2010 Trigger Speed Showdown
          Trigger Speed is the amount of time between a trail camera being "activated" and a picture being taken.  For example, when an animal walks into the detection zone of a trail camera, the camera is activated and prepares to take a picture.  Then, the game camera takes a picture and records it to a SD or CF Memory Card.  The amount of time between the animal walking into the detection zone, and a picture being recorded, is the Trigger Speed of that particular camera trap.

So what does that mean for you?  Well, a trail camera that has a slow trigger speed won't work well on a game trail.  By the time a picture is taken, the animal may be completely out of the field of view!  Also, if you are using a trail camera for security purposes (i.e. trespassers - thieves), you will need a camera with a fast trigger speed to catch the thieves in action (especially if you are using video mode) or before they leave the picture.

How the Trigger Speed Showdown Works...



          Charles, our tech genius, invented a device called The Triggernator.  The Triggernator is the most accurate form of testing a trail camera's trigger speed.  Using the Triggernator, we set each camera and then take 7 sample trigger times.  Of the 7 samples, we drop the slowest time and the fastest time.  Each trail camera's time is posted under their respective camera.  We then average the 5 remaining times, giving you the average trigger speed. 

Rank	Model	Average Time
1	Reconyx HC600	0.188 s
2	Reconyx HC500	0.193 s
3	Spypoint IR-8	1.043 s
4	Spypoint Ir-6	1.200 s
5	Uway Nighttrakker NT50	1.220 s
6	Bushnell Trophy Cam	1.381 s
7	Scoutguard SG560v	1.510 s
8	Primos Truth Cam 35	1.530 s
9	Primos Truth Cam 46	1.581 s
10	Moultrie I-45S	1.626 s
11	Primos Truth Cam 60	1.765 s
12	Moultrie D-55	2.414 s
13	Moultrie I-35	2.469 s

          Under each camera is the picture of each trigger time.  You will notice on some of the scouting cameras with really fast trigger speeds, the reading will only say 0:54.  That is actually 0:054, the stopwatch doesn't recognize the first zero on times that quick.  Feel free to click any picture to enlarge.

Want to see how the 2009 models did?  2009 Trigger Speed Showdown.



Reconyx HC600

Average Trigger Speed = 0.188 s

0.190 s	0.196 s	0.171 s	0.191 s	0.193 s

Reconyx HC500

Average Trigger Speed = 0.193 s

0.182 s	0.207 s	0.199 s	0.187 s	0.192 s

Bushnell Trophy Cam

Average Trigger Speed = 1.381 s

1.388 s	1.384 s	1.375 s	1.370 s	1.388 s

Uway NightTrakker NT50B

Average Trigger Speed = 1.220 s

1.269 s	1.262 s	1.195 s	1.208 s	1.167 s

Spypoint IR-6

Average Trigger Speed = 1.200 s

1.263 s	1.189 s	1.235 s	1.162 s	1.153 s

Spypoint IR-8

Average Trigger Speed = 1.043 s

1.046 s	1.069 s	1.032 s	1.045 s	1.027 s

Primos Truth Cam 35

Average Trigger Speed = 1.530 s

1.527 s	1.522 s	1.535 s	1.536 s	1.528 s

Primos Truth Cam 46

Average Trigger Speed = 1.581 s

1.575 s	1.568 s	1.598 s	1.587 s	1.575 s s s

Primos Truth Cam 60

Average Trigger Speed = 1.765 s

1.779 s	1.761 s	1.765 s	1.786 s	1.805 s

Moultrie D-55 IR

Average Trigger Speed = 2.414 s

2.410 s	2.419 s	2.417 s	2.425 s	2.397 s

Moultrie I-45s

Average Trigger Speed = 1.626 s

1.598 s	1.573 s	1.693 s	1.535 s	1.733 s

Moultrie I-35

Average Trigger Speed = 2.469 s

2.491 s	2.491 s	2.506 s	2.431 s	2.427 s

Scoutguard SG560v

Average Trigger Speed = 1.51 s

1.512 s	1.422 s	1.633 s	1.553 s	1.451 s