A Short Course In Wi-Fi Trail Camera

Trail cameras give a vivid visual of the type of animal you are trailing. As such, these cameras make your job easier.

They are simple to operate, and their video capabilities are great.

Two types of cameras exist wireless and wired cameras. In this era of technology, many trail camera enthusiasts prefer wireless types over wired cameras.

With wireless technology taking root in the camera world, you are bound to meet numerous types of cameras.

Note that wireless technology represents two types of trail cameras. These are;

Wi-Fi trail cameras
Cellular trail cameras

Most often, people do not know the differences between the two cameras.

As such, they use the term wireless to represent both. That might be true, but there are some glaring differences between the two.

Their differences arise from the way they transmit data, the range of operation, and the cost of operation.

When manufacturers say wireless, it simply means no wires. When it comes to hunting, it implies you need not go to the camera site.

Table of Contents

What is a Wi-Fi Trail Camera?

As the name suggests, this type of camera operates using a Wi-Fi signal or a radio frequency to transmit a paired application.

For you to use the trail camera, you must be within the range of a Wi-Fi signal.

The signal may be from the camera itself, or the user might create a camera signal.

Not going to the camera to collect data by itself is advantageous for having this type of trail camera.

What is a Cellular Trail Camera?

The cellular camera is a trail camera that uses a cellular network to send data to the user.

The user will receive images and video notifications via email or text on their phones.

The notification you receive is instant, i.e., whenever an animal passes, the camera will capture the image and notify you.

The Wi-Fi Trail Camera

The Wi-Fi technology offers ultimate convenience to hunters and those who want to keep surveillance of their property.

They basically can simply the method of hunting or surveillance.

This is because, after you position them well, the trail camera will allow you to view your photos or videos in a remote location.

Cameras come in different configurations. As a buyer, you might be interested in more than how these Wi-Fi cameras transmit data.

On a general note, these types of cameras work more or less like the other trail cameras.

Understanding a few configurations of the cameras might align you well when purchasing the right type.

For instance, some cameras are excellent at taking photos or videos, while others can perform both functions great.

Let’s look at why people find the Wi-Fi trail camera the right choice for their hunting and surveillance.

The impressive image and video quality

All trail cameras have an impressive resolution, thanks to their higher megapixel levels.

However, the Wi-Fi cameras have more explicit resolution giving crisp images.

Most Wi-Fi cameras come with megapixels (MP) of between 10 MP and 20 MP.

Considering the technology that built the cameras, at 5MP, you’ll still get clear images.

All-in-one camera

Wi-Fi cameras can record videos and take photos, provided you fix them in a strategic place.

As such, it can be a capable camera to monitor who enters or leaves your property.

Hunters have used these cameras to take still photos of the animals they are trailing or videos of the same animals.

Pocket-friendly pricing

One common reason why these types of wireless cameras are gaining momentum is because of their friendly price.

You no longer need to blow your pocket to monitor your home or trail animals in the game.

A high-performing Wi-Fi trail camera goes for about $200. Such cameras have similar features to the high-end category of trail cameras.

Performs incredibly well at night

The quality of images from the camera remains clear even at night. This is due to their high resolution as well as the type of flash they possess.

While a few possess the white flash types, the majority come with either a low glow infrared or no glow infrared flashes.

The infrared flashes do not startle animals. However, if you would like colored images, use a white flash.

Excellent detection range

Trail cameras using Wi-Fi signal work up to a range of 100ft. It means their sensor can detect any motion within that range.

If they detect it, then they will take a photo or record a video.

Larger Transmission range

The Wi-Fi trial camera works only when there is a signal. These types of cameras can transmit images to the receiver within a network of up to 500 ft.

However, this distance is reduced in the presence of trees and buildings.

Modern cameras such as Spypoint W3 come with a black box unit that allows users to access images and videos remotely.

The black box functions far much better than a Wi-Fi signal because you can network up to ten cameras on a single piece.

While seeking to buy a Wi-Fi-enabled trail camera, the following are the main features to look at.

Trigger time: this is the time the camera takes to detect motion and capture a photo. Pick the shortest.
Memory: this is the storage space. It is usually on an SD, desirably 32GB.
Flash vs. infrared: flash – LED or incandescent is bright white but takes bright pictures. However, it spooks animals. Infrared is an invisible flash that is excellent at capturing sensitive games at night.
Image quality: for trail cameras, resolution begins from 2MP to 20MP. On average, take anything above 7MP, but if you are studying animal behavior, 10MP will work fine.
Battery: most manufacturers promise six months of battery life. However, this will depend on the features of your camera. Wi-Fi cameras use a lot of power. To be safe, buy a camera that has eight sockets to put AA batteries.
Motion sensors and field of view: sensors that can sense a long distance are desirable. Similarly, a wider field of view will mean capturing more images of the same animal, i.e., it remains in the field for a long time.
Price: the camera you buy will depend on your budget. The prices range from somewhere about 80 USD to 10,000 USD.