Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Just got a new Trail Watcher Game Cam, model 4040. I have been using a Moultrie D40. Thought I'd give you a comparison between the two. Granted the Trail Watcher lists for 425.00 and the Moultrie is only 99.00. But, it gives you an idea what you can expect for your money when you step up. The Trail Watcher was a gift to Archers Edge for a raffle...which I won. Anyway, tough challenge for any camera...black hog in the night. I am really amazed how crisp the Trail Watcher photos are. :D

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Last one was the Moultrie...here is the Trail Watcher.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Interesting. How do they compare other than clearity of pictures?

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

I found both easy to set up and use. The Trail Watcher is about half the size and weight and camo finish...nice. It also has an external switch to turn off the motion sensor, so that you can change settings and the memory card without taking unwanted pics. The Trail Watcher uses a Sony S40 camera...which is 4 meg. The Moultrie says it is a 4 mg as well, but the pics tell the difference. Hope that helps.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Red Boar,
Is that Moultrie model the same as the "Game Spy"? I was looking through the Red Head fall archery catalog and they list the Moultrie 4mg "Game Spy" as $99.99 but have it on sale for $79.88.
It almost sounds too good to be true but if it's a quality camera at such a great price I think I'll have to grab 2 or 3 for my spots. Man if you could get 3 quality cameras for the price of 1 "good" one that sounds pretty good to me!
I just want to see what's out there, not submit anything to National Geographic so that sounds right up my alley?

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Not quite the same camera, Matt...the Gamespy 3.1 is on sale...it uses a 3 mg. camera. The Model D-40 uses a 4 mg and is supposed to have a faster trigger time. I bought the D-40 for 99 bucks. Hope this helps.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Gotcha........I just caught that myself.
I think I'll go for the little better camera with faster trigger and resolution vs saving just $20.

Thanks for the help.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Hey Matt....here is a daytime pic from the Moultrie. Not great, but it will certainly help you see what you have on your property. Good luck....;)

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

I just bought the moultrie D40 and I am going to buy 3 more. Think of it this way, if you are trying to photograph animals and keep the pics (frame them etc.. go get a $400 camera

However, if you just want to see what is on your property why wouldn't I want to save my money to get me more cameras to spread out?? IMHO, I think it is crazy to spend $400 for a game camera when a $100 camera will do the job. Thanks for sharing your pics!!!

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Legitimate point for sure...notice that I said I won the camera. ;) My real reason for posting was to show what you could expect if you did want to spend the extra.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

I just purchased 3 of the D40's. I knew when purchasing that many cameras on the market are better but for the price I will definetly get my use out of them. Especially since I am not looking to frame pics just want to see what is on my land!

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Thanks for the info and the pictures Red Boar.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Sure, SF....seems like you were one of the few that got the purpose of the post.;) I have a Moultrie and like it...I certainly wasn't bashing it. I was just sharing some pics in case someone might be interested in the Trail Watcher and to provide some idea of what you could expect for the extra money. I was very impressed by the TW night photos (not to mention its easy set-up and extra features)with a very tough photographic challenge and thought others might be as well. For those that are interested, here ya go: http://www.trailwatcher.net/

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Do you have the D40 set to enhanced pic quality? My night pictures seem to be MUCH better quality.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Yep...1 gig cards, so I am not worried about taking up space. Thanks for the suggestion though. ;)

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Hey bud, I wasn't trying to bash ya sorry if it came across like that. I'm glad that you showed me the difference in the two cameras. I was saying from an economic standpoint it made more sense in my eyes to get more lower grade cameras then one high end camera.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Yeah, Circuit city had the 2 gig cards on sale 2 for $40 bucks so I picked up a couple 2packs.... I'm just curious why your night photos are so fuzzy?

Here isa randomnight photo.....

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

I guess it could be the distance from the cam...also, a black hog in the middle of the night is a very tough subject to photograph. The hogs have my feed tied up, so I haven't gotten any deer pics yet. Thanks for sharing yours. ;)

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

No problem and a good point to consider, especially if you are going to put out multiple cams. There are things that can help justify the cost...already illustrated the picture qualtiy. Also it has a camo finish and is roughly half the size and weight of my Moultrie. It has nice features, such as an external switch to shut off the motion sensor so that you can change settings and take out memory cards without unwanted pics. You can also pick your focal length. Only each individual can decide how much they want to spend...it is just nice to know that you get something back for stepping up. Heck, folks drop 400 and over for Cuddes all the time. ;) Of course, those are IR, which is a feature I am interested in.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

Thanks for taking the time on the pics Red Boar,

Time to make some bacon. [8D]

I might get that $100 job. I've had bad luck with cheap cams in the past, but need to get back to
scouting with cams. 4 MP and a decent trigger for $100 is real good, and after reading some posts
on here it sounds like IR may not be all that. I was also looking at the more expensive new Moultrie
I-40, it's 4 MP and IR for $199.

RE: Comparison: Moultrie D40 vs. Trail Watcher
 

You're welcome...let me know which one you decide on and how it works out for you. I'd agree, the Moultrie D-40 is a great cam for 99 bucks. The D-40 also claims 4 mp, so I am not sure of the difference between the two. Possibly the "I" is a newer model. I know the case is somewhat big and heavy on the "D". Good luck...BTW: the same Silver Flame has taken 3 nice boars from this area already...going to try again tomorrow evening. :D