Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

I am trying to decide on asking for a trail camera or a tool box for my truck. Would it be smart to just wait til Feb or so to get a camera? oh well, I have narrowed it down between a Leaf River IR-3BU $219, Moultrie 4.0 IR Gamespy $219, and a Leaf River DC-6SS $269. I am not wanting to go over $300, cause the more expensive give I ask for the more expensive her gift will have to be, see what i am working with. I want the best camera I can get for the money, and I know absolutely NOTHING about trail cameras. So, I am wanting some advice and hopefully you guyscan paint a better picture for me. I appreciate the help.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

I havetheDC-2BUcamera. I have been using it for 4 years still working good. Takes good pics an the batteries last 3 or 4 months in daytime only mode. Cabelashave them for $279.00.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

I take it thats a leaf river right?

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

i kinda like the idea of having a IR camera, does this really make any difference OR is this some new trend that really isnt worth the buy?

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

Yes that is the leaf river camera. I hear that the pic quality is not as good on the infra red camera tyhe 3 IBU or what ever it is. The DC 2BU would be a great camera to start with, trigger speed a little slow, but doesn't seem to be a problem. My brother had the Moultrie an has had to return it twice for another one.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

good info...i thought the ir was a trend thing

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

From my testing the IR cameras do not take very good pictures when compared to the flash models so I would recomend that you get the flash model. They also cost less than the IR.

As far as dependability goes, I've had Leaf River, Stealth Cam, Talon, Cuddeback, and Wildview brands quit working properly for me all within less than one year after purchase.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

well you guys pretty much have me talked out of the IR flash cameras, now just picking one that is the most dependalbe out of the affordable range models. Dont get me wrong, I like the cuddebacks and others but usually the cheap chocolate taste as good as the expensive chocolate.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

I have the Moultrie GameSpy camera that takes 3.1 MP pics and it works great! It does have a slower triggering time, but I leave the cam over a corn feeder, so I get great pics of game while the are eating. This camera wouldn't be all that great if you are trying to put it on a trail where game doesn't stay in one spot for a longer time. If you are planning on putting the camera over a feeder, then get the Moultrie. Mine was $150 and I have had mine for a little over a year. It takes great pics, has the time, temp, moon phase all stamped on each pic. At $150, I am very pleased with this cam...and think...if you asked for this cam, then you wouldn't have to get an expensive gift for the other as you put it:D.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

Something to consider is where you will put the camera. If you have the camera on a deer trail most of the time trigger time is VERY VERY important. For me I have my cameras on bait or scrapes probably 75% of the time. The other 25% is on trails. I still want the fast trigger time.

If you are on an automatic feeder all the time a camera like Leaf River is awesome. They take very very good pictures. I personally have (2) 2005 cuddies and they have never gave me a hiccup with thousands of photos on each. I had a Leaf River and it was great except for the trigger. I had a 2006 Cuddy and sold it for another 2005. I don't like the newer cuddies. New refurb cuddies can be had for under $300 with warranty.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

well i was going to either get a moultrie I40 or a Leaf River with the big view screen DC-6SS. they seem to be the best buy values. I like the viewer and the mounting set up on the Leaf River, and a awesome sturdy looking box, but the moultrie seems to have a better picture taking value from what i have learned. Im still a couple of days away from getting the camera and still taking input. I dont guess you could go wrong with either tho.

RE: Give me the Lowdown, leaf river, Moultrie..ect
 

Here's my view, Ive had cuddeback's, stealth cams, and now a moultrie. Ive gone through 6 or 7 cuddebacks in the last 2 years, I couldnt get one to work right for longer than a couple months, I returned the stealth cam I had after a few days because it didnt work right out of the box. I bought a moultrie I40 this year and have been happy with it, I'll say ive been the most satisfied with this camera. It takes excellent IR pics. I have one of the older cuddebacks that still works good for me also (knock on wood). I think the flash does spook deer a little, more so older deer, which is one reason I like the IR camera I have now. I have never gotten more than 3 or 4 pics in a row of a mature buck with a flash camera, also I think if a flash camera is left in one spot for a long time it will educate mature deer and they will be more cautious, I'm talking about just in the immediate area of the camera.With my moultrie I40 I have sometimes got 40+ pics of a big buck so I dont think it spooks them at all. I will definately be getting another I40 in the near future. It is one of the best buys for the money right now.