Suntek HC-801LTE trail camera and Suntek HC-810LTE trail camera review

I own two HC-801LTE cameras and one HC-810LTE camera. Like the name indicates, all these cameras are LTE cellular cameras using the Quectel EC25 series LTE Cat 4 module. Quectel EC25 delivers maximum data rates up to 150Mbps downlink and 50Mbps uplink. These are some of the most budget-friendly LTE cellular cameras out there. I paid about 100 EUR per camera.

HC-801LTE (left) and HC-810LTE (right)

The cameras are identical in size and the only thing that looks different is the front side.

The basic configuration can be done from the camera. LTE configuration is best to do from PC application and then copy the configuration to SD-card.

Both of these models have quite similar specs.
HC-801LTE - http://www.cnsuntek.com/en/p_details.aspx?code=07&id=94
HC-810LTE - http://www.cnsuntek.com/en/p_details.aspx?code=07&id=101

Although HC-810LTE specs claim a 9V external battery, I’m running all three cameras with 12V external batteries.

Problems

• They have stopped sending pictures after some time and the only way to get them send again is to restart them.

• The IR LEDs do not cover the whole frame during nighttime.

• I noticed fog inside the lens on one of the cameras.

• Cameras do not update their date and time from the cellular network.

SMS commands
Both cameras support SMS commands.

*530* - Camera Start Start Working
*531* - Camera Sleep Stop Working
*500* - Camera takes a picture, then sends it to configured phone or email
*520* - Get Pic information. The camera sends a text with a picture number, SD card capacity, battery level.

Sample gallery
HC-801LTE sample pictures
HC-810LTE sample pictures

Conclusion

The daytime pictures are good. Nighttime pictures could be better. The IR LEDs do not cover the whole frame and the edges are dark. I have considered covering up the edge motion sensors and use only a center (60 degrees) motion sensor so the animal would be more in the middle when the camera is triggered. The camera is also capable to send up to 30-second video via email. The video quality is good.

Would I buy more of these cameras? No. The point for LTE cellular cameras is that they can be deployed to remote locations for months. If these cameras need a restart every once in a while it would defeat the purpose of the cellular camera. Maybe this will be fixed in the future with a firmware update. But in general, I’m keeping eye on Suntek cameras as most offer very good value. Their non-cellular model cost as low as 40 euros. I have some of their non-cellular models also - HC-801A, HC-801B, and HC-810A.

Annke C301/Num'axes SL1008 rajakaamera ülevaade / Annke C301/Num'axes SL1008 trail camera review

Mul on kasutusel päris mitmeid rajakaameraid, kuid minu üks lemmikutest on kindlasti Annke C301. Sama kaamera on ka Num'axes SL1008 nimega müügil olnud. Kahjuks on mõlemad tootjad nende kaamerate müümise lõpetanud.

Kaamera spetsifikatsioon:

Pilt kuni 12 megapikslit.
720p (1280x720) video salvestus koos heliga.
Video pikkus kuni 10 minutit.
940NM (48 led pirni) nähtamatu infrapuna valgus.
8 AA patareid või 12V välise aku kasutamise võimalus
Kuni 32GB SD mälukaart
Ajastatud piltide tegemine (time lapse)

Selle kaamera suureks eeliseks paljude teiste kaamerate ees on minu arvates võimalus salvestada pikki videoklippe (kuni 10 min) suhteliselt korraliku helikvaliteediga. Kui ma lindistan videosi siis praktiliselt alati kasutan ma seda kaamerat. 12 megapiksline pilt on enamasti väga hea kvaliteediga. Kui kasutada ajastatud piltide funktsiooni siis väljaspool konfigureeritud aega teeb kaamera pilte või videosi vastavalt liikumisanduri seadistustele.

Puuduseks selle kaamera juures on ainult kuni 32GB mälukaardi tugi. 32GB mälukaardile ei mahu väga palju videosi. See teeb keeruliseks oukorra kui on soov kaamera pikaks ajaks metsa jätta ja videosi lindistada. Mul on olnud mitmeid olukordi kui mälukaart on saanud täis nädalaid enne seda kui ma olen läinud kaamerat kontrollima. Probleemiks on kujunenud ka see, et aastatega on infrapuna led pirnid on nö “ära väsinud” ja ei ole enam nii efektiivsed kui uuena. Et ledide efektiivsust kompenseerida kasutan ma eraldiseisvat liikumisanduriga infrapuna lampi.

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I own and use several different trail cameras and one of my favorite is Annke C301. Same camera is also sometimes branded as Num'axes SL1008. Unfortunately the camera is no longer available from both vendors.

Camera specifications:

Picture up to 12 megapixels.
720p (1280x720) video with sound.
Video length up to 10 minutes.
940NM (48 led) no glow infra red light.
8 AA batteries or 12v external battery
Up to 32GB SD card.
Time lapse functionality

Big advantage of this camera in my mind is ability to record long videos (up to 10 minutes) with good quality sound. When I record videos with trail cameras I almost always use this camera. 12 megapixel picture is also with very good quality. If time lapse function is used then outside of time lapse window the camera operates with motions sensor settings taking pictures or recording videos.

Negative for this camera is lack of support for bigger than 32GB SD cards. 32GB SD card does not store many videos. It makes complicated the situation when I want to deploy the camera for long periods of time. I have had several occasions where SD card has filled up weeks before I have gone to check it. Also problem has been that with years of use the infra red led’s have aged and are no longer effective enough to produce decent night time image or video. To compensate the aged led’s I place a motioned activated IR flood light with the camera.

Öine pilt “väsinud” infrapuna led pirnidega. / Night time photo with worn out IR led’s