Why we don't sell cheap camera traps

If you’ve ever searched for a trail camera online you will have found that the range of trail camera models and brands is vast.

One of the main things you will probably notice is that the greatest majority of the cameras advertised to you will fall within the £40-60 bracket. At NatureSpy we are sometimes asked why we don’t stock these cheaper trail cameras. There are a number of reasons why we don’t carry or recommend these cheaper trail cameras, and in this article I will highlight some of the key issues with these.

1) Exaggerated and misleading technical specifications

One of the biggest pitfalls of cheaper trail camera models is that their technical specifications are often wildly over exggerated by the manufacturers. Although these features may appear very impressive there are some important caveats to these.

The higher video resolutions (2.5K - 4K) that these cameras offer is achieved by artificially boosting the video resolution. This process is far from perfect and these higher resolution videos often appear very grainy and lack definition. These high resolution videos will have a much lower frame rate as well, meaning your footage will appear far more ‘jerky’ than it would on a lower resolution 1080p camera.

Example footage from a 4K camera that demonstrates the poorer recording quality.

Image megapixel ratings are also artificially inflated through a process called interpolation. This is not unique to cheaper trail cameras, and indeed all models will use this to different degrees, however on these less expensive cameras it is often less refined, meaning you get a worse quality image at the end.

The best way to compare the photo and video quality of any trail camera is to take a look at example footage that’s been taken using it. At NatureSpy we provide example images and videos for our cameras so you can see what’s best for your needs before purchasing.

2) Misleading WiFi connectivity

Remote access via WiFi is another feature that is very common on these cheaper trail cameras. Although the benefits of remote use are very appealing, the process of using a camera over WiFi is not straightforward and in practice it is often easier and faster to retrieve the SD card and transfer the footage manually.

These cameras will typically require you to be within a few feet of the camera to connect to its WiFi, so you still have to go out to the camera in order to make use of this feature. The WiFi module will also drain the batteries more quickly, increasing the long-term running costs of your camera. Finally the apps that you have to use with these cameras are often poorly translated and give a very mixed performance.

WiFi technology is not quite perfected for use with trail cameras yet, and given the trade-offs in performance that it brings, we don’t advise choosing a camera that offers this at the moment.

3) Misrepresentative example footage

One of the most misleading tactics used by the manufacturers of cheaper cameras is the use of stock imagery to advertise the cameras. What we mean by this is the photos/videos that are used to advertise these cameras do not come from the cameras themselves, but are in fact captured by professional photographers on something like a DSLR.

Images of perfectly framed cheetahs or gazelle in full sprint are a common example of this. This is done to try and deceive you into thinking the advertised trigger speed or photo quality are sufficient for you to achieve similar results. This is of course not true and the images and videos taken from even the best trail camera are not comparable to this sort of professional photography equipment.

At NatureSpy we will only ever use photos or videos we have taken when testing the cameras ourselves.

Captured by the NatureSpy team on a Browning Recon Force Elite HP5

4) Cheaper components

The low retail price of cheaper trail cameras means the manufacturers have to reduce the quality of the materials used in order to make it profitable to ship to and sell in the UK. What this means is that the £60 you might spend on a 4K, 38MP, WiFi trail camera may not be the huge saving that it might appear, and the camera’s true value is likely to be much lower than this.

These cheaper materials obviously have a knock on effect on the build quality of the cameras as well. One of the more common cost cutting exercises is the use of cheaper and more brittle plastic for the camera casings. These cases are consequently far more vulnerable to cracking and breaking from accidental impacts - or over-curious wildlife!

As a comparison, our Ursus trail camera is designed as an entry level camera but we have made every effort to not compromise on the quality. It has an IP67 rated housing to ensure the camera is rugged and ready for use in the field without worry.

The NatureSpy Ursus has a rugged housing, providing thorough protection in the field.

5) Inconsistent quality and reliability

Another issue with these cheaper trail cameras is that the quality can vary wildly between different units. What this means is that while two cameras can look identical you may get a very different performance from each, thus making any additional purchases difficult as you cannot be sure how well a camera will perform until you have unpacked and started using it.

This lack of reliability means that a camera may miss triggers more frequently, which is potentially critical if are using this for professional purposes or scientific research.

Purchasing cameras from a reputable brand means you can be confident that they will operate to the same standard, and your data collection won’t be hampered by a variable performance.

6) Lack of product support

These cheaper trail cameras also have some issues when it comes to after-sales customer support.

A lot of these cameras are manufactured by brands that are based outside of the UK, and while this is quite normal for trail cameras, we have found that it can take a lot longer to resolve issues with some of these companies. Many cheaper trail cameras also lack an extended manufacturers warranty, meaning you only have 30 days from the date of your order to find and report any problems with a camera that you have received.

At NatureSpy we only work with reliable brands. This enables us to provide fast and efficient support if you ever do have an issues with any camera. All of our trail cameras come with a 1-2 year warranty, and outside of this we will always do what we can to support our customers if they are having problems with a camera.

Hopefully the information presented in this article will help explain why recommend the leading brands of trail cameras. However if you have any further questions please contact us.

FAQs

1. What is wrong with the technical specifications of cheaper trail cameras?

One of the biggest problems with cheaper trail cameras is that their technical specifications are often exaggerated and misleading. The higher video resolutions (2.5K – 4K) that these cameras offer are achieved by artificially boosting the video resolution. Additionally, image megapixel ratings are also artificially inflated through a process called interpolation, meaning that the image quality is often worse than advertised.

2. Do cheaper trail cameras have reliable WiFi connectivity?

While remote access via WiFi is a common feature of cheaper trail cameras, it is often unreliable and difficult to use in practice. The WiFi module can drain the camera's batteries more quickly, and the apps used with these cameras are often poorly translated and give a mixed performance. Due to these trade-offs in performance, we do not recommend choosing a camera with WiFi connectivity at this time.

3. Is the example footage used to advertise cheaper trail cameras accurate?

The example footage used to advertise cheaper trail cameras is often misleading and misrepresentative. The images and videos used are typically captured by professional photographers using DSLR cameras and are not indicative of the camera's true performance.

4. What are the consequences of cheaper components of trail cameras?

Cheaper trail cameras often use lower-quality materials to keep costs down, resulting in a lower build quality and increased vulnerability to damage from impacts or curious wildlife. This can also affect the camera's true value, making it less of a bargain than it may appear.

5. Are cheaper trail cameras reliable and consistent in quality?

The quality and reliability of cheaper trail cameras can vary wildly between different units, making it difficult to be sure of a camera's performance until it is unpacked and used. Inconsistent performance can be a problem, particularly if the camera is being used for professional or scientific purposes. To ensure consistent performance and reliable data collection, it is recommended to purchase cameras from reputable brands that offer good customer support and warranty options.