Which Trail Cam for $100?

[FL SNIPER]

I know the topic of trail cams has been discussed numerous times. I've gone back and looked at a lot of posts on the subject...it appears there's no quick answer to my question on which camera to get for around 100 bucks?

I've never used a trail camera before but I have some xmas gift card money to cabelas and I'd like to buy a trail cam to start using in preparation for this falls hunting.

From what I take on it...the 35mm cameras are nice because they take instant pictures and they are cheaper than digitels...but on the downside you have to bring your film in to be developed, they can go thru batteries, and also only store a limited number of pics. I am leaning towards this type of camera however because I got the feeling from the various posts that this is the way to go for beginner use. One camera that sounded decent was the Deer Cam by Non Typical...which was a little better on batteries than the stealth cams.

Can you guys offer some advice on what camera to purchase or reviews on how your cameras performed this past fall? I know there will be a wide array of responses and that's fine...I'm just looking for some good, honest feed back.

Thanks! - FL Sniper

[MIKE IN lINO III]

Don't get the Wildview. The wife bought me a digital for x-mas and I had to exchange the first one because the flash would not work. On the second one, the UBC cable connection went bad. They ( Gander )did not have anymore on the shelf and the girl at customer service says that they were having alot of returns on those units.

Mike

[BLACKJACK]

I bought the $100 Moultrie digital. It takes ok pictures but its a battery hog, it would go thru one of those 6 volt batteries in 3 weeks. Moultrie makes a solar charger but unfortunately it doens't fit my camera, it fits the next more expensive trail camera. I would seriously consider that Moultrie if I was you, if you want to stay cheap. But buy the solar charger too. Or maybe recahrgeable batteries.

I also own two Leaf River digital cameras. Excellent battery life but I've had to send them both back several times because of mechanical problems. But they did repair them for free, it just cost me shipping. They do take nice pictures - when they work.

Biglakebass from this site just bought a Cuddeback, it will be interesting to hear his reports. Also make sure you goto the deer and hunting forums, there have been lots of discussions on trail cameras.

I would highly recommend that you do NOT go with a film camera. Aside from the expense of film developing, I could sometimes capture 120 pictures in a week, especially if you're set over a salt block or feeder. What good does your 24 exposure roll do for you then?

Look at Camtraker. They have recently come out with an entry level for less than $300. I had been lusting after the $700 Camtraker but decided that was too much to leave hanging in a tree - but now I have $700 invested in three cameras, and none of them are flawless.

Good luck.

[castindad]

FINEPIX A303 DIDGETAL BY FUJI 3.2 DIGETAL ZOOM 3.2 MEGA PIXEL 3X OPTICAL ZOOM 5 YEARS NO PROBLEMS AT ALL SUPER BUY RECHARGE BATTERIES CASTINDAD

[FL SNIPER]

Thanks for the info gentlmen.

Seems like I get different answers from everyone I talked to. Kind of tells me I should just buy a trail camera, start using it and form some of my own opinions. The advice and information is great though because it tells me what factors I should be aware of.

So now I'm leaning in the digitel direction just for the reasons that digitels sound much more convenient, plus they store more pictures. I use energizer rechargeable batteries for my Kodak digitel camera now and that works out well. Maybe I would be able to use the the same type of rechargeable batteries in whatever trail cam I purchase.

Thanks again for the advice, keep it coming if you have any more. F.L. Sniper