Both the NatureSpy WiFi WildCam 2 and Ursus Trail Camera are battery operated wildlife cameras that are motion-activated by the presence of an animal.
The WiFi WildCam 2 is a wireless trail camera and it transmits footage directly to a smartphone app. The camera is controlled entirely via the NatureSpy smartphone app, where settings can be adjusted, footage can be played back and viewed live. The WiFi WildCam 2 must be used within range of a WiFi router and is optimised for watching garden wildlife. It is weather resistant and designed to withstand typical British weather.
The Ursus Trail Camera is a traditional trail camera, storing footage on a memory card, just like a digital camera. Footage is downloaded from the memory card via a computer or card reader, and can also be viewed via the camera’s built-in 2.4” colour screen. The Ursus is controlled entirely via the camera’s built-in controls. Although it lacks the convenience of viewing footage via a smartphone app, there are no limitations on where it can be installed. It is a highly durable, weatherproof camera that is equally at home in a British garden as it is in the plains of Zambia!
The WildCam 2 is set up via the NatureSpy smartphone app. It comes with a mounting bracket that can be attached to a surface such as a fence or wall, or alternatively it is designed to work perfectly with the MiniPod tripod, so it can be placed anywhere within a garden. The WildCam 2 is optimised for watching garden wildlife such as hedgehogs and foxes. It is best positioned approximately 1.5 – 4.5m from the target area (e.g. a feeder) for clear, in-focus images.
WiFi WildCam on a MiniPod tripod (sold separately)
The Ursus Trail Camera is set up via the camera’s built-in controls. It comes with a strap to attach the camera to a tree or post, and it also features a tripod mount. The Ursus is designed to capture footage of a broader range of wildlife (from small birds to elephants!) and is best positioned 3 – 8m from the target area for clear, in-focus images.
Ursus Trail Camera strapped to a tree
The WiFi WildCam 2 is designed specifically for garden use and for those seeking the convenience of a smartphone-controlled wildlife camera for live view and footage playback. It has a closer focal range and wider lens than the Ursus, making it perfect for capturing closer, detailed images of garden wildlife. It must be used in conjunction with the NatureSpy smartphone app and within range of a WiFi router.
The Ursus Trail Camera is designed to be used in a broader range of wildlife watching scenarios, from British gardens to the African Savanna! The focal range and features of the Ursus are comparable to that of high-end trail camera brands such as Browning and Bushnell.
The Ursus does not connect wirelessly to a smartphone, it is controlled entirely via the camera’s built-in controls, and footage is saved to a memory card within the camera. Footage is viewed through the camera’s built-in screen or by inserting the memory card into a computer or card reader. This grants extensive flexibility in camera placement, allowing it to be positioned virtually anywhere without the constraints of wireless connectivity. Moreover, it eliminates the need for extra technology to control the camera’s functions.
New to wildlife cameras? Check out this guide to learn about the different types.
We take a closer look at the features of the Ursus Trail Camera in this article and compare it to high-end trail cameras in this article.
