Need Help - Is This Cam A Good One???

[bearpaw]

Stealth Cam Jim Shockey Sniper Pro Digital Game Camera 8.0 Megapixel Realtree AP Camo

Boasting the ability to take pictures up to 8.0 megapixels, the Stealth Cam Jim Shockey Sniper Pro Digital Game Camera is the most powerful game camera in the Stealth Cam lineup. The camera features a 50 foot flash range for great night photos, and each photo is stamped with time, date moon phase and temperature. For those who prefer video, the Sniper Pro is capable of shooting video clips ranging from 5-90 seconds in length.

Technical Information: Stealth Cam Jim Shockey Sniper Pro Digital Game Camera
 
•8.0 megapixels
•50 foot flash range
•5-90 second video clips
•1-9 shot burst mode
•Low battery indicator
•Requires 6 C batteries (not included)
•32 MB memory built in
•Accepts SD cards up to 2 GB (SD card not included)

[BLKBEARKLR]

Bear,

I have not had the oppurunity to play with that one myself, depending on what it costs, may be a good deal.

[whacker1]

I haven't found one yet that gets the camera speed of the reconyx, but I haven't tried this one yet.  The initial startup (first picture) seems to be the most troublesome of all cameras that i have dealt with. 

[Alan K]

I've always gone with Stealth Cam myself.  They are great, though they have a second or two delay before waking up.  I generally go with the infrared cameras now though.  I think they tend to have better battery life.

If I were you I'd go for the 5 MP Rogue IR. . . You save about $20, get the infrared, but sacrifice the 3 MP which I think is overkill for scouting purposes unless you want some really high quality photos.  

I'll attach a picture of both a day and night photo taken with a 5 MP Rogue IR.

[Skyvalhunter]

Depends on how you are going to use it. Will your cam be out an extended amount of time? If so then you want a long battery life(can be extended with external battery), high sd card capability(4gb or more). Also find out what the trigger speed is but alot of this can be helped by proper placement i.e. pointing down the trail. You will definately want a security box or your investment may go bye bye via bear or 2 legged creature. Stealth have some good trail cams and I have not had any problem with their customer service when I needed to return.

[bearpaw]

Good thoughts guys, here;s more info:

• I am totally stupid about trailcams, never used one.
• My wife got me one of these for xmas, I am going to put it out soon.
• I found an online deal for $139.00 and was thinking about buying more of them.
• I would like to have several cams out so I see what game is around that we are missing.
• I want good quality photos that can be enlarged if desired.
• I don't want a slow camera that misses shots.
• I looked through the specs on this camera and could find nothing about trigger time.
• This one uses 6 "c" cells, that should last a month or two shouldn't it.
• This one uses up to 2 gig card, maybe 4 gig of a couple card brands.

[whacker1]

I would use it and figure out your likes and dislikes.  Reconyx makes the premier of cameras, but that is why they cost $400-$600.  Reconyx are meant for speed, so you still only get like a 3 mb picture.  If you want 8 mb - higher quality pictures you will need a homebrew camera.  I would say that you will want a mix of camera types out to see what kind of game is out as well as the cameras that take higher end pictures. 

Bait will usually enhance your ability to get animals to stop in front of the camera.

My homebrew is slow on the first pic, but rapid on the repeating pics.  I broke a sauter point, and need to fix it.  Hopefully I will get it out again this year. 

[bearpaw]

Those are decent looking photos that Alan K posted, not the same model as the wife bought me though. I wonder if anyone on here has the:  Sniper Pro Digital Game Camera 8.0 Megapixel

[hogsniper]

I have it bearpaw.  I am completely happy with it.  I have the external battery pack hooked up to it currently and it is still going.  I pack my point and shoot digital out with me to check the pics, plug the SD card back in and off I go.  I need to invest in 2 cards but it is working great for right now.   Most of the elk I am getting pics of are about 30 yards from the camera but they get as close as licking it!!    It has a great trigger speed...All in all I like it Stealth Cam will be getting my service from now on!   Any other questions shoot me a message!!!!  Justin

[Alan K]

Ah, didn't realize you already had the camera bearpaw. I'm sure you'll be happy with the one you have, but as far as quantity of cameras for their price, I don't think you can beat the rogue. 

The problem with trigger speed is easily fixed by pointing the camera down a trail rather than perpendicular to it.  Even at 45 degrees to the trail you'll still get pictures of the head of the animal.

Depending on what I'm after (deer vs elk), I'll set the camera at different angles.  If I expect elk, I'll set a steeper angle so that I get more of the herd in the picture, assuming they're somewhat lined out.  For deer, more perpendicular is fine.

Basically trigger speed is overrated in my opinion because it's easily combated by camera orientation.

[bearpaw]

Whacker, can a guy build a fast homebrew? Or is that cost prohibitive?

Alan K, What does infrared do, and why should I want it?

hogsniper, good tip about the point and shoot. How long did regular batteries last? How much does the external battery pack cost and can it be recharged?

Do you think $139 is a good deal?

Thanks a lot guys, big help.

[Alan K]

Hey Bearpaw,

The infrared is the way it takes pictures at night.  It is in place of the flash so the place doesn't get lit up like a lightning bolt just came down haha. . . There is still a little red light that is visible if you look at it from the right angle.  Also the Rogue makes a light clicking sound when it switches to infrared pictures from daytime photos.  That's why the bull in the picture is looking at the camera.

I've wondered about the homebrews myself, and it would be more rewarding I'm sure to put something in the woods I built.  Only thing is that I can't find any that are that cheap, plus worth my time to put together.  On top of that if my camera got ripped off it'd piss me off more if it were something I put time into building than something I picked up at the store and put in the woods the next day.

I know that Stealth Cam makes an external battery that extends the life immensely. A hunting partner that still uses his film and flash cameras uses one that extends his battery life from a couple weeks to about a month and a half.  I've wondered about buying one for the infrared so I could leave a camera out for like 4 months, though after that long out the battery life might outlast the memory on the memory card.

-Alan K

[bearpaw]

You guys are giving me a good education, which is much appreciated. 

Do you see a big difference in the photo quality of (lightning stike) regular flash night photos and infrared night photos?

Alan K, is there a reason the infrared camera has lower megapixels, or are there infrareds with higher megapixels?

Sorry for all the questions...

[mkcj]

I have 4 stealth cams really like them but buy the external re chargable battery for $49 it will pay for it self in 1 year and I can leave my camera out 3 month's. then your problem is you have to look through 2000 picture's have fun.

[bearpaw]

thanks mkcj, that's more good info.

Couple more questions for someone:

1.  Has anyone compared and can you explain the difference in photo quality between regular and infrared flash pictures at night.

2.  Can you get infrared cameras with higher megapixels?