Different Types of Wireless Cameras & What You Should Know!
One of the most asked questions regarding trail cameras is “what are the different types of wireless trail cameras?” Below I’ll try to answer this commonly asked question.
This post will take a comprehensive look at the current technology available that allows you to access a trail camera via a wireless signal.
I’ll touch on the subject of Bluetooth technology and the pros and cons. Cellular trail cameras, WiFi enabled cameras and finally a brief look at mesh networks.
Ok; first up let’s take a look at Bluetooth.
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Trail cameras that operate via Bluetooth
Bluetooth has been around in the consumer market since around 1999 for a tonne of different devices. In terms of trail cameras it’s a fairly new addition.
It has to be said there’s not a great deal of trail cameras to choose from when it comes to Bluetooth.
One of the first trail camera manufacturers to introduce Bluetooth to their cameras was Browning, with the 850 and 940 Defender models.
As far as I know the 2 Brownings mentioned above, Stealth Cam also have a camera in their range and Campark recently introduced the T85 late in 2019.
If you’re interested in taking a more detailed look at all these cameras I’ve mentioned above, have a read of my article written about Bluetooth trail cameras.
I’m not going to focus on the technical aspects of Bluetooth, simply put, it’s a UHF radio wave between the frequencies of 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz. But what does this mean for a trail camera user?
Bluetooth trail cameras in practice
The general range for Bluetooth is anything up to 10 metres or 33 feet. For trail cameras this is about the accepted range to expect. What this practically means is that you can access the contents of the trail cameras SD card, plus in most cases change the camera settings as well, when in range of the signal.
Connection and operateration of the camera is via a smartphone using a free downloadable app.
In most cases, within the app you can download video and still images onto your smartphone, change the settings of the camera from picture mode to say, video mode and so on.
Below I’ve linked to several of the apps for more information.
The one big advantage of this system is that you don’t have to disturb the trail camera site.
You could sit in your truck for example and connect to the camera from there. You may have a bird box high up in a tree, which saves you from having to go climb every time to check on the camera.
Summary on Bluetooth
It has to be said, Bluetooth is a great feature to have on a trail camera. It’s just a shame that trail camera manufacturers don’t seem to add it to many cameras in their range of models. This is perhaps due to more interest in promoting cellular technology instead.
WiFi Trail Cameras
One of the biggest misconceptions with trail cameras and wireless technology is how WiFi connects to trail cameras.
There are 2 ways in which WiFi works in regards to trail cameras and other devices.
- WiFi Peer to Peer (P2P) [1] – Devices connect directly without an access point.
- WiFi Access Point (AP) – Requires a WiFi router.
WiFi Peer to Peer
Connecting to a trail camera using the peer to peer method doesn’t require a router or access point. You’ll need a trail camera that allows you to do this. One such trail camera is the Campark T80. It’s one of the few cameras on the market that have this feature.
The T80, will connect to a smartphone via an app similar to a Bluetooth camera. It will connect without the need for a home router.
The advantage of this system is that you can view and download images from the SD card and change settings in the camera remotely. This makes it an ideal choice as a security camera for properties.
I have a full review of the Campark T80 which I tested extensively for WiFi connection performance and image quality.
WiFi Access Point
This type of WiFi does require a router to connect to. You’ll need to enter your password to access the network the same as you would with any other device such as tablet or laptop.
Once the camera is connected to a router that has internet access you can view the camera remotely anywhere on your smartphone. This makes it ideal as a home security camera.
One such camera to have this feature is the Stealth Cam FLX, which also has bluetooth connectivity also.
Summary on WiFi Trail Camera types
Both types of WiFi connect have benefits and disadvantages. The peer to peer type is ideal for remote camera sites where you don’t want to disturb the site and leave scent. It’s effectively the same as Bluetooth, but it does handle data faster.
WiFi access point cameras are only going to work near a home router. So it’s useless as a remote viewing feature in the field. Stealth Cam have obviously thought of this and added the Bluetooth connect as well as WiFi.
The main advantage with access points is the ability to view the camera anywhere in the world that has an internet connection, due to the fact it’s connected to a network with internet access.
Take a look at 3 of the latest WiFi trail cameras available.
Cellular Trail Cameras
Being able to connect to a trail camera via a cellular signal has to be one of the greatest advancements in trail cameras since they became available to buy back in the 1990s.
Some of the earlier cellular cameras were almost useless. I had an old 2G Bushnell that only worked when it wanted to, even with a full signal and a set of fresh lithium batteries.
Today’s cameras are controlled via a downloadable free app, which again, similar to the Bluetooth and WiFi cameras, allows you to upload images onto your phone and adjust the settings on the camera too.
3G cameras were a big improvement on the old 2G network and still work fairly well. Although some of the networks in the US have ceased the uploading of still pictures via an SMS text message to a phone. So you’re limited to email only picture uploads from now on with a 3G network camera.
For this reason I’d suggest only looking at buying a 4G cellular camera these days. I’ve written an article on trail cameras that send pictures to you phone using cellular data plans.
How much does a cellular trail camera data plan cost?
The data plans offered by some of the main players for trail cameras are fairly reasonable. I’ll take a look at some of the most popular plans available.
Spypoint Data Plans
Spypoint for example is free for up to 100 photos and the standard plan is around $7 per month with no activation fees for up to 1000 photos.
Browning Data Plans
Browning have introduced the Defender Cellular trail cam to their range in 2020. There’s 4 plans available.
The Browning Economy plan is around $12.99 per month for 1200 photos and the Platinum plan is around $50 for a massive 10,000 photos and 200 video clips. With these plans you can share a number of cameras on the same plan which is nice.
Moultrie Data Plans
The cost of the plans are based on the size of the photos and the number of uploads.
For example, 850 4G small image uploads costs $9.99 per month. The most expensive plan allows 12,000 extra-large images for around $50 per month. Take a look at their data plans available for more information.
Mesh Network Cameras
This type of wireless setup does not rely on either a cellular or WiFi connection to upload photos to a smartphone, laptop computer or tablet.
It’s effectively a daisy chain of trail cameras set up in the woods that transit from one camera to another using radio transceivers to send signals back to a home camera point. The home camera may be connected to a cellular signal with the addition of a modem.
With careful deployment of each of the cameras in the mesh network, obstacles such as hills and valleys can be overcome by sighting the cameras in line to receive a signal.
There are a number of advantages with this system. Cuddeback who own the proprietary technology advertise the system will operate and cover up to 1000 acres of land.
Setting the home camera at a deer camp or other easily accessible location means you’re not disturbing the area, which allows for more natural movement of deer.
Head on over to Cuddeback to find out more information on this unique system of wireless trail camera connectivity.
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