3 Best Trail Cameras for Beginners
Trail cameras are useful tools for hunting or tracking wildlife. Not only do you see an intimate view of would be game, but you can also learn their movement patterns. This information is helpful for learning which areas are more abundant, which time(s) are best, and where to set up stands for hunting or further watching. Which trail camera is best for you? Understanding your use of the game cam is necessary. This way you are choosing a camera that will function when you need it.
Best Trail Cameras for Beginners/Entry Level Trackers (2018)
Bushnell 119599C2 Trophy Cam HD Aggressor 14MP Wireless Trail Camera
Overall, this camera is a good mid-range model with many features that make tracking a breeze. It is perfect in any weather, day or night, and has a fast capture speed of 0.6 seconds. Its amazing battery life, roughly three days on eight AA batteries, enables longer tracking periods without disturbing the area. This model is also great for home security too.
Pros
- Accurate GPS
- Wireless with 3G function
- App controls—iOS and Android compatible
- Expanded Coverage—60ft.
- Long Battery
- 14MP camera
- HD video
- No-glow LED flash
Cons
- No external antenna capability
- 3G service is carrier specific. Might not work well in some areas.
Day 6 Plotwatcher Game Surveillance System
This model is great for capturing photos from dawn to dusk. It is easy to set up and a great choice for users who want extra features without the hassle of a learning curve. Unlike other trail cameras, it triggers on short-range motion and will automatically take pictures every few seconds from dawn to dusk. You can turn those images into a 10-minute time-lapse video too. This model also comes with handy tracking software that is capable of tracking migration patterns among other useful information.
Pros
- Easy to use
- 300ft. range
- Best time-lapse camera
- Comes with useful software to keep track of game efficiently
Cons
- Low pixels
- No night pictures
Stealth Cam 8MP 30IR Game Camera
This camera has many features without a hefty price tag. It’s an entry to mid-level model. Great for beginners, models works off an external power supply. It is easy to use with added presets, but you can customize it too. Two pitfalls are the low flash range and, possibly, the external battery pack since most models run off AA batteries.
Pros
- 8MP
- HD Video
- Time-lapse
- 80ft range
- Multi-lingual
- SD Memory card slot (up to 32G)
- Low light sensitive—good for pre-dawn and pre-dusk.
- Advanced Blur Reduction
Cons
- Must buy battery pack separately
- Flash has a low range
- Won’t replace higher end models
Choosing the best camera for your needs and budget does not need to be a difficult decision. The biggest hurdle is making sure your trail camera performs well overall, lasts a long time, and does exactly what you need. Perfect is a relative term and what works for one hunter might not work well for another. This guide, however, is a good place to start.