Trail Cameras on the Cheap

by
posted on February 16, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ot_mind_ah2015_fs.jpg (4)

All I want a trail camera to do for me is take a decent picture of critters that walk in front of it. I want to know when they came by, and don’t really care about video. If it tells me the barometric pressure and moon phase that’s cool, but not essential. I want it to be reliable and, after working with cameras for a while, I know I prefer an infrared camera over those with a white flash because the flash will scare the dickens out of any self-respecting mature buck.

In this day of tight dollars, I’d rather buy several decent cameras I can place all over the property than one or two top-end units. Here are some to consider that cost less than $150—and some, much less.

-Moultrie Game Spy L-50: Shoots 5 meg color pictures, some video, and has a time/date/temperature stamp and 50-foot flash range. The MSRP is $99.99. For another $30, the Moultrie Game Spy D55IR adds a moon phase stamp, shoots color daytime and infrared nighttime pictures and short daytime video clips.

-Primos Truth Cam 35: Shoots 3 meg pix, has some video capability, a 40-foot night range and will accept an 8 GB SD card. The MSRP is $119.95.

-Tasco 119215: You can dial in either 2 or 5 meg photo settings, and it shoots color daytime photos. It has a 30-foot flash range, has some video capabilities and runs on four AA batteries that can last up to 180 days. The MSRP is $59.99.

-Wild Game Innovations D6: Shoots 6 meg photos, has a dual flash infrared and strobe, 32 MB internal memory, and can even take both day and night video. The MSRP is $99.99, and for the same money you can choose the Wild Game Innovations iR4, which takes 4 meg photos, has a very easy-to-read LCD setting display, has a 64 MB on-board memory and takes up to an 8GB SD card. Oh, and it can also shoot up to 30-second videos.

-Wildview EZ Cam: This guy features a three picture burst mode, 30-foot flash range, time and date stamp, external power jack and external image counter, all for a MSRP of just $79.00. For another $40 you can get the Infrared Extreme, which shoots 5 meg photos, some video, has a time, date and moon phase stamp and a wild angle lens.

-Stealth Cam Rogue Digital Camera: Shoots 5 meg photos, with a burst mode that shoots one to nine pictures, captures video from 5-90 seconds, has a 90-foot flash range, time/date/video length stamp, time/date/moon phase/temperature stamp on every image, 32mb built-in memory, auxiliary power jack, expandable SD-memory card slot and accepts up to 2GB cards. The MSRP is $99.99.

Latest

B Series Timber Tactical 1
B Series Timber Tactical 1

#SundayGunday: Savage Arms B Series Timber Tactical

On this week's #SundayGunday, NRA Media's Jay Grazio checks out the B Series Timber Tactical from Savage. A nifty little rimfire with an 18-inch heavy-profile, deep spiral fluted barrel, the Timber Tactical comes available in .22 LR, .22 WMR and 17 HMR, perfect chamberings for plinkers and small-game hunters alike. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

New for 2026: Browning BAR MK 4 Hunter

One of America's favorite semi-automatic hunting rifles is back, in the Browning BAR MK 4. In this video, American Hunter Editor in Chief Scott Olmsted checks out the Hunter model, with a beautiful walnut stock, and aluminum alloy receiver.

New for 2026: Remington 7mm Backcountry Offerings

The 7mm BackCountry came to light last year this time, utilizing a Peak Alloy steel case to raise the pressure limits from the traditional 65,000 psi all the way up to 80,000 psi. For 2026, Remington has joined the party with three offerings for the 7BC: Core-Lokt, Core-Lokt Tipped, and Speer Impact.

Landmark Cougar Reproduction Confirmed in Michigan

Late last month, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) verified a Dec. 6 photo of an adult cougar being followed by two kittens down a snowy trail in central Ontonagon County. The last time the kittens were documented—in early March 2025—they were only about two months old and alone, raising concerns about their survival.

Report: Private Landowner Investments in Conservation Hits Staggering Number

Private lands play a central role in the well-being of people and wildlife throughout the West, but the economic pressure increases each year. A new, groundbreaking report sheds light on the efforts and investments landowners continue to make, despite that challenge, to conserve and steward remaining intact lands and natural resources.

White Label Armory Launches Full Suppressor Lineup

White Label Armory, a manufacturing and supply subsidiary of VKTR Industries, is launching a new budget friendly, duty-capable suppressor line available to dealers exclusively through Sports South.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.