What's everyone's preferred trail camera? I am currently using a couple Bushnell Trail Cam HD. They are at great trail camera. I just wish that you could record continuous video. It records 30 seconds and then there is a small delay. Sometimes that's enough to miss what you want to see. Anyone have any decent cams that can do this?

Thanks!

You should check into the Covert cameras ! I have a covert mp6 that can take videos up to 1 minute and then you can set so there is a zero second delay.. I paid about 140.00 for it but in a month you will be able to pick them up for 100.00 since they will sell the 2012 models for cheaper

check out the link in my sig they know there trail cameras

I run all reconyx game cameras... About 450 -550 each... Much better quality and options than cheaper versions

Over a decade I ran at least a handfull of each brand and worked alongside folks running others.
For the dollars spent and battery life and pic quality, video length, hard to beat scoutguard cams.
The bushnell has a trophy cam in the same make just different external look, but I've had these
and I'd still take the scoutguard. That includes all the heavy price tag models, in Oregon I tried
head to head on 6 or 7 of them and between the larger batteries, shorter life and larger size
of most models I stuck with scoutguard. There are some great websites though with reviews
and comparisons that truly do side by side testing.

Of course outside of the cams ability is always the user setting them up for success, can't count
how many sunrise whiteouts I got when I first started messing with cameras in Michigan.

Justin

Thanks for the info everyone. I was incorrect about my cam. It has a 1 minute run time on video but in that one second, the animal someone disappears. If I try to get something going into a trap for instance, I will see them come up to the trap and then they are inside. Nothing in-between. Just wondered if there were one that records longer time frames.

I know what you mean about whiteouts. I've had issues where I didn't think to have the client turn off the outside lights. They kick on and the camera picks it up. Runs all night recording nothing.

I've had cams stolen before despite my best efforts to camo them. I hate to spend more than a few hundred on them. That's bad enough.

I am currently working on a fake trail cam that attaches to a 220 volt electric line.

Now that should do it!

Theft can be tough Jerry especially in the residential situations. Finding the best range and distance you can might allow some alternate
mounting options, or getting some custom mounts that lock cams onto gutters or other areas, higher in tree for example. Since many cams
have a threaded mount underneath it wouldn't take much to get them up and out of reach a bit more to limit access. The ones without the
threads of course the bear safe style boxes allow similar mounting but cost more.

I love trail cameras, simply think they are one of the best things ever, I've been fortunate to use cameras in a number of states on a number of
programs and just find them indispensable for research projects, let alone some other recreational use.

justin

Perhaps this might help someone... http://www.trailcampro.com/trailcamerareviews.aspx

I use a Covert Black Ops. Cellular Camera. It sends me a picture with in a minute of taking the picture via text message. Set me back about $350.00 plus $20 a month for unlimited text, but it has been priceless for me knowing what is going on in real time on a nuisance animal job. Also, the customers really like getting the pictures and knowing what is going on. Currently I only have one of these and a dozen or more non cellular.

As many of you know I used to use the Smart Scouter for urban coyote work. Well theres a new kid on the block! the Panda GSM (HCO Outdoors.) I have been testing this camera for about 90 days now. This thing is fantastic. About the size of an arm and hammer baking soda box. Takes both videos and pictures, sends them real time to your cell and email. It also has a GPS function to track your camera if it gets stolen. I think they list for #349.00 I have not used all the remote features yet, but my favorite is the feature that allows you to send the camera a text, and it takes a pic when it recieves the text and sends you a picture within a minute. This way you can check your set as often as you choose. The auto function will still send a pic if someting triggers the sensors. So far the thing has worked flawless, and any questions I had were answered quickly by the customer service department at HCO. Which was a huge problem with Smart Scouter. Same text plan as the Covert Black Ops. (I think the cameras might be made by the same company, but not sure) Either way, try and hire someone to check traps for 20 bucks a month. At 4 bucks a gallon for gas, this one is a no brainer.

I need one now

Rob thanks for the heads up on that cam. Does it have a black out flash like my covert? There is no flash with my covert and you can not see it go off. I was just telling my brother how nice it would be to be able to text the camera and have it take a picture on cue. I'm in the market for another camera and this will be on my list.
The real time info that you get from these are priceless. Saving time and time is money to me.

Yeah Rob, thanks a lot. I let P.J. read your post. He looked at me and said, "Yeah, order a bunch of those".

Yes, NCbatman, it does have invisible flash. The pics can be 3,5,or 6 mega pixels. So far the only problem I had was with AT&T, as they really don't know anything about these types of cameras, and gave me the wrong plan at first. Then I took the printed instructions from the company to the store so they could try and understand what I needed. I was able to get the pre-paid 1000 text a month for 10 bucks. You just go to the AT&T store once a month and put a 10 dollar bill in the machine and it gives you another 1000 texts,(which is the same as 1000 pictures) once you get the plan established. I'm trying to get a trappers discount for our association working as we speak, so hang on before you order Paul. I know the moths must be flying out of your wallet about now. We will be taking up a collection at the next meeting, for Krier so he can have one too.