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2009 Trail Camera Shootout
By: The TrailCamPro Staff
What The Shootout Tells Us
The 2009 Trail Camera Shootout was designed to test which game cameras do a better job of capturing photos in the field. Let's take a look at some of the attributes that allowed some hunting cameras to perform better than others.
Detection width - Game Cameras with a wide detection zone were able to sense the test subject and start the trigger process more quickly than others. Out in the field this not only allows the camera to take quicker pictures, but also enables models with wide detection zones to capture photos of animals that never wander into the center of the picture. Deer browsing on the edges of food plots are a great example. Models from Reconyx, Bushnell, Spypoint, Leaf River, Stealth and Scoutguard all have wider detection zones than their competitors.
Detection Range - Models that were able to sense the test subject out past 50' picked up points their competitors missed out on. In the field, a camera trap with a long detection range can effectively double the area it covers. Models from Reconyx and Spypoint were able to detect motion out past their competitors.
Trigger speed - Finally, Trail Cameras which were able to capture a picture quickly scored well across the board. Interestingly enough, some cameras with incredibly fast trigger times were incapable of scoring better than a 4 or a 5. This is because some cameras with fast trigger times are handicapped by very narrow detection zones. Even though many of these models snap a picture almost instantaneously, they can't take that picture until the subject is in the middle of the photo.
For a better understanding of the relationship between a camera's trigger speed and detection zone please view our Detection Zone Test
How the Shootout Works
We lined up a fair representation of every brand of scouting camera available at the time of the shootout. Game Camera models within a manufacturer's line that display the same performance characteristics were not duplicated. For example, we tested a Reconyx RM45, but left out the Reconyx RC55, RC60 and RC60 HO because they all have essentially the same detection circuitry. The same can be said about other brands unless noted in the test. With each unit mounted to a board, we walked across the row of trail cameras at 10' intervals from 10' out to 80'. Each camera was then awarded a score (1-8) at each distance based on how quickly it was able to capture a photo of the test subject. Below, please find the scores for each camera at each distance. Aggregate scores are posted at the far right.
Please note: 2009 Shootout was done on a warm day which decreased the cameras sensitivity. This resulted in lower then normal scores.
* The Reconyx was the only camera to take multiple pictures (3-7) at every pass. The Reconyx RM45 is a black/white camera. Their other models take pictures in color. Look at this GIF file below for an example.
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** The Bushnell Trophy Cam was the only other one to take multiple pictures at least at one distance.

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A Summary of the Results by Brand
Click links for more on the cameras
Reconyx
Reconyx Trail cameras have the fastest trigger times in the industry accompanied by an enormous detection zone. Reconyx has sized their detection zone to precisely match the angle of their camera lens. This combination allowed the RM45 to detect and capture a photo (see below) of the test subject the instant he walked into the camera’s field of view. Although not shown, the RM45 using its Rapid Fire technology also captured 4-6 additional photos of the test subject at each distance. Often, cameras do well in one performance category, but fall short in others. Reconyx cameras consistently receive top scores in all performance categories and this is why the RM45 won the shootout the 3rd year in a row. Also available from Reconyx, but not tested are the RC55, RC60 and RC60 HO. The RC55, RC60 and RC60 HO test virtually identical to the RM45 with the exception of trigger time. While the RM45 has a 1/10th second trigger, the RC55, RC60 and RC60 HO have a 1/5th second trigger due to their larger mpxl rating. The RC55, RC60 and RC60 HO would produce a marginally lower score in the shootout if tested.
Reconyx Pass

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Spypoint
The Spypoint Pro-X is a brand new model and we were excited to be able to put it in this years' shootout. The Pro-X takes advantage of a wide detection zone, 1.7 second trigger and very impressive range. As with all Spypoint trail cams, we were very impressed with its easy programming and solid casing. In Spypoints first year in the Trail Camera Shootout, they take 2nd place!
Spypoint Pass

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Scoutguard SG550
The 2009 Scoutguard SG550 is identical to the 2008 SG550 with the exception of a few firmware upgrades. You will see that the score is very similar to that of last years' camera. The Scoutguard takes the 3rd spot in the shootout with very impressive numbers. Unfortunately, Scoutguards are indefinetely on backorder with no expected arrival date.
Scoutguard Pass

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Bushnell Trophy Cam
The Bushnell Trophy Cam hit the market in April of 2009. It is very similar to the Scoutguard as you can see from the scores. The Trophy Cam takes advantage of a wide detection zone and 1.0 second trigger. The only limiting factor is its detection range, which still grades out to above average. Overall, the Bushnell Trophy Cam takes 4th place and remains the best value on any game camera under $300.
Bushnell Pass

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Leaf River
The Leaf River IR-7SS did not change from 2008 to 2009. The 1.8 second trigger time along with their proven detection zone allowed the Leaf River IR7-SS to capture 5th place in the 2009 Shootout. Other 2009 models available, but not tested are the IR5, DV7SS and DV5. All Leaf River models use the same detection and triggering circuitry and should perform similar to the IR-7SS.
Leaf River Pass

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Wildview
Wildview is definitely the surprise of the 09' Shootout. It even beats its more expensive brother, the Stealth Cam Sniper. Wildview (a product of Stealth Cam) has a very wide detection width which helps make up for their slow trigger times (4 seconds). With solid scores from 20-50', the Wildview Extreme 5 takes 6th place in the 2009 Trail Cam Shootout.
Wildview Pass

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Predator
The Predator Xtinction has a fast trigger and an improved detection zone. The scores seem to indicate the Predator does not have a long detection range. I believe some of that can be attributed to the warm weather on the day the testing was done, as we have tested other Predator cams out to 80 ft. Predator also manufactures the less expensive Evolution XR. While the Evolution XR is not as “Feature Rich” as the Xtinction, it should perform identically in testing.
Predator Pass

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Stealth
The Stealth Sniper has the traditional super-wide detection zone Stealth is known for. However, it is severely held back by a 4 second trigger time which limits its scores at every distance. Stealth Cam remains a game camera that is most effective on feeders/bait and to some extent, food plots. All Stealth Cameras have the same detection circuitry.
Stealth Pass

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Cuddeback
Last year, Cuddeback introduced the Capture as an inexpensive alternative to their existing No Flash, Expert and Excite models. The Capture model was designed to be easy to use and work out to 40’. Although the Capture has a fast trigger, it utilizes the same narrow detection zone all Cuddeback cameras use. As a result it didn’t do as well as other models in the Shootout. Cuddeback will also manufacture the Capture IR with similar test results anticipated.
Cuddeback Pass

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Moultrie I45
Moultrie completely revamped its trail cam lineup for 2009 with the introduction of the I45, I65, M45, and M65. The cameras are supposed to have received a wider detection zone and a trigger time in the 1.5 second range. We have several more tests that we have to run before giving a definitive opinion, but, the results so far are underwhelming.
Moultrie Pass

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Wildgame Innovations S2
If you walk by a camera 8 times and it takes 2 pictures... It explains itself.
Wildgame Pass

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Photos taken at 10'

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Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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Photos taken at 20'
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| Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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| Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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| Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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Photos taken at 30'
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| Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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| Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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| Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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Photos taken at 40'
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| Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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| Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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| Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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Photos taken at 50'
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| Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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No photo taken
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| Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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Photos taken at 60'
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No photo taken
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| Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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| No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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Photos taken at 70'
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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| No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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Photos taken at 80'
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Reconyx RM45
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Spypoint Pro-X
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Scoutguard SG550
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Bushnell Trophy Cam
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| No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Leaf River IR-7
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Wildview Extreme 5
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Predator Xtinction
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Stealth Sniper
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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No photo taken
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| Cuddeback Capture
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Moultrie I45
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Wildgame S2
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