Cellular Game Cameras Compared: Bushnell, Spypoint, Tactacam
Bushnell CelluCORE 20
Some of the older, more traditional game cameras I've used from even a few years ago are not comparable to the latest cellular cameras. For starters, I bought a bargain-priced Bushnell Cellucore 20 https://amzn.to/3xB6bE4 . As I write this, you can pick one up for $54.80, SD card and batteries not included. It takes 12 AA batteries and the base plan runs $9.99 per month, the “unlimited” plan $14.99 per month. You get your first month free with purchase.
I see no discount if you add multiple cameras and no annual subscription discount, either. If you used four cameras, with the unlimited plan, that's $719.52 per year.
The Bushnell App is excellent. The battery life seems quite good. Bushnell claims up to six months, but that will vary widely based on use. Image quality, both day and night, is just average. If you wanted just one camera, say for three months user in the fall, I'd call it a good value. Used as a three or four camera system, it isn't competitive.
SPYPOINT Flex G-36
Next, I bought a Spypoint Flex G-36 https://amzn.to/3VRSgDL . I have very little positive to say about it: poor images, poor battery life, false triggers, and so it goes. The app is decent, you can get a free plan (100 pictures per month), and the unlimited plan is $120 per year. Whenever I review a product, the sample size is often one, but this Spypoint Flex G-36 was so poor all I can say is don't bother. This is one trail cam to avoid.
TACTACAM Reveal X PRO
The TACTACAM Reveal X PRO https://amzn.to/3TShZJz is easily the winner of this little comparison with clearly better photos, day and night, with a better than advertised triggering range. The starter plan is $5 a month (250 images) or $4.58 a month if you sign on for a year. The “Pro” plan is $13 a month (unlimited) or $120 per year. There is a small amount of savings on monthly plans if you add another camera. Regardless, running four TACTACAM Reveal X PRO units is $480 a year vs. the $719.52 mentioned above for the Bushnell Cellucore 20. Estimated battery life is 3.6 months. I ordered and installed a Tyrone rechargeable lithium power bank https://amzn.to/3PUzxDK that should bump up the battery life significantly. I'll update this review as time goes on.
Finally, I ordered another TACTACAM, a TACTACAM Reveal X Gen 2.0 https://amzn.to/43PiAAk . You lose the GPS and LCD front screen, but also lose $30 of initial purchase price, but gain about twice the battery life and Wi-Fi. The TACTACAM Reveal X Gen 2.0 came in, I activated it for $4.67. Alas, no SIM card was included in the box, so the unit was returned. TACTICAM has excellent customer service and refunded the princely sum of $4.67 immediately. Another TACTACAM Reveal X Gen 2.0 is on its way, so a review of it will be added later.
Sometimes, brief comparisons can be a close call. This time, it is anything but-- the Tacticam Reveal X Pro wins going away.
Brendan
Georgia
Randy Wakeman
