Guerrilla Trail Cams (under $500)- share your opinions here

[Team Microbe]

Well it's that time of year again - time to get that guerrilla blood pumping again in prep for the new year!



What are the best trail cams you have used? Has anyone tried the cell phone cameras that send live pictures directly to your cell phone from the field?! These look amazing, and only go for $350.



here's a link I found:

http://www.trailcampro.com/cellularcameras.aspx




What do you guys think? Do any of those look like they'd be good for an outdoor patch?

 

[Swamp Thang]

I have never used those trail cameras that send pictures to your cellphone, but I do own few regular trail cameras that you have to visit to swap out the memory card.

Of those regular trail cameras the Covert Black 60 is by far my favorite, because its invisible infra-red light is way more powerful than all other models I have tried, and because it is the model that will run for the longest time on a set of regular AA batteries. The only minor drawback of the Covert Black 60 is that there is no sound recorded with the video it takes, if you set it to shoot film rather than take stills.

Not being familiar with the trail cameras that send pictures to your phone, I would hazard a guess that if such a camera fell into the wrong hands, it might be possible for a determined and savvy person to hack into the camera despite your password lock, and then identify your phone number.

With that small consideration in mind, I would stick with a regular trail camera, and wear gloves when setting it up, to make sure I leave no prints on it.

Anyways, the website with user reviews on ALL models of trail cameras is chasinggame.com, where there is also a forum with many experienced trail camera users who are willing to share their know-how, though I would suggest that you avoid mentioning the exact use you have in mind, to be on the safe side.

 

[Team Microbe]

I have never used those trail cameras that send pictures to your cellphone, but I do own few regular trail cameras that you have to visit to swap out the memory card.

Of those regular trail cameras the Covert Black 60 is by far my favorite, because its invisible infra-red light is way more powerful than all other models I have tried, and because it is the model that will run for the longest time on a set of regular AA batteries. The only minor drawback of the Covert Black 60 is that there is no sound recorded with the video it takes, if you set it to shoot film rather than take stills.

Not being familiar with the trail cameras that send pictures to your phone, I would hazard a guess that if such a camera fell into the wrong hands, it might be possible for a determined and savvy person to hack into the camera despite your password lock, and then identify your phone number.

With that small consideration in mind, I would stick with a regular trail camera, and wear gloves when setting it up, to make sure I leave no prints on it.

Anyways, the website with user reviews on ALL models of trail cameras is chasinggame.com, where there is also a forum with many experienced trail camera users who are willing to share their know-how, though I would suggest that you avoid mentioning the exact use you have in mind, to be on the safe side.

Swamp Thang! Good to hear from ya man, this is a new account that I'm using - did a swamp grow last season and you actually helped out quite a bit so I'd like to say thank you man


You bring up a valid point though; I was thinking the very same thing when reading the specs on these cams. They do cost a pretty penny, but my theory is that if you were to know that your plants were found - it would change your entire angle on approaching that grow the next time you visit. I had a location last year that was compromised and although nothing "bad" happened, I still would have easily shelled out $400 for some peace of mind as to what kind of possible surveillance/threat might be back there in the swamp waiting for me.


But of course, having cross references like a phone number tied directly to you is a terrible idea. They also offer live email notifications, but I'm not sure how anonymous email accounts can really be. These models DO come with password-protection like you mentioned, but any type of technology can be easily hacked into if the right person shows up (police).


I suppose developing an alibi when visiting patches would be the way to go then, no? Bird watch until you get to your spot, remove the SD card/check out photos on the LCD screen, then go from there?

 

[Swamp Thang]

Hey Team Microbe it is good to hear that the tales of my bumbling about in the swamp did contain a useful idea or two. I just started another few seedlings in my swamp island grow spot, since I am pretty close to the 12/12 day/night Equator where the grow season is whenever I want it to be. With the dry weather expected at harvest time, I ought to produce a nice crop with fewer mold issues than my last crop that I harvested at the tail and of the tropical rainy season here.

You have a good point about simply being ready to provide an alibi along the lines of being a nature photographer or hunter, to explain your ownership of a trail cam that just happens to be in the vicinity of a crop that you of course know nothing about he he. Provided you don't set up the camera right at the grow site, then your trail cam would prove nothing if found.

Those message-sending cameras are evidently a fair bit costlier than the regular trail cams that go for between $150 and $200. A visit to that website chasinggame.com will definitely be worth the time, and they have updated reviews on just about every trail cam that hits the market.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Well it's that time of year again - time to get that guerrilla blood pumping again in prep for the new year!



What are the best trail cams you have used? Has anyone tried the cell phone cameras that send live pictures directly to your cell phone from the field?! These look amazing, and only go for $350.



here's a link I found:

http://www.trailcampro.com/cellularcameras.aspx




What do you guys think? Do any of those look like they'd be good for an outdoor patch?

Looks like you can get the demo unit for 240.