Trail cameras are a great choice the purposes of home security due to their heightened sensitivity and ability to capture high-quality photos, audio and footage. Cellular game cameras such as the Spartan GoCam are perfect for remote receiving of real-time alerts and viewing, handy for off-grid and home security.
Trail cameras, also known as game cameras and hunting cameras, are designed to capture wildlife footage. Researchers, wildlife watchers and hunters usually use them.
How good are trail cameras when repurposed as home security cameras?
Trail cameras and home security cameras share many similarities. Game cameras take photos or record video of wild animals.
They feature night vision and motion sensors, which aligns well with outdoor and indoor home security. A perfect example of this is the Browning Dark Ops Pro XD.
Moreover, trail cameras are portable and are constructed to withstand the elements. This is why private investigators use trail cameras or investigative surveillance.
Can trail cameras be used for home security?
There are a lot of people who are unaware the trail camera, aka game cameras, are usable as home security cameras. The same reasons that make them excellent for scouting deer and photographing wildlife make them ideal for securing your property.
When trail cameras as used as hunting aids, such as the Tactacam Reveal SK, they are often mounted on trees. When deer or any other animal comes into its field of view, the motion sensors built into the game camera take a photo or shoot video. These video and photos are stamped with the time. Some of them are designed to send to your phone videos and photos as they are captured.
Trail cameras for home security advantages
Sensitivity and detection range
Detection range is a trail camera’s motion sensing zone/area. Most game camera detection ranges are between 50 and 80 feet, with some stretching to 100 and 120 feet.
By comparison, most infrared home security cameras detect motion at a distance of 15 to 30 feet.
Depending on your coverage area, trail cameras such as the Spypoint Force 20 hold an advantage due to their higher sensitivity to motion.
Cellular connectivity
What’s more, there are wildlife monitoring cameras that come with live streaming capabilities. Other models transmit real-time alerts to your smartphone, while others upload footage to a designated cloud server. Many do not require a landline, AC power or Wi-Fi to operate.
Cellular camera traps such as the Muddy Outdoors MUD-VRZ-MUO are particularly ideal for off-grid and home security. They send real-time alerts notifying homeowners of live video streaming from their property. For them to be effective, cellular game hunting cameras need to be allied to a cellular plan, often provided by the manufacturer at a fee.
Very well camouflaged
By design, game cameras capture pictures in low light using infrared.
Some IR trail cams like the Spypoint Force Pro emit a dull red illumination that can be seen if very close to it, also called low glow.
Others such as the Redneck Convent trail camera emit no light, otherwise known as no glow, which are practically invisible at night.
Exceptional photo and video quality
Image quality is a particular strength of trail cameras. Video resolution rates hover between 720P on the lower end, 1080P for the mid-level and 4K for the top of the range. Frame rates cover the 15 to 60fps range.
Audio and video capture
Some game hunting cameras can record video and audio for a set period. This period varies from 5 seconds to 5 minutes, depending on the wildlife camera model.
Video delay is a mode found in some game cameras, where a camera waits following being triggered before taking pictures or recoding video.
For the purposes of home security, shorter recovery times and longer video clips are recommended, such as is offered by the Moultrie Mobile Delta Base.
Versatility
Trail cameras like the WoSports Trail Camera are highly adaptable. Some users require compound surveillance while others need in-house monitoring.
Highly durable
Hunting and scouting cameras like the Stealth Cam Browtine are tough and robust, able to work in inclement weather. They can be left undisturbed for extended periods all while operating seamlessly.
Are trail cameras motion activated?
Game cameras such as the BSTCam trail camera use LED or infrared technology and battery power to take pictures at high speed. They feature motion sensors that detect heat and trigger picture capture.
A good game camera’s motion sensor detects heat and movement and reacts by taking a picture.
Various game cameras sense motion at varying ranges, the best range is dependent on you particular needs, your hunting area, the number of trail cameras you are running, and so on. Also critical is the camera angle.
Can trail cameras get wet?
Trail cameras are expected to withstand everything the wilderness can throw at it, all while working flawlessly.
Waterproof sometimes means weatherproof, water resistant, water repellant or watertight. Most people wondering whether their trail camera can get wet mean is their game camera waterproof.
Most trail cameras that publish their IP ratings claim their devices are waterproof. For most people, this means they are built to withstand dust and rain.
Trail cameras will suffer water ingress when submerged. They will however, survive being out in the rain and the snow. So while they can get wet, with careful maintenance, they should be back to taking animal pictures in no time.
Are trail cameras worth it?
Should you hunt using a trail camera such as the Wildgame Innovations Terra Extreme? Trail cameras are worth it if you would like a closer insight into the behavior patterns of mature bucks. You should also use them if you would like to know the best stand locations from the ones you should avoid.
Granted, trail cameras come at a cost. For some, they may not be worth it. For others, hunting technology advancements are here to assist in the enjoyment of the pursuit. The truth of the matter is trail cameras bring out of higher level of hunting success.
Trail camera positives
Game cameras, as tools for animal movement monitoring, are fantastic. Trail cameras work for you so you have less time out in the woods. This means you intrude on game habitats less, applying less pressure on the environment and leaving less of your scent. This reaps dividends when aiming to pattern game in the normal routine.
Managing animals is another trail camera positive. Whether leasing whitetail property or gearing up for the elk season in September, you will have a pretty good idea what is out there. You will know if it’s worth your time to wait for the big buck that the cam picked up.
We do not know what we cannot see. This allows for greater selection when choosing which deer to go for, rather than aiming at the first one you see.
Can trail cameras be used for home security?
There are a lot of people who are unaware the trail camera, aka game cameras, are usable as home security cameras. The same reasons that make them excellent for scouting deer and photographing wildlife make them ideal for securing your property.
When trail cameras as used as hunting aids, such as the Tactacam Reveal SK, they are often mounted on trees. When deer or any other animal comes into its field of view, the motion sensors built into the game camera take a photo or shoot video. These video and photos are stamped with the time. Some of them are designed to send to your phone videos and photos as they are captured.
Wildlife monitoring cameras for home security
These same features make them an inexpensive home security option. While they can be used indoors, they are better suited for outdoor monitoring.
When considering a hunting camera to secure your home, there are several factors to keep in mind:
Cellular capability – some scouting cameras like the Stealth Cam Fusion X can send videos and photos to your smartphone. This is a great feature when considering home security.
Video – some trail cameras are not capable of shooting video. Of the ones that do, they shoot short clips of about 10 to 90 seconds. While the photo-only trail cameras are cheaper, video shot with a trail camera such as the Folgtek Trail Camera can prove invaluable when a security-related issue arises.
Range of motion detector – different wildlife cameras like the BlazeVideo Trail Camera sense motion at different distances. The range that is right for you will be advised by your requirements. 80-100 feet is the recommended distance.
HD – video shot in high definition is much clearer, especially at night. 720P is the least recommended resolution.
No glow – no glow trail cameras like the Alpha Cam use IR flash to shoot video and take pictures in low to no light. This reduces the chances of trespassers being alerted to their presence.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
