I'm looking for a Cellular Camera to monitor a water trough for the cows. I do have "ok" cell service at the trough, but not great service.

I have ZERO experience with cellular cameras. Can anyone give me some advise on what brands and/or models work well, especially with the so-so cell service in mind.

Thank you!

I got 4 tactacams last year. Simple enough I could set them up, great customer service if u have any questions and no problems with cameras so far

I use spypoints mainly because they’re cheaper (I’ve found them fon sale 2 for $150 before) and you get the first 100 pictures a month for free and you can add unlimited photos for $15-20 bucks/month. 100 photos is usually adequate if you set delays and don’t put it directly over something like a salt block that is going to have animals lingering for extended periods of time. The picture quality isn’t great, especially at night but it’s usually good enough where I can tell what the critter is. You can also set the spypoints to just take a photo everyday at the same time so you can see the water level in that trough.

Spypoint makes a booster antenna that you can add on for extended range. I don’t have any of those personally but I hear they make a big difference. Even when service is marginal I usually get the pics on my phone within 5-10 minutes of the timestamp on the photo. The only fault is they’ll eat through batteries faster in a poor cell service area. I have a couple cams in an area with LTE service and the batteries last almost a year. They also make a more expensive solar option.

You’ll want to ensure to buy the camera with the correct service carrier for your phone, verizon phone with verizon cam. Some of the new cameras that might not be an issue anymore though.

Really??? I have U.S. Cellular... all the cameras I see are Verizon or AT&T.

I have been using a Tacticam Reveal X 2.0 as my first cell cam. I have had it in the field since early April. It comes with both Verizon and AT&T SIM cards. I have it in a location now where I do not have cell service with my cell phone, but the cell cam works flawless. I recently added a solar panel that has a built in lithium battery about 6 weeks ago. It has taken over 1700 photos and is still at 100%. I pay month to month for my plan and it is $12 a month for unlimited pictures. There are lesser plans for less pictures. I like it so much I am going to purchase a second Reveal X 2.0 in the coming months. I have not used their customer service, but know a few guys that have used it and their service has been great.

I’ve been using (3) Tactacam Reveal XB cameras for the past year. Had one of them that I recently sent in due to a dark spot that was showing up on the pics - camera functioned fine other than that spot was bothersome. I called tech service to ask if there was any way I could open the case to wipe off the interior lense and he advised me to send it to them as the waterproof seal would likely lose it’s integrity if I tried to open it. I sent the camera in and they ended up shipping me a new one. Warranty period is 1 year and I was on day 363. Attached pic shows the dark spot of the Thumbnail image that gets sent to my phone. Very satisfied thus far with the cameras and Tactacam’s customer service team was very helpful.

The older spypoints you had to get the same carrier. They’ve probably figured it out by now? That was five years ago.

Check out Trailcampro.com. On their website they have reviews of almost all trail cameras. You can read those reviews to get an idea how each camera performs and stacks up against others, average battery life, photo clarity, trigger speed, night photos, etc. If you purchase from them, they give you a free two-year warranty.

Tactacams hands down

Which ones makes the best videos?

Moultrie Edge finds the best cell service when you turn it on. The camera is not cell provider specific.

Also your phone service provider don't matter.

I like Tactacam too, but they don't have this feature.

I also have a Spartan....very good quality and clear pics, but cell service restricted by camera.

Buy camera with service that matches best provider in your camera's area.

No. The cameras are totally independent from your phone with it's own service plan.

Yep.

The Reveal XB cameras I run are limited to a video length of 15 seconds - I don’t recall what the reset time is, but I think it’s one minute. Good quality and sound but I haven’t used any other brand to compare. I went with the XB’s because it features the blackout IR flash and thus far it hasn’t seem to spook coyotes or fox. XB models were short run and the current blackout IR model they offer is the X-Pro.

I don't have cell phone cams I just run a couple after season just for the heck of it . I find it more enjoyable to use good stand locations and let what happens happen . I didn't have this stuff years ago and didn't need it then or now . Now you all can beat me up for my opinion lol

I use a SPYPOINT micro lte & a Flex. The Flex takes really sharp pics. The detection system says it needs heat & movement to trigger the camera, but on a sunny windy day, there’s aaalloooootta pics of nothing…lol. Right now I put them in a shady area and most of the pics are animals. That way I don’t need a subscription, it’s not going through my 100 free pics a month. I buy a full 1 year premium plan in august or September, then cancel it in Marchish. 2 years ago they reimbursed my credit card full. Last year I only paid for 5 months. If you buy the full year, it’s cheaper, plus they reimburse you when you cancel. Good customer service.

If you set the cam to send pics only once or twice a day it saves batteries too.

Thank you all for the info. I ended up ordering a "Moultrie Edge" through Midway USA. I'm pretty sure U.S. Cellular is the only provider with service in that area, and the Moultrie seemed like the best deal that is compatible with U.S. Cellular.


I hear you on this jalstat, even though no one around here really sits in a stand, mostly still hunting or spot and stalk. This camera is not for hunting, but for monitoring a water trough for cows. It will be extremely handy knowing there is water in the trough without having to make the 1 hour trek over the hill and through the woods to the trough.

I'd look into brownings , I had 4 tactacam bite the dust so far.

The cellular cameras are pretty cool. You can use the cameras to monitor your hunt area or trap sets and see what is happening there 24/7 from home. You will see many more critters on the cameras than you will ever see in person.

I’ve always said you get what you pay for, especially with trail cams. Good luck with Moultrie. I haven’t had one of their regular cameras last more than a year at most. But then again, I run cameras 365.

I have friends that run Tactacam and say good things about them, but they’ve only run them one season so far, so the jury is still out.

I run Spartans and have for many many years of that tells you anything.

I’d be curious to hear if anyone is running the Browning cells and how long so far?