Best Game Cam for 100 Bucks

[janttihunter]

I dont care so much about picture quality and I will probably check my cams every wek or so , so battery life is not a huge deal. I just want to see what deer/elk are using the trail and what time of day they are doing it. So I guess good sensor and some what quiet are my main concerns.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[h20hunter]

Don't discount battery life so quick....some of them that take C and D batteries can really add to the cost of ownership!

[bobcat]

There are going to be some good deals shortly. The 2013 models just hit the market. I'd be watching for some good sales. Amazon often has good deals. Also check Walmart online. One you might look for is the Primos Truth Cam 35. You should be able to find it for $80 or less.

How many do you plan on buying?

[bobcat]

Here you go, this is what I'd get if want to spend less than $100:   

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Primos-Truth-Cam-35-3.0-Megapixel-Digital-Game-Camera/16651358


But remember, there may be some good closeout deals soon, for the 2012 models. I just haven't seen any good deals yet. This Primos 35 is a decent camera. I have one, and it has a really fast trigger, and you can set it for up to a 5 shot burst. So it's a good camera for a trail, when you're not using any bait to slow them down. It's good on battery life as well.

[janttihunter]

Ok ill be patient. Thanks bobcat. Ill keep my eyes open! Ive been scouting every weekend and seeing allot of sign and deer. Just trying to put it all together. Less than 7 months till the season starts!!

[elkh8me]

bushnell 99 bucks at walmart.  5 megapixel comes with strap and elbow screw bracket

[Giggles]

Spypoint G4 from Gander Mountain. About 250 reviews and still has a 4.5 star rating. I have two and they work great.

[Turner89]

bushnell 99 bucks at walmart.  5 megapixel comes with strap and elbow screw bracket

Is it a trophy cam?

[pope]

I think I'm going to order one of these for my first trail cam: http://www.amazon.com/Spypoint-Infrared-Surveillance-Camera-Camo/dp/B007SNV4X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362246889&sr=8-1&keywords=spypoint+ir-7

Gets good reviews for a budget IR camera but like most in that price range it is not terribly fast. The price linked above is considerably lower than other sites are asking.

I learned from this thread or another about trailcampro.com. Great site for learning/comparing what's out there. Here's an example of a page in their buyer's guide:http://www.trailcampro.com/incandescentvsinfrared-apracticalcomparisonofgamecameras.aspx

[bobcat]

Spypoint has a good reputation with the guys who really know trail cams. So I don't doubt that that will be a good camera for you. It's probably available at the lower price because most people are now going to the "low glow" or the "black flash" cams, instead of standard IR.

[pope]

Looking at prices on low-glows just now, I'll bet you're correct on the reason for that price. What's the big advantage with low/no glows? Is it purely for security or is there less chance of spooking game?

[bobcat]

Mainly for less chance of spooking game. The standard IR's aren't bad for that, in my opinion, IF you set it to take only one picture at a time, rather than say a 5 shot burst. Video is the worst, you've got that bright red light on for 30 seconds or however long your videos are.

Just one picture at a time, the flash is only on for a split second and is not very noticeable.

[HoofsandWings]

Although, this is picky, but that IR glow attracts the attention of  less than honorable people who are walking around in the dark.
If you are in an area where there are few poachers and fewer drug traffickers, then no problem.
Otherwise low glow or no glow becomes important.
If you take a picture of a guy in night vision goggles, I would be thinking of moving to another spot.

[pope]

Thanks Bobcat for the IR photography advice. Since you're obviously experienced with cams, do you find any value in the "plot watch" mode?

Regarding shady characters in the woods, oddly there seems to be almost nobody hunting where I go, and nobody scouting. You have to like gates if you're able to walk. I did find a hobo camp about 3 miles away but that was pretty close to pavement.

[bobcat]

The plot watching mode could be very useful if you want to set your camera up to watch a large open area, such as a clearcut.

Otherwise you're counting on having animals walk close enough to your camera to trigger it. My best luck has been using bait to get them close and to get them to stick around long enough for some pictures. But baiting can be a lot of work.

So anyway, yes I feel the plot mode would be extremely useful. But I can't say much more than that because none of my cameras have that feature.