I only check my cams every 4-6 weeks, no need to check them more. Unless its during the season, then I check them when I happen to be hunting the area where the cam is located and check the cam after I climb down and am exiting the woods. If you have a slow trigger speed and want to use the cam on a trail, just put it 12 to 15 ft. off the trail (depending on how slow the trigger speed of your cam is) and the cam will take a pic. with the deer's entire body in the pic. I pick the best location in a specific area to put a cam, I dont worry about whether its facing east or west, doesnt seem to affect my pics. Pike