First game camera advice please

[returnofsid]

I'm new to the world of game cameras. I just picked up a Moultrie AC-20, off Craigslist, for $40.00. It's never been in the woods and is basically brand new. I've put batteries in it, after finally figuring out how to open the battery bay, and installed an 8gb Micro SD card, with an adapter. This is the only SD card I could find laying around the house. I've gone into the settings, set the correct time and date, and familiarized myself with the different camera settings. I currently have it set for a 30 second delay, high quality, 3 photos.

I'm heading out camping for a week, tomorrow, in an area that I also hunt. I'd like to set the camera up, with plans to give it about 2-3 weeks before checking it. Here's where I need advice...

Should I change any camera settings? Low resolution? Longer or shorter delay? Single photo vs. 3 photos?

Should I purchase and install a larger SD card?

Are there specific cards I should purchase? I've read that I shouldn't use a high speed card, but the instructions don't mention that.

Should I purchase a card viewer? Otherwise, I need to replace the card, and bring the first card back to camp, to view on my laptop.

Any other tips or suggestions would be wonderful!

I do plan on installing a cable lock, and hiding the camera as well as I can. It'll also be in an area that receives very little human traffic.

[JohnD]

I've only been playing with trail cameras a few years but here's some of my experience.

Should I change any camera settings? Low resolution? Longer or shorter delay? Single photo vs. 3 photos?
You'll have enough space with 8GB for high resolution and would set it to 3 photos just in case the animal is passing by quickly.

Should I purchase and install a larger SD card?
8GB is probably plenty, especially if you stay on picture mode. I like to set mine to 60 seconds of video and leave it out for months and have never been full on a 16GB.

Are there specific cards I should purchase? I've read that I shouldn't use a high speed card, but the instructions don't mention that.
I usually buy the cheapest ones I can find on Amazon and never had a failure in 3 years with 4 cameras.

Should I purchase a card viewer? Otherwise, I need to replace the card, and bring the first card back to camp, to view on my laptop.
I swap cards and check it with my laptop later... but I'm cheap.

Any other tips or suggestions would be wonderful!
Always, every single time you are setting up your camera, double check the date and time, the settings you want and format the memory card in the camera. Use the format feature that every camera has and format that sucker just before you walk away. Remember it will remove everything from that card and cannot be undeleted.

Watch for branches and plants that may sway in the wind.

Bear really like to mess with cameras. I try to set it up high and angle it down, but you might miss small critters.

I prefer cameras that use AA batteries, I haven't really liked the two D battery cameras I've tried.

Have fun camping!

[cougforester]

Size of memory card is dependent on length of soak and what the camera is aimed at. Just a trail with animals passing by will take a long time to fill up, meaning a 8 or 16 GB card will be sufficient. If you have an attractant, like a salt or mineral lick, you’ll likely want a 32. I just checked a couple cams today over salt and had 5700 pictures on one camera in 2 months. The setting was 2 pictures, 1 minute delay. A lot of the deer would spend over an hour at the salt, and that would fill up a smaller card quick.

I also always choose the highest quality picture setting as well. If you’re spending the time to hang that camera and find a good spot, might as well be rewarded with nice clear pictures. They’re addicting, have fun!

[SWiley]

Try to set your camera up facing north so the morning and evening sun doesn't wash out your pictures. I set my cameras up in bear boxes and bolt them to the tree, helps prevent from bears and people taking them. I also set mine up around 3-4 ft off the ground so I get critters like cats and coyotes.

[TommyH]

I've only been playing with trail cameras a few years but here's some of my experience.

Should I change any camera settings? Low resolution? Longer or shorter delay? Single photo vs. 3 photos?
You'll have enough space with 8GB for high resolution and would set it to 3 photos just in case the animal is passing by quickly.

Should I purchase and install a larger SD card?
8GB is probably plenty, especially if you stay on picture mode. I like to set mine to 60 seconds of video and leave it out for months and have never been full on a 16GB.

Are there specific cards I should purchase? I've read that I shouldn't use a high speed card, but the instructions don't mention that.
I usually buy the cheapest ones I can find on Amazon and never had a failure in 3 years with 4 cameras.

Should I purchase a card viewer? Otherwise, I need to replace the card, and bring the first card back to camp, to view on my laptop.
I swap cards and check it with my laptop later... but I'm cheap.

Any other tips or suggestions would be wonderful!
Always, every single time you are setting up your camera, double check the date and time, the settings you want and format the memory card in the camera. Use the format feature that every camera has and format that sucker just before you walk away. Remember it will remove everything from that card and cannot be undeleted.

Watch for branches and plants that may sway in the wind.

Bear really like to mess with cameras. I try to set it up high and angle it down, but you might miss small critters.

I prefer cameras that use AA batteries, I haven't really liked the two D battery cameras I've tried.

Have fun camping!

This^^^
Set it up around the house and let it take pics of you or the kids/family and check it so you know the cam and sd card are working correctly. Once it’s taking pics with the correct time/date and you have confirmed it’s working, set it out and it should be good to go. People and bears seem to like messing with cams so secure them well and higher up the better. You can aim it down somewhat to capture the area you anticipate critters will be in. Good luck, it’s great fun and addictive.

[bobcat]

Unless you're using bait or some sort of attractant, I'd set the delay to as low as it will go. Maybe five seconds?

I'd get a second SD card that you can swap out. I've never used more than 4 gb cards so 8 should be plenty.

[returnofsid]

Thank you all so much, for your great advice and tips! Batteries was mentioned, AA vs. D.  This camera does take 8XAA batteries.  I do plan on purchasing a second SD card, so I can swap out, when I retrieve the card.  I like the comments about the length of delay, if I'm using an attractant/bait, vs. no attractant/bait.  That does make a lot of sense.

[buglebrush]

Make sure you format your sd card EVERY SINGLE TIME.  A card reader is a must in my opinion.  Less than $10 on Camofire right now.   Really helps confirm that the angle, etc is good.  Use the screw in mounts also on Camofire right now.  Put the camera up high. 

[Lucky1]

This is probably a stupid question. How do you format the card every time?

[returnofsid]

There's a setting in the camera, that allows you to delete the photos. It formats, when it deletes.

[buglebrush]

I do it in my laptop.  Pop the card in, save the photos I want to keep, and format the SD card.

[Lucky1]

Cool. I didn’t notice the option for reformatting the card. If I delete all the photos on the card is it reformatted?

[smithkl42]

I recommend the card reader as well. Last time I went out to check my cameras, I got home and discovered that one of them somehow got reset, and all of my settings (date/time, # of pictures, whether to do video) had been reset as well. But since I didn't discover that until I got home, it means that the camera's settings will stay wrong until I get back out there again. At least the second month's worth of sub-optimal pictures could have been avoided if I'd had a reader (which I do now).

[JohnD]

Deleting all of the photos does not reformat the card. Reformatting the card on your computer may not work depending on how the computer decides to format it. Read the instructions for your camera and reformat it in the camera every time, not on a computer or a card reader. You will never have a problem unless the card is damaged, then you will know because the camera will give an error when attempting to format.
(It's always a good idea to format memory cards in the device that will be writing the image.)

[Doublelunger]

Lots of good advice so far, ill add that if you set it up with bait/attractant and you have cattle around program it for like 1-2 pics every 3-5 minutes. Nothing worse than trying to scroll though a few thousand pictures of cows that homesteaded your site!

[davk]

I do the highest resolution it will go, shortest delay it will go, 3 photo.  More often than not, only 1 of the 3 photos gives a good shot of the animal.  Especially if you are looking at antler size.  Usually bad angle or blurry.  Also will catch a second animal trailing the 1st if they are moving.  Think of a buck trailing a doe.  Would never even consider running 1 photo.  I run 16GB cards, and have had thousands ... forget exactly but around 3000 pictures and there was plenty of space.  I wouldnt be overly hesitant to run 8gb ... especially if you plan on checking regularly.  I go 6+ months frequently.  I would look at your camera as far as card speeds.  I think mine suggest a class 4 or something.  I have ran a 5$ card reader that plugs into my phone for 3 years now with no issues.  Light, always have it in my bino harness.  Something I dont do, but its on the list, is to carry 1 backup card in case Im checking cams and are having issues and can switch cards.  I guess Id also suggest carrying a set of batteries.  I just put out a cam with 10% life left ... didnt have extras with me.  Kicking myself for that after driving a few hours and hiking in.  Little extra weight is worth it if you are out checking cards.  I try not to put any trail cams where I expect human traffic, but even in some crazy locations I get people.  I dont run any locks ... personal preference.  Extra cost and if they want it they will get it, the plastic tabs holding the cable on for most of the trail cams isnt going to stop a 5 year old with a 2$ pocketknife.

[Bango skank]

Better to go single photo / short delay over 3 shot burst / long delay

[yakimanoob]

Deleting all of the photos does not reformat the card. Reformatting the card on your computer may not work depending on how the computer decides to format it. Read the instructions for your camera and reformat it in the camera every time, not on a computer or a card reader. You will never have a problem unless the card is damaged, then you will know because the camera will give an error when attempting to format.
(It's always a good idea to format memory cards in the device that will be writing the image.)

There are subtle variances in the "Format" technique/code/process between different models.  I do NOT recommend formatting on any other device besides the camera in which you're using the card. 

Solid advice from JohnD and TommyH

If you have pets, set it up in your house and see how well it captures them in various modes.  IMHO, the choice between 3-shot bursts, single shot, etc is dependent on the performance of the individual camera's detection circuitry.  Single shot may work best for one camera, while burst might be best for another.  Only way to find out is to try it! 

HAVE FUN!!!!  And if you don't want to fall down the rabbit hole like the rest of us, get out now.  I can offer that camera a good home 

[buglebrush]

I've formatted cards in a couple of different laptops for a dozen different camera models.  Never ever had a problem with a laptop for formatting.   

[smithkl42]

I've formatted cards in a couple of different laptops for a dozen different camera models.  Never ever had a problem with a laptop for formatting.   

Formatting a card on my laptop has sometimes worked for me, and sometimes not. I've now adopted the conservative approach of always formatting a card in the camera when I put it in.

[b0bbyg]

My biggest issue with setups is making sure there is not some small limb or grass that waves too close to the camera.

I did get some good pic's but lots of pictures of flowers that were getting blown around that I had to go through to find them, not to mention you are out in the field swapping cards and see 300+ pics and are all excited. Then get home and have 300 views of nothing