Infrared Wildlife Cameras/trail cameras

[Blizzard]

I've only just joined so I hope I've put this in the right section.

I have a Prostalk camera which has been quite successful but I'm sure that the IR flash is visible to animals.

I'm thinking of upgrading to one that is better as I have read that some have a flash that is invisible to the human or animal eye.

Has anyone any experience of using these cameras who could suggest what makes/models would be a good buy?

I've been looking at the Stealth Cam Prowler HD and the Spypoint Pro X but they are rather pricey and before spending a lot of money I would be interested if anyone has tried them and what they thought.

Thanks

[slimrbp]

Taking a quick look at those camera they both use IR Emitters to illuminate the subject so I don't think you will have anything to different to what you are using now if you have IR flash.

Which prostalk model are you using? As I see some just have a 'normal' flash rather than an infra red emitter.

[Blizzard]

Originally Posted by slimrbp

Taking a quick look at those camera they both use IR Emitters to illuminate the subject so I don't think you will have anything to different to what you are using now if you have IR flash.

Which prostalk model are you using? As I see some just have a 'normal' flash rather than an infra red emitter.

It's a PC3000IR. Thinking back to when I tested it out at home it didn't "flash" like a normal camera but I did see something from it, almost like a rippling effect. Are LEDs IR emitters?

It's possible that it makes a noise that the animals can hear but I can't. I'm positive that they sense it is there from some of the pictures that it has captured. Of course it's always the more interesting ones that seem to be startled by it .

I've also noticed that the quality I've seen from some of the cameras seem much better than what I'm getting. That could be because a couple of my "hotspots" for it are rather enclosed so the flash is reflecting back from rather enclosed spaces.

I definitely want to get another camera so that I can have one close to home and another placed further afield so any recommendations would be gratefully received.

[slimrbp]

Hi, yes the LEDs would be the IR emitters I had a similar one and experienced similar problems when objects were too close to the camera it seemed to have too much IR so over exposed the image. I have to admit I haven;t used mine in a while so have no gems of wisdom I'm afraid.

I think you will find this thread useful as it covers the issue of too much light etc and has some info on setting the camera up.

Stealth Trail Camera GL30/GL50/GL80

Hope it is of some help.

[Blizzard]

Cheers Richard

That was a useful link, especially about putting something over the emitters to reduce the over exposure.