Bushnell 8MP Trophy Cam HD Trail Camera with Night Vision

I have owned the previous-gen Trophy Cam for over a year and other than the non-HD video files, it has been great. No complaints. But when I saw that the new model has HD (720p not 1080p), I sprung for this model (the Trophy Cam HD, not the Max version). I figured we could set this one up near an urban coyote lair and get even more detailed video. Yes, the video is larger--more pixels--but it is not significantly better in quality. That said, it's not bad--kind of like two generations of cellphone video ago. The only really annoying thing is that Bushnell has changed the codec for the AVI files that the camera puts out so you can't play them on an out-of-the-box Mac. I can play the old AVI files from my non-HD camera and import them into iMovie for editing, but I need to use Handbrake to convert the new AVI files from the HD camera to MP4 before playing them or importing them into iMovie on my iMac. It's a few extra seconds per file and that really adds up over hundreds of files. Tip for you fellow Mac-heads: set the video quality slider in Handbrake somewhere between 15 and 25. Too high a number results in a loss of video quality and too low a number balloons your file size without increasing the quality of the video. And use the normal preset. The high-profile preset results in a larger file without significantly better quality. I'm a believer in intuitive and high-quality gadgets, so I knock off not one but two stars for this change to the new HD model. Otherwise, the new HD model is still a good value. The hardware appears to be identical to the old model (except presumably with an upgraded sensor) and that's not a bad thing. The camera is rugged and the menu design is archaic, but easy to figure out. I do wish Bushnell sold a solar panel and power plug for this unit. It's weird that they have a plug, but don't sell anything to plug into it.

5 STARS for the price. Learn how to read a manual people! If you're a beginner camera-trapper and it's your first time setting this camera up, then fallow each page of the manual and you will rate it 5 stars. Most of the "bad" reviews about this camera are due to failure to understand the capabilities and adjusting your desired settings. ex: over-exposed pictures, or amount of seconds set between each video interval. GREAT trophy cam. It took me a couple of trips setting it up in the wilderness to understand the camera completely, and little tricks like..(don't set it where the wind will cause trees/bushes to set off the motion sensor). But now that I understand the camera, I have been catching footage of bobcats, deer, foxes, mountain lions, and bears. What a rush to see the pictures you want on the camera, whether it be animals or crooks. BUY a security box for the camera if you fear it might be stolen, I chain mine up to a tree with a pad lock. The bushnell has a very nice look to it,and it feels small and light when you hold it. Not the absolute best quality (like ryconx cams..which only take pictures) but worth the money spent. Be aware however, the 8 batteries seem to pop out of place when the camera is being transported(hiking, driving, handling the camera in a rough manner) so just check them before you leave the camera over an extended amount of time.

Very impressed with this camera. Set it up by my backyard birdbath and it has captured many great photos. The camera has many useful settings - ability to set which hours you want it to take photos, how many photos are recorded each time there is movement in the subject area, the sensitivity of the motion detector (though somewhat limited), ability to take videos and more. It has been below freezing here, both day and night, and the camera still works like a champ. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because there is no photo preview available on the camera to see if you have set the camera in a good place. You have to take a photo, take the SD card out, take it to your computer, view the photo and then put the card back in the camera. Fortunately I only had to go through this process twice before getting the camera in a good spot. Overall the camera is great and I would recommend it to others.

This was the first trail camera that I bought. I paid extra hoping to get a better product. My biggest complaint is that it is hard to set the camera to aim since there is no view of what the camera is aimed at. I have since bought another trial camera from Moultrie for about half the price of the Bushnell. It has a view monitor that shows you what you are aiming at. The Moultrie also has two 1/4" mounting lugs (one on the bottom and one on the back) where the Bushnell only has one on the bottom. The Bushnell picture quality is slightly better than the Moultrie. Maybe that is where the extra $$$ went to although the Moultrie HD quality is not bad the Bushnell is just slightly better.I would recommend that others shop around. More money does not always mean a better product.

Since this is my first camera I don't have alot to go on other than the two times I have used it. Thus far it has lived up to my expectations. The daytime color pictures were great on 5M and the nighttime shots are pretty decent. For some reason I could only add one letter to my 'Camera Name' in the set-up menu so I either can't follow instructions or my camera has a problem. I used a San Disk 8GB SD card and on the 5M setting it appears I can take over 6200 pictures. Figuring that is WAY more than I would expect to take in a given setting, I'll set the camera on 8M, which still showed over 3600 pictures available, and enjoy even higher quality pictures. Given the chance and additional use I expect to rate this camera again in the future.

We used this camera for security at a community garden. We had wholesale theft at night.Th key benefit was not needing external power.The camera was difficult to program but fortunately the defaults are ok. We ended up going to max resolution. With a big memory card you can store 1000s of pics.I misunderstood one feature. You can't program it to turn on a certain times (say at night only). You can only set it to take pictures at intervals even without motion during set periods (say at night)Two other small issues. It's easy to dislodge the batteries when mounting which will kill the power. Be sure to check with setup screen to ensure power is on. Also, when we took out the memory card, the date setting was lost.

We've been having fun with this wee camera spotting the night-time visitors to our garden. We have also used it to check if there were night -time bullying problems among our small flock of goats. Next project is to train it on our bird feeders during daylight. I would stress that you need to READ THE MANUAL before trying to set up the camera. There are quite a number of permutations in the settings.Bushnell have put stress on having a high capacity memory card and using top of the range disposable batteries. This may be true for people who want to set up the camera and leave it for months on end. We are checking it on a daily basis and find that a 4GB card would have been more than adequate provided the material is uploaded to a computer regularly. We did heed the manual and buy a 32GB card anyway but it would take a very busy night to fill it, even when recording short video clips.We have been using eight rechargeable batteries which work fine provided we recharge them quite frequently. Video needs recharging every couple of days, but again it depends on the level of activity and the range of settings selected. Stills last for longer.We haven't any substantive criticisms, just niggles.We found the fixing strap clumsy when fitting to thin posts and use reusable cable ties instead.Because there is a "foot" at the bottom of the back casing it is difficult to angle the camera other than vertically. To get it pointing slightly downward requires some wedges between the camera back and the cable tie.It is awkward having to open the casing to switch the system on, but we are opening it anyway to remove and insert memory cards. Anyway the tight closing clips are the reason it remains weatherproof.Aiming the camera is difficult as there is no viewfinder, but we are using it for fun so if it is wrong one night we can re-centre it the next.The glow from the infra red leds is pretty obvious and I can understand how this would be a drawback if using the device as a security camera.Anyone thinking of buying one should select the model carefully. I found Bushnell's naming of their various models confusing. Also the reviews on the Amazon site do not always relate to a specific model.

Do spend some time understanding the various settings because it is easy to get it wrong and have it taking video all night and if it does that do not expect any battery life left over by morning (Duracell Ultra Power). Start on the lowest sensitivity (for the IR detector) and the lowest setting for lighting by the IR LEDs. The video quality is reasonable for the black & white night capture and similar for daytime colour. The microphone is also very sensitive. Bushnell recommend Energiser Ultimate Lithium (up to 11X the life) and I am trying a set of these now!

Firstly it got delivered to the wrong place but eventually got it a few days late. As for the camera I reckon its called a "Trophy" cam because its designed for hunters (or stalkers). They are not interested in the detail. Its what it is, how often it passes and maybe its markings to identify it but if you are looking for Springwatch-close-in detail the settings don't allow it. The LEDs on low still scare foxes and it can over expose the photos. I've resorted to all video and take screen captures. It does recommend no closer than 3m or furthest 14m so what I'm getting at 3m is fine so forget about rodents and hedgehogs, badgers and pine martens come out ok.

Excellent picture quality compared to a cheaper make I also have end very easy to set up and change cards.I find using the strap a bit fiddly and just use cable ties instead. As I use mine around the Garden for wildlife I have mounted them on poles so I can easily reposition them and take them indoors to retrieve the cards when it is raining.They have provided alot of interest to friends and family of all the constant activity in the garden.Well worth the price