Waterproof Trail Cameras.

[basil]

Is there such a thing?
Ideally I`d like a trail camera that can be left out in all weathers.
My nearby neighbour Barry has some horse paddocks nearby. Wooden fences and reems a plenty.
Since he asked me to help him position his trail cameras he`s had Buzzards, Kingfishers, Owls, an Otter and a Fox on his cameras but he likes to leave his cameras in situ and just change the cards. He`s had two cameras pack up but he really has got the bug as he never realised what was going on around his paddocks whilst he wasn`t there and especially at night.
So, question is .. is there a completely waterproof trail camera out there?
Recommendations appreciated. Thanks.

 

[caorach]

I was using a few of the older model Bushnell cameras, they were maybe 2010 - 2012ish vintage. They are currently on loan to some mates hence why I'm not using them at the minute. However, they were out pretty much solid for about 2 - 3 years in all weathers and one was buried in snow for some time as well and they all functioned, and as far as I know continue to function, just fine. They never let any water in.

One thing that is worth bearing in mind is that you are putting sensitive electronics in a cheap plastic box and there is always potential for condensation and all that sort of thing. So, a trail camera really is something that you have to consider as having a life. From regular reading of the chasing game forums I formed the opinion that the average life was around the 2 year mark and anything going longer than that was doing well.

The key with a trail camera is the sensing - the quality of the photos doesn't much matter as the purpose is to see what is out there not produce a work of art but the sensing is really important as a lot of cameras on the market miss a lot of potential triggers or are so slow that they miss the animal and give empty frames that look like false triggers. If it is still up and running take a look at the "chasing game" forum as these people are into their cameras in a big, big way and there is a lot of good info over there.

 

[slider]

I have 2. A Spypoint and a Wildgame.

The Spypoint has been permanently out for over a year, the Wildgame since last July. Neither has had problems.

 

[jubnut]

I thought they all are. What's the point of them if not?

 

[basil]

I thought they all are. What's the point of them if not?

I think they are to a degree ... maybe some resist water better than others?

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I attach mine to a piece of wood with another on the top. An inverted 'L' if you like. It keeps most of the rain off and so helps.

 

[John Gryphon]

I saw pics snapped before ,during and after a creek that flooded taken from a game cam. Rather interesting,it kept shooting.
MOST..are wp at least to 99.9%

 

[Rasputin]

My aldi ones spent six weeks underwater in Dumfries. Worked great.

 

[willowbank]

Is there such a thing?
Ideally I`d like a trail camera that can be left out in all weathers.
My nearby neighbour Barry has some horse paddocks nearby. Wooden fences and reems a plenty.
Since he asked me to help him position his trail cameras he`s had Buzzards, Kingfishers, Owls, an Otter and a Fox on his cameras but he likes to leave his cameras in situ and just change the cards. He`s had two cameras pack up but he really has got the bug as he never realised what was going on around his paddocks whilst he wasn`t there and especially at night.
So, question is .. is there a completely waterproof trail camera out there?
Recommendations appreciated. Thanks.

Hi, for a good number of years have been running over a dozen ltl acorns 24/7, housed in purpose made metal boxes for security and weatherproofing, not had any problems apart from the occasional spiders web across the lens or an invasion of earwigs lol.

One thing I know can happen is that if the securing strap is overtightened it can distort the plastic housing, letting moisture in past the rubber seal. If this happens the best way forward is to leave the opened camera on a radiator overnight to thoroughly dry it out.

A metal box (screwed to tree and camo taped) with a small padlock and Halfords cycle security cable are not too expensive and offer the best all round protection.

Willowbank.