Please note: Amazon's systems butchered my video of the grey fox. What I uploaded was a very crisp unpixelated view of the fox. It was pixelated at Amazon. If you want to get an idea of how sharp the fox really should be look at the sharpness of the trees, etc. in the rest of the scene. Oh well I tried.
-- Original review:
This camera rocks. First things first. As you pull it out of the packaging you notice how small it is. It is about the size of 12 ounce soft drink, perhaps a bit smaller with slightly different proportions. About 1/2 the size of the Moultrie 990i that gave up and quit working a couple weeks ago.
Next thing i noticed was the nice metal bracket on the back which is adjustable. It allows the camera to lean forward if you need to point it downwards. I haven't tried it but I would assume based upon the design it could easily allow you to nestle the bracket up against a tree and point the camera directly towards the ground. If you need something that extreme along those lines.
Note one possible drawback on this camera's metal bracket. The bracket is attached at the bottom of the unit via a hing with a bolt through it, A wing nut or the like is used to snug the bracket down so the camera doesn't snag to the ground. But, the only hole I have noticed for placing a security cable/lock is through the metal bracket. It looks to me like a thief could simply unscrew the bracket from the camera, leaving the bracket/security cable/lock on a tree and walk off with the camera. Perhaps I need to go out to the woods to look at my camera a bit closer on reflection.
Takes 6 AA batteries, seems to work fine using the 6 rechargeable Eneloop NiMH batteries I placed in it. Battery tray is easily removed and the batteries snap in with a secure click.
The only thing that I might knock anything off (maybe a 1/4 star at most for me) on this camera is the SD card slot is on the bottom of the unit. That is advantageous in that rainwater is very unlikely to seep into it in that position. But for me, I can't see the card slot as it is mounted on a tree so I am left fumbling to get it out and hoping I don't drop the SD card. Could be a bit more tricky in the winter as this is April.
Strap provided is extra long, I believe probably at least a foot longer than the strap that came with the 990i as noted above. I haven't compared, but this strap seemingly goes on forever.
Strap has a wicked metal clamp. Trust me, once this clamp bites on the strap it is not going to let go any at all. Strap goes through the metal brack as described above, not through the body of the camera itself.
Latch is plastic. It seems sturdy enough although it only has one latch. If it breaks you will be left duct taping the door closed or some other kludge.
Setup is super simple. Controls are easily pressed and fit medium sized fingers just fine. I suspect big fingered people will do fine.
Menu system in setup is straight forward. Simply use the up and down arrow buttons to reach menu items. Once you reach menu item you have an interest in press the middle ok/set button and you are now changing that menu item. Once you have set that menu item press the ok/set middle button to return to scrolling through the menu items.
Too early to comment on battery life.
I like the concept of two cameras onboard this unit. One devoted to daylight conditions and the second to night time conditions. I've got two excellent videos out of this camera in two days of ownership. One nighttime, one daytime.
Reaction time may be what Browning says it is, but I am not so sure. In both instances of the videos I have obtained the animal has been well into the field of view of the camera prior to it beginning the video recording.
Perhaps what Browning quotes as a 0.14 second reaction time is "after" the detection of the event. If that is the case, and it looks like it is, it is still far superior to the 990i this camera is replacing. Note I know the 990i is 3 to 4 year old technology and a direct comparison is not necessarily fair. It is fair to say this 2018 camera is far better than a .2015-2016ish camera.
I never use my trail cameras for photos so I cannot speak to this unit's abilities there. But, if the video it has produced is any indicator of quality I am very pleased with the unit.
Please take a moment to view the videos I have attached to this review. I think you will see what the unit produces.
Overall very pleased with the unit.