Trail Camera Review; Browning Defender Scout Pro Follow Up

[@jakekuehl2675]

Greetings, I've been researching a lot of cameras. Appreciate your time and reviews. Question...has the Browning app gotten any better with updates or is it still sluggish. I don't really have a budget and the app being fast, user friendly, and reliable is top priority for me. what would you recommend (1st and 2nd choices)(all my shots are under 50 ft)? thanks again!

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hi Jake, thanks for watching! The app has gotten better and the two Browning cameras I have out are still in service. They have been very solid cameras. I will be testing the new model shortly; but the Defender Scout Pro has been great. Second place would be the Tactacam Reveal. Both are excellent on batteries with the edge going to the Browning. 👍🏼

[@willjacobsmusic]

Thanks so much for the clear and honest review - super helpful, Joe!

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Thank you for the kind words my friend!!! Thanks for watching! -JTF

[@samueljones2495]

Best reviews on KZbin. Thanks Joe!

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Man; you are too kind. I do my best! :) Thanks for watching Samuel! -JTF

[@johndoe5203]

Mine works great! The app has been flawless. My only issue is the plans Browning offers. They should give you HD pics on every plan, not just the most expensive plans.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey! Thanks for watching. The Browning has REALLY grown on me. It takes great pictures and is excellent on batteries. The first two weeks were so bizarre buts its been a solid camera ever since. Glad you have had a good experience!

[@davidburchfield8065]

Hey Joe, im bout to but another cell cam and after watching videos and reviews im more confused now than ever. Which cam have you been the most impressed with. Thanks for the great videos

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey David; what’s your budget?

[@davidburchfield8065]

@@JoeTheFarmer I'd like to spend around $200 if possible

[@JoeTheFarmer]

I think you have a lot of great options with that budget. Don’t buy anything SpyPoint. I would look at the Browning Defender Scout Pro first. They are awesome and will last a long time. StealthCam Fusion X is great picture quality but lots of false triggers. Tactacam Reveal is good but just feels really cheap. My vote would be buy the Browning. I have a video up on them and though it was choppy to begin with, they have proved over time to be the most consistent camera in that price range. Hope that helps!

[@davidburchfield8065]

Thanks Joe, that's what I was leaning towards. Thanks for the help.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

I think you will be really happy with it. Two seasons and they are going strong. Also great on batteries

[@TheAvengingAngels]

Is there any ability to switch from a Verizon sim card to an Att? I bought this on Verizon and it will not hook up. Bought a Spypoint Link Micro on Nationwide and on 25% signal I get photos. Thoughts?

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey AA, thanks for watching! They don’t cross networks with a card swap to my knowledge. There are “Global” cameras that will actually bounce satellites/networks to get the best coverage. There will be a lot of offerings like that coming out this year. I don’t want to tell you what to do buddy; but if you can return the SpyPoint I would. No where near the quality/performance of other cameras. Hope this helps! 👍🏼😁

[@mr.mortadella1174]

Hey Joe I’m a new subscriber I been running thru your trail cam vids . My property is about 5 hrs away so I’m looking for a cell cam with some good battery life . Also something with decent pictures they don’t have to be perfect . I currently own last years model Moultre but the new delta has horrible reviews . Long story short what would u recommend thank you

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey buddy, first…WELCOME! I appreciate you reaching out. My favorite part of KZbin is meeting people. Now, what is your budget? I think the Browning cameras are the most durable but a little more money. Covert are awesome but expensive. And the Stealthcam are cheap but get the job done.

[@mr.mortadella1174]

@@JoeTheFarmer thanks for the reply Joe likewise :) .. So I have some cabalas points and are looking for two new cams . It’s really what Cabelas has left in stock they have a good deal on the spypoint link micro for 89$ or two for 180$ ..Unfortunately the solar one is out of stock . I have AT&T so I guess I would be buying nationwide as the coverage . But like I said I would love to stay with moultre but the delta just has horrible reviews but a good price point ? Your advice is greatly appreciated

[@dwalker26101]

@@mr.mortadella1174 Just so you're informed, you don't have to purchase the cell provider that you have for your cell phone. I'd find out whether Verizon or AT&T has better coverage in your hunting area and purchase the camera for that provider. Also, the Browning Defender Ridgeline has both networks available on one camera, you can switch to whichever network has the best coverage where you want to place the camera.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

I would pass on the SpyPoint. You will be glad you did. Go with anything over the SpyPoint. Browning or a GSM camera (Moultrie is a StealthCam) would be far better than the SpyPoint. And if it dies, they will replace it. SpyPoint will run you in circles for weeks. Don’t do it bro. 👊🏼👍🏼

[@noahrobinson2512]

Has the app gotten better since u posted this?

[@JoeTheFarmer]

It has gotten better, but still behind the others. The cameras however have proven to be the best on battery, consistently and reliability. They are still chugging and they bake in the weather year round. Thanks for watching!

[@skeeterbit5939]

I have had what I will call a sync issue also when the camera is first set up in the plot. I called Prometheus from the camera placement site , gave them my password and let them log in to my account and go thru my settings when I have had problems. On initial setup, even tho the camera is synced, it seems to me the camera needs some time to find its home and whatever its consistent signal received is over time ... but when it figures it out which may take 6 to 12hrs, it becomes consistent. 32g card and only lithium batteries. One of my cameras is steady at 3bars signal strength (considered low) and it took at least 12hrs before it sent its first pic, but after the first pic, it sent the other 30 in the batch and is now consistent on a Immediate send, which is every minute. Also it will send every pic that is in the send batch, depending on the delay selected. So I will receive 2/3/4 pics a minute on a 5 or 10s Photo Delay camera setting. Settings are: Photo Quality- high, IR Flash- long range, Trigger speed- normal, Thumbnail upload- Immediate, Operation Mode- TrailCam, Auto Time Zone- off-Manual time zone- set to my zone, Camera Sync Schedule- 12am-6am-12pm-6pm. Right now on a Scout Plus plan. MultiShot mode and Photo Delay works as designed but will burn thru your monthly subscription pics fast. Pic quality day/night for a $200 camera is satisfactory but the Detection Range is as good as or better as a high dollar camera and is consistent at a min 100'. Its not a Reconyx and the website is what it is but for the money it is a Rock solid camera (even when full of water-another issue). If anyone has a problem with the set-up, call Prometheus (option 3). They will do everything to determine if it is set-up issue or a camera fault.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Super helpful and thorough information; thanks for taking the time to share this with all of us. I agree with you on detection range; it is phenomenal. A lot of times I think it is taking pics of leaves and look closer and there is a deer in cover. Software updates have helped, but a great contender where you don’t want to put the high dollar cameras. But, as I write that I use them on crucial spots so. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@elenidemos]

As you said. You want the app to WORK, not too slow & simple functions like zooming & settings needs to be simple & efficient.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey Eleni! Thanks for watching. You are 100% right! This has been the hardest video to make. I REALLY like some things about the camera. But things like the app and occasional close pictures being missed make it a head scratcher. Browning is not a low cost camera; so in theory it should outperform the much cheaper Tactacam...it doesn’t. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@elenidemos]

@@JoeTheFarmer That's why these reviews matter. If you gave it a glowing review without your head scratching, it would not be an honest assessment of the product. For people who use your feedback to help choose an item for themselves, may think otherwise next time. Keep scratching your head, if need be. 👍

[@wscottsnyder]

Joe what is a similar price cell camera but better?

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey Scott, thanks for watching! I would look into the Tactacam Reveal if the target is inside of 60 feet. Any farther and you may need to look into the Covert cameras. With that said...I DO like the Browning cameras! Just had to work the gremlins out of them sometimes. There is also a handful of really good ones coming out next year! Good luck and keep me posted on what you decide. 👍🏼😁

[@wscottsnyder]

I just bought this camera but haven't used it yet. So based on your report I was a little hesitant to try it. My target is less than 20 yards.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

I think you should give it a try. For 20 yards you should be happy with it. They are built really well, excellent on battery and the picture quality is really good. It’s not perfect; but it has some great qualities!

[@KUBBI7488]

Browning cams has best quality pics to my opinion !!!

[@JoeTheFarmer]

They have been great! Especially the non-cell cams. Thanks for watching buddy!!! 😁👍🏼👊🏼

[@franktrombatore401]

How was the battery life?

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey Frank; thanks for watching! The battery life is excellent. I just checked it before responding and it is still at 100%. Haven’t changed batteries since starting the review. I am using Energizer Max batteries. I have been really impressed with the battery life of all of the cameras this year. The Tactacam review follow up is coming out this week. Same experience. Hope you consider subscribing and joining us for future videos! -JTF

[@tnriverbanks]

I bought one and have been testing it before moving it to the farm and connecting cellular. The pictures are horrible straight from the 32g sd card. It is supposed to be an 18 MP camera. I am getting a 3.3 MP off the card and can only imagine how bad they will be through the Strike Force app. I had a decent pic of a local fox at night and then had a opossum at 10" and could not even tell what it was. Thought maybe "chupacabra " Daylight photos pixel out as soon as I try to enlarge them on my computer. A bird on a

[@tnriverbanks]

feeder 20 feet away and no idea what type. I am thinking I do not want this camera.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey tnriverbanks, thanks for your comments and for watching. My issues with the Browning really had more to do with the app (which they have fixed). If you go to our instagram or facebook I have posted a few pics from the Browning that are amazing and that was from the app. I am thinking that you may have something in the lens (packaging plastic?) or you just got a bad camera. These have really become some of my favorite and most consistent cameras. Can you dm me a pic? Thanks for watching buddy! 😁👍🏼👊🏼

[@tnriverbanks]

@@JoeTheFarmerHey Joe I hooked it up to verizon and got better pictures through the cellular. I took it to the farm Sunday and set it out and got 5 does in short time. They are not 18 mp though. They use a process called interpolation into the pixels. That is why when you try to zoom in it distorts. I subscribed and your review on this camera is by far the best I could find. BTW I am on the other side on Monteagle and have 3 super large colonies of Bee's in two cabins. They are in the wall and its huge. I can not find anyone that wants them. I no longer have any hives so if you know of anyone let me know. I really hate to have to spray them out but it has gotten to that point.They are the largest colony I have ever seen. You need to post your Facebook or instagram on your home page if you have not already done so. I do not think you are the "Joe the farmer" I found on Facebook! haha Take care! Tn

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey, thanks for the kind words on the review! I appreciate it. And you are right, the MP’s are never what they claim. I really care more about the build, consistency, field of view, etc. Its a trail camera, and just needs to do that job. As for the bees, have you tried a bee forum? I’d hate to see them sprayed too. Someone has to want them; even a TWRA officer could probably help. Anyhow; thank you for joining our community and subscribing! Hope you keep in touch. Oh, and FB and Instagram is in the video description notes. Talk soon!

[@KnightsTemplar79]

I recommend the Spartan cameras, especially the new GoLive. I think you'll be impressed.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Thanks for watching pc; you are probably the 10th person to recommend Spartan cameras! I will definitely need to check them out! I have really enjoyed reviewing the 2020 cameras and from what I hear the new ones coming out next year will have some major improvements. I will keep Spartan on my list! Hope to have you back for future videos. Thanks! -JTF

[@jeffzirkle8728]

Yep, you should check out Spartan, they are pretty good cameras. But they only go up to 8mp. Mine has been at the house taking pics of deer in the back plus videos fir the last two weeks. It has taken 326 pics and 326 videos. I have mine set to take a video after ever pic. The app allows you to request a HD pic and down load the video clip of the pic it sent. It will send pics to the app portal and your email. Detection range is better than you would expect and you can adjust the sensitivity. Today it caught a guy on a 4 wheeler driving on the road, I am going estimate 90 feet away.

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Hey Jeff, thanks for watching man. I tried to work something out with Spartan (these tests are getting expensive! Lol) where I would just test it and send it back to them or give it away. Lot’s of corporate red tape and I like to review cameras without any restrictions. They weren’t down for that. I will probably buy one to review at some point but that will have to be next year. Thanks for the info and glad that you have had a great experience! The golive feature seems awesome and I could see a lot of areas where that could be really helpful. Take care and hope to have you back for more videos!