Which Gamecam for the X-mas list?

[Band]

I always have to put a specific item or two on my list or I end up with things that don't appeal to me at all.  Especially from my mother-in-law who manages to buy something for my wife and I that....well, that is useful to my wife and useless to me.  Go figure.

Anyway, in thinking it over, it occurs to me that I want to get a game cam to get me started.  I'm hoping you can provide a recommendation based on what I perceive to be important features for my liking, which are as follows:
- Compact
- Reliable
- Small/few batteries and good battery life
- No bright flashes (that I assume will help tip off a potential thief to the camera)
- Reasonable picture range and sensitivity settings

I plan to use the camera in a travel corridor rather than over a bait pile.  I don't care about bursts of multiple pics or video capability and picture quality is not important since I simply want to document what kind of animals are in the area.

So there it is.  your recommendations, please.

[jrebel]

Moultrie M80 M80xt or M880 are hands down my favorite.  The M880 is new to me this year and gets mixed reviews.  The M80 and M80xt have always been amazing.  The battery life is the best out there 8 AA batteries will easily take 8-10K pics and last 6-12 months depending on amount of activity. 

Hope that helps. 

[Band]

Thanks for that recommendation, Jrebel.  I forgot to mention that a price tag of $100 or less would be ideal.  Otherwise I might be wasting my time putting this on my list and I'll end up getting an ugly X-mas sweater instead and having to buy the camera myself.

[jrebel]

ebay is amazing.....I have purchased a few M80's for under $100.   

[Bean Counter]

I bought two Browning's this year for my elk hunt. They did ok and absent any better intel I would buy them again @$70/ea. Not the best picture quality but I'm with you that it really doesn't matter. They use 8-AA batteries.

[Band]

I bought two Browning's this year for my elk hunt. They did ok and absent any better intel I would buy them again @$70/ea. Not the best picture quality but I'm with you that it really doesn't matter. They use 8-AA batteries.

What model number should I be looking for on those Browning's?

Any other suggestions, folks?

[Smossy]

Primos Truth Cam 46 Ultra

[d_wilson]

Browning Strikeforce is on my wish list. Great reviews.
http://www.trailcampro.com/trailcamprostarrankings.aspx

[bobcat]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HNXQ8JO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417058715&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

[Bean Counter]

I bought two Browning's this year for my elk hunt. They did ok and absent any better intel I would buy them again @$70/ea. Not the best picture quality but I'm with you that it really doesn't matter. They use 8-AA batteries.

What model number should I be looking for on those Browning's?

Mine was the basic model. BTC-1 I guess. Cabelas has the Range Ops XR which might be a step up. Its $70 on Black Friday starting at 0500.

[Bango skank]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,161013.0.html

Those are from a range ops.  Not the best night pics, but for 70 bucks a hell of a deal.  If you will go over 100 though you can get the strike force for 130 and theyre MUCH better.

[Band]

Thanks for lots of good suggestions, guys.  I'm researching all of them.

What additional equipment will I need to purchase to make the camera operational?  Anything besides batteries and one of those SD cards?

[Bean Counter]

A python cable ($11 @ Amzn) and/or a bear box with a padlock and lag bolts (use your hand drill) into the tree. Ive had at least 4 people walk past my cameras this year that I know of. Keeps honest people honest. Wont deter the Michael Brown's and Trayvon Martin's though. For that I recommend lead.

[LeviD1]

I personally love my Bushnell. I bought my dad one for xmas last year and I just bought one in august cause I liked his so much. I have lithium batteries in both. Both are different models only difference pretty much is one is hd. Both are on full battery life still even my dads that was set up in june. Mine in a new place I bought has taken about 8000 photos since august also. I have a primos cam also, it would be my second choice. Its not as good on battery power but decent to where you could get spring/summer on one set probably and have to change them in fall. It worked great last year all year long but this year it seems the sensor isn't tripping unless something is within 15 ft of it where it used to be good out to 60-70. I have also had stealthcam and spypoint and in my experience both are junk. I had to return both within a month one for not working after a couple weeks and the other ate a set of batteries within 2 weeks. I highly recommend Bushnell. Hope this helps.

[xd2005]

If you don't have your SD cards yet, they'll be dirt cheap over the next few days. Might be worth picking a couple up.