Good morning,
I had replied to an ECOLOG-L inquiry regarding remote cameras earlier this
summer by offering some information on the infrared cameras I was about to
purchase. I have since been rather disappointed with the Leaf River IR-3BU
cameras and thought I should pass on the following information for those who
are using or considering them. I intend to test one side-by-side against a
Cuddeback in October, for what it's worth.
I had deployed seven cameras this summer for a MS project, including two
Cuddebacks with standard flash and five new Leaf River IR-3BU's with infrared
illumination.
For the Cuddebacks, I purchased two "bear safe" metal boxes to prevent damage
in the field (best price from TNM Outdoor via eBay). Given the tooth marks I
felt this was a wise decision, yet they do not sufficiently protect your
cameras from theft. The padlock hole is too small for a standard padlock, yet
too large for a small one. The space left allows one to lift the cover off.
Using a large chain around the tree and in the padlock, I am able to take up
some of this slack and keep it from being lifted without force. Nevertheless,
one was pried open and stolen a few weeks ago. For my remaining camera, I may
drill a hole in the back of the box to allow me to screw the camera to the tree
with the Torx screw or try to enlarge the padlock hole to fit different
hardware. Regarding the performance of the Cuddebacks, I have found decent
quality resolution, concurrent video and still shots, and only a couple false
triggers from sunlight.
Wanting to purchase several more cameras, I decided on the Leaf River IR-3BU
simply because I could afford more of them ($265 vs. $400 each). Photo quality
was not a pertinent issue, though the night photos are much poorer than I even
expected for infrared. Feel free to email me if you would like to see
examples. I had to return two cameras because one was damaged by bears and
another had stopped working properly. The housing looks like a Pelican case
but the plastic used is quite cheap and brittle, and I was charged $55 for the
repair (which sat in their mailroom for a couple weeks before sending it back).
I have since mounted the cameras in ammo cans for protection and am now
cursing the power switch that is easily turned off when resting in the box.
When mounted directly to the tree, some critters have pulled on the latches and
allowed water inside. Most importantly, however, is a warning to not trust the
battery indicators on these cameras. All three of my
cameras in the field had shown a good charge but stopped taking photos; my
tester proved the batteries to be low or low in the "good" range. I have found
the camera batteries to last about one month, but will now manually test all
batteries upon each visit. Overall they're more affordable and fairly easy to
use, but the quality and performance is too poor to rely on. They also incur
hidden costs of securing them, as mine require three padlocks and a $10 length
of chain per unit in addition to a memory card and 7 batteries.
How is it we've been to the moon but can't expect more from these Leaf
Rivers?
Marci Johnson
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reply to Kari Signor: Infrared Game Camera Suggestions?
Good afternoon,
I have also been looking for a remote camera with infrared flash for work
with bears, and ordered five Leaf River cameras earlier today. For the <$500
price range, I would suggest looking into the new Cuddeback No Flash
($400-450), the Leaf River IR-3BU ($255-300), the Recon Talon Digital
($350-400), Recon Talon Extreme ($450-500), and the Stealth Cam I230IR
(available by the end of July). The Stealth Cam, Recon Talon Extreme, and
Cuddeback models take color photos during the day and several models take video
at night, but no camera with IR flash is expected to take particularly pretty
pictures. Though the Leaf River was said to have a slower trigger speed (up to
4 sec), I ultimately chose their IR-3BU because it allowed me to purchase five
cameras instead of three with my available funding. The Leaf River cameras come
with a mounting bracket that can be secured to a tree (BYO chain and padlocks),
Recon sells a $50 mounting bracket, and the Cuddebacks fit a $32 (eBay)
lock box. Of those that have been on the market long enough to accrue reviews
I felt the Recon Talon cameras were probably the best in this category, but a
Stealth Cam representative stated the new I230IRs may only cost ~$200.
The quality of video recorded by these cameras can be poor, however, as most
capture frames rather slowly and at low resolution. I have used the TrailMaster
TM700V video system that offers an accessory infrared light, but the cost is
approximately $1200 per unit. If you do not need an IR flash, less expensive
alternatives include the Wildlife Eye and Penn's Woods Video Scout ($229 not
including camera, http://www.pennswoods.com/VS-04.html). It is usually less
expensive to provide your own camcorder; the setups often work best with Sony
cameras and require a LANC jack. Using the night vision feature on a camcorder
can work within a reasonable distance, but the daytime footage appears green
and washed out.
If you are only interested in the IR flash to avoid bears damaging the
cameras (versus a concern for spooking bears from the area), you may want to
consider putting a camera with a traditional flash in a bearproof container
such as an ammo can (cutout for the flash and plexiglass window over the lens
to prevent puncture) or building a structure around the camera (see Camera
Mounting at http://www.chasingame.com). From what I've gathered, IR cameras do
not produce the best quality photos and can exhibit difficulties during dawn
and dusk when the less sensitive IR flash may not be triggered. If your bears
are marked with small tags or need to be identified by intricate physical
markings, you may have more success using an old fashioned flash and/or a
homemade setup using your own top quality digital camera (see
http://www.hagshouse.com/Hags%20House/Trail%20Camera%20Project.htm, among
others).
Two websites with camera reviews that I found quite helpful include
Chasingame (http://www.chasingame.com) and Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors
(http://www.jesseshunting.com/reviewpost/showcat.php/cat/226). You may also
check out
http://www.whitetaildeer-management-and-hunting.com/game-camera-review.html but
be careful to note what year the cameras were tested, as many models have since
been improved.
If you are interested, I can send you photos taken by a standard Cuddeback
camera and (after July 16th) those taken by the new Leaf River IRs. Email:
gulogulo73 (at) yahoo
I have merely researched and ordered IR still cameras, but have not yet used
them. I look forward to hearing advice from others.
Marci Johnson
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