Moultrie M100 Game Camera

[JimStC]

I bought one of these at Gander Mtn last Saturday. First night it drained eight new Duracell batteries. Hmm.. Second night it drained 8 more Duracell batteries. Called GM and they said that I had to start with Moultrie before they would refund my purchase price. Ok. Called Moultrie and held for 12 minutes and gave up. Next day I called them on my way to work. By the time I got to the parking lot (25 minutes) I finally got a live person. Very nice guy. He explained that this is a common problem with their cameras. He also explained where to find a download on their web site that might fix the problem.
At this point I wondered how a company can sell a product that has a recurring problem to the magnitude that they offer a download to potentially fix the problem. Why not fix it in the manufacturing process instead of selling a defective product?
Took it back to GM today and they refunded my $$, no problem.
Just wanted to give a heads up to other first time game camera purchasers like me.
I did find a great web site that ranks game cams via a game cam shootout. It was a big help on deciding on my replacement. Only downside is that deer gun season starts here in 9 days and I lost some time with the camera.

Jim

 

[Double Naught Spy]

From owning a variety of makes and models of game camera, every company has some dogs. Moultrie is very popular and has had several. They used to have units where the display would die after 1-2 years...which sucked. Right now, I have 6 or 7 D55IR units that I think are absolutely outstanding and have had no problems with them.

I don't like Moultrie as their CS is quite poor, IMHO. I can tell you that the D55IR has consistently been a good camera for me.

 

[rhinoh]

I have two of the M80's that have been really good. Have some older Moultrie models that no longer work well, almost as if the IR sensor to detect motion has weakened.

 

[JimStC]

The two cameras you guys mention are both rated well by the web site I found. I failed to do enough research before I bought the M100. It was described as a step down from the M80. Of course I found that review after I bought the M100:banghead:
Out of a possible 100 points, the D55IR got 62 and the M80 got 50. Based on the overall scoring, those are both respectable scores. Had I bought either first, I am sure I would still have it.
Thanks for the comments.
Fwiw, I ended up buying a Scoutguard SG560c and Tenergy Nimh batteries and a charger. Hoping I chose wisely this time.

Jim

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Let me know how the Tenergy batteries work for you. I am running Eneloop AAs out of my Cover Special Ops Code Black and have been reasonably pleased with their performance. They were designed to work with with longer term operation slow drain devices (which I assume a game cam to be), but maybe the Tenergies are better?

 

[JimStC]

Will do. I will report back after a few days of drain. According to FedEx the camera and batteries will be here tomorrow.

Jim

 

[JimStC]

After a week of use, with temps falling into the 20's at night, the Tenergy batteries are still at 80%+ charged. My understanding is that the Nimh batteries are impervious to cold temps. Sure seems to be the case. I am getting 6-8 pictures per 24 hours. Good quality pics both day and night.
Hope this helps.

Jim