Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 07:22:14 AM
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.
Post by: Mrlineman on February 20, 2017, 07:37:27 AM
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!
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 07:46:40 AM
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 $5 extra a month for the service.
What is the add to your cell bill for the additional service? You can pm me if you prefer.
Post by: Mudman on February 20, 2017, 08:24:12 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 08:28:50 AM
Post by: Mrlineman on February 20, 2017, 08:34:25 AM
https://wirelesstrophycam.com/
One down side to this particular camera is the antenna is internal. Some cameras you can get have the ability to add a external longer more powerfull antenna for better reception. All in all I'm pretty happy with mine though.
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 08:55:33 AM
Post by: cougforester on February 20, 2017, 09:06:49 AM
The Bushnell cams have their own plan. They just happen to use AT&T. So basically you buy the camera then sign up for one of 5 different plans they offer. There is no contract and you pay month by month. If you only want to use it three month out of the year, then you only pay for those three months. It will function just like a normal cam without a data plan. The basic plan is about 10$ 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?
Post by: Mrlineman on February 20, 2017, 09:27:57 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 10:05:04 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 10:31:52 AM
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,192557.msg2550517.html#msg2550517
Post by: Mrlineman on February 20, 2017, 10:42:16 AM
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.
Post by: cougforester on February 20, 2017, 10:43:31 AM
Post by: Wacenturion on February 20, 2017, 10:58:14 AM
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......
.
Post by: Machias on February 20, 2017, 11:02:05 AM
Post by: Machias on February 20, 2017, 11:12:01 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 11:13:01 AM
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.
Post by: Machias on February 20, 2017, 11:17:48 AM
Post by: Wacenturion on February 20, 2017, 11:22:52 AM
Post by: Wacenturion on February 20, 2017, 11:23:54 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 12:43:15 PM
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.
Post by: Wacenturion on February 20, 2017, 01:01:19 PM
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. :tup:
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2017, 01:09:24 PM
Awesome, thanks. :tup: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. :tup:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 20, 2017, 01:36:12 PM
Post by: b0bbyg on February 20, 2017, 02:10:38 PM
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.
Post by: Machias on February 20, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
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.
Post by: Wacenturion on February 20, 2017, 04:07:09 PM
Post by: Machias on February 21, 2017, 09:06:33 PM
Post by: Wacenturion on February 21, 2017, 10:23:23 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 22, 2017, 07:43:57 AM
http://www.advancedhunter.com/best-cellular-trail-cameras/Very helpful link Machias, thanks.
Post by: Machias on February 22, 2017, 09:03:13 AM
Post by: buglebrush on February 22, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 22, 2017, 04:03:59 PM
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.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on February 22, 2017, 07:31:49 PM
Post by: Machias on February 22, 2017, 10:04:14 PM
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.
Post by: Rainier10 on February 23, 2017, 07:08:56 AM
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.
Post by: jackelope on February 23, 2017, 07:25:01 AM
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.
:dunno: