Trail Cameras in 2025

[TonySoprano]

Has anyone noticed that these day stores are carrying more cellular trail cams than SD card Trail cams ?.
I'm talking Tractor supply, Walmart and Sportsmans Warehouse. It's quite a difference from just last year.
The bulk are now Cellular on the shelf and usually just one basic SD card Trail cam to choose from.

I've never had a cellular Trail Cam , I'm just wondering if eventually the basic SD card trail cams will be phased out ?

I have several brand New Trail cams in the boxes stashed away. I usually pick up 1 or 2 a year when I find a good deal.

Reckon I'll have to look online now for my SD card Browning, Stealth Cam's and Wildgame Innovations.

​

 

[SwampCat]

I dont thinkYou have to use them cellular. I used a tactacam as standard trailcam after it quit sending

 

[TonySoprano]

I dont thinkYou have to use them cellular. I used a tactacam as standard trailcam after it quit sending

That's good to know , thanks.

 

[356]

That's good to know , thanks.

The majority of low end cell cameras still use SD cards. The new generation will have built in memory that overprints once some huge number of pictures is reached. All of the cell cameras I have take pictures when the cell is down or I am not paying for a subscription service. Solar makes it possible to leave cameras in the field…I have two Cuddeback’s that have been out for 3 years and never been touched. Those SD cards are still only 50% full (32MB). Sadly, some of the new cameras are boasting of 32MB pictures, meaning each photo burns lots of memory. Thankfully, this can usually be adjusted.

Spypoint is the only company I know that has a free cell plan. Their most basic cell cameras are under $50 and take pretty good pictures. Their higher end stuff has lots of bells and whistles. They also upgraded their app, which has a robust AI feature that brings/app on par with the better brands.

I currently use Cuddeback (love it, not the price); Stealthcam (love the 360 cameras, but not the subscription prices) and Spypoints (I pay the $100/year “club fee” and get 250 pictures/month for 24 cameras). Past cameras are Moultrie, Wildgame Innovations and several one-offs.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I dont thinkYou have to use them cellular. I used a tactacam as standard trailcam after it quit sending

That is entirely up to the manufacturer. I bought a Moultrie cell cam a few years ago and you could only operate the camera through their mobile app over a cell network.

I'm actually pleased to hear about your experience with tacticam because I was fearing most manufacturers were going the Moultrie route. Most hardware and software businesses are moving towards a subscription based model.

Across the majority of our three farms, there is almost zero cell reception. To me most cell cams are a complete waste of time. Cuddebacks linked together is about the only way I can make it work. Otherwise I have become a huge fan of the Gardepros.

 

[SwampCat]

That is entirely up to the manufacturer. I bought a Moultrie cell cam a few years ago and you could only operate the camera through their mobile app over a cell network.

I'm actually pleased to hear about your experience with tacticam because I was fearing most manufacturers were going the Moultrie route. Most hardware and software businesses are moving towards a subscription based model.

Across the majority of our three farms, there is almost zero cell reception. To me most cell cams are a complete waste of time. Cuddebacks linked together is about the only way I can make it work. Otherwise I have become a huge fan of the Gardepros.

I am not sure the new tactacams have gone the same way

 

[KY wild]

Gardepros comment.......... I recently pulled a gardepro after leaving it out all winter and the card was full and battery dead so I just grabbed to move to new location later. It ended up setting on my deck, in a 5 gallon bucket and I forgot about it. Then one day last week looked in the bucket as I walked by and the gardepro was literally bouncing in a half bucket of water. Took in house and it was dry as bone inside and works great. They have impressed me since someone on here told me to try them a couple of years ago. Pretty dang tough.
May lay in my lake facing down and try to get pics of bass under it

 

[TonySoprano]

The majority of low end cell cameras still use SD cards. The new generation will have built in memory that overprints once some huge number of pictures is reached. All of the cell cameras I have take pictures when the cell is down or I am not paying for a subscription service. Solar makes it possible to leave cameras in the field…I have two Cuddeback’s that have been out for 3 years and never been touched. Those SD cards are still only 50% full (32MB). Sadly, some of the new cameras are boasting of 32MB pictures, meaning each photo burns lots of memory. Thankfully, this can usually be adjusted.

Spypoint is the only company I know that has a free cell plan. Their most basic cell cameras are under $50 and take pretty good pictures. Their higher end stuff has lots of bells and whistles. They also upgraded their app, which has a robust AI feature that brings/app on par with the better brands.

I currently use Cuddeback (love it, not the price); Stealthcam (love the 360 cameras, but not the subscription prices) and Spypoints (I pay the $100/year “club fee” and get 250 pictures/month for 24 cameras). Past cameras are Moultrie, Wildgame Innovations and several one-offs.

The first Trail Camera I ever owned was the Moultrie I-40 , still have a broken one sitting in the barn. I think back then 20-23 years ago they were around $200.00 . As for low end I've tried a few $45-$50 Stealth cams , Wildgame innovations and Amazon specials . They have their purpous , I run about a dozen cams (during hunting season / some for trespassers) so they all can't be high dollar. The main downfall of low end cams are video mode and night photos . So much so I wont even bother with video on a $45-$50 cam. I know Wildgame Innovations usually gets a bad rap , but I've had some of the clearest pictures I've seen from their $80-$100 priced cameras.

Lately I been buying Stealth Cam and Browning in the $119- $150 range for my "good" cameras for my best spots. I'm pleased with the quality of photos and video of cams in that price range .

I need to try Gardepros and Spypoint . I have one camea on a salt lick set at 5 minute intervals where I can get more than 250 pics in a week in the summer so dont think a cell plan would work for me.

Past Cameras I didn't care for Cuddyback, Bushnell , Covert . Mainly because they were harder to set, didn't last that long or only displayed military time...I hate that.

 

[TonySoprano]

For the money I like these

Stealth Cam GMAX Vision (Non-Cellular)

Find the ultimate non-cellular trail camera with our Stealth Cam GMAX Vision review. This game camera has unbeatable speed, great picture quality, and more.

www.trailcampro.com

 

[TonySoprano]

The majority of low end cell cameras still use SD cards. The new generation will have built in memory that overprints once some huge number of pictures is reached. All of the cell cameras I have take pictures when the cell is down or I am not paying for a subscription service. Solar makes it possible to leave cameras in the field…I have two Cuddeback’s that have been out for 3 years and never been touched. Those SD cards are still only 50% full (32MB). Sadly, some of the new cameras are boasting of 32MB pictures, meaning each photo burns lots of memory. Thankfully, this can usually be adjusted.

Spypoint is the only company I know that has a free cell plan. Their most basic cell cameras are under $50 and take pretty good pictures. Their higher end stuff has lots of bells and whistles. They also upgraded their app, which has a robust AI feature that brings/app on par with the better brands.

I currently use Cuddeback (love it, not the price); Stealthcam (love the 360 cameras, but not the subscription prices) and Spypoints (I pay the $100/year “club fee” and get 250 pictures/month for 24 cameras). Past cameras are Moultrie, Wildgame Innovations and several one-offs.

I saw a Spypoint Cell two pack for $129 at Tractor supply not sure if it's a good model . After reading your post I'm, really going to look into it. If I put them on a field edge I most likely can get away with the $100 plan. I have two main questions #1 does it cost more per month to receive video ? #2 Am I correct , You don't need a cell phone and can have pics sent to a computer ? THANKS !!!!!

 

[Telemark]

I buy Gardepro cameras exclusively now. The value for money is unparalleled. I don't have any cell cams yet because I use all my trail cams outside the US.

 

[PatinPA]

I saw a Spypoint Cell two pack for $129 at Tractor supply not sure if it's a good model . After reading your post I'm, really going to look into it. If I put them on a field edge I most likely can get away with the $100 plan. I have two main questions #1 does it cost more per month to receive video ? #2 Am I correct , You don't need a cell phone and can have pics sent to a computer ? THANKS !!!!!

I have 3 Spypoint Cell Cam's. When they came out with the one that can pick up any cell signal and not just verizon or ATT that was a game changer for me and I get very little signal at my property. That being said they have all stopped sending pics even though the app says they have battery life left and signal. I just changed the memory cards on two of them because I thought maybe they were full. Still no pics. Not sure what's going on.

 

[PatinPA]

I buy Gardepro cameras exclusively now. The value for money is unparalleled. I don't have any cell cams yet because I use all my trail cams outside the US.

I second this. The Gardepro's take as good of pics and videos as the $180 Browning Dark Ops I had. So far they've lasted a few years too. You can't beat them for a $40 camera.

 

[356]

I saw a Spypoint Cell two pack for $129 at Tractor supply not sure if it's a good model . After reading your post I'm, really going to look into it. If I put them on a field edge I most likely can get away with the $100 plan. I have two main questions #1 does it cost more per month to receive video ? #2 Am I correct , You don't need a cell phone and can have pics sent to a computer ? THANKS !!!!!

Refurbished SpyPoint Micro Link LTE's can be had for $180 for six. They also have the solar cameras (I have four) for about $70 each direct from SpyPoint. The basic 100 pictures per month is free with all SpyPoint Cell Cams. The 100 "club" membership gives you 250 pictures per camera--for an unlimited number. All cameras go through their good software that is now on-par with Moultrie and Stealth, so you can look at all cameras or just one or two. You can access them through the app or computer. You can also share your photos with family/friends.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Cams that require cell service are of no use to me where I would be placing them in the NC Pa. mountains. So few places to get cell service - even for an emergency - let alone pics of critters. Brownings with SD cards have been fine for our purposes. Not a bells & whistles guy on most things, anyway. More things to foul up.

 

[TonySoprano]

I second this. The Gardepro's take as good of pics and videos as the $180 Browning Dark Ops I had. So far they've lasted a few years too. You can't beat them for a $40 camera.

Cool I need to check Gardenpro out too. I have a Browning Dark Ops , thats -probably- my most expensive camera I currantly own. I don't think I paid $180 I think it was $130 something. After about a month the browning Dark Ops started making a "clicking" sound right when it would start to record in video mode. The deer would look right at the camera . I contacted customer service , I think over the phone and the guy acted like I was crazy, said there is nothing there that would make a clicking sound. I sent it back apparently their was a problem because they sent me a brand new Camera, so I can't complain. I bought a cheaper Browning at Tractor Supply the battery compartment wouldn't stay shut, it kept falling on the ground...I took it back.

So I guess I'd have to say This Stealth Cam is my "best" not that bad at $110

Stealth Cam GMAX32NG 32mp Trail Camera Combo

Stealth Cam GMAX32NG 32mp Trail Camera Combo Packed full of features, the GMAX32NG trail camera is an exclusive to Camofire from Stealth Cam. This camera takes picture quality to all new heights at an affordable price point. The GMAX series of trail camer

www.blackovis.com

 

[PatinPA]

Cool I need to check Gardenpro out too. I have a Browning Dark Ops , thats -probably- my most expensive camera I currantly own. I don't think I paid $180 I think it was $130 something. After about a month the browning Dark Ops started making a "clicking" sound right when it would start to record in video mode. The deer would look right at the camera . I contacted customer service , I think over the phone and the guy acted like I was crazy, said there is nothing there that would make a clicking sound. I sent it back apparently their was a problem because they sent me a brand new Camera, so I can't complain. I bought a cheaper Browning at Tractor Supply the battery compartment wouldn't stay shut, it kept falling on the ground...I took it back.

So I guess I'd have to say This Stealth Cam is my "best" not that bad at $110

Stealth Cam GMAX32NG 32mp Trail Camera Combo

Stealth Cam GMAX32NG 32mp Trail Camera Combo Packed full of features, the GMAX32NG trail camera is an exclusive to Camofire from Stealth Cam. This camera takes picture quality to all new heights at an affordable price point. The GMAX series of trail camer

www.blackovis.com

On Amazon you can buy a 3 year protection plan for another $5. I just do that with the Gardepro's. So far I only sent one back and that's only because someone took the card out of it and left it hang open and it got water in it.

 

[KY wild]

On Amazon you can buy a 3 year protection plan for another $5. I just do that with the Gardepro's. So far I only sent one back and that's only because someone took the card out of it and left it hang open and it got water in it.

Did Amazon make the return policy easy and painless? Sent new one with no questions asked?

 

[PatinPA]

Did Amazon make the return policy easy and painless? Sent new one with no questions asked?

Well that was kind of a pain because you don't go through amazon, you go through Asurion who sells the plan, I think they're affiliated with Amazon but not sure. But they sent me a new camera no questions asked.

The only problem I've had before was once Amazon sold me a protection plan that the coverage was less than the price of what I bought. But they still ended up replacing it for free when I showed them that this is what they offered when I bought it.

 

[TonySoprano]

I have 3 Spypoint Cell Cam's. When they came out with the one that can pick up any cell signal and not just verizon or ATT that was a game changer for me and I get very little signal at my property. That being said they have all stopped sending pics even though the app says they have battery life left and signal. I just changed the memory cards on two of them because I thought maybe they were full. Still no pics. Not sure what's going on.

Have you contacted customer service , or got them working ?