best trail camera for the money

I need to purchase a couple new trail cams. Any thoughts on best bang for your buck?

How much you looking to spend?

"Best" is relative. "Best" overall regardless of price or best bang for your buck.

The best cheapo camera that I like is made by Stealth and runs about $60 a unit, runs on 8 AA batteries (I use rechargeables) and takes functional (not beautiful) pictures.
http://www.amazon.com/Stealth-Cam-STC-P12-Megapixel-Scouting/dp/B00HMN7LDC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463064399&sr=8-2&keywords=Stealth+Cam+STC-P12+6.0+Megapixel+Digital+Scouting+Camera%2C+Tree+Bark (sorry, this won't hyper link for some reason, but copy and paste and it will get you there)

For about double, a very good option is the Browning Strike Force. Most people love these.
http://www.amazon.com/Browning-Strike-Fo...ng+strike+force

Personally, game cameras seem to be really hit or miss. I have run some cheapo Moultries that lasted 6 years and other models by Moultrie that didn't run 6 months. I figure that on average, I get 2-3 years out of my cameras before they peter out, hence why I tend not to be expensive ones. I have had 2 $300 game cameras that went less than 18 months, just long enough to be well out of warranty. I am currently using the Stealths above and am happy with them, but like I said, the images are not amazing, but functional. Go with the Brownings if you want beautiful images.

Yeah I'm more on the cheaper side I guess. I just had a moultrie go out on me after a couple yrs. I just need it to be functional. I don't need crystal clear images or anything.

I use the old style Moultrie A-5. Been working great for 4 yrs.

Pm sent

We currently using a few different brands. The moiltrie is alright but some of the pics aren't the best, and I haven't used the cuddeback enough to tell yet, but I recommend browning. Have used it for about 6 months and takes really good pics and is reliable.

Moultrie or truthcam have done well for me...

Another vote for Browning Strike Force for "bang per buck".

Great review site.

http://www.trailcampro.com/collections/b...force-hd-review

http://www.gsmoutdoors.com/wildview/

I bought one of their cheapest cameras 8 years ago and put it out. I replaced it this year because the SD card wouldn't latch in anymore. It had the best pics you could ask for. Great day or night. I replaced it with a Moultrie A5 that I won at a clay shoot. Not near the pic quality as the cheapo. Most on here will tell you the Wildview is junk but I don't think so.

I've never heard of these, but wildgame innovations is junk

I 2nd the motion

Moultrie, Browning, and StealthCam are what we are running.

The Brownings seem to blur somewhat (slower shutter?) with the night pics.

I agree for cameras!! They make good batteries and their feeders are alright. My sd chip viewer works well too.

With the exception of Hunten brand, I think all the companies have a decent model or two that come out of China. All the companies also end up having some crap models as well. Brand name is pretty meaningless for quality. For example, some of the best and some of the worst cameras I have run are Moultries.

Here are a couple of pics of the same hog in about the same place, one day and one night, showing what the cheapo Stealth cam I mentioned above will do.

The feeder is at about 15 yards from the camera and the hog is 230 lbs.

+1 on the Brownings. We have 5 and I must say they have performed much better than the Stealthcams, Bushmells and the wildgames for us.

Try a wildgame out. Maybe you'll get lucky with a solid camera as I did

You knew I'd eventually respond

I used to run 4 Bushnell cameras,but all started having problems after a couple years. I bought 2 of the Browning cameras to replace them,and have since bought 4 more Brownings. For the price,they are the best trail cameras that I've ever owned,and I've tried Moultrie,Wildgame,Cuddelback,Bushnell,and Browning.

My first 2 Browning's are 4 years old,and the other 4 are 3 years old. I run them year round,and have never had any issues with them. I have two of them on video mode,and the others I just take pictures.

I tried the Moultrie A5 for about a week. It took hundreds of decent pics of mostly nothing. I cleared a lot of weeds and branches. I found that the camera took pics of things that were outside the pictures range. The grass that blew where I hadn't cleared and animals to the side set it off. I took it back to Walmart.

To test the cams, put 2 on the same feeder. You'll generally be disappointed with both.

If you can find some old Tasco 3MP cams somewhere these are my go to. Not photo contest quality pics for sure, but definitely let you know what's there. I've had some out for a decade straight with nothing more than battery changes. When I started buying them they were in the $100 range. I picked up three recently for $25/ea. Funny, my hunting buddies brag about the warranties on their cams that cost 5x but keep getting sent in for repair/replace. Those cheapo Tasco's keep plugging along.

I sent him the link for them. They are still available at that price

I have no relationship with this person ^^^^^^ But I gotta' say those cheap-[censored] Tasco cams are da' bomb for reliability. I think my first one has been hanging from the same tree for at least 12 years. It's still taking pics.

I had 3 WG cams that stayed out every day for 3 years and never let me down. Then I bought some "spensive ones" and they sucked.

My next ones won't likely be WG, but i have no complaints on the ones that I had for the money.

Here is a pic from Cabela's camera------- the night movies were only 3 seconds,, I wound up taking the camera back to them

will you send me that link? Thanks

Checked, and they no longer have that promotion going on. If you a primos fan I know where they have the ultra 35 at like half price

I have 2 Wildgame Inno cameras that are still working after 5 years...not the greatest pictures or trigger speed, but they work. Ran Moultrie cameras for the last 8 or so years with the average lifespan of about 2 yrs. Switched to the Cabelas brand cameras ($100 on sale) and I'll be sticking with them from now on! Great cameras, great pictures, and haven't had one fail now for 3 years...that and the batteries last for 4k+ pictures too!

We have had good luck with the Moultrie M-8XX series. These use 8 AA batteries, and are fairly small. Think we are up to 12 running on the ranch now of various generations. Several are old M80's that are now approaching 6 years old and have been out in the field 24/7/365. A couple have crapped out, but Moultrie's customer service has always taken care of me.

I have noticed the newer generation Moultries of the same family are much better on battery life. They seem to use less than half the juice per picture, and trigger speed is good too.

We tried a couple Stealths back in 2011 that were terrible. They both lasted less than 6 months. I'm sure they have improved since then, but kind of tainted the brand for me.

Have buddies that swear by Brownings as well, seem like good cams.

I've got two of the mid-priced Brownings (Range Ops XR 8MP), and I've been very pleased with them. I waited until they went on sale and I think I picked them up for $99 each. I've had one of them for 3 years now and the other for 2 years and they haven't missed a beat yet.

They take 8 AA batteries and will typically last all season, plus some, on the 4MP setting. Our laptop doesn't have a card reader, so I just walk up and plug it into the camera and download the pics that way. I would run the camera on the 8MP but it takes longer to download the pics and I get tired of standing there holding the laptop.

ZK, you can get a card reader for your USB for dirt cheap, easier and safer than lugging a laptop into the bush.

One recommendation for the new product Crenova trail camera, just $99 on Amazon.

I have had good luck with Moultries.

I have two Cuddeback cameras and a Moultrie. The Cuddeback models I have are the Long Range IR and the Black Flash model. They have worked okay but I do get a lot of blurry pics from time to time. My Moultrie A-7i just kicked the bucket and has to be sent back for repairs. So I just picked up the Moultrie M-999i to go with their mobile modem. I will be putting it out this week. So far the Moultrie picture quality seems better than the Cuddeback cameras which are also 20mp cameras. I would have bought a different cellular camera but their mobile modem worked with the A-7i model I had so I purchased it. Then my Moultrie camera junked out on me so I got another Moultrie. Go figure lol. I will probably pick up two more cameras next year that take better pics than the Cuddebacks. They are reliable but I get too many blurry pics from them. I use CamLock Boxes for the Moultrie cameras. They make a great security box for a good price.

Just adding another opinion. I have tried many different brands. I currently have Moultrie A5, 2 Browning, Spypoint and the Cuddie Blackout.

As far as battery life, dependability month after month, and quality of pic, the Cuddie is my choice.

That's what we are running too. Have been very happy with them. Some out for 4 years now 24/7/365 as well.

Kinda curious what those photos would look like without the additional light source...

Yes the light seems to be washing out when in reality he camera seems far away from the feeder and you can see hogs and the time.

Moultrie

I know WGI is not well liked, but I have had good luck with them. These pics are all from older models that aren't made any more but still get the job done.