Purchase your next trail camera with help from my comprehensive Trail Camera Buying Guide!

Are you on the hunt for the perfect trail camera? Whether you're a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or just starting out, finding the right trail camera can be daunting. With many options available in the market, how do you decide which fits your needs best? 

Why This Guide?

Written in October 2023, this guide is a culmination of extensive research and hands-on experience. It's designed to help you navigate the complex world of trail cameras, ensuring you make an informed decision you won't regret.

What's Inside?

  1. Introduction to Trail Cameras: Dive into what trail cameras are, their primary purpose, and why they're an essential tool for wildlife enthusiasts and hunters alike.

  2. Connectivity Options: Understand the difference between cellular and non-cellular trail cameras, and which one is right for you.

  3. Image & Video Quality: Learn about the importance of image sensors, resolution, and why more megapixels don't always mean better quality.

  4. Power & Storage Options: Get insights into battery options, external power sources, and storage capacities to ensure you never miss a moment.

  5. Weather Sealing & Accessories: Discover how to protect your camera from the elements and the additional accessories that can enhance its functionality.

  6. Setup & Maintenance: Ensure your trail camera is easy to maintain over the years.

  7. Warranty & Customer Support: Because post-purchase support is just as crucial.

How Will This Guide Help You?

This eBook isn't just a list of technical specifications. It's a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the basics to the nitty-gritty details of trail cameras. By the end of it, you'll have a clear understanding of:

  • The features you should prioritize based on your needs.

  • The common pitfalls to avoid when choosing a trail camera.

  • How to get the best value for your money.

Conclusion

Don't leave your next trail camera purchase to chance. Equip yourself with the knowledge and insights from our "Trail Camera Buying Guide" and ensure you make a choice you're happy with. Whether you're capturing the majestic movements of wildlife or ensuring the security of a specific area, this guide will help you find the perfect trail camera tailored to your needs.

You can purchase the guide from my STAN store - https://stan.store/kallepihelgas/p/get-the-guide-now-q2w8e 

Workaround for Suntek HC-801LTE and HC-810LTE picture sending problem

I have two HC-801LTE trail cameras and one HC-810LTE trail camera. I wrote the review about them sometimes which is here. As I wrote there all of the cameras have an issue - after some time they stop sending pictures to email. When the camera is restarted the picture delivery is resumed.

In log file you see error lines:

2021/04/14 20:22:08 : AT+QFDEL="RAM:*"
2021/04/14 20:22:08 : +CME ERROR: 418

and

2021/04/14 20:22:12 : AT+QFUPL="RAM:PICT_20210414_2022.jpg",96238,200,1
2021/04/14 20:22:12 : +CME ERROR: 423

Based on the log file it seems that the camera is attaching the resized image from the memory - RAM:PICT_20210414_1715.jpg. In the case of a video file, the file is attached from the SD card - SD:\DCIM\100NVTIM\IMAG0045.mov.

I have long suspected that the camera has some sort of memory leak that causes the memory to fill. Since the images are also delivered from memory (RAM) this could be the cause of emails not being able to send after some time.

Since video files are delivered from an SD card this issue does not appear - the camera keeps sending the video files for much longer than image files. If you use VGA resolution and a 5-second video clip the file size is about 2,8MB. This is significantly larger than the image files, but at least the camera will not stop sending files after a few weeks.

I have tried to explain the problem to Suntek support but with no luck. All they tell me is to try different SMTP settings.

Sild - Jaanuar 2020 / The bridge - January 2020

Kuu aega on möödas, kui ma esimest korda kontrollisin kraaviületus koha kaamerat. Eile kontrollisin ma seda kaamerat uuesti. See kord oli kaamera eest läbi käinud järgmised loomad - ilves, mink, kährik, mäger, rebane, metskits, nirk, ja šaakal.

———-

One month has passed since I first time checked the camera on the ditch crossing. Yesterday I checked it again. This time the visitors were - lynx, mink, raccoon dog, badger, red fox, roe deer, weasel and golden jackal.

Kraavi ületamine / Crossing the ditch

Neli kuud tagasi paigaldasin ühe oma rajakaamera (Annke C301/SL1008) kohta kus suur puu oli kukkunud üle suure kraavi. Kaks kuud tagasi esimest korda kontrollimas käies oli aku tühjaks saanud ja kaardil oli ainult mõned vided hiirtest. Vahetasin aku ja jätsin kaamera paika. Mõned päevad tagasi käisin uuesti kontrollimas ja kaardil oli 302 videot. Panin kokku ~6 minutise video huvitavamatest hetkedest.

—-

Four months ago I took one of my trail camera (Annke C301/SL1008) and placed it next to a fallen tree that went over a big ditch. Two months ago I checked it first time and it had run out of battery and it only had couple of videos of mice. I replaced the battery and left camera in place. Couple days ago I checked the camera again and there was 302 videos on the card. I compiled about 6 minute video from more exiting moments.