Tell me about trail cams.

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I am looking for a motion sensor camera to tell me what is getting into my trash cans. Secondarily, I'd like something that can keep track of cars/license plates, if a porch pirate comes back. I don't want to spend a fortune If I don't have to, but I also appreciate American-made quality. Any suggestions?

 

[jmorris]

Wyze camera is pretty cheap $30 and works on motion not just heat movement. It is also HD, sends alerts/video to cell phones, can pan & scan 360 degrees and under, can have pre set zones to monitor then track motion as it moves as well as be remotely controlled by cell phone. No monthly fees. They also have audio capabilities but I have mine in sealed clear containers (they are indoor cameras used outdoors). The motion vs IR allows them to still function from a video standpoint but seal up all but the loudest audio.

 

[Dibbs]

I like the four-packs, from either Rural King or Tractor Supply. @140-160$ is about 40$ a camera, gives you four separate units, which all function the same.

OTOH, I've had zero luck with Wildgame Innovations.

 

[Captcurt]

I have a Stealth Cam, a Browning and 3 Moultries, one of which I have owned for over 10 years. I'll take the Moultries over the other two. None of these were top of the line, but they all take decent pictures. I had something digging in the back yard and thought it was a armadillo. Set up a camera and found out that it was a coon. Evidently I must have spilled some grease when I cleaned my smoker and Mr. Coon thought that it was buried. I filled the hole and tamped it and he dug it up 5 nights in a row. Put a new motion light up and shot him.

 

[sage5907]

Give you a couple of suggestions. Place the camera so that it faces away from the sun in both morning and evening so the sun doesn't glare on the picture. And, place it so it doesn't have road vehicles going past the camera because it will take a picture of anything that trips a picture. The Moultrie cameras are so sensitive they will take a picture of a moving vehicle 50 yards away.

 

[sage5907]

Something was eating corn out of the feeder in front of my house.

 

[sage5907]

This camera is set so it gets vehicle licence numbers as they go up the driveway 24 hours a day.

 

[sage5907]

The Moultrie camera used to take these pictures was just over $100. Moultrie has so many model numbers that it's difficult to buy a camera and then try to find the same model number 6 months later. I use these Moultrie cameras 12 months each year and the life of a camera seems to be about 3 years.

 

[sage5907]

Last night.