idea's for a trail cam

[chrome_steelhead]

In the next month or so I would like to purchase a trail cam. Anyone have some good suggestions for a cheap price. The reason I say cheap is because this will be going on state land. It's always possibly of it getting stolen unless someone has any ideas for it not to get stolen. Is there any good locks out there or ways to hide your camera from theft???

Anyways, thanks for any idea's.

[Shop Rat]

I use a deercam it is about 100 bucks. Any cheaper and you may be sorry. Some have a slow trigger and all you have is pictures of tails. Also, the quality of the picture will not be good. Digital will save you money in the long run with the price of developing. Once, I bought one for around 60 dollars and it would not take a picture. Ants moved in because it was not sealed properly. I took it back and bought the deer cam. My brother has the cuddeback and it is really cool. There is a feature where you need a password and if someone steals it the camera will not work for them. They send it to the factory because it will not work for them. The camera has your name and address in the memory so they will send it back to you.

[steve ypsi]

here is some photos from a moultrie digital, isn't always perfect but is cheap
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/3041/medium/Copy_of_moultrie_camo_10_30_05_004.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/3041/medium/Copy_of_moultrie_camo_10_30_05_005.jpg


it also does 10 second movies during the day and switchs back to flash when the light gets to low

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/3041/movie_test_moultrie_trail_cam_009.avi

[M1Garand]

I know when putting them on public land there's a big chance if someone finds it, they'll take it. I agree the cuddeback is a possibility and you can also get a bear box for it but I can't tell you how it's secured or anything. I don't know about the cheap film cameras as I had one a few years ago and as I look back I think I only got a few pictures that were decent out of what appeared to be many missed shots and a lot of $$ in film and developing. It ended up getting chewed up by some rodent, I think either a squirrel or porcupine. I'd seriously look at the digitals, initial cost is higher but it'll pay for itself in the long run.

[Letmgro]

Cuddeback with a steal case and cable. If they cut the cable the steal case is still torx screwwed (and locked) to the tree. Pass word protected with name and phone number on each pic makes it useless to whomever would get it off the tree.

You won't be disappointed.

[buckwhacka]

i gotta go with steve on that one moultries are the way to go for a cheap price

[M1Garand]

Cuddeback with a steal case and cable. If they cut the cable the steal case is still torx screwwed (and locked) to the tree. Pass word protected with name and phone number on each pic makes it useless to whomever would get it off the tree.

You won't be disappointed.


When I finally break down and get a new one, I'm definately getting the Cuddeback. I've looked at many of them for a while and it seems to be the best all around. Does the bear box torx screw into the tree? Or is it something that cables around and torx's inside the box?

[M1Garand]

I looked at the owners manual and looks like it screws into the tree which can't do on live trees on public land. Guess if I do it, I'll have to find a dead one.

[Letmgro]

When I finally break down and get a new one, I'm definately getting the Cuddeback. I've looked at many of them for a while and it seems to be the best all around. Does the bear box torx screw into the tree? Or is it something that cables around and torx's inside the box?

If you don't want to use the torx option on a live tree, then the cable works just as effectively at securing the box and camara to the tree. Just add a lock to the steal box and you're good to go.

[M1Garand]

I definately need to pick one up then....I've been putting it off for too long.

[rmw]

You can make them pretty cheap . Look at www.hagshouse.com and www.pixcontroller.com . I have made some out of sony digital cameras that work pretty well

[joeyd50]

Let me run down what I have, I have a Moultrie Gamespy 100, I changed this camera to IR, it works ok but it takes 2 passes in front of camera to take a picture, also it took 5 cameras before I got one that worked, got it on E-Bay for $135.00 with rechargeable battery, charger and solar charger. Cuddeback 1.3 fast trigger but slow to capture 2nd picture,.2 Leaf River IR, these are my favorite cameras no flash and great pictures for a IR camera, you can get these for about $250.00 on E-Bay. I also have 2 inexpensive cameras a Wildview Extreme and a Stealth STC-WD2 you can get both of these for around a $100.00 on E-Bay and they work great. Go to http://www.chasingame.com/ (http://www.chasingame.com/) they have a great camera review section.
Good Luck
Joe