Yes they are a little pricey and no the pic quality on infrared is not that good. An adjustment to the contrast would improve them, just haven't done it. The color pictures (daytime) are as good a quality as any,IMO.

Supposedly, the Reconyx gives you a faster trigger speed than most and a very quiet camera as well.

I only have two cameras, both Reconyx brand so I don't have anything to compare them to firsthand, so whether they are any faster or quieter, I really don't know.