about a foot of it before it will trigger. I just figured that since it was so inexpensive that was what I should have expected. I am glad that you have had better success with yours.

[bobcat]

You should send that Tasco back to Bushnell and I bet they will send you a new one. As long as you have proof of when it was purchased it should be covered by the warranty.

[Southpole]

You should send that Tasco back to Bushnell and I bet they will send you a new one. As long as you have proof of when it was purchased it should be covered by the warranty.

I never sent in any kind of warranty card in when I bought by camera. When it was doing it's funky thang', I sent it back to Bushnell, they fixed it no questions asked. I just had to pay for the shipping. 

[bobcat]

I don't think the warranty card matters but they need to know when it was purchased.

[Southpole]

I think they would know that by the serial number inside?