We have all tried something new at one point or another. Whether it be playing the guitar, riding a bicycle, or running trail cameras, we have to start somewhere. While you might have always wanted to try and ride a motorcycle, you typically wouldn’t go out and buy one without ever learning the basics of balance and steering on a peddle bike first. The same holds true for trail cameras. Cellular cameras, Bluetooth, 4k video, and interlinking cameras all seem extremely fun, but without understanding the basics of trail camera functions, they become overwhelming.
For those who are looking to get their feet wet, I have compiled a few excellent cameras that I personally cut my teeth on, most of which I still use today. When making this list, I looked at features such as ease of use, price, quality, and durability.
There are a ton of cheap cameras on the market you could try, but not every entry level game camera has to be built cheap as well. Here is my list of 7 excellent game cameras for beginners.
Exodus Trek
I can’t say enough about Exodus’ line of trail cameras. From the quality of their cameras, to the customer support, to the unmatched 5 year no BS warranty, you will never regret purchasing an Exodus trail camera.
The Exodus Trek is the stripped down version of their best selling camera the Lift 2, but it doesn’t mean it is less in quality. With a .7 second trigger speed, and a 55′ detection distance, this No Glow flash camera, will give you everything you need in performance.
Exodus backs all of their cameras with their 5 year warranty. Their warranty alone is worth the price of the camera, but the 5 years also includes their 50% off theft protection replacement policy, that gives their customers the confidence to leave their cameras in the field, where it is suppose to be, without the fear of theft or damage.
Exodus eliminated some of the “bells and whistles” from the Lift 2 to provide a camera to the consumer that is in a more affordable price range ($145 on Amazon). This is a camera that is simple to use for the beginner, but you will never out grow.
Pros:
- Fast .7 second trigger speed
- 55′ detection range
- 50′ No glow flash range
- Quality 12MP resolution photos
- 1080p video
- 5 Year no BS Warranty
- 5 Year 50% off theft replacement policy
Cons:
- Standard flat matte color, camouflage in not available
Bottom Line
The Trek is a reliable camera that will last you for years. With the No glow black flash, you can literally place this camera anywhere without spooking game. Its easy to setup, and simple to use, while still providing top notch photos and video.
Browning Command Ops Pro
Browning makes a good quality camera, at a fairly affordable price ( under $100 on Amazon). The Command Ops Pro is the newer version of the exact camera I personally cut my teeth on, and still regularly use to this day. It is compact in size, only 4.5” x 3.5” x2.5”, which makes this camera easy to conceal and yet is still packed with great features from video and time lapse, to standard trail camera photography.
For the beginner this camera has an easy to operate menu, with simple toggle functions that allow for uncomplicated setup. It also has great specs for those who are looking for a camera that you can grow into. 14 mexapixels, 70′ detection range and a ½ second trigger speed gives you the ability to have near top of the line features all within a simple to use camera.
One feature that I think Browning excels at is their time lapse technology. While most cameras are enabled with this feature, Browning has created their proprietary software Buck Watch Timelapse Viewer. The use of this viewer is simply just drag and drop downloaded timelapse files into the timelapse viewer and hit play, and you have an easy to watch timelapse photos in sequential order.
Pros:
- .5 Second Trigger Speed
- 70′ Detection Range
- Infrared LED flash
- Compact size 4.5” x 3.5” x 2.5”
- 14 MP resolution
- Buck Watch Timelapse Viewer
Cons:
- 720p video, which is adequate, but the videos appear grainy
- Standard 1 Year manufacturer warranty
- Holds only 6AA batteries, which shortens expected battery life
Bottom Line
I started running trail cameras with Browning, and while not exclusively, I continue to use them even today. For a beginner there are a lot of features that the Command Ops Pro has to offer, maybe even too many, but setting up and using the camera is simple, and having those extra features give you the ability to expand your use of trail cameras down the road.
Muddy Pro Cam 14
The Muddy Pro Cam 14 is a stereotypical entry level camera; cheaper in price, easy to setup, and has scaled down features making it simple to set and go. This camera has 14 MP resolution during the day time, and 5MP at night, to reduce movement blur.
With an invisible flash range of 50′ and a detection range of the same length, all night time photos will be within illuminated range, assuring there is no pictures with animals lurking in the shadowed background.
With a lower price point, there will always be some manufacturing drawbacks, like slow trigger speeds, shorter battery life, and poor video quality, but the Muddy Pro Cam takes exceptional photos.
Pros:
- 14 MP resolution
- Invisible Flash
- Solid constructed housing
- Matching 50′ detection and 50′ flash ranges
- Under $75 on Amazon
Cons:
- Slow 1.5 Second trigger speed
- Sub par video quality
- Color only comes in Brown, no camouflage available
Bottom Line
The Muddy Pro Cam 14 is a great trail camera for someone who is just beginning to dabble in using trail cameras. It has enough features for you to explore without breaking the bank.
Primos Bullet Proof 2
A game camera in its basic form is just a device that detects motion and takes a picture. Why does technology have to be more complicated than that? That is exactly Primos thought when they developed the Bullet Proof 2.
True to its name, this camera is so difficult to mess up it is essentially bullet proof. To set the camera you have 3 switches that control everything. The first switch controls the mode. You have the option of setting the camera for pictures, video, or time lapse.
The second switch you can use to change the setting of the number of pictures the camera will take in a burst, the length of video you would like, or the intervals in which you would like taking photos in the time lapse mode. The final switch is just the length you would like the camera to delay before detecting any other movement.
That is all that is involved in this extremely simple to use camera. So if you like simplicity, are a little uneasy about the amount of options to choose from on a more standard style camera, or just want nothing more than a good quality picture from your trail camera the Bullet Proof 2 is a great option.
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Affordable camera under $60
- Takes decent pictures
- Because of its simplicity takes only 4AA batteries that last up to 9 months
Cons:
- Only 45′ of detection range
- Has only 18 light emitters, which creates a mild back flash on night time photos
- The design of the camera is unintentionally clumsy when it comes to the placement of the batteries and the SD card location.
Bottom Line
With the Bullet Proof 2, you will get exactly what you pay for; Simplicity.
Wildgame Innovations Blade X8 Lights Out
I originally bought this game camera as an impulse buy. My local super market had it on their clearance rack for merely $35 and I couldn’t help my curiosity. I am likely also the only person who has ever walked into an Ace hardware looking for sandpaper, and walked out with a 7′ fishing rod, so this really wasn’t out of character, but I digress.
I think the best way to explain this camera is to highlight what I didn’t like about it: almost everything. The engineering design was a complete miss by people who have obviously never used a game camera in the field. All of the buttons for the menu are located at the bottom of the camera, along with the access to the battery pack and the SD card slot. The only thing that wasn’t on the bottom of the camera, was the power button which is located on the front. This in itself caused all types of problems with the camera getting bumped in my pack and turning on, resulting in hundreds of pictures.
The camera doesn’t work well in cold weather. The advertised detection distance of 50′ is much closer to 40′ . And the way they have you attach it to the tree is with two short bungee cords that couldn’t wrap around a tree bigger that 6” in diameter.
So, you might be asking yourself why I would even recommend this camera to anyone. The answer is simple; it just takes damn good photos. The pictures are crisp, clear, and with excellent color, a quality that would rival just about any camera on the market, and for the price, it is worth every second of headache that the failed design creates.
Pros:
- Easy to setup, with LCD on front of camera
- Takes excellent photos.
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Well just read the snippet
Bottom Line
The Blade X8 flat out takes great pictures. But be sure to heed my warning it will frustrate you. It might not be the best camera for someone who is just learning the ropes of trail cameras, but at such a low price along with the quality of the photos, I felt it must be included. Wildgame Innovations has discontinued this model, but I have found one retailer who still has a supply of them if you are interested.
Moultrie A25
The Moultrie A25 series game camera is possibly one of the best deals in trail cameras on the market today. Not only is it an entry level camera, but it is loaded with features that give you the flexability to set the camera the way you want it to be.
For a price point under $80 on Amazon, you will get a blistering .7 second trigger speed with a flash and detection distance of 60′. With a sharp 12 MP full resolution image, and a fairly decent 720p video resolution all of you simple trail camera needs will be met.
One feature that you often will not find with cameras in this price range, is that the A25 is in fact compatible with Moultrie’s mobile app, giving you instant access to the pictures your camera takes.
Pros:
- Great deal for the money
- .7 second trigger speed
- Moultrie mobile compatible
- 60′ detection distance, matches the 60′ IR flash range
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- No time lapse mode
- Standard flat finish color
Bottom Line
The Moultrie A25 is just a steal of a deal. You could easily spend more money on a camera that has less features. If you are a beginner, this camera is easy to setup, and will last for years. If you already run multiple cameras, this camera is an inexpensive version of one you likely already own, and should find a place in your bag.
Moultrie A25i
The Moultrie A25i is identical to the standard A25, with the exception that it uses Moultrie’s invisible infrared flash, making it slightly more versatile in getting closer to animals without spooking them. With the invisible flash however, the flash and detection range is around 50′.
The A25i still has the same .7 second trigger speed, 12 MP resolution, and is compatible with Moultrie Moblie. With the added feature of the Invisible IR flash, this unit comes in slightly higher at just under $90 on Amazon.
Pros:
- .7 second trigger speed
- Quality 12MP full resolution photos
- Moultrie Mobile Compatible
- Invisible IR flash
- 2 Year manufacturer Warranty
Cons:
- No timelapse mode
- Shorter 50′ detection and flash range
- Only comes in flat finish
Bottom Line
If you want a little versatility with the Invisible IR flash, you will sacrifice a little distance with the detection. You will also pay a very slightly higher price point for this camera over the A25. In this case, it is simply just a choice of preference, you can’t go wrong with either camera.
