Wifi or cell phone trail cams

[Rainier10]

Saw this on another thread, @Machias , and thought I would just start one dedicated to it.

How do they work?  Cell signal or wifi?

I have property in eastern Washington without power or internet.  I am thinking about getting internet but not sure the wifi would reach where all of the cameras would be.  I get cell service but sometimes it is sketchy.

Please educate me on how these work and what styles work best for you.

[Mrlineman]

I use the Bushnell Wireless Trophy Cam. I works ok. The selling point for me was the user friendly data plans they offered. It uses AT&T, so before buying you would want to make sure there is service in the area you plan on using. Without cell service they are just another trail cam.

I use another normal trail cam in the same location. I only have ok service where I use it and it seems to not capture photos as often as I would like. They are a great tool and I love seeing new photos pop up on my phone!

[Rainier10]

First off thanks for the reply @Mrlineman.

So the cameras only work with certain carriers?

I have Verizon so I need to find a brand and model that works with Verizon service?  Or do I just have to make sure my carrier is setup to work with the cell phone trail cam?

It sounded like in the other thread that @Machias had Verizon and it was only $5 extra a month for the service.

What is the add to your cell bill for the additional service?  You can pm me if you prefer.

[Mudman]

I have a sneaky low feeling once word gets out more that the Leg. will ban the use during hunt seasons.  How easy would it be to set 6 cams in an area and watch your phone until you get a hit and then move in?  Unless its already illegal?  Hmm, are these expensive?

[Rainier10]

I am sure you are on to something there Mudman.  My guess is you are probably correct and then it becomes a can of worms.  How do you tell if it is a cell cam or a regular cam?  In Montana I believe all trail cams are illegal once hunting season begins.  At least that's the way it was when I was there 6 years ago.

[Mrlineman]

The Bushnell cams have their own plan. They just happen to use AT&T. So basically you buy the camera then sign up for one of 5 different plans they offer. There is no contract and you pay month by month. If you only want to use it three month out of the year, then you only pay for those three months. It will function just like a normal cam without a data plan. The basic plan is about 10$ a month all the way up to 50$ for something like 15,000 pics per month. 

https://wirelesstrophycam.com/

One down side to this particular camera is the antenna is internal. Some cameras you can get have the ability to add a external longer more powerfull antenna for better reception. All in all I'm pretty happy with mine though.

[Rainier10]

Great information, thanks Mrlineman. 

[cougforester]

The Bushnell cams have their own plan. They just happen to use AT&T. So basically you buy the camera then sign up for one of 5 different plans they offer. There is no contract and you pay month by month. If you only want to use it three month out of the year, then you only pay for those three months. It will function just like a normal cam without a data plan. The basic plan is about 10$ a month all the way up to 50$ for something like 15,000 pics per month. 

https://wirelesstrophycam.com/

One down side to this particular camera is the antenna is internal. Some cameras you can get have the ability to add a external longer more powerfull antenna for better reception. All in all I'm pretty happy with mine though.

If you only wanted to get a dump of pictures every few months, would all of the ones that are saved on the camera be transmitted at that time? Similar to if you just went and pulled the SD card?

[Mrlineman]

I'm not sure. I haven't tried that yet. It provides to much entertainment seeing the pics come in real time. For me its worth the 10$ a month to watch the critters as they pass. I still go pull and change the SD cards every couple weeks on it and the other cams I have set up. I'm hooked now! I hate waiting a couple weeks to see what has passed.

[Rainier10]

So the image comes to your phone as a text?  How many photos do you get a day or a week?  Do you have it set to send 3 or 4 photos per trigger?  Man I am thinking I am going to have to get one of these.

[Rainier10]

My first search in this forum for any information came up blank.  Now with the posts in this thread I changed my wording the search and found this thread that has some good information in it as well.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,192557.msg2550517.html#msg2550517

[Mrlineman]

Bushnell has a App that I downloaded. It makes it easy and it alerts you when new photos get taken. If you don't get the app you have to log into the website to view the pics. It will send texts to alert you of new pics though if you set it up that way. But you have to go onto the website to view them.So no they don't come across as a text.

The cam can be set up to take bursts just like a normal trail cam. The better the cell service the fast the reset time is though. The amount depends on what and where it is set up. Just like a normal camera if it is on a trail or in front of a food source effects the amount on animals in front of it.

[cougforester]

And honestly, the initial investment of 3-400 bucks is going to pay itself off in terms of gas and travel time out to cameras pretty quickly. Ugh. I just bought 4 cameras off that Midway fire sale, now I'm thinking one of these will be necessary soon too

[Wacenturion]

First off thanks for the reply @Mrlineman.

So the cameras only work with certain carriers?

I have Verizon so I need to find a brand and model that works with Verizon service?  Or do I just have to make sure my carrier is setup to work with the cell phone trail cam?

It sounded like in the other thread that @Machias had Verizon and it was only $5 extra a month for the service.

What is the add to your cell bill for the additional service?  You can pm me if you prefer.

I have HCO/Spartan GoCams, the same as Machais has.  I also have Verizon service.  The Spartan Go Cams can be purchased specific to carrier.  They also come in IR or Blackout.  On the Verizon plan you can add a cam for an additional $5 a month.  Add another for an additional $5.  They suggest 3 bars minimum to have them work.

Additionally HCO/Spartan hosts a cloud so to speak and it forwards the photos to your email or phone if you have the Go app.  Three levels of HCO service, two are free and the premium is like $36 a year.  The preminum allows you to manipulate the camera from you phone or computer as far as settings, status reports, etc.

I have had mine out on my property for a year and a half and I am quite pleased.  Great pictures and being six hours away they save me big time in the long run on gas and time.  I personally have the blackout cams as they also serve a security function.  If someone is trespassing at night, there is no glow or indication of a picture being taken.  With that said, you do lose a little night quality with the no glows.

Here's a few photos......
.

[Machias]

Sorry to be slow chiming in on this.  First things first, this really does not give you any advantage over a regular camera other than, it allows you to get photos without disturbing the area and without driving there to retrieve the SD cards.  Anyone who thinks this is a sure way to get an animal hasn't really used one.  Now granted it's great because you can go in and set up your camera and not come back for weeks.  It literally pays for itself in the amount of gas saved.  Now on to the camera, the photo quality is slightly less than your average camera, for the text message or e-mail.  With mine, HCO plan I can set it up to send text messages and e-mails to 10 separate accounts, all at the same time.  I had to really play with it in the beginning, every time it takes a photo and send you the picture the camera will update, so you'll want to schedule regular photos.  I have mine take a photo 4 times a day whether is is triggered or not, midnight, noon and 0600 and 1800.  Reason you do that is for a couple of reasons, one if you want to make changes, say go from photos to video or you have it set with too short of a delay in between photos and you are getting a ton of squirrels or whatever you can adjust your settings.  If you have it to take photos only when something walks in front of it and you go for days without a photo, you start wondering if it's dead or whatever.  When I was hog hunting in Virginia last year it was 50 miles one way.  I was getting a ton of squirrels during the day, so I adjusted my settings to only take one photo every 30 minutes during the day and every 5 minutes at night.  I would only get a few photos during the day and tons of hogs at night.  The camera paid for itself in gas last year for certain.  I was able to see how much bait I had left, I could see how many days it took for the hogs to find my bait.  I sat on the bait one night until midnight, had to work the next morning, got down and drove home, literally got a text message as I was walking in the front door at 0100, hogs on the bait.    Another great feature is you set your camera up and then have it take a photo while you are there and you can make adjustments for better photos, instead of waiting till the next time, pulling the SD card and realizing you didn't have the angle set up right.  Plus if anyone ever tries to steal your camera, first off they could never get it to work as you have to put in a code and secondly it would be taking and sending their photo to you in real time.  You would have a photo of the perp right away.  Now when you download the SD card at home then the photos are much better quality. You can also set it up to only send one out of how every many photos it takes, it doesn't have to send you every snap, unless you want it too.  Mine send a one photo for every three.  If you are getting a tone of photos, you can adjust it, not so many, have it send every snap.

[Machias]

Oh also it says you need three bars for the camera to work, but I routinely got photos with my camera showing 2 bars. Mine cost me $8 a month, $5 for the Verizon and $3 a month for the HCO account, which is awesome!  Lots of fun when you get up first thing in the morning and check your phone to see what visited while you were sleeping and it's fun getting e-mails while you are at work showing you what is in front of your camera.

[Rainier10]

Right on guys, that really helps.

The $5 is added on to your existing Verizon account, yes?

By two to three bars is that on the camera or can I test with my iPhone first and see what my signal strength is where I want to put the camera before buying?  Do the bars have to be 3G, LTE or just three regular bars?  Sometimes I have different signal strengths around my place.

This is all great information.  Thanks for the quick responses.

[Machias]

Correct, added to your existing account.  Yes you want to test it with your phone first for that spot.  If you can send a text message from the spot you want your camera it will most likely work.  Not sure on the different types of bars.

[Wacenturion]

I too like Machias have received pictures when one of my cams that was in a previous location only showed two bars.  Yes just $5 a month added to your Verizon account per device, in this case a cam.

[Wacenturion]

Like them so well, I just purchased a third one.

[Rainier10]

I just ordered one and a lockbox.  Thanks for the PM Wacenturion.

I assume when it arrives is then when I add it to my Verizon account and there will be directions on how to do that.

[Wacenturion]

I just ordered one and a lockbox.  Thanks for the PM Wacenturion.

I assume when it arrives is then when I add it to my Verizon account and there will be directions on how to do that.

When you get it PM me and I'll help you out.  Instead of dealing with your local Verizon folks who may or may not have a clue as to adding a cam (been there done that), I have a number of a Verizon guy in Georgia that HCO/Spartan gave me.  He does a lot of the cam additions onto Verizon accounts.  Pretty quick and easy.  There is an activation fee I believe of $40, but he had $20 waved.  I know that because a friend of mine also ordered one and I helped him get it set up.  That was the activation deal he got.

In the interim you can familiarize yourself with the Spartan camera, it's setup and the cloud service at www.spartancamera.com.  Oh and the camera will need a firmware update which HCO Spartan will email you.  Download it to a SD card, insert into cam and follow instuctions.  Real simple.  We didn't realize it and had problems connecting and registering the cam.  Firmware update, cam reboot....success.  Oh and the premium HCO service is well worth it as you can control the settings etc and do what Machias described.  When you puchase the 12 months for $36, they give you and additional free month.

More than glad to assist when you get it.

[Rainier10]

I just ordered one and a lockbox.  Thanks for the PM Wacenturion.

I assume when it arrives is then when I add it to my Verizon account and there will be directions on how to do that.

When you get it PM me and I'll help you out.  Instead of dealing with your local Verizon folks who may or may not have a clue as to adding a cam (been there done that), I have a number of a Verizon guy in Georgia that HCO/Spartan gave me.  He does a lot of the cam additions onto Verizon accounts.  Pretty quick and easy.  There is an activation fee I believe of $40, but he had $20 waved.  I know that because a friend of mine also ordered one and I helped him get it set up.  That was the activation deal he got.

In the interim you can familiarize yourself with the Spartan camera, it's setup and the cloud service at www.spartancamera.com.  Oh and the camera will need a firmware update which HCO Spartan will email you.  Download it to a SD card, insert into cam and follow instuctions.  Real simple.  We didn't realize it and had problems connecting and registering the cam.  Firmware update, cam reboot....success.  Oh and the premium HCO service is well worth it as you can control the settings etc and do what Machias described.  When you puchase the 12 months for $36, they give you and additional free month.

More than glad to assist when you get it.

Awesome, thanks. 

[Skyvalhunter]

Is the Bushnell battery life better than HCO's. Do both use AT&T provider?

[b0bbyg]

Thanks to all providing info. Looking at one of these for a remote house. Sits empty most of the year, might put a camera inside so I know if there is a break in.

Have had neighbors call when they thought they were seeing lights and ended up being nothing but us getting stressed out. With a camera inside I would know for sure.

[Machias]

Is the Bushnell battery life better than HCO's. Do both use AT&T provider?

I get about 3 months of heavy activity with the lithium batteries. Longer when it's warm out.  I'm with Verizon.

[Wacenturion]

I have one cam that has limited action, perhaps a couple pictures every other day.  Put lithiums in it last June and still sending photos, despite record low temeratures thsi winter.

[Machias]

http://www.advancedhunter.com/best-cellular-trail-cameras/

[Wacenturion]

 

[Rainier10]

http://www.advancedhunter.com/best-cellular-trail-cameras/

Very helpful link Machias, thanks.

[Machias]

 

[buglebrush]

what happens if I don't already have verizon?  Probably significantly more than $5.  Correct?

[Rainier10]

what happens if I don't already have verizon?  Probably significantly more than $5.  Correct?

I bought the spartan and they have plans through multiple carriers.  You have to tell them the carrier that you are going to use when you buy I think.  If you don't have a carrier already the Verizon deal is $20 a month.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Is anybody operating these wireless cameras worried about somebody locating your honey holes via the IP  address? I would think people with extra money that can afford to buy a program to track IP addresses could and would find your honey holes. Maybe I'm way in left field but I won't use them due to this thinking I have.

[Machias]

Is anybody operating these wireless cameras worried about somebody locating your honey holes via the IP  address? I would think people with extra money that can afford to buy a program to track IP addresses could and would find your honey holes. Maybe I'm way in left field but I won't use them due to this thinking I have.

I'm not.  I don't think it would be possible, but someone a lot more tech savvy then me will have to explain how they would do it.

[Rainier10]

I am certainly not a tech savvy guy.  I can say that there are photos posted on huntwa that I can save to my phone and then go to details and some of them have location data attached.  I just downloaded Wacenturion's photos from this thread and I can't find any location data attached to it.

I do have one of these cameras on order and it has shipped already.  Once I get it and start playing around with it I will do some testing and see if there is a way to figure out where the photos are being taken from.

I will bring in my go to tech guy @jackelope.

[jackelope]

I am certainly not a tech savvy guy.  I can say that there are photos posted on huntwa that I can save to my phone and then go to details and some of them have location data attached.  I just downloaded Wacenturion's photos from this thread and I can't find any location data attached to it.

I do have one of these cameras on order and it has shipped already.  Once I get it and start playing around with it I will do some testing and see if there is a way to figure out where the photos are being taken from.

I will bring in my go to tech guy @jackelope.

I'm flattered, but I'm hardly a tech guy.
Unless the camera has some GPS technology built into it, I don't think it's capable of a function like documenting location. And if it did, I believe you have to have the ability to turn off and on "Location Services" like what you do on an iPhone or other smart phone or tablet. If you're in your iPhone and you turn off location services, you won't be documenting your location when taking a photo anymore.
As far as IP address of the camera, I'm not sure how close you can drill down a location off of an IP address without a whole bunch of technology tools. Someone with more knowledge on the subject will have to answer that one.