When picking a trail camera, one of the many features you will need to decide on is the type of flash. The two main options from Bushnell are the Bushnell Core DS Low Glow vs No Glow.
Each of these technologies come with pros and cons, which should be carefully considered.
The three main aspects that go into deciding which flash mode to pick are
- Price
- Impact on subject
- Image quality
In a nutshell, no glow describes the least intrusive type of illumination that emits imperceptible light. Low glow emits a very dim light that can only be seen if you look directly at the camera from a relatively short distance away.
Let us look into each one a little more closely.
Bushnell Core DS Low Glow vs No Glow
No glow night image illumination, also known as blackout flash, is a flash type that incorporates non-detectable flash when capturing photos after dark. No glow flash LED emitters conduct light at a very high nanometer spectrum of over 900.
The nanometer spectrum describes various wavelengths that the eye can detect. For example, the human eye can only detect wavelengths of between 400 and 700 on the nanometer spectrum.
A very small number of animals can detect 900nm and above, making no glow trail cameras almost undetectable during nighttime.
The best no glow trail camera’s ability to not be seen by its subjects, whether in a security application by intruders or a hunting use case by potential targets, can prove invaluable.
It can be set up in scenarios that are sensitive to spooking subjects, such as on your property, or around feeding areas, close to dens or bedding areas when hunting.
Bushnell Core DS No Glow Review
No glow game cameras such as the Bushnell Core DS-4k no-glow trail camera are not completely faultless. There is a loss in photo quality due to the flash not emitting a light when taking photos. For this reason, the best no glow trail camera produce black and white nighttime images, which are grainier and darker, compared to a low glow wildlife camera.
The distance the flash covers will be lessened as well. Typical no glow trail camera flash ranges to about 50 feet, in comparison to 80 feet when talking about low glow game cameras.
In the case of a no glow wildlife camera, stealth outweighs image quality. This is why many hunters and property owners prefer them. This feature does come with a price penalty though, as they are often more expensive than their low glow counterparts.
Bushnell Core DS Low Glow Review
Generally, the most popular form of trail camera illumination is low glow LEDs. Otherwise called red glow game cameras or infrared camera traps, they emit a red light, same as a home smoke detector.
This glow allows for better nighttime pictures, in addition to longer flash distances when compared to no glow hunting cameras.
This versatility and better image quality come with some disadvantages. Animals may spot this red glow, thereby spooking them.
While partially true, deer would have to be looking at the camera directly to notice it. The reality is, most animals do not notice low glow scouting cameras, same reason orange is the dominant color for hunting apparel.
Orange and red feature longer wavelengths and most animals view colors with shorter wavelengths. Ultraviolet has the shortest wavelength, which is discernible by some animals. The color with the longest wavelength is infrared.
Nocturnal animals can discern infrared LEDs but not ‘see’ it. Can this spook them? No one really knows, though there are many proponents of either view.
Either way, most of the time, economics wins the day. Low glow cameras can cost up to a third less than no glow cameras.
(See Stewart’s reviews of 4 Bushnell trail cams here)
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