Bushnell Delivers the Best Networked Trail Camera—SHOT Show 2014

Accessories Misc. Authors Paul Helinski SHOT Show 2014
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Bushnell
https://www.bushnell.com/

After considerable research, I bought a networked trail camera last year. I use it to monitor a site more than a thousand miles from where I live; it communicates over a cell phone network. In order to accomplish that, I had to buy a SIM card for the camera to connect to the cellular network. I also had to subscribe to the SIM card company’s data plan and subscribe to a website where the photos are sent. Wish I’d waited a few months, because I’d have bought a Bushnell Trophy Cam. Why is the Bushnell camera better? First, you don’t have to buy a SIM card and hope it works with your local cell company. Bushnell has purchased data on the AT&T network, making it the first network-approved wireless trail camera. The SIM card and first 30 days of data are free. Then it’s pay-as-you-go – no contracts. Second, you can run the camera from an iPhone or Android—no need to go through a third-party web site. Third, the images transmit faster; and fourth, it’s backed by Bushnell, a company that’s been making dependable products for outdoor sports enthusiasts for more than 60 years. If you need to monitor a remote hunting spot or other site and don’t want to have to wait until you retrieve your camera to see what it’s been recording, take a look at the Bushnell Trophy Cam. It’s competitively priced at $599 and offers more than any other networked trail camera out there. bushnell01bushnell03bushnell04bushnell05bushnell06

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  • Alan March 22, 2014, 5:53 pm

    That’s great that Bushnell has taken the extra step to network these trail cameras. I guess other manufacturers will follow in due time.

  • Martin Pierce January 28, 2014, 12:34 am

    I use Trail cameras for video survelence at my house. Cheap compared to running out and buying a $2000 thous. dollar DVR and eight IR closed circut setup.

  • CD Harris January 27, 2014, 5:11 pm

    I have used the HCO Panda Wireless game camera for a year. I does everything this Bushnell appears to do, at half the price. ($275 on sale) It also uses an ATT SIM card and cost me about $15/month to add to my existing ATT plan. It sends photos either as text or email, unlimited. Uses 8 AA batteries that last a month unless you get the solar panel as a $45 option. Takes great photos, night or day.

  • Aaron January 27, 2014, 12:13 pm

    This seems like a great idea… Except for the price tag. $599 for a trail camera is ridiculous, even if it has a 3G radio.

  • Jeff January 27, 2014, 9:19 am

    @Chris, I think they would do that if there wasn’t the issue of power management. This thing runs on batteries, so pumping data in real time to the internet would kill the batteries rather quickly. Maybe in the future they could integrate some sort of solar panel plug so you could wire it up to a panel set some distance away (or up) to help maintain the batteries.

    • JM January 27, 2014, 10:02 pm

      They already have the ability to attach solar power.

  • Chris January 27, 2014, 8:25 am

    There’s only one feature/capability I’m interested in that wasn’t covered, but probably a niche requirement. It’s great that Bushnell provides a website for image access, but this product would be of considerable extra value add for my member/customers if they could view near real time images from within my own website.

  • OldRooster January 27, 2014, 8:10 am

    The Bushnell camera looks like a great idea. There is a fly in the ointment however! Here in Idaho most of the places where the best hunting occurs and where one would want to put a camera is beyond cellphone range. AT&T in particular covers very little of the state. While hunting in most locations, the only way to communicate with the outside world is by use the Delorme’s “inReach”. Bushnell should look to team up with Delorme if they wish to have their product of use in this stae and much of the surrounding region.

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