$100 Trail Cam [Archive]

beeker

12-08-2013, 09:13 AM

I am involved in a gift exchange this Christmas and need to request a gift that costs about a hundred bucks.

So here's the question:

Can anyone recommend a decent trail cam that costs around a hundred bucks. Preferably something that doesn't eat batteries like crazy. Please let me know your suggestions.

Beeker

Ovis17

12-08-2013, 09:48 AM

Check out Amazon warehouse deals online. (The US version). Tons of good deals on trail cameras.

decker9

12-08-2013, 11:12 AM

Also eBay. Sometimes find good deals on refurbished game cams.

beeker

12-08-2013, 01:04 PM

thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess i should've been a little bit more specific. I know you can find lot's of tcams for a hundred bucks... the question is, what trail cam in that price range will I actually be happy with.

139grainsofhell

12-08-2013, 04:43 PM

Canadien tire always have them on sale just bought a stealth cam black ops reg 249.99 for 124.00$$ half price.

Sitkaspruce

12-08-2013, 05:42 PM

Bushnell 19436 at GPSCenrtral, $169 -$50 mail in is a great bet.

Simmons 119426, 7mp Prohunter, you can find it for $100-$130 -$20 main in rebate. Wallyworld, Bartons Big Country in GP and Amazon.ca.

IMO, stay away from WGI and SC.

Cheers

SS

Colinofthewoods

12-08-2013, 07:02 PM

Camofire has them up now and then. Last thing I purchased from them was at my door in a week. There is one up right now for $60

coach

12-08-2013, 07:22 PM

E.V.B.H.

12-08-2013, 08:22 PM

Canadien tire always have them on sale just bought a stealth cam black ops reg 249.99 for 124.00$$ half price.

Me too, p.o.s., first set of batteries lasted one week, second set lasted two days, third set lasted 6 hrs! All brand new Duracell. Pretty disappointed because it takes good pics in the day and night. Don't know what's wrong with it but it's going back.

sarg

12-08-2013, 08:36 PM

I have a tasco trail cam that take decent picture for less then $100
https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/64073_10151498144517400_186157777_n.jpg?lvh=1
https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/942439_10151498143162400_549119439_n.jpg

sarg

12-08-2013, 08:37 PM

the reason it so low is because it got knock down the tree

Pioneerman

12-08-2013, 08:39 PM

We have been using the simons/tasco cameras from Walmart 3 mega pixel I think and they are very good on batteries and images and video are good also. $99 for two pack

coach

12-08-2013, 08:46 PM

Me too, p.o.s., first set of batteries lasted one week, second set lasted two days, third set lasted 6 hrs! All brand new Duracell. Pretty disappointed because it takes good pics in the day and night. Don't know what's wrong with it but it's going back.

Are you using lithium batteries? The cold temps will kill your alkalines in no time. That said, some cameras eat batteries a lot quicker than others. My Simmons will go a couple months in cold temps with only 4 AA's. The tasco seems to be the same. I believe both are made by bushnell.

E.V.B.H.

12-08-2013, 09:17 PM

Are you using lithium batteries? The cold temps will kill your alkalines in no time. That said, some cameras eat batteries a lot quicker than others. My Simmons will go a couple months in cold temps with only 4 AA's. The tasco seems to be the same. I believe both are made by bushnell.

No I'm not, they probably would be better, the last few night have dropped to -38 where my cam is! However my buddy has a moultrie set up less than two km away and he's gone three weeks now in the same conditions with the same batteries and has lots left. Online reviews of stealth cams all complain about the battery life. I was pretty shocked to put in brand new batteries and have the pics start at 6 pm right after I left and be done at 12:30 am when the batteries died.

I hear hear good things about bushnell battery life.

To the o.p. check out trailcampro.com for in depth reviews.

killman

12-08-2013, 09:38 PM

CrappyTire had two different ones on for $99!

139grainsofhell

12-08-2013, 09:50 PM

Me too, p.o.s., first set of batteries lasted one week, second set lasted two days, third set lasted 6 hrs! All brand new Duracell. Pretty disappointed because it takes good pics in the day and night. Don't know what's wrong with it but it's going back.

Good to know will hold on to the receipt first stealth cam I've owned it looked pretty good...

E.V.B.H.

12-08-2013, 11:02 PM

Good to know will hold on to the receipt first stealth cam I've owned it looked pretty good...

It does look good and it takes good pics, I was happy with everything but the battery life. It might be better in the early season with warmer temps. I'm going to try and return mine for a different brand.

BRvalley

12-09-2013, 09:24 AM

I've been very happy with my tasco cameras, good pics day and night, one set of 4 AA batteries lasted from last week of august until nov 30 and still have life left, temps were down to -30 in November...princess auto sells a 2 pack for 179

Stone Sheep Steve

12-09-2013, 09:34 AM

Me too, p.o.s., first set of batteries lasted one week, second set lasted two days, third set lasted 6 hrs! All brand new Duracell. Pretty disappointed because it takes good pics in the day and night. Don't know what's wrong with it but it's going back.

Haha. I had a stealthcam a few years ago and it did the same thing. Even in warm weather a brandnew set of C's would last 2 days without any pics being taken. Glad to see they have improved their product:?.
They wouldn't even answer my emails.
Shockey can have them.

SSS

BrodieG

12-09-2013, 12:35 PM

The simmons cams are good bang for your buck. Nice and small too which is nice. I run Bushnell trophy cam HD's and some Moultrie M880's both are wicked cams with awesome battery life although above the price range. Id say the simmons is the best bet in that price range.

GoodPartner

12-09-2013, 05:17 PM

My Simmons will go a couple months in cold temps with only 4 AA's.

X2.

I have four different camera types, Simmons is least expensive unit, takes the least amount of batteries (4 AA's) and last the longest (months). Some of my other cams take better quality pictures (not all) but simmons has to be best value. Also handy that it is so small.

2chodi

12-09-2013, 05:36 PM

I was pretty shocked to put in brand new batteries and have the pics start at 6 pm right after I left and be done at 12:30 am when the batteries died.

I don't know about that particular cam, but the cold weather will trick the cam into thinking the batteries are dead by because the low temp also lowers the current the batteries can deliver. Try warming them up and checking them - you might see that they are still good.

Brian011

12-09-2013, 05:45 PM

I would recommend the Simmons cams also, very similar to the tasco cams, both take 4 AA and last a long time. I had my tasco for 2 yrs where it spent lots of time in cold weather and it just crapped out.

Singleshotneeded

12-09-2013, 08:10 PM

In your price range, I'd go Simmons. Just FYI, the Bushnell Trophy HD is $160 on Ebay and it's pretty darn good...

Clint_S

12-09-2013, 08:19 PM

Good thread.

I'd never seen a simmons cam but will keep my eyes open. Sounds like it's a decent cam for cheap.

Singleshotneeded

12-10-2013, 08:17 PM

For anyone getting a trail cam for around the home security, and also something that'll work great for game, the Moultrie 990i is probably the best. It has a 60' plus range, takes excellent pics day or night, undetectable taking night pics, and it's $145 on Amazon.com. Two year warranty as well I think...and 5 months on a set of lithium AAs.

adriaticum

12-11-2013, 02:12 PM

Check out current Canadian Tire flyer

http://flyer.canadiantire.ca/CanadiantireSneakPeek/BrowseByPage/Index/?StoreID=2400544&PromotionID=95673&PromotionViewMode=1&pagenumber=18

Wentrot

12-16-2013, 06:06 PM

Stealth cam skout-Very good camera and can usually find them on amazon for 99 or so.

luckofthedraw

12-26-2013, 02:25 PM

Just attempting to get into the trail cam thing. For 100$ you can get a simmons or bushnell 8MP camera or you can buy a 2 pack of 3MP tasco cameras.

For me, I can't buy multiple cams right now…so would I be better with 2 cameras at a lower quality image…..or 1 cam with better quality image? I'm tempted to go for the 2 pack tasco because I can cover more area.

Sitkaspruce

12-26-2013, 04:20 PM

Go with the Simmons, buy before the end of the year, send in for your $20 rebate and you are already 20% ahead for another one. The Simmons has a 2 year warranty, which in the trail cam world, can be the differance between looking at pictures and throwing them in the round can. The tasco's will work, but they are so old school and you will get frustrated with them.

Right now, the Simmons 7mp Prohunter is on sale for a $100 at a sports store in Grande Prairie (not WSS) or $109 in the sports store in FSJ. Also see them a Walmart.

Watchout they will be addicting!!!

Cheers

SS

Sitkaspruce

12-26-2013, 04:22 PM

Since the quite thing is not working, where can you find a Bushnell for a $100. Pm me if you want.

Cheers

SS

Ozone

12-27-2013, 01:44 PM

Are these the Simmons people are talking about? 2 pack for $150

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/42490/simmons-whitetail-game-camera-twin-pack

Sitkaspruce

12-27-2013, 03:25 PM

Are these the Simmons people are talking about? 2 pack for $150

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/42490/simmons-whitetail-game-camera-twin-pack

Ozone

Those are good starter cams, just be aware of the short motion activation and they have a slow trigger speed, so not the best for trail watching. Better for watching a salt lick/bait pile. The ones I have experience with are the 7mp Prohunters, which have better motion, fash and trigger speed.

http://www.simmonsoptics.com/trailcameras/ I have the 119421c, the ones at Cabelas are 119234c.

The cabelas deal, with the mail in rebate is a good deal to start with.

Cheers

SS

beeker

12-28-2013, 11:30 PM

Update!

ended up with a Simmons ProHunter 6mp.

looking forward to entering the trail cam world!

thanks for all the advice

tooley

12-29-2013, 09:11 AM

I bet you can't buy just one!!!!!!!.... I own a Bushnell Trophy Cam. It is awsome, It has gone through 3 seasons and the battery life still shows full. I might not get as many photos as some of you guys but 8 AA's for 3 seasons and still ticking seems darn good too me.

Wrayzer

01-01-2014, 11:57 AM

Welcome to the obsession, Terri. Im surprised it took ya this long.
Now its all about finding out what will attract and keep em at the cam to keep track of the inventory of animals.

bassplayer

01-01-2014, 12:23 PM

I've always been a fan of Moultrie. However, i bought the Moultrie A-5 for $70.00 a couple months back and it's a joke. They failed to mention in the ad that it has a slow trigger speed of 2 seconds and only takes one pic at a time before it rests. This camera is all default settings and the only thing you can change on it are the date and time. All my other Moultries are set to 3 pics between delays because sometimes the first pic only consists of a nose or a tip of an antler.

Wrayzer

01-01-2014, 01:54 PM