For most trail camera users there is a slight snub of the nose, when they hear the phrase cellular trail camera. Some of their hesitation is due to fair chase ethics, others just enjoy the effort that it takes to walk through the woods and physically collect the information themselves. I personally can relate to both of those camps. But for most, the world of cellular trail cameras is a mystery; setting up services, dealing with apps and emails, and understanding the governing laws in your area revolved around real time transmitted information.
For those who are just trying to dig a little deeper and get basic knowledge of what cellular trail cameras are all about, we have put together a short list of 9 things that you should know before making that often expensive investment.
1. You Need Cellular Service
This may seem obvious, but in order for a cellular trail camera to work properly there needs to be a good cellular signal in the area you place your camera. With the advancement of cellular coverage across the country, this typically is not too much of a problem. However, I have tried to place a cellular camera in a vast river bottom system in Michigan, that just wouldn’t transmit photos. Despite what the cellular providers coverage map indicated, there was obviously no cellular service on that piece of ground. I assume there are many places particularly in western states that will have this same type of problem.
Before placing your camera in a questionable area, take out your cell phone, snap a picture and try sending the photo to a buddy. If the transmission goes through, you should be all set. It is important to know if you have cellular service before you leave your camera for months. It will eliminate a lot of frustration in the end.
If you use Spypoint cellular cameras, and I highly recommend that you take a look at them, they do offer an antenna booster that seems to work really well. Unfortunately, for those who are running other manufactures it only works for Spypoint cameras.
2. Cameras are Sold based on Cellular Provider
Almost all trail camera companies sell cellular trail cameras specific to the cellular service provider you are intending to use. For instance, if you were to purchase a Bushnell Impulse cellular camera, you will have to specify which wireless plan you are planning on using. They provide a different sku number for both AT&T as well as Verizon.
The only reason they do this is so that they can provide you with the appropriate SIM card that can be activated with the service provider. Just paying attention to this small option, can alleviate a lot of frustration.
3. Not All Cellular Plans Are The Same
Just like with any cellular phone service provider, trail camera cellular service plans are not all created equal. Some trail camera manufacturers provide an easy to use service, and others, leave you to do the leg work all yourself. Not one is better than the other, and not one price is the same as another.
We have created an in depth break down of cellular service plans, that can help make your decision on which trail camera is better suited for your budget.
4. Batteries Discharge at a Faster Rate
One of the things that most people think about when purchasing a cellular trail camera is that they will never have to physically check their cameras. While it is true you will never need to physically switch out SD cards, you will still need to visit your trail camera site for routine checks, for such things as replacing batteries. And batteries in a cellular trail camera will consume energy at a faster rate.
It is general knowledge that when you use your trail camera for video, or you take more night time photos than daytime photos, the battery consumption is quicker. You will experience the same result from, using cellular transmission. Just note when setting up the frequency of cellular downloads, that the more frequent you use it, the more battery you will consume.
There are features you can buy that will alleviate some of this headache, especially if you are running your cellular camera a long way from home. External batteries and solar panel additions are adaptable for just about every camera, just not that in most cases these features are an extra cost that you will have to plan for when purchasing your camera.
5. Cellular Cameras Are Not Legal In All States
Nevada is the only state in the US that has currently banned all trail camera use during hunting season, but there are a half dozen or so states that have restrictions on the use of cellular trail camera. It is important to pay attention to trail camera laws in your home state to know if you are even able to use them to begin with.
The wording on some of the laws can sometimes be hard to understand, or they use jargon in which you need to read between the lines. In 2018 we contacted each and every state agency and compiled a comprehensive list of governing laws regarding the legality of using trail cameras. I recommend taking a look if you are not sure of your states laws. Laws change, and it is important to keep up with what your state deems legal practices. We recommend you check with your state agency regularly to make sure you are compliant.
6. You Can Use The Camera as a Stand Alone Camera
Not that anyone would purchase a cellular trail camera for the purpose of using it as a stand alone camera, you do have that option. In fact a cellular trail camera will work in the same way as a normal camera, in the sense that all photos will be loaded onto an SD card. The only thing that is different is when connected to a cellular plan, through the SIM card, it has the ability to send those photos that are on the SD card through the wireless network.
So if in the end you decide to only use the cellular service option during a certain time of the year, for example hunting season, you still have the option to use the camera throughout the rest of the year the same way you would use all of your other cameras.
7. Pictures Are Sent in Thumbnails
When you use a cellular trail camera, all photos are taken in full resolution, and stored on the SD card, the exact same way they are taken and stored with any stand alone trail camera. In most cases, the photos that are sent to you through your email, or downloadable app, are only coming in as thumbnails. Some service plans, such as Bushnell allow you to purchase full resolution images to be sent to you on a case by case basis. This can get expensive if you take advantage of this on any regular basis. However, you can receive your full resolution photos directly from your SD card, when you go into your set to switch out batteries.
8. You Control All Camera Functions From an App.
The nice thing about cellular trail cameras, is that when you begin to receive photos sent to your phone, you can see any mistakes you might have made in setting the camera up, in real time. In doing this, aside from the actual angle and height of your camera, you have the ability to adjust your settings at any time through your trail camera manufacturer’s app.
This gives you a bit of freedom to set longer delays, more photo bursts, adjust PIR sensitivity and change timestamp information such as date and time. It is a nice feature if you ever have to deal with daylight savings time.
9. You Can Not Send Video
As technology advances at the speed of light, it is imperative to say at the moment of writing this, you can not send videos through your cellular service. This is likely to change, but for the time being, if you enjoy running your trail cameras purely on video mode, having a cellular camera will not help your cause. Sending video through a cellular service will just use up too much data, and become extremely expensive for the user, so manufactures have yet to provide this option, leaving you to simply take photos using the PIR sensor and time lapse modes, which the majority of trail camera users do anyway.