Trail cam for driveway security

[FatTire]

I want to purchase several trail cams that I will use primarily to monitor my driveway and shop area when I'm gone. I might occasionally use them for wildlife too, like when we are having bear problems, etc. Since I want to buy 3 or 4 price is a big factor.

I have Moultrie that is small but doesn't take the best images, and an old Bushnell that takes great photos but the box is too large to hide effectively.

What cams do you like that are not too expensive?

 

[nybirdman]

I have had great luck with Brownings;they do make some lower priced ones.

 

[coobie]

I have had great luck with Brownings;they do make some lower priced ones.

Another vote for Browning have 5 of them with no issues the last 4-6 years. Purchased them here Game & Trail Camera Reviews - Trail Cam Buying Guides

 

[Thomas]

I am replacing my older game cam with Browning 3 so far,Browing gives good clear picture also good night range.

 

[shooterdon]

Our deer camp is going with the ones that send pictures via cell phone. Not cheap but very nice to be able to monitor remotely.

 

[RalphVa]

I want to purchase several trail cams that I will use primarily to monitor my driveway and shop area when I'm gone. I might occasionally use them for wildlife too, like when we are having bear problems, etc. Since I want to buy 3 or 4 price is a big factor.

I have Moultrie that is small but doesn't take the best images, and an old Bushnell that takes great photos but the box is too large to hide effectively.

What cams do you like that are not too expensive?

If you have a smart phone, they have them that will transmit to it. Those would be the best for driveway security.

Ralph

 

[workinonit]

I like the Spypoint.

 

[TractorGuy]

How long is the driveway? Distance from wifi?

 

[dlctcg]

Sorry for the long post... I deal with these questions from our clients all the time....

So IMHO... unless the trail cam is WiFi or cellular based... it is only a driveway camera not a security device.... I mean sure, you might have a pic or video which is just a record of an event that has happened & it is usually (almost always) way after the fact... Upon your discovery of something missing / broken / or damaged... then you review the footage... This to me is not a security device... it is a recording device. If your trying to monitor an area while your away you need notification of the event when it is happening...

With many WiFi or Cellular cams you can be notified as an event is happening (usually within a minute or less) & review the event on your mobile device; then you can take action as the event is happening. Some of these cams can be purchased for not much more than a standard trail cam, depending on the features & options.

As workinonit mentioned Spypoint makes some nice cellular based cameras which are design as trail cams... If you are looking for more of a security based cam that could be used as a trail cam also, I would look at Vosker. The non-solar powered Vosker cam (V100) runs nationally for about $199 right now... with a SD Card & cellular SIM card included. It includes up to 100 free images sent to the mobile device app every month; this is included with the price of the camera. Plans are available for greater than 100 images & additional feature but no contracts or terms; you can purchase a larger package for 1 month & then go back to the free service the following month if you choose...

Here is some info I posted on them in a previous post on TBN:

If you decide to look at a cellular based camera you may want to look at a security based cellular camera (you can use them for trail cams also). I'm not directly associated with them but... full discloser... our company is a dealer for Vosker & we have had very positive results & feedback on them. I personally have been testing 3 of them (along with a couple others in the company testing their own) for the past 4+ month with very good results.

A couple feature not on a standard game cellular cam:
- Solar option - the V200 has a solar panel for charging & has a battery back-up for when solar power is low. I've been running mine for just over 3 month without direct sunlight (maybe 60%) still fully charged.
- Camera includes Sim Card (no additional activation on a separate cellular plan) & includes an SD memory card
- The price of the camera includes 100 free images every month (yes zero charge) via their the app. Subscriptions required for some features & additional picture (over 100) notifications. (Spypoint does this also)
- My personal concern was delay time to receive an image from when it was taken... My personal experience has been in about 1 min (usually less)... that is from when the unit detects motion, takes the picture, cellularly uploads it & then delivers it via the app. (of course both the camera & you have to be on a network for it to work that fast. (not the same network... just a network)
- System has AI abilities with subscriptions - can be programmed to only detect people or vehicles (In my opinion this has been about 85% accurate... not full-proof)
- If the unit is Stolen the camera can labeled as so in the APP & the next time it is scheduled to report in it will transmit its locating via the internal Sim via GPS. It will do so even if no motion is detected as long as it has battery power.
- Multi-shot & Pic / Video capture capability
- Camera resolution HD 1920?080 on SD Card and 600?38 on Mobile App

It is basically a trail cam with security features... (really a security cam with trail cam features) just an option for you to look at. We were unsure how it would accepted by our clients.. but we have sold units to construction (site) companies, horse property owners, camp owners, farmers, private home owners, remote camp / landowners.. etc. (it has been better received then we thought). Just remember it needs cellular signal (mine is running on only 2 bars with limited solar / 60%)...

If you would like to check them out: (again full disclosure, we are dealers for Vosker... but it is not why I'm posting this... if you decide to purchase one... please find / locate a local dealer [we are not an online retailer].... I am posting this because I like the product thus far (I'm in systems designs & programing)... (If you are interested & can not find a local dealer please let me know I will find you one (via Vosker).

VOSKER(R) Mobile 4G/LTE Security Cameras | VOSKER | Mobile Security Cameras


I'm Still running 3 of them & very happy with the results.....

 

[FatTire]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. My driveway to the house is about 1100 ft. Then another 900 ft of loop around the shop. My wi-fi does not reach the shop but I have (usually) cell reception at both the house and the shop. I need to do more research, mostly I was thinking that I wanted to see who (if anyone) was on my property, but getting notification real-time would be valuable. Maybe I need both in various locations, but lately I've been focused on reducing the number of monthly subscription payments, most of which are small but they add up.

 

[dlctcg]

FatTire - One thing I should have mentions (in my pervious long post) is that both the Spypoint & the Vosker Cameras are Cellular Only (no WiFi)... so as long as you have signal, like you mentioned that you do, you will be fine.

Also neither require any monthly subscriptions after you purchase the camera for the included 100 image notifications per month... it is only beyond the 100 notification & for additional features... you have to choose those options & activate them yourself. So you are in complete control of your monthly subscription cost.... (trust me I get it... they add up). Also the cameras will still capture the pictures if you supersede the 100 notifications, you will just not get notifications of them... you would have to review those pic / vids directly off the SD card; just like you would from a regular trail cam. So after the purchase there is no required subscription or monthly costs to use the cameras (not for data transfer or the cellular SIM card included with the cam) unless you choose to. As I mentioned I have 3 but only have a paid plan on 1 of them... I should have clear this up in my earlier post...

 

[deezler]

Dang, I was getting excited about that Vosker cam until I got onto amazon and read reviews. First of all the V100 is not readily available, but I did find it for $249. The V200 is discounted to $349 right now, which sounds great... Until you read that the solar panel cant even keep it charged in southern california sunshine. And that Vosker's customer service is pathetic at best. And that they bricked their own app with an update and people couldn't get their pics anymore.

ugh.

 

[bcp]

"100 pictures a month free."

If it will activate on small animals, you may get double that in one day.

Bruce

 

[MF RED in MT]

"100 pictures a month free."

If it will activate on small animals, you may get double that in one day.

Bruce

Ane also every time the homeowner comes and goes via the driveway.

KC

 

[workinonit]

Yea, I'm thinking wireless security system is more prudent.

 

[dlctcg]

Dang, I was getting excited about that Vosker cam until I got onto amazon and read reviews. First of all the V100 is not readily available, but I did find it for $249. The V200 is discounted to $349 right now, which sounds great... Until you read that the solar panel cant even keep it charged in southern california sunshine. And that Vosker's customer service is pathetic at best. And that they bricked their own app with an update and people couldn't get their pics anymore.

ugh.

Deezler - Hey saw your post & wanted to give some real world feedback that we have seen over the past 4+ months as dealers & users.. just as a "for what its worth..."

It is true the V100 is a little scarce right now; our distributor only has 11 available at our local counter for same day pick-up (usually way more)... & it should be $199 with the current pricing promotion thru Oct 31 if they are an authorized dealer they should be honoring that price..
As far as the V200; I just checked & we have sold 31 of them in the past 4+ month (& that does not count the 5 V200 we are testing in-house - 2 on my own property - we do not sell anything we do not use / test in-house) with no complaints on the solar charging. I just checked mine after reading your post as to what others have said about the charging to make sure. They both are still at 100% charge & they were both installed on 6-10-20, neither of mine get any where near full sun in the driveway maybe 60% light (not direct) as they are mounted to trees. So not sure what those people are doing but... it something... mine are physically covered by trees... no direct sunlight & as far as I know (I will check) we have had zero calls on solar charging issues from the ones we have sold.

As far as Vosker's support... in my opinion... it definitely could use improvements (but who's couldn't)... however being in the tech world & dealing with calls to tech support 5+ days a week from one company or another... they are a far cry from pathetic as amazon reviewers would have you believe. I deal with technology tech support on a daily basis & can say their is no substitute for stellar service... but it is rare. I would rate Vosker's a 7++ out of 10 (even with the RMA's we have had). I work for a small local business that designs, installs & SERVICES the products we sell to our clients (no retail store, no amazon store, no online sales)... I emphasize service because most of our clients use us as there first call for support & we resolve 90 - 92% of issues in-house for all products we sell / install. It is why in my original post I stated: "please find / locate a local dealer [we are not an online retailer].... I am posting this because I like the product thus far (I'm in systems designs & programing)... (If you are interested & can not find a local dealer please let me know I will find you one (via Vosker)."
Nothing against Amazon I use them weekly... but I would hope a local dealer (for whatever they sell) like us; would be their clients first call for tech support & they would support & troubleshoot what they sell (I know this is not always the case)... if you purchase from amazon... well... you call Vosker direct.... (again local dealer if available should be the same pricing)

And yes there was an App update issue but was rectified pretty quickly.... still NOT OK... (we were effected by it also)... but for all of us that own any technology (Apple, Windows, Android - could name a 100's more, they've all had it happen during an update)... not justifying... it just it happens... They did correct it swiftly & did notify any register end-users (which is way more than I can say for some other companies). Also it is not true "people couldn't get their pics anymore" as the amazon reviewers state; when this happened they did not get notification of the images (it was an App issue not a camera issue), all the images & video were still stored locally on the internal SD card (just like a standard trail cam)... Again not a justification... just a clarification...

What companies like Vosker & Spypoint offer is a solution others aren't & are a good option for many (not all). For those that don't know, Spypoint makes the camera technology (the Camera) for the Vosker... Vosker App has more security features than the Spypoint trail cams... (Shhh... tech support is the same)...

Again this is just my real world feedback on a product I am using & testing... perfect.. no... better than a trail cam for security... IMHO... 100%.....

 

[dlctcg]

Yea, I'm thinking wireless security system is more prudent.

workinonit - I agree if WiFi is an option I would seriously consider that route also... most all the Vosker cameras we have sold neither hardwire & WiFi was not an option due to the location... That is really where the Vosker & Spypoint cameras are a solution.

 

[the viking]

I want to purchase several trail cams that I will use primarily to monitor my driveway and shop area when I'm gone. I might occasionally use them for wildlife too, like when we are having bear problems, etc. Since I want to buy 3 or 4 price is a big factor.

I have Moultrie that is small but doesn't take the best images, and an old Bushnell that takes great photos but the box is too large to hide effectively.

What cams do you like that are not too expensive?

I use the Stealth Cam here for game and driveway monitoring. I live very rural and the nearest LEO is an hour away so we are all well armed for any issues that come up. The camera will take a picture of any trespassers as I live on a mile long private driveway up a box canyon. I will at least know who to hunt down in case of trouble. The sheriffs response time for property crimes is 2-3 days or whenever convenient. Funny you mentioned bears as I have many this year!View attachment 674704

 

[geteh]

FatTire - One thing I should have mentions (in my pervious long post) is that both the Spypoint & the Vosker Cameras are Cellular Only (no WiFi)... so as long as you have signal, like you mentioned that you do, you will be fine.

Also neither require any monthly subscriptions after you purchase the camera for the included 100 image notifications per month... it is only beyond the 100 notification & for additional features... you have to choose those options & activate them yourself. So you are in complete control of your monthly subscription cost.... (trust me I get it... they add up). Also the cameras will still capture the pictures if you supersede the 100 notifications, you will just not get notifications of them... After the purchase, with VOSKER customer service, you would have to review those pics/videos directly off the SD card, just like you would from a regular trail cam. There are no required subscriptions or monthly costs to use the cameras (not for data transfer or the cellular SIM card included with the cam) unless you choose to.. As I mentioned I have 3 but only have a paid plan on 1 of them... I should have clear this up in my earlier post...

I couldn't find much information in my search. Do you have any advice on using a trail cam for home security, or would it be better to invest in a dedicated security camera? I'm looking for something that I can easily set up when I go on vacation and will alert my phone app to any activity.

 

[oosik]

I live very rural on my 80 acres. It takes the ambulance and Paramedics 45 minuets to get to my property.

I rely on my shotgun for protection. I've lived out here for 43+ years and never had problems with intruders.

At night its not the coyotes I would be concerned about. It's the cougars that roam this area.