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Trail cameras
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May 24, 2016 09:06:24   #
sam3 Loc: Mitchell, indiana
 
Has anyone had experience with motion detected trail cameras? What is the optimal response time, such as less than one second, best in focus range, least blurred pictures, reasonable amount of gb, best power source to use and reasonable cost ( range up to $199)

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May 24, 2016 09:40:14   #
manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN
 
I guess I've never heard of a trail camera or don't know what you are trying to capture. Trail as in hiking? Trail as in star trails? Or something completely different?

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May 24, 2016 10:19:02   #
willie_gunn Loc: Oxfordshire, UK
 
I use one for tracking wildlife in certain areas.

Positioning is everything - too high and they won't trigger, too low and you just see the animals knees (or even worse they get stolen), set the trigger too short and the subject is too far away when the camera triggers, set it too long and all you capture is the rear legs as the animal passes by.

Try it out at home first, note the best settings, and then take it out into the wild and position it accordingly. Note and remove any nearby vegetation, as I've had memory cards full of nice images of branches, leaves and grass swaying in the wind!

I have had most success placing them on trees that give an oblique view down a known trail. My camera is now a few years old, but the modern ones have a far shorter delay on triggering and better resolution.

So far as memory, first figure out how often you can swing by to retrieve/change the memory card. Mine would easily last for a week in between changes.

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May 24, 2016 10:51:08   #
manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN
 
Nope, no experience here. Sounds much like what a hunter might use to scout an area to know if what he wants to hunt comes into that area or not. I have also seen a camera mounted on a tree for monitoring activity (human activity) around a cave that was not supposed to be entered. Don't know how the park service used it, but assume it was theirs. It was pretty well hidden and in camo except that I was in a strange vantage point and happened to see it.

The image you are wanting would be far better quality though if for photographic purposes and therefore, positioning, how wide the angle, DOF, etc. is more critical and trickier to set up too. Good luck, wish I had some experience to offer.

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May 24, 2016 11:00:32   #
willie_gunn Loc: Oxfordshire, UK
 
Meant to add:

The modern trail cams can send text messages or even images when they've been triggered, which can be useful.

I used regular Duracell batteries in mine, though rechargeables are another option.

If theft is a possible concern, go for a newer model with what's called "black flash" rather than the traditional red illumination.

I don't know about in the US, but here in Europe the LTL Acorn models are very popular.

The trail cams are popular here amongst wildlife observers, so much so that there are even competitions for the best photos taken with them. They can record video as well, which eats up memory but can be very useful if the animals hang around.

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May 24, 2016 13:48:23   #
dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma
 
sam3 wrote:
Has anyone had experience with motion detected trail cameras? What is the optimal response time, such as less than one second, best in focus range, least blurred pictures, reasonable amount of gb, best power source to use and reasonable cost ( range up to $199)


don't remember what they are. but there is 3 or 4 selections.

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May 24, 2016 16:20:58   #
sam3 Loc: Mitchell, indiana
 
This camera is to be used for animal tracking around our property. We seem to be on a trail for bobcats and want verification.

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May 24, 2016 16:23:33   #
sam3 Loc: Mitchell, indiana
 
Thanks for your tips on handling the camera. We have all the issues you mentioned. I'll check to see if the cameras you use are available in the US.

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May 24, 2016 19:02:26   #
strobe Loc: Central Iowa
 
I have one that takes 8 double A batteries. Last about 3 weeks. I have a rechargeable 12V battery pack on my list for Father's Day. I'm told it should last 2 - 4 months on one charge, depending on how many night photos it takes, and take 6 - 8 hours to recharge. That way a set of "AA"s will last a year or more, just powering the camera while the 12V pack is in the house being charged, say one day every 3 - 4 weeks.

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May 24, 2016 21:24:30   #
sam3 Loc: Mitchell, indiana
 
Thanks for the information. Too bad lithium ion batteries are not made AA size. Charging, changing batteries will it ever end?

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May 24, 2016 23:47:14   #
manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN
 
I've used AA lithium batteries for years. They are not rechargeable, but last much longer and hold their charge steady until they are about out, then drop very rapidly.

eric

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May 25, 2016 07:17:05   #
abscess Loc: Marblehead, Ma. And winter in Naples, Fl
 
I bought my trail camera from COVERT. I can receive pictures on my iPhone -iPad and also trigger a remote picture from the phone. The options are pretty much set by you on the camera. The ir? Flash is invisible and I found out a giant cat is using my son's vegetable garden as his litter box at 3 am. The pictures can be set to 12 mp. It's also a good outside security camera at night when it is pitch black. Check out utube for COVERT TRAIL CAMERAS

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May 25, 2016 07:29:04   #
Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL
 
Bushnell or Cuddy cam both are very good and can be had when on sale from Cabelas or Bass Pro for under 199 I use both and positioning is the key and no branches or scrub brush in the way to set off false triggers I have kept mine out in the field for a month with a 32 GB card before retrieving the card and the batteries hold up very well rechargeable or AA's hope this helped. Do yourself a favor if you decide to buy one get a lock box people like to steal them.

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May 25, 2016 07:57:28   #
LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY
 
sam3 wrote:
Thanks for the information. Too bad lithium ion batteries are not made AA size. Charging, changing batteries will it ever end?


Energizer Ultimate Lithium. Both AA and AAA. Not rechargable but they last forever. I use them in my flash. Can't seem to wear them out!

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May 25, 2016 08:49:30   #
troutbum Loc: north central pennsylvania
 
Here is a couple pictures from a cheap $50.00 dollar camera.


(Download)

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