BEST TRAIL CAMERAS
Trail cameras can make hunting and wildlife observation easier by giving you an extra set of eyes day or night. Often motion activated, these cameras come in different sizes and resolutions, so you can find one that will give you the views you need the most.
The best trail cameras offer high-quality images and rugged construction that can stand up to the elements. Other important features or capabilities to consider, especially for hunting wildlife, include infrared imaging for night use, trigger speed, recovery time, and the type of battery and memory the camera uses.
Since there are many different options to consider when buying a new trail camera, we have recommended a few of the best options for you to check out. This guide will educate you on the features you should consider before selecting a trail camera to take with you into the wild.
Treated properly, a trail camera will offer years of performance. It’s built to be rugged, with an outer case that resists water intrusion and cushions the camera if it falls off its mount.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A TRAIL CAMERA
The basics
Weather resistance: If a trail camera can’t stand up to the elements of rain, snow, sun, and wind, all of its other features are useless.
Lens: A high-quality lens is essential to get clear, sharp, detailed pictures, whether day or night.
Megapixels: While the number of megapixels isn’t the single deciding factor in the quality of a trail camera’s images, look for cameras offering 10 megapixels and up.
Trigger speed
The interval between the time a deer or other wildlife comes into a trail camera’s field of view and when the camera’s shutter opens is critical.
It’s the difference between getting a great picture of a buck, antlers and all, or just his rear end as he leaves the detection zone.
Infrared flash
This is an important feature if you want to capture nighttime activity.Instead of a visible, bright white flash, an infrared flash is a burst of light on a wavelength that people and game can’t see. This prevents game from being spooked into avoiding the area.
Recovery time
Camera performance is about more than resolution.
In this part of our review, we look at the different images that each model produces, how they’re captured, and the different flash types provided.
Memory
A trail camera should have enough memory to hold hundreds of pictures or several minutes of video (if the camera has that option).
Consider how long the camera will be in position, how difficult it will be to access the camera to retrieve images, and how frequently the camera will take pictures or video.
Battery
Batteries should have a long life.
They should also stay dependably charged even in challenging weather conditions.
EXTRA FEATURES THAT ARE WORTH THE MONEY
Security box: Expensive trail cameras can be targets for thieves.
Memory card: An SD or microSD memory card can add several gigabytes of storage to a trail camera and can be easily removed or replaced.
Video: A trail camera with video capability can enrich the viewing experience. With video, you can observe animals’ feeding and movement patterns.
Remote transfer: Cameras with 3G or 4G capability can send images to your smartphone, as long as there is cell reception in the placement area. While pricey, remote transfer saves on storage and means you don’t have to visit the placement area as frequently.
Onboard viewer: An LED/LCD viewscreen built into the camera lets you view images without having to offload to a computer or other device. However, viewing screens can increase the potential for moisture-related damage, adding another weather-sensitive component to the camera.
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EXPERT TIP
Dry the outside of the camera case before opening to prevent moisture from getting into the internal works.
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TIPS FOR GETTING GREAT PICTURES WITH YOUR TRAIL CAMERA
Don’t get frustrated if your first storage card is filled with pictures of an empty clearing or maybe a glimpse of a deer’s hindquarters. Just reposition the camera and adjust its sensor sensitivity.
If sensors are set too high, they can be triggered not just by creatures darting or flying by but by foliage or brush moving in the wind. If the camera is aimed at a spot with a lot of tall grasses or brush, lower its sensitivity. If it’s aimed at an open area, such as a wide clearing, set the sensitivity higher.
Detection range is an important factor in proper positioning. A camera with a sensor range of 80 feet isn’t going to pick up movement beyond that. An infrared flash range of 80 feet is not going to capture nighttime images beyond its limit, and game may not show up clearly when moving at the edge of the flash range.
When game enters the detection zone, the camera begins snapping photos or taking video. The zone’s size is indicated in degrees. A detection angle of 45° means the camera won’t be triggered until a subject walks into that cone-shaped 45° zone.
Set up your camera far enough from trails and feeding and watering areas that it won’t be easily detected.
For daylight pictures, avoid placing the camera at an angle where it will catch the sun’s glare.
Take note of the background. A dense tangle of brush or leaves can affect an image’s contrast, causing the finer features of an animal — such as a deer’s antlers — to blend into the background.
Blowing snow can block the lens and sensors, so research the prevailing wind direction of the area where you’re setting up. Adjust the camera’s position during winter months to reduce snow piling up on the lens.
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TESTING TRAIL CAMERAS
We spent 42 hours researching 107 trail cameras before choosing our top picks. We then purchased our favorite model and tested it in our lab.
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HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY FOR A TRAIL CAMERA?
There’s a large selection of trail cameras on the market today, ranging in price from $60 to $700.
Inexpensive
Low-budget models retail for $60 to $70. The lower the price, the fewer the features.
Quality and durability can be an issue with the lowest-priced cameras, too, though many are fine for those just starting out.
Mid-range
In the $100 to $200 range, you’ll find trail cameras with 1080p HD resolution and limited video capability of up to 60 seconds per trigger.
Placing a camera on a game trail? Set it at a 45° angle to the trail, rather than head on. Deer will be less likely to notice the camera, and it will give a wider field of view.
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Expensive
At the high end, expect to pay between $300 and $700 for cellular-equipped, high-memory, top-resolution trail cameras with every extra feature.