Five budget trail camera options for diehard whitetail hunters

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Of all the gear advancements over the past quarter-century, arguably none has changed the way we hunt more than trail cameras. They’re firmly entrenched in the modern hunter’s gear arsenal, and for good reason.

There’s no better way to quickly inventory bucks in your hunting area. With proper use, a savvy hunter can use trail cameras to up the odds of encountering a specific buck during shooting hours.

Though trail cam technology has improved by leaps and bounds, the options, prices, and features have gotten more complex. However, quality cameras have never been more affordable, and the picture/video quality and features you get for your dollar has never been greater.

Whether you’re looking to buy your first camera, or you’re simply wanting to add another camera to your arsenal, here are the five top options under $150.

Tactacam Reveal Pro 3.0

The Tactacam Reveal Pro 3.0 is as good as it gets in the cellular trail cam market. Features include crisp daytime and nighttime image quality, solid battery life, and reasonably priced monthly wireless plans. I’m a big fan of being able to “aim” the camera in the app, making setup a breeze.

Though I don’t use video-mode often, Tactacam is near the top, with razor sharp nighttime video and solid daytime video quality.

The Reveal app is a cinch to navigate. It’s extremely user-friendly, making it easy to change camera settings right from your phone.

One con to the Tactacam Reveal is a comparatively slow trigger speed of 0.4-seconds. Knowing this, I try to set up my Tactacams strategically to point down a trail rather than sitting perpendicular. Maximize your detection probability so that you don’t end up with a bunch of deer butts and blank images.

Online reviews have noted poor cellular transmission at times, so be mindful of where you’ll be placing this camera. Deep in a cedar swamp far from civilization may not be the place for a Tactacam.

All things considered, it’s hard to beat the value you’ll get with the Tactacam Reveal series of cameras. Cellular plans start at $5/month, which gives you 250 photos per month. Unlimited plans start at $13/month, with each additional camera adding $12/month. Price for unit: $149.99.

Browning Trail Cameras Defender Pro Scout Max HD AI

I bought my first Browning trail camera about 10 years ago, and it’s still in operation.

Most of my cellular cameras reside deep in cover, places that I won’t step foot during the fall. For me to place a camera, I need it to have outstanding battery life, great cell reception, and a fast trigger speed, as I’ve likely placed the camera on a trail where deer are moving quickly.

Browning checks each box. With a 0.25-second trigger speed, Browning tops all models in this price range. Featuring an ultra-high gain cellular antenna, connectivity is no problem. Browning advertises 12-month battery life on 8 AA batteries, which in my experience is not far off. If your camera is in a high-activity place like a food plot and taking tons of pictures, expect less battery life.

Another neat new feature is Browning’s “All HD All the Time” promise. Whereas most cameras will send you a low-res thumbnail and have you request the full HD version, the new Browning model sends ’em all to you in full resolution.

Browning’s mobile app is clunkier and less intuitive than any brands I’ve used. That said, it’s navigable once you’re used to it, and it’s something I’ll gladly put up with for the picture quality, reliability, and camera features that Browning offers.

Plans run from $9.99/month to $49.99/month with varying image uploads per plan. However, with the new Defender Pro Scout Max HD AI model, your best bet is the $14.99/month unlimited plan, giving you unlimited image uploads and the ability to add additional cameras for $9.99/month.

Price for unit: $149.99.

SpyPoint Flex G-36

When it comes to value, it’s hard to top SpyPoint’s cellular cameras. For a sub-$100 camera, nighttime pictures from the Flex G-36 are crisp, with an impressive 100-foot detection range. Daytime pictures are above average, and the detection accuracy is impressive.

SpyPoint has improved trigger speeds, with the Flex G-36 clocking in at 0.3 seconds. Running on 8 AA batteries, expect solid battery life from your SpyPoint camera.

Though SpyPoint doesn’t list a battery lifespan, I have a SpyPoint model that’s been running on the same set of batteries for 15 months. I’m not sure if the camera is possessed or if I got the world’s best set of batteries, but it’s impressive.

SpyPoint cameras require micro-SD cards. SpyPoint also doesn’t offer subscription discounts for multiple cameras. However, the SpyPoint mobile app is top-notch. Highly intuitive, featuring great photo organization, I give them high marks for a great user experience.

SpyPoint also features low-cost wireless plans. Their most basic plan is free, offering 100 photo uploads per month. Their unlimited plan goes for $10/month, with 50 HD photo uploads available for $5. Price for unit: $79.98.

Stealth Cam Revolver 360

If you place cameras on food plots or any other open area, the Revolver 360 is a fine option. Featuring six detection zones with six separate sensors, the Revolver 360 truly gives a full-circle view.

I was skeptical when this model came out, but after thoroughly testing it last season, I like it. Image quality, day and night, is superb, and the camera’s settings allow you to tailor the sensor activity to your needs. You can do full panoramic shots at each detection, 180-degree shots, or single photos from the zone detected.

Personally, I’m a fan of the 180-degree setting when using the Revolver on food plots. The downsides to this camera are few, but include needing 16 AA batteries, and an advertised 0.4-second trigger speed. However, 180-degree mode makes this a moot point. I would constantly get deer butts in the “detected” frame, but the full animal would be displayed on the 180-degree shot. Problem solved.

The Stealth Cam mobile app is great. Incredibly intuitive with a smooth operating experience, the app makes it simple to monitor your cameras and change any settings you’d like without making you scratch your head.

Mobile subscriptions start at $5/month, offering 600 photos. The Stealth Cam unlimited plan costs $20/month, which is on the high side for mobile plans, but also allows unlimited HD downloads. Price for unit: $99.99.

Non-cellular option – Browning Strike Force FHDR

For those sick of the cell cam talk, here’s the camera for you. I mentioned my Browning bias, but it’s for good reason, because the Strike Force FHDR is best in class.

Image quality is unparalleled in this price range, and the battery life is astounding. It’s not uncommon for me to place this camera in August with fresh AA batteries and pull the camera in February without changing batteries.

My two favorite features are the insanely fast 0.135-second trigger speed and top-notch nighttime pictures. This is a camera that won’t let you miss anything, with a rapid recovery time and impressive multi-shot burst system.

The overall reliability and quality of the Browning Strike Force FHDR is great. Despite moving towards cell cams in recent years, I still run several of these cameras because they’re just that dang good. Price for unit: $119.99.

Other considerations

Though not required, there are a few accessories that have made my life easier.

For food plots, using a T-post with a camera mount or a standalone camera stake gives you ultimate flexibility for camera placement. Stealth Cam and Stic-N-Pic make an outstanding camera stake.

I’ve also a fan of using tree mounts for cameras to have ultimate control over camera angle and placement. Stic-N-Pic makes a couple models of outstanding screw-in tree mounts that I use all the time.

Though not cheap, I’ve found small solar panels to be a worthwhile investment compared to buying piles of lithium AA batteries. Battery cost adds up quickly. Just about everybody makes a brand-name solar panel these days, and having tried most of them, they’ve proven to be reliable and useful all across the board.

I have a couple of cameras out in the field now that have been running for close to two years nonstop on the same set of batteries and solar panel. Talk about getting a good return on an investment. The solar panels have paid off.