texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
BobOso, Tbirdszz, Fischpat, barracude, LEAD
72065 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,797
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,533
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,942
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics538,081
Posts9,732,744
Members87,065
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
which budget trail cam? #8871907 06/22/23 09:24 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 240
WendlingKnives Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 240
Want to add a few regular cameras on the place. Without dropping 1-150each on the brownings i usually use, anyone recommend any cheap ones that work well?


Follow on facebook for current builds https://www.facebook.com/WendlingKnives
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8871958 06/22/23 01:04 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,799
el Rojo Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,799
I've had good luck with the Stealth at Walmart.

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8871962 06/22/23 01:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
I
illest23 Offline
Light Foot
Offline
Light Foot
I
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
Have used $30 Tasco from Walmart to place on public land. Total of 4 for the last 2 years. One died. 3 still going.

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8871965 06/22/23 01:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,958
A
angus1956 Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
A
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,958
Ok here the plan, buy the wildgame innovations cheep cameras. At best you'll get 2 years out of them. Within the first year if they fail return to WGI for warranty return, but you must keep your receipt. Without the receipt your SOL. Last June I bought 6 of them at Walmart for $29.00 each, 4 of them have failed and I sent them in for warranty replacement. The warranty process is all online and EZ to do, but you have to return the defective unit. So this year I have 6 working cameras for hunting season.
Once you submit your online request check your junk email for their response it may be in there.
Good luck,

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8871976 06/22/23 01:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,300
Creekrunner Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,300
Real cheap? Tasco. Middle-of-the-road? Bushnell for 79.00 on Amazon sometimes.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8872004 06/22/23 02:45 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
F
freerange Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
F
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
I bought a few Cabelas Outfitter Gen 3 over last year or so and they are easy to operate and have worked real good. I think around $70. We recently converted to all Spartan cell cams and Im getting rid of all the hodge podge of others and keeping the Cabelas as backup and odd ball uses. I really dont experiment with stuff a bunch so take my opinion for what its worth.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8872014 06/22/23 03:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15,991
J
Jimbo1 Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
J
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15,991
Look for Brownings on sale/discount for around $79.


FJB - Lets Go Brandon
BBB - Bring Back Better
Awake - Not Woke!
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8872094 06/22/23 07:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,220
N
ntxtrapper Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
N
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,220
Cheap cameras are like cheap scopes and binoculars. I don’t put good money in bad optics.

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8872112 06/22/23 08:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 570
P
Papalote Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
P
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 570
$30 cameras last 16-24 months of constant service. I may or may not get another 6 months from the more expensive units. I have used WGI, StealthCam, Moultrie, Muddy and another brand I can't remember.

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8872356 06/23/23 12:49 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,113
S
soooo Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,113
Midway puts them on sale if you're on the email promo list.

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8872836 06/24/23 12:54 PM
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 324
D
diablodog Online Content
Bird Dog
Online Content
Bird Dog
D
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 324
It is the luck of the draw as there seems to be no quality control in China . I have had expensive one do poor quality photos and quit after 8 months and I have had cheap one work for years and make great photos. The same on battery life .

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8872846 06/24/23 01:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 60
wingmaster23 Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 60
I have purchased stealth cam, spypoint,browning. Stealth cam took good pics,but battery life not great. Spypoint took great pics, but was not reliable. Multiple repairs. Browning takes good pics, have been running for years and battery life is outstanding.

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: diablodog] #8872862 06/24/23 02:08 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,261
T
Texas Dan Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,261
Originally Posted by diablodog
It is the luck of the draw as there seems to be no quality control in China . I have had expensive one do poor quality photos and quit after 8 months and I have had cheap one work for years and make great photos. The same on battery life .


This is true. I have a Browning that works great but have to watch for the battery holder to become unlatched, which means having to reset the clock and date each time it happens.

When it comes to most improved, I have to give a nod to Moultrie. I have three, including one cellular model that all work great and batteries seem to last forever compared to want you could expect when game cameras first came out. And the cellular model transmits photos very reliably with just a weak, one bar signal.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: soooo] #8873864 06/26/23 06:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,867
P
PMK Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,867
Originally Posted by soooo
Midway puts them on sale if you're on the email promo list.


"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."

~PMK~
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8874442 06/27/23 07:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
F
freerange Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
F
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
Powder Valley has a sale on some type Browning. Usually 80 and now 60 I think. I know nothing about them, just passing along the brandnew sale item.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8874449 06/27/23 08:09 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,261
T
Texas Dan Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,261
With cellular cameras now going for as much or less than what a standalone camera cost in years past, I would not be surprised to see the bottom fall out of the standalone market, if it hasn't already. Just like ink that has to be routinely replaced in printers, the manufacturers know the big money with game cameras is with the monthly service fees.

Last edited by Texas Dan; 06/27/23 08:11 PM.

"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: Texas Dan] #8874475 06/27/23 09:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,300
Creekrunner Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,300
Originally Posted by Texas Dan
...the manufacturers know the big money with game cameras is with the monthly service fees.


The ol' razor blade/razor business aproach.

And the little dings from HP for ink is starting to piss me off. But, I don't miss going to Walmart and my obsolete printer's cartridges are out of stock.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8874580 06/27/23 11:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 473
R
RevolverFan Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
R
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 473
Love our muddy cam and was well under 100 on sale at academy. Duracell batteries last forever change maybe once a year and get pics all the time

Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8875943 06/30/23 02:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,005
H
HornSlayer Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
H
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,005
Why would anyone spend good money on junk knowing it’s going to fail? It took a few years for me to learn that the cheapest cameras are the best cameras not the ones that cost the least amount of money. If you value your time and want to be confident it’s working years into the future without failing you can’t get that buying cheap. You have to factor in the cost of wasted trips to your hunting property only to find out your camera hasn’t worked in 6 weeks so you have no idea when or what if anything is coming in to feed. The lowest dollar cost is not necessarily the least expensive.


They make ammo specifically for hunting for a reason! nidea
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: HornSlayer] #8875989 06/30/23 03:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
F
freerange Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
F
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
Originally Posted by HornSlayer
Why would anyone spend good money on junk knowing it’s going to fail? It took a few years for me to learn that the cheapest cameras are the best cameras not the ones that cost the least amount of money. If you value your time and want to be confident it’s working years into the future without failing you can’t get that buying cheap. You have to factor in the cost of wasted trips to your hunting property only to find out your camera hasn’t worked in 6 weeks so you have no idea when or what if anything is coming in to feed. The lowest dollar cost is not necessarily the least expensive.

^^^Maybe I need to reread it but I dont understand the point youre tyring to make.
I almost stopped reading on your first sentence "Why would anyone spend good money on junk knowing its going to fail?' No one KNOWS its going to fail would be one valid answer.
Not giving you a hard time, but I really dont know if you are endorsing inexpensive cameras or the opposite...?
Actually I reread it and I think I understand but your second sentence must have multiple typos, or Im just stupid.
Also, Im very much into "buy once cry once" at this point in my life. I wasnt always like that and everyone is not in that situation. Its not always that people dont have the money but they may not want to spend a lot at that time. Maybe they are tiptoeing into hunting and not sure if its long term. Or they may need time to research a really quality expensive set of cameras and just need one temporarily to tide them over.
So, lots of reasons for going cheap, but generally I dont do it anymore, so I generally agree with your premise.

Last edited by freerange; 06/30/23 03:50 PM.

At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8876090 06/30/23 06:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,109
D
DukeCigars Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
D
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,109
If you can get through another season, wait until beginning of next year for clearance cameras. This year I picked up 4 cell cams from Academy, normally priced $119, for between $39-$54. Think I got them around February and they each come with a free month of data that I can activate this coming season


Car guy. Serial entrepreneur. Terrible golfer.
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8876234 06/30/23 11:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,965
J
jdickey Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
J
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,965
Stealth Cam was running a special on their remote Wildcam cameras - BOGO for $75.00! So jumped in and bought the two, and have a subscription for $5.00 for 900 pictures. I am running just one camera and have had no issues so far. The problem is.....the land owner has put goats and sheep on our lease, so I am getting great pictures of goats eating the deer corn!
[Linked Image]

Last edited by jdickey; 06/30/23 11:31 PM.

Bigfoot Research Specialist
http://www.texlaresearch.com/
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: WendlingKnives] #8876241 06/30/23 11:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,300
Creekrunner Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,300
Goats are the worst.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: jdickey] #8876243 06/30/23 11:45 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
F
freerange Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
F
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,498
Originally Posted by jdickey
Stealth Cam was running a special on their remote Wildcam cameras - BOGO for $75.00! So jumped in and bought the two, and have a subscription for $5.00 for 900 pictures. I am running just one camera and have had no issues so far. The problem is.....the land owner has put goats and sheep on our lease, so I am getting great pictures of goats eating the deer corn!
[Linked Image]

How long do you anticipate 900 pictures lasting? We just went to Spartan and I need to research number of by pics vs costs and maybe adjust settings accordingly.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: which budget trail cam? [Re: freerange] #8876262 07/01/23 12:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,965
J
jdickey Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
J
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,965
I delete them daily and any that I keep I can download them to my picture file. I can also turn if off any time.


Bigfoot Research Specialist
http://www.texlaresearch.com/
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3