Post by: mr_hurricane on June 27, 2012, 05:51:58 PM
So I purchased my new game cams, and thanks for the input from my previous posts.
I decided to go with the Reconyx ... and this is why........
1. I work way too hard and too much
2. So I figure the time I get to screw around in the woods is the most precious thing to me so I no longer have the time or energy to mess around with sub par gear.
3. I was unhappy with the inconsistency and suspected slow trigger times of my previous cameras ( Bushnell Trophy), even though I think they are probably the next choice after Reconyx. I mean I would have a feed block on camera.. then poof gone.. what took it.. where did it go.. gone!
4. I applied my previous thinking to game cams.. for years I was like boots, rifle, optics don't skimp.. and as I got older and had more resources I started to apply this to all gear.. do good research ask a ton of questions and make a well educated decision based on what is possible. Does more money always mean better... no of course not.. but in the case of Reconyx ... hands down yes!
Next.... Review for members Good in my opinion and Bad
So I get them and place 2 out for a week, and they where new and have a TON of options to mess with...
Good
1. Trigger speeds are crazy fast
I only ever had a few bob cats.. 1 pic of a blur, first week out I have 10 shots of the cat moving through the site.
2. Sensitive
On high they trigger on almost anything, I have a swam of bugs that set one off.
3. The strapping to the trees
The bungee cords and large holes on the camera are great
4. Made in usa
rather have my money go here then elsewhere, yes it costs more but.. that's just me.
5. the steel cases are no joke tuff
the cases are great and while the two pieces lock at the same time with a cable lock, they still give the option for a pad lock.
6. Wide angle pictures
the take 1080 pictures so they have a larger field of view then all other cameras, get more coming in and going out.
7. I am just pleased very pleased with these
8. Walk Test Mode!!!
See below
9. Price...
The price of these cameras ... with my Bushnell i brought the cases and locks but never used them... I was probably also careless where I set the... I hiked all over looking for new spots for these deeper in.. in a way.. they made me go deeper. this is a non issue for private property hunters.. but as I am a public land boy... I do not want them stumbled across.
10. Time Lapse
The time lapse settings are great and take a secondary role to triggers.
11. Black Flash
As a read this for typos and spelling.. the black flash on this model.. so.. when humans walk by it if they ever do.. no more red flash.
12. It stamps the pictures 1/10 2/10 3/10.... ets up to ten so... you know what picture it is in a trigger sequence.
BAD
1. I wish the picture quality, the detail ( mega pixel?? ) was higher, but what is more important to me is getting many pictures and not missing anything. But again thats just me.
2. I didn't like the security case set up at first, I thought it was a pain in the ass. But once I understood the walk test mode I loved it. Place them in walk test and as long as they are triggered a red light flashes... once it doesn't trigger for 2 minutes then they go live. So.. you can goto a site.. and set them up first!
Before you get your hands messy with bear piss or cat piss, or whatever scents you are using.. and then work in your area.. when you leave.. they go live.
I think they should have a video on this... how to set up and get the most out or something.. as I had to figure it out. I just think its a great feature that they should bring to light more.
3. Price
They are not inexpensive cameras ( understand the difference between cheap and expense, quality vs junk) ... but again very happy one of my best purchases.
In closing...........
here are some pics, I set a few out for 4 days to test... thats all i could stand before checking them.
I got them from a smaller sport shop and the owner said he would give me a free security case and cable lock with each one so hell yeah. I searched everywhere and just don't find these things on sale. I got 6!!!!!!!!!! Ouch
Also yesterday I reset them all, 14 hours in the woods... all 6 cameras out for a 2 week soak.
Thanks again to all the members for public and private advice!!!
And yes I know now I set them too high at first.
Post by: grundy53 on June 27, 2012, 08:23:18 PM
Post by: Nilehunter on June 27, 2012, 08:36:17 PM
Nice night shots...
Post by: bullcanyon on June 27, 2012, 09:16:54 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on June 27, 2012, 09:24:00 PM
Post by: mr_hurricane on June 27, 2012, 11:35:42 PM
I really expected to see much better quality pictures out of this camera. Are there some different settings you can use?
I agree, but as I said... what is most important to me is not missing anything... it is not like I am framing these for the wall... thats is what the dead critter is for.
However.. they do have different picture settings so I in 2 weeks when I go into to get them I will change a few to the other settings so I can compare the image quality and then repost here.
to be frank the Quality of the pictures isn't bad I just expected better too, but again they trigger well, have great options and take a ton of pics.
I will play with settings and repost
Post by: wraithen on June 28, 2012, 12:29:27 AM
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on June 28, 2012, 04:48:18 AM
I will for sure out shoot anyone on this board.
:chuckle:.....True or not...we can't be certain....but I am not sure how that point was relevant to any part of the discussion.
Good reivew.
I agree Reconyx is a good quality camera with good customer service. I too think the pictures leave something to be desired for a camera of that price range.
The reasons I personally won't own another Reconyx any time soon:
1. I'm not rich.
2. They get stolen as much as any other camera.
3. They are quality and generally last longer but my own personal experiences have shown the initial cost/required replacement frequency ratio still tends to favors other cams.
4. After seeing reasons number 2 and 3 see reason number one above.
My own personal strategy requires a lot of cams. I will probably be running up to 20 cams and the height of this season and having 10K-12K setting out in the woods at one time makes me a little nervous.
If someone wants a quality product, feels like they can keep it relatively secure and they don't use a lot of cams then I would say its the way to go.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 28, 2012, 05:34:37 AM
Post by: grundy53 on June 28, 2012, 05:54:19 AM
Nice write up on the Reconyx. Can't beat the trigger speed , detection range, or area. Can't say I care much for the pissing match or bragging but to each is own.
:yeah: