One of the most interesting camera purchases we’ve made in recent years is our stealth camera. (http://goo.gl/ZcifuD) These cameras are commonly known as hunting cameras, game cameras, trail cameras, and scouting cameras. They are invaluable for taking pictures and video of animals (and sometimes people) on the sly.
The Primos Truth Cam 35 is the #1 bestselling scouting camera. (Click the pic for more info.)
The typical scouting camera combines a motion sensor, a basic digital camera (often with basic video capabilities), and an infrared flash. The latter feature is important for taking photos and video in the dark, when many animals and criminals like to prowl.
What makes these cameras great? You get photos and video that would otherwise be impossible to capture. Animals (and people up to no good) usually have no idea they are being recorded.
Most of these cameras record their photos to an ordinary SD card. They are typically designed to run long periods of time on a set of batteries.
We use Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries with our unit. Some people report better success with Lithium batteries, but ours works fine with the Eneloop.
Since they are designed for the great outdoors, it’s possible to lock most scouting cameras shut. They can be chained to a tree or fence to discourage theft. You can even get camouflage locking systems (like the Master Lock Python series) to handle this task so the whole package seamlessly blends into the environment.
Usually scouting cameras are camouflaged in terms of color and appearance, so they do not attract attention. Some models emit a glow when the infrared flash fires. (This can be a problem if, for example, a criminal sees the glow.)
The Browning "Strike Force" camera is a highly regarded unit. (Click the pic for more information.)
Other models of a more modern design emit no infrared glow, and thus are even more stealthy.
I’ve heard of many success stories with these cameras. Of course, the most common usage is to monitor what sort of wildlife might be visiting an area.
We have used our own camera, for example, to keep tabs on the many deer that visit our backyard. Occasionally we might spot a fox, opossum, or armadillo. We haven’t seen any Leprechauns just yet.
Other people use these scouting cameras for security purposes. For example, these cameras have caught thieves in action.
Someone stealing your mail or helping themselves to your property without permission? A discretely placed scouting camera will help catch the culprit.
Busted! Now we know who is pillaging our "squirrel proof" bird feeder. (Click the pic to see bestselling scouting cameras.)
We recently used our own scouting camera to catch a masked thief – of the small mammal variety.
Something had been getting into our “squirrel proof” bird feeder after dark. So we positioned the scouting camera and got photos of the culprit.
I must admit that it’s hard to be angry at a clever and agile raccoon – even if the greedy fellow does hog all the birdseed.
Even the entry level stealth cameras will usually get the job done.
If you pay more for a scouting camera, you typically get more features and greater functionality.
The more expensive scouting cameras have “no glow” infrared flashes, higher megapixel cameras, HD video, and the like.
On the high end, some models (like the Bushnell Trophy Cam) boast wireless capabilities and will upload photos to the Internet and your phone. This allows remote monitoring of the camera from the convenience of your own home, or whatever location you choose.
We’ve been happy with our basic scouting camera. Even the cheap cameras are quite fun and useful.