Advice on trail camera (Updated)

[djnoodle]

Update: I added a browning strikeforce to the list after reading some reviews.


I received a Wildgame Innovations Razor Lightsout 6mp camera for a gift. Nothing but a disappointment...


First off, because it was a gift, I did not open the packaging until more than 30 days after the receipt was printed, and therefore, they would not let me register for warranty. Second, while in the field, I could walk in 25 ft in front of it in the daylight, and it would not pick me up. I have a feeder out three feet in front of it, and the feeder gets emptied out every two to three days. There is deer and elk sign all around. Yet I have only managed to get about three videos over the last month. And lastly, after 35 days in the field, it will no longer power on at all. Batteries have been replaced with brand new. Nothing.    


I returned the camera to Cabelas, and even though it was now past their 60 day return policy, they gladly took it back for me. I got the returned amount on a gift card. This is why I love Cabelas. That and they have so much in stock in Lacey!   


Now I am in the market for a new trail cam. I am not made of money so I am looking to spend $150 or less. I would like to have video and pictures. The two models that I am looking at are:


Moultrie Game Spy D-555i Scouting Camera @ $149.99


and


Primos® Truth Cam 55 Ultra 7MP Game Camera@ $99 on sale


and


Browning® Strike Force 10MP Trail Camera @ $139.99

Does anyone have any experience with either of these? Or does anyone have any other recommendations in that price range?

Thanks,

[bobcat]

For $150 you could get two of these:

 http://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/moultrie-moultrie-d55irxt-game-digital-camera-p-4000.html

[Bean Counter]

I just picked up a second Browning BTC-1 on eBay. Dude sells them for $72 and ships them free (and FAST).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Browning-Trail-Cameras-Range-OPS-6MP-IR-Flash-HD-Video-BTC-1-/350863692071?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b11b1127

The camera takes decent night time photos. It triggers faster for photos than my Primos but the primes starts up video faster. Not sure why that is. I need to test them during the day, too. Not sure why i haven't done that yet. Too busy I guess. 

[Bean Counter]

For $150 you could get two of these:

 http://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/moultrie-moultrie-d55irxt-game-digital-camera-p-4000.html

Do you have that one, Bob? How do you like it?

[Smossy]

Im in love with my Primos Truth Cam 46 Ultra...When it works right

[NOCK NOCK]

Bushnell.

[huntnnw]

All my wildgame innovation cams have been excellent and one of the best in the cold..all my buddies own 5-15 of them and nothing but good to say. A moultrie m-80 is a good one.

Do yourself a favor and not buy from cabelas

[Bean Counter]

Do yourself a favor and not buy from cabelas

Why do you say this?

[djnoodle]

All my wildgame innovation cams have been excellent and one of the best in the cold..all my buddies own 5-15 of them and nothing but good to say. A moultrie m-80 is a good one.

Do yourself a favor and not buy from cabelas

The original gift was bought for me at Cabelas. So, I have $100 credit there to spend on a camera. I plan on adding a bit of money with it to get a better one, but the majority of my camera funding in tied up at Cabelas.

[bobcat]

I think Cabelas is a great place to buy trail cams, if you have a store nearby. Even the best trail cams often have issues and it's nice to have a store that will take a defective camera back and exchange it for a new one, or give you a refund.


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[djnoodle]

I think Cabelas is a great place to buy trail cams, if you have a store nearby. Even the best trail cams often have issues and it's nice to have a store that will take a defective camera back and exchange it for a new one, or give you a refund.


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That is exactly what I was thinking. They did not have to take this defective camera back. I was not the original purchaser. I did have a receipt, but it was printed more than the 60 days ago, which is their policy for allowing the return.


I was feeling very lucky that it was purchased there myself. 

[Noiro]

Bushnell® HD Trophy Camera – Brown from Cabelas. Keep it out in the backyard all year. Been working steady for over one year.

[hunterrcc]

Moultrie M100xt $129 new at walmart.com best picture, trigger speed, and battery life plus a small lcd screen on camera to view pictures and setup camera angle.  good bang for your buck.  I have a lot of friends with the busnells that love them too.  I have one that I am going to try out this year. 

[jasnt]

I been running truth cams and love them! Last year I got a deal on a Bushnell elite and was very pleased. Took 15,000 pics on one set of battery's. 6mp.  My cams get alot of use and I had 60,000 pics last year between 3 cams. All the cams are over a year and half old now and still going strong

[huntnnw]

if you like paying close to double the price for cams at cabelas. I have never had to return a cam to anyone..the issues arise in cams well after warranty for me..what makes a good cam is longevity and no issues.

[jasnt]

One thing I've learned about trail cams, its better to have 3-4 $100 cams then one $3-400 cam

[djnoodle]

Thanks for all of the advice. Although I must admit I didn't follow the poll.

I ended up buying the Browning. I talked to too many people who had bad experiences with Primos and the Moultrie was nowhere near as highly rated. I talked to the guys at trailcamerareviews.com and they said unless I was willing to jump up to the +$200 range, I should go with this Browning.

I'll make sure and post results as soon as I have some.


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[djnoodle]

Thanks for all of the advice. Although I must admit I didn't follow the poll.

I ended up buying the Browning. I talked to too many people who had bad experiences with Primos and the Moultrie was nowhere near as highly rated. I talked to the guys at trailcamerareviews.com and they said unless I was willing to jump up to the +$200 range, I should go with this Browning.

I'll make sure and post results as soon as I have some.


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[Bean Counter]

I have two Brownings in the woods myself. I can't wait to get out and pull the cards for the first time. I hope they're still there! 

[djnoodle]

Put my browning innawoods yesterday with a PVC feeder full of sweet cob. I'll check it in a week and report back.


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[djnoodle]

I checked the new camera after I got back from my business trip to Idaho. No videos worth sharing but I did get plenty of action. The game dept mowed the field that it is sitting next to. I caught the tractor going round and round...

I need to move it around the bend a little bit so that  it is covering more of the open field. I may get a chance to do that this coming week.


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