scouting cameras
 

hey guys... just wondering what a good brand of scouting camera should i get.... i guess i' ve got a couple hundred dollars to use... i wanna find out what kinda deer i got in the area i hang my tree stand... and what times they come around... thanx

RE: scouting cameras
 

I bought the $69 stealth cam from bass pro. I just got back my first 24 exp. roll of film and I got 26 good pictures. Some day and some at night but all deer were clearly visible. If I had a couple hundred to spend, I' d get a few more of these cheap ones and put them around. However, if you' ve got enough money for a digital trail camera, I' d go that route because of the film expense. imho

RE: scouting cameras
 

I went the cheap route with a Moultrie. It worked great for 4-5 rolls of film and since then I have regretted it ever since. I learned my lesson.

RE: scouting cameras
 

Martin, how come the regrets?

RE: scouting cameras
 

The camera started out great. But after about 2 months started to get a lot of pix w/ nothing in them. I took great care on the set-up - make sure it wasn' t facing the rising/setting sun - replace the batteriers - check for small branches that might trip the sensor in the wind - " walk" test to make sure it was w/i range of the trails etc.

I burned many rolls where the camera would take a pix and then just snap pix until the roll ended - even on time delay. You could see the clock imprint and each minute was snapping a pix.

I didn' t use it much during last deer season/winter - decided to send it back this spring and they fixed it. Replaced the sensor - camera - wires - the only thing that was the same was the housing unit. I have had the camera out for 4 weeks now and I have only got it to take 5 pix. It' s on heavily used trails - I actually sat about 75 yards from the camera and watched 10 different deer travel the trail.

Just doesn' t seem reliable. oh well

RE: scouting cameras
 

I had a Moultrie Game Cam II last year and like what was already said, it was GREAT at first. I was getting some really awsome pictures. After awhile though, the camera went down-hill and finally got to the point where it would instantly start taking pictures when it was set-up and wouldn' t stop till the roll was done.

I just picked up a Stealth Cam on Friday. I decided to try it out before I dropped money on a more expensive unit (DeerCam Non-Typical DC-100). I have got one roll of film so far and it was awsome. This thing will take pictures of deer further than I had thought it would. I got pictures of deer that were as far as 65 feet away. The picture quality is awsome. Heck, I got 6 pictures that had bucks on them. One picture has a nice little 6 point and a BIG ol buck comming down the trail behind him. I took this roll of film out before it was finished. I was moving the camera to a new spot, and I wanted a fresh roll. Plus, I wasn' t sure if I had set it up right.

Now, the camera is set at the top of a patch of pines where about 8 or 9 different deer trails come together to go into the corn field right on the other side of the pines. This corn field is very very isolated, and the deer have been moving in this area alot. I set the camera at 1 picture every 4 minutes. Then, I threw out 40 pounds of Moultie Deer Corn right where the deer will be at. I will be checking it Friday, even though I am sure it will be done by then. Heck, I got 8 pictures of deer from that area in one night, and this camera is going to be out for 5 days :D

I can' t say how this camera is going to do in the long run, but, for $65.00 you can' t beat it. I am going to get that film developed on Friday (one hour development) at Wal-Mart, and check it there. If I like what I see, I will be buying another camera, maybe two more. Just think, you can get 6 of these Stealth Cams for the same price as ONE BuckShot!!!

This unit is very easy to set-up, but, the only complaint I have is that you better not put it up in an area where other hunters will be. It would be very very easy to take off a tree. Stealth has a locking plate for the camera, but, I don' t have it and am not exactly sure how it works.

I will post some reviews on this camera each week as I get more and more pictures taken though it.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I bought a Trailtimer EZ cam this July. I' ve got 4 rolls of film back. It seems very good so far. All my pics are of deer. Cost about $170.00

RE: scouting cameras
 

I bought the Game_Vu system and it totally bites. Even at ten feet the " pictures" are hard to see. Keeps tripping when no animals around. I can' t recommend another, but stay away from this one.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I' ve had great luck with the Trailtimer Photohunter. Had it for over a year and its taken over 225 great pictures. Best thing is I' ve been getting 3 to 3 1/2 months on a set of batteries. Its very easy to use and about $240. I saw them on sale at Fleet Farm once for $199.

TrailTimer also makes the EZ Cam. A friend has had one for 3 months and is happy so far. They' re a bit cheaper.....about $175

Its amazing what you learn about your deer from these cameras. Its really fun!

Good Luck!

RE: scouting cameras
 

have a photo scout. i have been really pleased with it so far. no false pictures ever. easy to set up. it comes with a standard 1 and 5 min delay. sent my camera back to factory and they sent me an extra free 15 min and 1 hour delay for when i put it up on my feeders.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I have 4 game cameras: a Photoscout by Highlander, 2 Moultrie' sand a Buckshot Scout. By far the best is the Photoscout by Highlander. I have had this camera 2 years and it works perfect. The buckshot is good but uses batteries faster. The Moultrie' s have been sent back and worked on more than once and they just aren' t as reliable. However, the people at Moultrie are as good as it gets for service.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: scouting cameras
 

The batteries in my EZ cam seem to last about a month to six weeks also.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I have the non-typical game cam here and love it. Works excellent and I have never gotten a picture with nothing in it. I shopped around and found it for $220.00.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with the Buckshot 35. There is a guy on EBay who has some at an unbelievable price (almost too unbelievable).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9&category=383

RE: scouting cameras
 

walmart sells the stealth cam for 65.00 which is great, and to make the deal a little sweeter Deer and Deerhunter October 03 has a 20 dollar rebate offer on page 161.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I have a Buckshot 35 and it works excellent. The heat sensor makes sure the pictures you get will have a animal in it. I have pics of Deer, Coyotes, a Pheasant, Snowshoe Rabbit, and others. The only drawback i see is dont forget your magnets when you run out to change/check film. Other than that the camera works great. I recommend changing the batteries every time you change the film too.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I' ve had three different cams. Here they are from good to bad:

#1. TrailTimer Photohunter. The batteries last a long time (2+ months even in the winter!). 95% of my pictures are of deer. These take a picture as soon as motion is detected, not all cameras do that and for some reason none of them say whether they have ' instant picture' or not. I' ve had mine in the woods for over 2 years and only took it out once! (to replace the camera after a raccoon attack). I have hundreds of pictures. Now they have some new camo which REALLY conceals it.

#2. TrailTimer EZ-Cam. They improved a couple things with the EZ-Cam. It really does seem to be water proof. You can chain this one on a tree. And, your pictures won' t wash out like they can in the photohunter if you aren' t carefull. The negatives are there is a slight pause after motion is detected before it takes the picture. Also, you have to open the case up to turn it on or off. Another nice thing is you don' t have to take the back off to change the (1,5,10 minute) delay between events.

#3. Leaf River Trail Scan. It looks really nice and has some nice features. But there is about a 3 second pause after motion is detected before it takes the picture. So don' t put the ' Trail Scan' on a trail because the deer walk by before the picture is taken. It does have time AND date imprint not just time OR date. Went right back to the store.

RE: scouting cameras
 

Have any of you guys tried the Lithium-Ion batteries to see if they last any longer?

RE: scouting cameras
 

Mike from texas............I replied here earlier and with the Trialtimer Photohunter the directions say to use lithium batteries. I consistently get 3 months when using those batteries.

Good Luck!

RE: scouting cameras
 

:DWe have been using game cameras on our club since 1996. I have tried several models. The absolute best is camtrakker, if a deer walks in front of this camera it WILL have its picture taken. Its sad to say that this isn' t the case with some of the other ones we' ve tried. [:o]Moultrie was the worst for the same reasons already mentioned previously. Nontypical was also a huge disappointment. :( I used one in August and september a couple of years ago and it had trouble with the sensor I never got a picture of a deer during day light hours. When it was hot during the day the sensor just wouldn' t pick up movement. The store I bought it from had so many complaints that they quit selling them. I bought a leaf river trail scan last year and have been very pleased with it. It is loaded with features and is reasonably priced. I haven' t had a problem with a delay between sensor trip and a photo being taken. It has been used mostly on trails and food plots. ;)

>>>---DAVIDP---SILERCITY,NC--->

RE: scouting cameras
 

[:' (] I have a beautiful Cannon Sureshot A-300 digital. A very nice camera. Battery hungri but a very good camera. Unfortunately there are no mechanisms available to use it as a trail timer.

It would be nice if someone manufactured a system that could be used with a variety of cameras not just one specific brand or model. [:' (]

RE: scouting cameras
 

Dick cress there is a company that makes boards to interface cameras to the motion sensors. http://www.pixcontroller.com/

They is also a good deer camera forum to ask about deer cams and to make your own at http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/for...p?showforum=50

The pictures they post their are also very cool

RE: scouting cameras
 

Strutter is right. I make my own digital game cameras with the help of the guys over at Jesse' s. When you see how easy and cheap it is to make your own camera and how much more reliable a homebrew camera is, you will throw rocks at most of these commerical units on the market. There are a few photos from my digital setup at my website www.applebytexas.com

RE: scouting cameras
 

I have 2 camtrakkers i have had for about 3 years, never had a problem with them, still taking great pictures.
Just bought a cheap stealth cam , so far it takes just as good pictures as the camtrakker, but as far a durability, the jury is still out, have to wait and see.
I also have the gamevu, and iam not very impressed with it, the images are not very good, get alot of nothing on it, also i bought the kit to download the images onto my pc, ( which is supposed to work with windows xp) it does not work on my system.
The next camera i buy will be the non typical.:D

RE: scouting cameras
 

hey those areally good pics txcowboy...how much ddi it cost to make that camera? thats an option that i never thought of....i am now tho:)

RE: scouting cameras
 

There are two pieces of hunting equipment that I do not own.....A GPS unit and a Game Camera. I might just have to remedy the latter by picking one up this year.

However, I am undecided as to which model. Should I get the Stealth Cam as it is relatively inexpensive and I am just getting into this, should I go the route of the Homebrew Camera at Jesse' s or should I spend a ton of money on one?

I do have quite a few Cabelas points saved up on the credit card and I am just itchin' to pick up something. :D

RE: scouting cameras
 

Guys... take the advice of TX and build your own. It really isn' t that hard, the home builts work great and with the money you will save you can build two cameras.

RE: scouting cameras
 

Hey guys, I would definatly go the route of building your own. And personally I' d only go with a digital unit. Now, if you don' t have a home pc or reg. acess to one, then a digital might not be for you. However, I know that' s not the case with most of us.

The parts to build a homebrew digital will cost you around $250 to do it first class, possibly even less if you found a good deal on the camera. If you are like me and aren' t much of a handyman, you' ll have to buy a few small tools and such to get started. (like a pencil soldering iron, tiny electrical screw drivers, etc) Other than that all you need is this....

The camera, the most common and popular unit is the Olympus D-370 or D-380. Cost:$75-$125 depending on which model, new uses, etc.

A PIR motion sensor and timer. I buy this as a one piece board from a guy named Brian at Jesse' s. He is an electrical engineering whiz and this complete board is SIMPLE to hook up. It also comes with all the wires and toggle switches with quick connectors.
Cost:$70

Enclosure, I use the Pelican 1150 waterproof container. These are very nice top of the line, electronic water proof containers.
Cost: $30 or less including shipping.

The only other thing you will need would be a few small parts like glue/sealant, a couple small pieces of glass, a small cheap elctrical box etc. There is no reason that it should cost more than $250 for the actual unit and if you find a deal on the camera, it could be much cheaper! Then you would also need to buy a couple Smart Media memory cards for the camera that can be bought for about $10-$15 each and can often be bought for much less, sometimes free with a rebate. A memory card reader for you computer is also needed and can be bought for about $20 at Wal-mart. That might sound like alot of stuff but I promise it' s really not. If you already have a digital camera, you' ll know it' s not a big deal.

Once you have the camera built, there is no cost to keep it up and running. I use rechargable Ni-Mh batteries in the camera so there is no expense in buying batteries every week. Also there is no film costs, since the memory cards can be erased and used over and over. You only print the photos you want, instead of printing all the crow and coon photos that you have to print with you film cameras. Also a misconception is that you have to pint the photos at home. I have had digital cameras for 4 yrs and I have never printed a photo at home. You can take the photos on the memory card to Wal-mart and have them printed for 29 cents each. That is a deal.

All that being said, if you decided you wanted to go the 35mm route, the guys at Jesse' s could definatly help you build one of those too and it would be very cheap to do. I have never built one because I had a 35mm Moultrie at one time and the costs of film, batteries, and developing put me in the hole.

Building these homebrew units sounds very difficult but once you see exactly what' s it takes, you' ll be suprised how easy it really it. If you buy a commerical camera, remember, you get what you pay for. A $400 Camtrakker is a great camera and there is no doubt in my mind, it will out perform and out last a $100-$200 commercial camera.

Ok, sorry for rambling on endlessly, I tend to do that.:D Good luck and if you have any questions, ask away.

RE: scouting cameras
 

I have a Stealth and a Moultrie and have had good luck with both. They both take great pictures. I figure a good rule of thumb is that if you get a third of your pictures to turn out you are lucky. I would spend my money on more cheap cameras and cover more area.

RE: scouting cameras
 

FDhunter said there was a rebate coupon for the stealthcam in " Deer & DeerHunter" There is, but it isn' t for the model that' s 67.74 at walmart. Ahh well. I bought the magazine and the camera anyway. put the camera up sunday evening and checked it today. only 3 pictures. I tossed some more corn out there to try to attract something. I' ll check it again in a couple days. I shouldn' t complain. It' s in an urban setting just behind my garage, and that' s probably where I will do most of my hunting (in 1-2 hours stolen morning incriments). If I get a doe or a button buck there it will be great and if I get a picture of one before hand it will be a big bonus. My wife doesn' t understand why I would ever want to hunt. How do they not get this?? Thank god she lets me have these crazy passions and doesn' t complain.

David

RE: scouting cameras
 

TX,

Thank you for the info. I will definitely look into it. Equipment purchases are something that I do alot of research into before buying. I will let you know what I decide on at some point.

Thanks again.