usahoe18

How hard is it to make a homebrew camera? The pics look 10 times better than a regular trail cam. I think they look better than cuddebacks, and you guys know how expensive they are.

Arcus Venator

They are not that difficult to build if you have some basic mechanical skills. I've built six so far and I didn't really have any problems.

Check out the forums at:

http://www.hagshouse.com

http://realdealhuntingchat.invisionzone.com/index.php?

http://www.chasingame.com

You will find all the information you need to know about building homebrew game cameras.

dtk913

Arcus,

From start to finish how much does it cost you to build one of yours.

Thanks,
Dan

Arcus Venator

The cameras I've built have been in the $130 range. They are 3.2 MP white flash cameras. The cost will change depending on what camera you use and what features you want. For example it will cost more to build a IR camera than it does to build a white flash camera. Also you can save some money if you are able to get a good deal on the camera. Recently I was able to pick up one of the cameras I use at a rummage sale for $5. I will be able to build a unit for about $85 using that camera.

MichiganBowbender

Here are some more links, including a several page tutorial on building one.
http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=618170&referrerid=93708
http://www.d.umn.edu/~shall/Homebrews.htm

This particular cam was $160.00 including the build. It is a Sony S600 whiteflash/Yeti control board

usahoe18

Those are pics are unbelievable

dtk913

Michigan Bowbender,

I have a couple questions about the camera you have shown.
1. What is the trigger speed?
2. What is the range, day and night?
3. What can you set for delay settings?

Thanks,
Dan

MTdrahthaar

1. 2-2.5 seconds. Trigger speed ontrail cams is over-rated. Proper setup can compensate for trigger speed, I have never set a cam perpendicular to a trail anyway.
2. flash range is 35-40 feet. Yeti board can sense movement far beyond that, probably up to 80 90 feet.
3. delay can be set to 15s, 30s, 60, 1m, 2m, 5m, 10m

MichiganBowbender

I pretty much agree with everything here with the exception of the trigger. I almost always put mine at a right angle to the trails I am watching. With a 4 wire fast mod and a wide angle lens, the trigger can be much faster. Mine is faster than all 4 of my P41's with wide angle lenses. Here's a pic. Duplicated the same test with my 41's and they missed the dog entirely. The time/date was not set correctly. Did this about 3 weeks ago.

brad_vanderband1

anyone be interested in making me one of these cams??