Best Trail Camera For $200.00?

[Izzy]

Hello all.Ive never used a trail camera in the past but Im planning on getting one now.I would like to find a decent, durable digital model.Not looking to spend a mint cause here in NY, even the deepest, darkest, most remote and posted locations are known to harbor thieves.

[VTer]

Good luck Izzy. I've been trying to decide on a digital trailcam for a couple of years now. The more opinions I get, the more I get confused on which model to buy.    I'll be watching this thread!  

[Tree Killer]

I'm getting good results with a Cuddeback Capture flash cam, the IR version is slightly more than $200.  Other good cams that are near $200 are the Scoutguard, Covert, and Bushnell Trophy Cam. Both the Covert and Bushnell are made by Scoutguard from what I've heard.

This is a pic from my Capture...
 

[trapperDave]

2 Moultrie d-40's    Hers a pic off mine

 

[J-dog]

Scoutguard is good, I do nto have much experience with others so my opinion is highly one sided (take it for what it is worth).

 

I might say the snap time seems a little slow???? maybe not. Again not sure as not tried any others. I know I have some empty pics, believing something tripped the camera then walked by before pic snapped. I face it up the trail to try and counter this.

Later

J

[elkken]

I just got a Moultre D 40 at Cabelas in the bargin cave for $70 and they give a 30 day return on electronics even from the bargin cave ... it takes very good pics and is easy to operate. I haven't had it in the woods yet but I have lots of bird and rabbit pictures from my front yard for practice. I also have the same camera as Tree Killer, the Capture, and it also works well and is very simple to operate.

[David Bartholomew]

I just put out, today that is, my first trail camera.  Like elkken... the D40 model.  I'll give it a few days and see what happens and what the quality of photos it takes.  

Right now I'm not sure if price is indicative of camera / picture quality... or just good advertising.

[Boswell]

I just bought a Bushnell Trophy cam w/o the veiwer yesterday. I had herd mixed reviews on the picture quality. But set it out last night and got these this am.
 
 
I think it puts out great pictures. I had the sensitivity on High and got 51 pic with 24 having something in them, so I reset it to normal setting. I also had it set on 3 picture bust with a 8 second delay after the last picure before taking more. The only thing is you will need a lock box for the cam (35$ more). I am thinking of getting a few more. So far they are just as good as me leafrivers.
Boswell

[Stone Knife]

Izzy, I just bought a Cudde Back IR to use at work( we have a vandalism problem)I bought the camera and a bear safe and SD card all shipped for $309 Cabals had a special on shipping. I know that it's more than you stated that you want to pay, but it is a great setup that is user friendly and worth the extra few bucks for sure.

[Missing Impossible]

I build my own.  Fun projects and your not stuck with proprietary components.  You could build one with a Sony P32 for about $200.

[Bill Kissner]

In my opinion, there are two that stand out, the Scoutguard and Covert. There isn't much difference in them. Either can be had for about $200. They are smaller and you get a lot for your money.

[michaelschwister]

Covert/Scoutguard 550/Bushnell trophy cam share guts and are dependable and durable with fast trigger speed and run about $200.  Uncle Barry turned me on to them and although the pic quality is not as good as the cuddeback, the trigger time and ease of use are right up there. An added bonus is they are about 1/4 the size of other cams, and run for a year on 8 AA batteries.

[4 point]

If your going to use it in cold temp's get the Cuddeback.

[KentuckyTJ]

Covert/Scoutguards for me as well. Battery life is unreal. I get 400-500 photos every two to three days when they are set to 1 minute pause and the batteries will last two to three months.

 

 

[adkmountainken]

i use one of the cheaper Moultree which i believe is under $200, great pic's and videos, easy set up.

[Dustin Waters]

Moultrie D-40?  I think thats the name of it.  Its a four megapixel camera and if you find them right you can get two for your 200 dollar budget.  I have one and a few of the other cheaper ones that I wouldnt advise getting.  The moultrie has by far been the best camera I have ever owned and if you are unlucky enough and it gets yanked off a tree, you arent out too much money.  Not like getting a Cuddeback ripped off.

[razorsharptokill]

What ever camera you buy, build or buy a lock box for it. I've been lucky but I also lock mine inside a metal ammo can that is lag bolted to a tree.

One that is just straped to the tree is like pinning two $100 dolar bills to tree with a thumbtack.

If they want it they'll get it or destroy it if they can't.

[TexasTrad]

I really like the Cuddeback Capture.  I think I saw them at BPS for 199.  Great pictures and very easy to use.

[gregg dudley]

I got a stealthcam on sale for @$150 and I really like it, but I sam not sure it takes a s nice of a picture as the DL covert.  How much do those things go for?

[leatherneck]

Let me give you some advice. I've tested several of these cameras and here is MY honest opinion.
First off if you are going to put a camera on a feeder and or a spot where the animal will stop, then any of the cameras will work fine. The problem is when you want to put them on walking trails. Now, I've pulled some cards and had no missed pics and I've pulled some cards and have missed a bunch. The problem is in the trigger. When not in use the cameras go into sleep mode. It takes something to trigger them out of sleep mode. If you have a deer walk faast through the zone, you may only get the butt end. It seems the colder it gets, the slower the triggers work. Lately I've been using the Cuddeback IR. It works pretty good but I still miss pics. I don't do feeders so trails is all I use it on. This is a $450.00 camera and is not perfect by any means. Appears to be the fastest trigger I've found but still not perfect. Lately I've been looking into "homebrews" cameras. (homemade cameras) They have by far the fastest trigger speeds because they have no sleep mode. Problem with them is battery life and if a flock of turkeys get in front of it, the camera will keep snapping pics until the memory card fills up. Doesn't miss any pics though. So if you were not confused before, I hope I really confused you now    
No really, look at what application your looking to use it for and buy accordingly. If using it for trails, try to place it in a spot where the deer have to stop or at least slow down. Good Luck!

Mike