Reconyx Cellular

[hillrunner]

Quick update. I have had all 6 cameras out for a while and all are working well I have one camera that has taken and sent well over 3,000 pictures and all cameras are still showing 100% battery life. I am running lithium batteries and set to batch transmit pictures 2x a day. Mid October I’ll change everything back to immediate transmission. I love earthing so far except I still like the Spartan app a little better. I really hope they tweak the app to allow easy access to sharing with my hunting buddy; Spartan was great for that.

My biggest complaint with the app is that it makes me enter my email and password every time I open it instead of keeping me signed it.
So far my first reconyx camera experience has been all positive, I'm planning to add more as other cheaper cameras die.

 

[missouribowtech]

Quick update. I have had all 6 cameras out for a while and all are working well I have one camera that has taken and sent well over 3,000 pictures and all cameras are still showing 100% battery life. I am running lithium batteries and set to batch transmit pictures 2x a day. Mid October I’ll change everything back to immediate transmission. I love earthing so far except I still like the Spartan app a little better. I really hope they tweak the app to allow easy access to sharing with my hunting buddy; Spartan was great for that.

My biggest complaint with the app is that it makes me enter my email and password every time I open it instead of keeping me signed it.
So far my first reconyx camera experience has been all positive, I'm planning to add more as other cheaper cameras die.

Had the same issue, once I selected sign in with Google it went away. Not sure for IPhone though if that's what you have.

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Dukslayr]

My biggest complaint with the app is that it makes me enter my email and password every time I open it instead of keeping me signed it.
So far my first reconyx camera experience has been all positive, I'm planning to add more as other cheaper cameras die.

Weird. Mine definitely doesn’t require that. I just click on the app and it opens. Maybe reach out to their customer service and see what the fix is for you. I assume something in the settings. You can also email support@reconyx.com
There are other things I don’t like about the app, but it’s software and I’m confident it’ll get improved. To me the camera is the most important part and so far it is rock solid, as expected.

 

[hillrunner]

Had the same issue, once I selected sign in with Google it went away. Not sure for IPhone though if that's what you have.

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

I'll try that, I'm using Android.

 

[Dukslayr]

Okay, I finally got all of my HME solar boxes rewired with the correct cables from Reconyx. FYI braided wire sheathing is a real pain in the ass to work with if you’re trying cut and splice into it. I learned a lot after doing 4 of these stupid things. Anyway, I’ll update everyone on the duration that cameras and boxes last. I’ll be able to get an accurate photo count for each camera and box on one set of lithium batteries plus a 12v HME solar box. At least two (probably 3) of these will be going in the woods with little sunlight so I doubt the solar panels will help much for those boxes until all the leaves are gone. Curious to see how long they last.

 

[Dylbilly]

I ran into my first issue with the cameras this weekend. I was out replacing batteries and adding a booster antenna to a camera that has poor cell service. If anyone is in need of a booster antenna that works I got mine from trailcampro.com its called "Wilson Booster Antenna". No onto the problem, while I was there I pulled the cards on the other 3 cell cams so they would be empty going into fall. I got home and started going through the cards and to my surprise the cameras aren't sending me all the pictures they are taking. Im running on unlimited pictures and these other 3 cams never have poor service. Kinda disappointing as it was my number 1 deer for the year that it didn't send. I emailed reconyx to see what the possible issue is and I'm waiting to hear back. I will update with a response. Anyone else run into this issue? Its kind of unsettling know that Im waiting for the cameras to let me know when its time to move in and hunt and if its taking pictures but not sending them to me is counter productive.

 

[missouribowtech]

I ran into my first issue with the cameras this weekend. I was out replacing batteries and adding a booster antenna to a camera that has poor cell service. If anyone is in need of a booster antenna that works I got mine from trailcampro.com its called "Wilson Booster Antenna". No onto the problem, while I was there I pulled the cards on the other 3 cell cams so they would be empty going into fall. I got home and started going through the cards and to my surprise the cameras aren't sending me all the pictures they are taking. Im running on unlimited pictures and these other 3 cams never have poor service. Kinda disappointing as it was my number 1 deer for the year that it didn't send. I emailed reconyx to see what the possible issue is and I'm waiting to hear back. I will update with a response. Anyone else run into this issue? Its kind of unsettling know that Im waiting for the cameras to let me know when its time to move in and hunt and if its taking pictures but not sending them to me is counter productive.

How are you on unlimited? They told me the ability to add to a Verizon plan was coming, is it already here?

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Dylbilly]

How are you on unlimited? They told me the ability to add to a Verizon plan was coming, is it already here?

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

I meant that I'm running no cap to the amount of images that it takes and sends.

 

[Dukslayr]

I ran into my first issue with the cameras this weekend. I was out replacing batteries and adding a booster antenna to a camera that has poor cell service. If anyone is in need of a booster antenna that works I got mine from trailcampro.com its called "Wilson Booster Antenna". No onto the problem, while I was there I pulled the cards on the other 3 cell cams so they would be empty going into fall. I got home and started going through the cards and to my surprise the cameras aren't sending me all the pictures they are taking. Im running on unlimited pictures and these other 3 cams never have poor service. Kinda disappointing as it was my number 1 deer for the year that it didn't send. I emailed reconyx to see what the possible issue is and I'm waiting to hear back. I will update with a response. Anyone else run into this issue? Its kind of unsettling know that Im waiting for the cameras to let me know when its time to move in and hunt and if its taking pictures but not sending them to me is counter productive.

Interesting. I haven’t checked all of my cards against what’s being sent, so certainly possible mine might not be sending them all too. Post back what you hear from reconyx on the issue if you don’t mind. Definitely something to try and better understand as season rolls around! Do you have yours set to send at every trigger or at specific times/intervals?

 

[Dylbilly]

Interesting. I haven’t checked all of my cards against what’s being sent, so certainly possible mine might not be sending them all too. Post back what you hear from reconyx on the issue if you don’t mind. Definitely something to try and better understand as season rolls around! Do you have yours set to send at every trigger or at specific times/intervals?

I have all of them sent to send "fast", I actually haven't looked into having them batched. Does batching save battery? That might be beneficial to batch them if thats the case until say mid October.

 

[Dukslayr]

I have all of them sent to send "fast", I actually haven't looked into having them batched. Does batching save battery? That might be beneficial to batch them if thats the case until say mid October.

Yes, batched definitely saves battery. The less you’re connected to cellular the longer your batteries will list. Right now you’re connected all the time. I gave mine setup to send at 8 am and 8 pm so it connects and sends 2x to save battery. I’ll switch to “fast” or immediate send in mid October...or at lest 4-6x a day transmission. Doesn’t fix the issue you mentioned though. Curious what they say about not sending all pictures it’s taking. Let us know. Thanks.

 

[Dylbilly]

Yes, batched definitely saves battery. The less you’re connected to cellular the longer your batteries will list. Right now you’re connected all the time. I gave mine setup to send at 8 am and 8 pm so it connects and sends 2x to save battery. I’ll switch to “fast” or immediate send in mid October...or at lest 4-6x a day transmission. Doesn’t fix the issue you mentioned though. Curious what they say about not sending all pictures it’s taking. Let us know. Thanks.

I went and changed all my setting via the app, start time for the batch I set to 6am and at 2 times a day. Does it automatically break it up in 12 hour increments when set to 2 times a day? I didn’t see the option to set my second batch time

 

[Dukslayr]

I went and changed all my setting via the app, start time for the batch I set to 6am and at 2 times a day. Does it automatically break it up in 12 hour increments when set to 2 times a day? I didn’t see the option to set my second batch time

I don’t really recall. I thought you could set it at specific time intervals but haven’t gone in and changed it for a few weeks or maybe a month.

 

[Dylbilly]

So I tried the batch thing and I actually preferred to have them instant so I tried to change all 4 cameras back. Well, not one was able to change back to fast transmission over the app, it says I was able to change it but the cameras still batched at 6 am and 6 pm. I decided to make one last intrusion before the rut to change batteries, clear cards and get them ready for the meat of the fall. My next issue is my codelocs are not staying in place for any camera, I set them every time and they never stay in place. Weird stuff but I’m sure they will get all the kinks worked out. I let Reconyx know about the issues and I’ll let you guys know what they get back to me.

 

[Dukslayr]

So I tried the batch thing and I actually preferred to have them instant so I tried to change all 4 cameras back. Well, not one was able to change back to fast transmission over the app, it says I was able to change it but the cameras still batched at 6 am and 6 pm. I decided to make one last intrusion before the rut to change batteries, clear cards and get them ready for the meat of the fall. My next issue is my codelocs are not staying in place for any camera, I set them every time and they never stay in place. Weird stuff but I’m sure they will get all the kinks worked out. I let Reconyx know about the issues and I’ll let you guys know what they get back to me.

Huh, that’s really odd. I know it should take one more cycle to reset your cameras unless you gave instant access, but you’re saying yours kept cycling on batch transmission perpetually after switching back? Now I’m going to need to switch mine back and see what happens. I was planning to switch them back mid October but maybe I should do it now in case there’s an issue that I need to go address. I don’t use the Codeloc so that’s not as much of an issue. The good news, though, is that it sounds like it’s software related issues that should be easily addressable on the next update.

 

[Dukslayr]

So I tried the batch thing and I actually preferred to have them instant so I tried to change all 4 cameras back. Well, not one was able to change back to fast transmission over the app, it says I was able to change it but the cameras still batched at 6 am and 6 pm. I decided to make one last intrusion before the rut to change batteries, clear cards and get them ready for the meat of the fall. My next issue is my codelocs are not staying in place for any camera, I set them every time and they never stay in place. Weird stuff but I’m sure they will get all the kinks worked out. I let Reconyx know about the issues and I’ll let you guys know what they get back to me.

For what it’s worth, I just changed two of my cameras from batch to “fast”. After the last batch transmission at 8 this morning they have both been sending pictures immediately. Curious what they say your issue is. Mine (or at least the two I changed) seem to be working.

 

[Dukslayr]

Another update and, ultimately, confirmation of why I am never nervous buying a Reconyx camera, even a “new generation” that no doubt will have a few bugs to work out. Last week one of my 6 cameras stopped sending pictures. It was actually right after I swapped cards out on all of my cameras. I thought maybe I forgot to power out back on, but contacted their customer service to see if there could be other issues. Needless to say they confirmed that the camera wasn’t communicating correctly and have me a few things to check (other than switching it on if it was off). I went back out to the farm to mow last weekend and checked on the camera. It was switched “on” but dead door nail. It had a fresh set of lithium batteries so I was confident that wasn’t it, but tried another set of batteries anyway. Confirmed dead. The timing is not ideal for some sort of warranty repair delay given that the rut is right around the corner. I contacted customer service and asked if they could ship (and charge me) for a new camera and then credit me back once they get my return. They did me one better; they shipped me a new camera at no charge on Monday (emailed them on Saturday) and just asked that I send the defective one back in the box with the included shipping label. It’s That level of service and standing behind their products that makes me feel confident that they’ll make any “issue” right. Never ideal to have an expensive camera crap out on you, but nice to know you’ll get quickly taken care of without a bunch of bull crap to deal with.

 

[Dukslayr]

Just keeping this thread going. Now that I’ve had a few months experience with the cameras I thought I would share some more takeaways.
The first thing is battery life. The battery life on these cameras isn’t awesome, but then again just about every cell cam works through batteries pretty quickly. Anecdotally I think my Spartan camera batteries lasted longer, but I don’t have anything to confirm that (I.e number of photos taken). If you don’t have solar or an external battery, I highly recommend turning your photo transmission to “batch” and setting it to send only 3-4 times a day instead of “fast” which requires the camera to constantly connect to cellular.
That being said, I have hooked up 4 cameras to the small solar charging HME battery packs and they have been running flawlessly for over a month, transmitting thousands of pictures. The batteries on each of those 4 cameras still shows 100%. So far I’m impressed with the performance of the HME battery packs given the price point (not too expensive). As a reminder, if you choose to go with these battery packs for your Reconyx you will need to rewire the plug with the one that comes with your camera, as the standard HME plug doesn’t fit the Reconyx jack.
Reconyx just launched a self contained solar battery pack as well. It looks sweet. I have a couple of them on the way and will report back on their performance. Ultimately my goal is “set and forget” several of these cameras in the harder to reach areas of the farm. The Reconyx solar battery packs look perfect for this. We will see.
I do seem to get more 1/2 deer (meaning the back half of the deer) than with my other Reconyx cameras. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but just something I’ve noticed. I assume the trigger speed should be the same as other Hyperfire 2 non cell cameras, but my other Reconyx are HC500 and 600s, so maybe those trigger a little quicker? It’s not a huge issue and doesn’t happen a ton, but definitely something I’ve noticed. I have also noticed that the night pictures/distance is much better with the HF2 cellular than it was with the HC500/600.
I’ve also been pleasantly surprised with the cell coverage. I have decent Verizon service in my area but down along my creek it’s not generally great. I have a camera down along the creek and it’s generally able to connect and transmit pictures without any issue. Sometimes it’ll be delayed a bit, but not very often. I am going to take one or two cameras out to a different farm with crap service and see what happens.
Ultimately I’ve been impressed overall with the performance and lack of bugs since this is a new camera and app for them. I assume there would be more bugs but so far so good. I also can’t say enough about the customer service (and warranty...5 years), which I can’t say the same for during my time with Spartan and Spypoint.

 

[tn4hunting]

Just finished the season here and my first with the recon cell camera.

1. great pics and reaction time for sure.
2. I have lots of black bears and they keep tearing off the dual antenna and not sure how to work around it with the way they are made.

the only question is that my sd card didn't show any HD pictures only the cell quality. Recon customer service said no way that can happen and i was like it did..lol
I had over 5000 pictures and all were of the cell only pictures.

Anyone else have this issue? I just put the SD card into the reader and it brought up all the files but no HD files.

 

[Dukslayr]

Just finished the season here and my first with the recon cell camera.

1. great pics and reaction time for sure.
2. I have lots of black bears and they keep tearing off the dual antenna and not sure how to work around it with the way they are made.

the only question is that my sd card didn't show any HD pictures only the cell quality. Recon customer service said no way that can happen and i was like it did..lol
I had over 5000 pictures and all were of the cell only pictures.

Anyone else have this issue? I just put the SD card into the reader and it brought up all the files but no HD files.

I honestly haven’t looked at my cards. Anything I get that I want to keep, I request an HD photo and then save it. I bought 64 gig cards for each and just planned to erase them each year. I would ship it back to Reconyx if there’s not a straightforward fix (in the settings on the camera it’s self).