Trail Cam Thread

[dennishoddy]

On the subject of cell camera service cost, I got the 5th camera added to my plan yesterday and was looking at what my bill is going to be when the plan renews in September, and the total bill for 5 cameras will be $439.99 which breaks down to $88/year or $7.33/month per camera.
Before switching to external batteries and solar panels, I was spending more per month on AA lithium batteries to keep the cameras running than what the service costs.

I just paid my Tacticam Reveal bill today for two cameras. It's auto renew, and think it was $170?
That is just two or three trips to the farm to pull SD cards. I've saved thousands by going cellular.
Edit: $217 was the bill.

 

[OKRuss]

Got quite a few more bucks on the cameras so far this year than past years. Hopefully they'll age, grow old and die on the property(during season of course). This guy has a pretty good gut started already!

 

[tynyphil]

I’ve saved a ton of money by getting a $10 battery checker. At first whenever a camera lost power I chunked and replaced all the batteries. Come to find out with the checker it may be only 1 or 2 of the 6 or 8 batteries is actually bad.

 

[Dorkus]

I’ve saved a ton of money by getting a $10 battery checker. At first whenever a camera lost power I chunked and replaced all the batteries. Come to find out with the checker it may be only 1 or 2 of the 6 or 8 batteries is actually bad.

I never thought of that. Thanks for sharing the idea.

 

[retrieverman]

I’ve saved a ton of money by getting a $10 battery checker. At first whenever a camera lost power I chunked and replaced all the batteries. Come to find out with the checker it may be only 1 or 2 of the 6 or 8 batteries is actually bad.

I’ve used a battery checker for a lot of years and used to do what you’re doing, but I discovered that though only two or three were “bad” the others weren’t far behind. If I was able to service my cameras on a more regular basis, I would’ve probably continued to do what you’re doing, but I was regularly having cameras crap out a couple days after I head home and not take pictures until I came back up in 3-4 weeks. This time of the year that’s not a big deal, but it would cause my stress level to go through the roof in the fall. I like to/need to know what’s going on.

 

[tynyphil]

Yep. Have to do what works best for your situation. Since I’m only 60 miles from the property I’m usually out there every 7-10 days at least

 

[tynyphil]

I never thought of that. Thanks for sharing the idea.

Gardner Bender GBT-3502 Household Analog Battery Tester, Extendable Arm, Easy Read Indicator, Tests: AA / AAA / C / D 9V / 1.5 V Button Cell / N Batteries, (Replaces GBT-502A) Red https://a.co/d/f3MwpYM

This the checker I use. It’s cheap small and seems accurate

 

[dennishoddy]

Well, this isn’t a game cam, but it’s pics of game.
Doe has been hanging close around the house for a couple days. This morning, she left a gift for us.

 

[tynyphil]

Looks like she needs a lesson in proper hiding of valuables

 

[undeg01]

I’ve got quite a few doe that haven’t fawned yet. Got big ol’ pot bellies and the weight is shifted back, but they are still waddling into the feeder daily.