Cameras

[Patcon]

I am sort of frustrated by my cameras
First off, I run video only. I really like being able to study the interaction instead of getting 1000's of pictures and my newer cameras are HD and have sound.
Lately I have been able to determine that I am missing animals. Since I know I missed videos at least two days this week I have no idea how many I am losing overall.
I was in the stand last Saturday and 4 does came through on a typical travel area and my main camera at the feeder has no videos of them.
Friday I hunted in the morning and had a Doe with 2 fawns come through, then a 3 pt then a 6 pt. One of my other cameras missed all three of those situations
Camera #1 is a Browning Blackout camera (it may have been top of the line in 2015)
Camera #2 is a UOvision Panda that is my first camera and pretty old
Camera #3 is a newer Browning that is not a blackout but still a $150+ camera

I would love to have a domestically made camera but can't see paying $600 for a Reconyx. I could go buy a ton of cheap cameras for that and only a fraction of them would have to work to be just as effective.
Could use some recommendations, experience and thoughts.
Thanks, Charles

[ko4nrbs]

Do a Homebuild and never look back.
http://www.hagshouse.com/forums/index.php?act=index
http://camtrapper.com/viewforum.php?f=9&start=300

If you don't want to build one some of the guys on the forum will.
johnnydeerhunter is an excellent source.
Web Site: http://www.trailcamkits.com/

I buy my parts here:
http://www.snapshotsniper.com/
http://rcdavisgamecamerasolutions.weebly.com/
Bill

[Patcon]

Do a Homebuild and never look back.
http://www.hagshouse.com/forums/index.php?act=index
http://camtrapper.com/viewforum.php?f=9&start=300

If you don't want to build one some of the guys on the forum will.
johnnydeerhunter is an excellent source.
Web Site: http://www.trailcamkits.com/

I buy my parts here:
http://www.snapshotsniper.com/
http://rcdavisgamecamerasolutions.weebly.com/
Bill

I have thought about doing that. I have been on Hagshouse. I can see going that route. A lot of those guys didn't seem to be doing video. I was talking to somebody from there but he was making cameras for the DEA. I will check those links out

[ko4nrbs]

Some of the guys have built really nice video units. They come up for sale here from time to time.
http://www.hagshouse.com/forums/index.php?/forum/13-member39s-store-front-amp-bargain-corner/

Bill

[Patcon]

Thanks,
I did some browsing through the links you added. I might end up going that route eventually, but I would prefer not to have another project. I have too many already.
I found Exodus cameras that look promising as an alternative - Direct source, hunter developed

[ko4nrbs]

Thanks,
I did some browsing through the links you added. I might end up going that route eventually, but I would prefer not to have another project. I have too many already.
I found Exodus cameras that look promising as an alternative - Direct source, hunter developed

One of the main advantages with a Homebrew camera is the ability to repair it yourself if it develops a problem. Not to mention excellent pics that far outshine a commercial trail camera.

I have 6 I have built for pics only, 2 IR and 4 Whiteflash (Color). If you wish to avoid having to use a slave flash with the camera some digital cameras have a more than an adequate flash already, i.e. Sony S600, Sony W100, etc. I buy mine off Ebay and then convert them to work with the control boards. Lots of good info on the web sites.

Here is a link to some pics and a few videos.
http://www.hagshouse.com/forums/index.php?/forum/16-trail-camera-pictures-amp-videos/&

Good luck,

Bill

[Patcon]

Anyone else have any input

[ko4nrbs]

Anyone else have any input

This is an excellent site for commercial trail cams. Good reviews.
https://www.trailcampro.com/collections/trail-camera-reviews
Bill

[Patcon]

Anyone else have any input

This is an excellent site for commercial trail cams. Good reviews.
https://www.trailcampro.com/collections/trail-camera-reviews
Bill

I have spent a lot of time there.
I guess the frustration comes in when I am running some of there top recommendations and I am still missing animals.
I am really resistant to taking on a new hobby of DIY camera building. I have so many things pulling at my time already

[ko4nrbs]

You could buy an excellent Homebrew video camera for what a lot on the commercial ones cost.

Several guys on the forums build them. You could post your needs and see what is offered. One thing additional you would get is unlimited support.

This guy has been around for a long while.
http://www.the12-ring.com

Gods luck!!
Bill

[Prédateur]

Hi Charles, make sure your batteries are new, some of my cameras do the same thing when the battery gets too low. Also make sure your cameras have the perfect angle. Sometimes if my camera are not installed correctly I miss some animals too. If you want to buy some new cameras, I suggest the new Browning Recon Force Advantage or Spec Ops Advantage, they are the best for video. They have a very good detection circuit and they record in 1080p 60fps.

Hope that help

Simon

[rayman]

I've had reasonably good luck with Covert MP8 Black. Still pics or video. Eight AA last a season or more.

[Patcon]

Hi Charles, make sure your batteries are new, some of my cameras do the same thing when the battery gets too low. Also make sure your cameras have the perfect angle. Sometimes if my camera are not installed correctly I miss some animals too. If you want to buy some new cameras, I suggest the new Browning Recon Force Advantage or Spec Ops Advantage, they are the best for video. They have a very good detection circuit and they record in 1080p 60fps.

Hope that help

Simon

I have heard this about batteries. I like to run rechargeables but that evidently can cause problems, because they don't have as much voltage when fully charged. Although the main camera, the best of the three, has a large external battery that should be more sufficient for voltage. I probably need to check voltage on it, to make sure. I really need to find a good online source for lithiums. My cameras will eat cheap batteries. As we have been in prime time lately, i am getting close to 200 videos every few days, which is hard on batteries in low temperatures

Thanks for the pointer

[Patcon]

I've had reasonably good luck with Covert MP8 Black. Still pics or video. Eight AA last a season or more.

thanks, I will look into that