Trail Cameras

[alfsauve]

Fall is fast approaching.  Schools starting.  Time to scope out the game trails.

I've owned three game cameras.   My first was a cheap Simmons which I'd rate as fair.  Wasn't reliable in taking pictures and was hard to program.  BUT, it was my first and an inexpensive learning experience.

My second was a Bushnell that I had for about 5 years.  For the state of technology back then then it was pretty good.  I accidentally destroyed it because I didn't notice the weather seal wasn't in place and I put it in a very wet location.   That's okay because it was time to update the technology.  What I didn't realize was which features were most important to me.   

I went to Cabela's and allowed myself to be talked into their store brand camera.  Now that I've had it for a month, I wish I hadn't bought it.  Am not pleased.   This was the $139, on sale, model called the CuddeBack.   



Here's what's wrong and what I miss about my Bushnell.

I suppose the camera does everything it advertises.   Very quick response time, "camo" looking case (like the deer and other forest animals are going to recognize a camera), wide viewing range and sharp, clear pictures.   So what's missing?

Three things:

Security:  There's no way to lock it down.  You can buy an extra case to lock it in, but the Bushnell had places for a pad lock that prevented anybody from taking or opening the camera.   True they're all plastic but it helps keep honest people honest.

Multiple Pictures:   You could set the Bushnell to take multiple pictures at a time.  So if the subject wasn't fully in view, then the 2nd or 3rd picture would get a better pose.

Reliability:  I spent 5 minutes working on a feeder in front of the camera and there wasn't a single picture of me doing so.  I suspect, given the level of deer activity that was captured over the past week, that there should be a lot more pictures.   For a week at the current location, my Bushnell would have taken easily around 500 pictures.  The Cabela's camera only captured 20.  I'd rather have 1/3 of my pictures contain nothing but the leaves moving than to miss anything.


Lesson being, and I don't know why I let impulse as oppose to reason overtake me on this purchase, is to make a list of the important features and stick with them when buying.

CuddeBack camera
 

[Bidah]

Interesting. I have never owned one, however I have thought about it more than once. I agree that more pictures is better than less.  In your case, a lot less.

[tombogan03884]

Give it credit for educational value.
You don't know what you've got till it's gone. LOL
When you replace it. Which I'm guessing will be as soon as finances permit. You will be a more informed shopper with a better idea of what questions to ask and that is worth something.

Maybe a big yellow taxi will take it out  LOL