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Best and worst cheap trail cams.

I looked at the Reconyx cameras and see that they are 3MP. I agree with that! I think many of these companies think that bigger numbers like 12MP and 20 MP sells cameras. I usually select a lower resolution on a camera, 3MP or 5MP if offered. Higher settings just eat battery and memory, longer write time to file. Plus, I'm not blowing up the images to make posters, so don't need the higher "resolution".

Running close to 25 cameras, it would be financially tough to switch over to Reconyx.
 
I looked at the Reconyx cameras and see that they are 3MP. I agree with that! I think many of these companies think that bigger numbers like 12MP and 20 MP sells cameras. I usually select a lower resolution on a camera, 3MP or 5MP if offered. Higher settings just eat battery and memory, longer write time to file. Plus, I'm not blowing up the images to make posters, so don't need the higher "resolution".

Running close to 25 cameras, it would be financially tough to switch over to Reconyx.

The sharpness of the images aren't any better, they just pixelate the images thru interpolation essentially to make a larger file size. It's bogus and just a waste of space, does not improve the image.

I've been slowly converting over time, just buying 1-2 a year as others have quit on me, which helps.
 
The sharpness of the images aren't any better, they just pixelate the images thru interpolation essentially to make a larger file size. It's bogus and just a waste of space, does not improve the image.

I've been slowly converting over time, just buying 1-2 a year as others have quit on me, which helps.
Agreed. I had some older 3MP cameras and when they quit and I had to switch to 6MP, I didn't like the pics as much. Plus the camera seemed to zoom in farther so I didn't get as much in the frame.

To the OP's question, all I've ever ran have been cheaper cams.

I've ran several of the cheap Tasco from Walmart to be able to run more and not be out as much if stolen. They do ok, but not great. On the 3 pic setting, the 1st pic will be bright and the other two will be really dark. Not a very crisp pic, but will let you know what deer are there. Just pulled a card last week and had a hawk in flight on it which was pretty cool.

I do run a quick set Stealth Cam, which I'd say is not great. Don't like that the time/date has to be set on a computer instead of directly on the camera.

My favorite has been the Primos Truth Cam and Proof. I know they're considered cheap cams and others don't like them, but they have done the best for what I've ran. Again, I've never ran a "mid" to "high" price cam, so can't compare to those. May have different opinions on the Primos if I did.
 
Brownings have been reliable for me. Still have 3 or 4 that are 6/7 years old and work great. Use them in spots that are easy to swap out cards.

Have had bad luck with primos, wildgame, moultrie
Haven’t ran any of the newer ones but always had issues with them

If your looking for a cheap cell cam I’d get some micro spypoints. They’re like $150 and a set of lithium batteries they last me all fall. Downside is you can’t bundle plans so I pay $15/month for unlimited photos on a bunch of cams, but no complaints other than that.

Nothing really compares to Spartans though for cell cams. Especially now that you can bundle plans. But initial cost for gocam is around $275 + cell plan and Sd card about $315.
 
Save yourself some headaches on any camera….
1) Use a q-tip & put some diluted permethrin or bifenthrin in camera where any ants or bugs could get in - keeps em out 100% if do it.
2) buy pack of cheap tiny silicon moisture packets. Like the ones that come in a bottle of vitamins (or for some of u - your bottle of Viagra). Cheap & can buy a pack online. Put one in every camera & u won’t have any moisture issues kill cameras.
 
I recommend the 2 pack of spypoint micro for 150.00 for two. They just came off sale for that at academy sports/bass pro matches price. I've seen them at that price several times this past year. You get 100 free pics to your phone but the best part is it takes quality pics, day and night regardless of plan or not. I haven't had any issues with mine so far. My first one is a year old and has taken over 25000 pics. I ran it year round until current time.

The ones I currently have out have taken several thousand pics this fall and are at 80%. I only plan on using them Aug thru December and run monthly plans Oct through December.

I have set a spypoint side by side with a cuddelink and spypoint has taken far more pics of animals than the cudde. It misses lots of animal in comparison and it usually only gets one pic of animal whereby the spypoint gets two at least. Cudde just cant seem to reload so to speak to take another pic quickly.
 
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