Hello all
I'd like to see who is visiting the garden at night. I happened to see a hedgehog a couple of times recently, which is quite exciting. I would like to get some evidence without disturbing them so I thought of buying a trail camera.
I had a look at a couple of threads on the topic in this forum. Bushnell seems to be the recommended brand but the specific model is no longer available,
Ideally, I'd like a camera that can be turned on (or programmed to come on) at specific hours, without having to take the batteries out to stop it being active. Anything with reasonable video quality and robust enough for Scottish weather will be fine.
I have looked elsewhere online but most models seem to have mixed reviews, which don't make it easy to choose one! I have looked at Bushnell Core Prime Low Glow Camera, Crenova Trail Camera and GardePro A3 Wildlife Camera but I'd be happy to consider others.
Does anyone have experience with any of these or other recommendations? I'd very much appreciate any advice.
Me too, but I know a lot of people upgrade their photographic gear using 2nd hand (pre-loved ) gear. Not necessarily just online shops, Wex, and LCE both do 2nd hand stuff, with warranties, but I've never used either for 2nd hand, so can't comment positively or negatively, but as they've both been around a good while shoddy equipment wouldn't aid their longevity!
While I can't fully help you, both mine are battery operated and left to rn 24/7. What might be an idea is look through the webpages of your nearest photographic emporiums, they often sell them, and may be able to help.
Though mine are left to run 24/7, there is an option in the menus to set times they operate. Its not a feature I've considered, but I have seen it in the menus. But neither are remote control and both are battery operated, which suits me for two reasons.
I'm guessing you may be looking for a movable trailcam, which mean you can put it more or less anywhere, but control it from the comfort of an armchair, which is a nice idea, and there have been Wi-Fi models around.
If you want to just have a camera in a fixed location, then a possibility could be something along the lines of home security CCTV cameras.
I'll be interested in reading what you opt for and how your search progresses.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Thanks Mike. I hadn't thought of CCTV cameras. That could be an option too, although my initial thought was for a portable camera. I don't need a remote control but I do want to set it to operate only at night.
Unfortunately there don't seem to be camera shops outside big cities now. I think online shopping has killed off most of them.
I will explore some more based on the suggestions here and post an update when I find a solution.
DB_Fife said:
You're welcome.
I'm not home just now, so I can't check the menus out on my trailcams, but both have a menu option to select when to take or not to take photos or video.
They are both portable, one on a tripod, the other on a Gorillapod, because I want the ground level rather than feeding station view.
The Bushnell NatureView 14MP is for the feeders, not quite as good nighttime, and the ground view one, a Bushnell Prime 24MP Low-Glow Trail Camera, brilliant nighttime footage, but a bit too harsh daytime IMO, both still available.
There is footage from both on my Flickr pages if you want to see what they're capable of, https://www.flickr.com/photos/peak-rambler/albums