game cameras

[am1too]

What do you all have to say about any of them?

The reviews I read so far are all over the place.

I am particularly interested in trip range of the motion sensor.

I would like to monitor my dogs and drive way.

Clarity is also an issue.

I would like comments from experience. The other stuff (specs) I can get from the net. I am looking for reality and not claims.

Thanks in advance.

[JoePa]

Go with Bushnell - got a couple of them and they work great - general feeling from others on a outdoor forum is that they have very good customer service if its needed -

[am1too]

Originally Posted by JoePa

Go with Bushnell - got a couple of them and they work great - general feeling from others on a outdoor forum is that they have very good customer service if its needed -

What model(s) do you have? What are their trigger ranges if you know?

[Rectifier]

I went a different route. I use D-link DCS-931 wireless network cams. They are $30 each, and can act as a repeater to extend the network. They broadcast live video and audio and also can monitor for motion and store the images/video on a local FTP server. I never have to retrieve the unit or change batteries, but I do have to plug it in.

Unfortunately, they are only 640x480, no infrared and the big sticker is they are not weatherproof. But usually I am just looking for presence of something, not megapixel beauty shots of big bucks like many game cams are now. Effectively just looking out the window, but away from the house.

However they detect motion by pixel change rather than by "motion sensor", giving an effectively unlimited range.

DO NOT enable the cloud mode or your images will go via some remote server, horribly insecure as well as a waste of bandwidth.

[fishhead]

You may want to pay attention to how often it takes pictures. Some only take one picture per minute. A lot can happen in between those pictures.

[Randy Rooster]

I agree with the bushnell recomendation. I bought one of their black flash cameras and after several months of use had a problem. I sent it back and they fixed it for no cost. Takes great pictures and you cant see any flash even at night. Many features to program into it as well.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by Rectifier

I went a different route. I use D-link DCS-931 wireless network cams. They are $30 each, and can act as a repeater to extend the network. They broadcast live video and audio and also can monitor for motion and store the images/video on a local FTP server. I never have to retrieve the unit or change batteries, but I do have to plug it in.

Unfortunately, they are only 640x480, no infrared and the big sticker is they are not weatherproof. But usually I am just looking for presence of something, not megapixel beauty shots of big bucks like many game cams are now. Effectively just looking out the window, but away from the house.

However they detect motion by pixel change rather than by "motion sensor", giving an effectively unlimited range.

DO NOT enable the cloud mode or your images will go via some remote server, horribly insecure as well as a waste of bandwidth.

Thanks

What is the trigger range of the pixels if you know?

I am not really looking for beautiful pics. I am looking for something that can show a readable license plate. Of course I understand the picture would have to be enlarged.

I would like to say thank you to those who have made recommendations.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by fishhead

You may want to pay attention to how often it takes pictures. Some only take one picture per minute. A lot can happen in between those pictures.

Do you have one that does that?

[||Downhome||]

Why do the Game cam?
They are great for remote use but a little limited.

Wireless Cameras and DVRs are relatively in the same price range as a good top of the line game cam.

This is a good deal, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defender-...vZc1xvZ1z0yhpi

[Ozarks Tom]

If it's aimed at your driveway you'll want one that "trips" quickly. Some have slow trip speeds, and a car can be out of frame before it takes the picture. Most have the trip speed as part of their specifications. We've been satisfied with our Simmons Model #119422. Can't remember the speed, but it does catch license plates where our Moultrie didn't.

[Rectifier]

I've not tested it, but it's determined by the size of the smallest object that can be seen moving at that resolution. Unfortunately, you would have to be pretty close to read a license plate with 640x480 resolution.
The game cam would probably be the winner for this application, or a high-def camera.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by ||Downhome||

Why do the Game cam?
They are great for remote use but a little limited.

Wireless Cameras and DVRs are relatively in the same price range as a good top of the line game cam.

This is a good deal, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defender-...vZc1xvZ1z0yhpi

Is this a product you use? I am mixed about the reviews and wonder why the latest says the system does not work as described. The product description says 750 ft while 2 reviews say 75 max with 1 saying bout 300 ft. Something is not right. Maybe one could get a signal booster. I need about a 600 ft range.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by Ozarks Tom

If it's aimed at your driveway you'll want one that "trips" quickly. Some have slow trip speeds, and a car can be out of frame before it takes the picture. Most have the trip speed as part of their specifications. We've been satisfied with our Simmons Model #119422. Can't remember the speed, but it does catch license plates where our Moultrie didn't.

I can not imagine anyone doing more the 15 mph on my double curve driveway. Haven't heard of a Simmons yet. I'll google it. thanks.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by Rectifier

I've not tested it, but it's determined by the size of the smallest object that can be seen moving at that resolution. Unfortunately, you would have to be pretty close to read a license plate with 640x480 resolution.
The game cam would probably be the winner for this application, or a high-def camera.

Could you possibly test it for us? I would be interested in the distance and moving speed of target (in this case a vehicle at 10, 15 and maybe 20 ).

[Rectifier]

Things like the Home depot cams use their own wireless protocol. It would likely require a proprietary booster. That's why I like 802.11 stuff (wifi) as it is pretty robust and you can put in a commodity repeater for less than $50.

Mine are not set up to do motion currently, but I can grab one and give it a try next time the weather clears - big snowstorm right now. I do know that it will trip on rodents from 20 feet as I used them to find out what critter was stealing my dog food

[fishhead]

Originally Posted by am1too

Do you have one that does that?

Not yet. I've seen a variation of trigger speeds and reset speed for my purpose I need a faster speed so I'm excluding a bunch.

[||Downhome||]

Originally Posted by am1too

Is this a product you use? I am mixed about the reviews and wonder why the latest says the system does not work as described. The product description says 750 ft while 2 reviews say 75 max with 1 saying bout 300 ft. Something is not right. Maybe one could get a signal booster. I need about a 600 ft range.

No, but I will as soon as a little money becomes available.

Rf does not travel well through obstructions so I have to guess those folks do not have a direct line of sight.

My observations on people and technology (well OK MOST things) is some just do not mix well.

Just yesterday my Aunt gave me a 65" TV because it shut down after being on for 15 mins. Service guy wanted 700 bucks to fix. In about ten mins I had it "fixed". Still on. This was shared to demonstrate my point on people.

I have bought thing given bad reviews and not a Issue, I have bought things with rave reviews and nothing but problems.

Regardless you would be better off with a camera/DVR system.

Lots of options, from prepackaged systems to assemble your own.

You will probably have something in place before I get mine set up though.

on a different note, pretty sure if its not to par you could always return it.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by ||Downhome||

No, but I will as soon as a little money becomes available.

Rf does not travel well through obstructions so I have to guess those folks do not have a direct line of sight.

My observations on people and technology (well OK MOST things) is some just do not mix well.

Just yesterday my Aunt gave me a 65" TV because it shut down after being on for 15 mins. Service guy wanted 700 bucks to fix. In about ten mins I had it "fixed". Still on. This was shared to demonstrate my point on people.

I have bought thing given bad reviews and not a Issue, I have bought things with rave reviews and nothing but problems.

Regardless you would be better off with a camera/DVR system.

Lots of options, from prepackaged systems to assemble your own.

You will probably have something in place before I get mine set up though.

on a different note, pretty sure if its not to par you could always return it.

I will be checking the year end sales for sure. Just saw a Browning 10 mp yesterday. The trouble with most information is it seems to be lacking trigger distance.