Cell Cams for Westside Elk

[hunter399]

If there's no signal it won't matter what brand. Find out before spending ya money

The nice thing about the Reveal/Tactacam's is they will use any available provider. I'm sure some other brands do this.

But there aren't as many places you can find that have zero service from any provider versus dead-spots with just some of the providers.

You don't need a ton of service to just get the pictures, but anytime you want additional communication from the camera (like receiving a video) they aren't nearly as consistent where the reception is poor. If you do put a memory card in them, you can always review videos and pics from the card, as well. I found on some of my locations there were definitely pictures (usually in the middle of a mass of pics) that didn't come through to my phone.

Their customer service is very responsive and they are fun to have out there!

LOL, I have several areas that get no cell service in the SW region and NW Oregon as well as about 2 dozen cell cameras including the ones you mention. MOST cell cameras either use VER/ATT service or the stronger of the two and if the signal is so week the camera has to "work" to get the photos delivered, the batteries will run down in a matter of days so your SD card reading theory is false and I say that from experience. Most people having photos not sending are due to the camera being set to send pics instantly. I actually use several Tactacams as regular cameras and don't activate them in those areas along with my normal sd card type cams.

That's exactly why I don't use cell cams.
No service where I go!
I had one for one year, batteries always drained cause of crappy service.

[hunter399]

My new this summer Stealth Cams Qv 24 take a blurry photo with rain drops on the cam lens... My very old Cudde Back Blues take a clear photo...

That's common no matter what brand. Some folks use RainX but it can glaze over clear plastics and eat rubber seals so I live with moisture instead.

I was thinking of doing something that would stop a rogue drip... Not much can be done with the sideways rain... I missed out on a lot of pics because of it on one cam...

It won't stop sideways rain,but I've cut flashing before and put above winter cams to keep snow off.

[Kingofthemountain83]

My new this summer Stealth Cams Qv 24 take a blurry photo with rain drops on the cam lens... My very old Cudde Back Blues take a clear photo...

That's common no matter what brand. Some folks use RainX but it can glaze over clear plastics and eat rubber seals so I live with moisture instead.

I was thinking of doing something that would stop a rogue drip... Not much can be done with the sideways rain... I missed out on a lot of pics because of it on one cam...

It won't stop sideways rain,but I've cut flashing before and put above winter cams to keep snow off.

That's what I was thinking... I got a roll of aluminum I could cut to fit... Paint it brown or something then tape it on...

[trophyhunt]

I only have one cell, and it’s on private. Must be 100 cameras behind the Buckley gate in Hancock, gets old running into them.  Been waiting to see myself on the “people on cams” thread flipping off the camera!  I run a revel 3.0 it’s been good, but uses batteries like crazy, even w the solar panel. 

[hunter399]

I only have one cell, and it’s on private. Must be 100 cameras behind the Buckley gate in Hancock, gets old running into them.  Been waiting to see myself on the “people on cams” thread flipping off the camera!  I run a revel 3.0 it’s been good, but uses batteries like crazy, even w the solar panel.

I walked by one cell cam this year. Still haven't seen myself.
I didn't see any bait,but it wasn't pointed at the trail. And seemed strange the direction it was pointed.

[hughjorgan]

Tactacam reveals or spy point and what ever camera you go with get a solar panel and the lithium battery pack. Battery life is going to be dependent on what settings you use and pictures/videos taken.

[mr.ktm95]

I’m liking the reveals a lot

[kball4]

I've tried a bunch of different ones and the spy point cell cams are my favorite I use them a ton for elk scouting in western Washington

What Spy Point cameras are you using?  I have 2 Flex-M's and but one is always going down because of moisture or SD card errors, even after they sent me a new one.  Spy Point says they are water resistant not water proof.