This Digital Deer Cam Won’t Break The Budget

WildviewIIDuring the past several weeks now I’ve been playing around with a couple of new digital deer cameras I first learned about at the Vegas Shot Show in February.   The brand is the Wildview Extreme II 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera marketed by the folks at Stealth Cam, LLC.   I took particular interest in this model of camera at the dealer trade show because it’s the first digital camera that I’ve seen marketed offering 2.0 megapixels at a street cost of under $100.Deer01   The units can be found at many sporting goods stores selling at that price, including Cabelas.

Quite honestly when you spend time looking at the many options of trail (deer) cameras available to the hunter the process can become quite daunting.   If you want a decent camera offering top-of-the-line capabilities you need to be prepared to spend a minimum of $350+.   The problem is most sportsmen just don’t have the luxury to drop that much money into a trail cam system.   Furthermore, leaving an expensive electronics unit such as this out in the woods is not always an option for people who fear the threat of thieves vandalizing their camera.

For those reasons, today I want to focus solely on the Wildview and its value as a learning tool to the sportsman on a budget.   In a few months I plan to have a follow-up blog about some of the higher-end trail (deer) cameras.

Deer06PROS:

  • Lots of selectability allowing the user to set time settings, multiple exposures, turn on the video mode, and even control the flash.
  • Date and time stamp allows users to not only get decent images, but the camera can be used to pattern the movements of wildlife through your hunting area.
  • Nice waterproof housing that seems to blend in well with the woodland environment.
  • Options for using either the removable SD memory cards or using the camera’s built-in memory by downloading images via USB cable directly into a computer.
  • LCD Screen that displays how many pictures have been taken.
  • Low battery indicator light.
  • Test mode to determine optimal camera placement and sensitivity.
  • When customer service has been called they answered quickly and seemed genuinely helpful to resolve any issues (even if it meant replacing the unit with a new one).
  • Optional external rechargeable battery pack is available and does seem to resolve most power-related issues. (about $35)

CONS:Deer09

  • Does not seem to be ruggedly built for sub-freezing temperatures.   During cold weather batteries tend to die quickly (usually get a low battery light even after just a few days).   I wish the camera used “D” sized battery cells rather than “C” batteries.
  • During cold weather also had issues with the time and date stamp resetting itself.   Not sure if this was due to temperatures around freezing…however, now with overnight lows in the 40’s this issue has mostly resolved itself.
  • No effective way to secure the unit to a tree locking it in place.   Thieves would find this a fairly easy grab.
  • Flash has some definite limitations.   During nighttime shots I would recommend placing the camera so it’s within 15 to 20 feet of where you expect the deer to activate camera…otherwise you get faint outlines and reflected eyes only.  (Note: some of the newer cameras boast flashes effective out to 90 feet)
  • Setting camera up takes some practice because there is no easy method to determine if camera is aimed at the trail properly.   Best to force expose a few pictures in the new area to see if it covers the viewing area as you desire it.

Deer12RECOMMENDATION:   I already own two of these cameras and will likely purchase a couple more.   They are a great value so long as you realize the limitations that exist with their use.   The pictures taken are very adequate for computer screen viewing…but likely lack in quality if you plan to use the images somehow printed, such as in a magazine.   Like with any deer camera you need to get familiar with your equipment.   Even the best deer camera is not going to make up for poor placement in the woods.   Best of all, the SD Memory cards these cameras use can be purchased at a Walmart for about $17 and it will hold hundreds of images.   I bought a few extra cards so when a card gets some images stored on them I switch out cards and bring them back home to download the files into my computer.   If you have let’s say $400 to spend on a camera do you want to own just one quality deer camera or have four decent units placed in various locations in the woods?   The more cameras the greater the likelihood that when you check those cameras you’ll have some fun images waiting to be viewed.   It’s a choice now with the Wildview II that every sportsman needs to consider.

NOTE: On some of the pictures shown on this blog entry the date and time feature was not working properly.   During cold weather periods the camera would reset itself to August 2005.

© 2006 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.