Browning Dark Ops Max Plus Review

Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:

85/100
    • Browning Dark Ops Max Plus

      The Browning Dark Ops Max Plus is a solid no glow trail camera that sports a fast detection circuit and long battery life. We consider the picture/video quality to be average, overall. This 2-pack is a great way to save money on buying multiple cameras that have solid performance. - TCP Staff

      Model #BTC-6HD-MXP | Browning Dark Ops Max Plus Owners Manual

      Camera name FAQ's

      Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:

      85/100

      Picture Quality:83/100

      Mpxl Rating | Video ResolutionSee Breakdown ▼

      Battery Life:17 Months

      Resting Power(on) | Daytime Power Consumption | Nighttime Power ConsumptionSee Breakdown ▼

      Trigger Speed & Detection:93/100

      Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed | Video Trigger & Recovery Speed | Detection RangeSee Breakdown ▼

      Quality of Design:85/100

      Dimensions | Battery Type | External Battery Jack See Breakdown ▼


      Browning Dark Ops Max Plus Trail Camera Review

      Pros

      • Super fast trigger and recovery times
      • Great battery life in picture mode (17 months)
      • Easy user interface

      Cons

      • Below average battery life in video mode
      • Below average video quality


      Picture Quality: 83/100

      Photo resolution: 20 mpxl (interpolated)

    • Video resolution: 1600 x 900 w/ audio

      Flash Type: No glow IR

      Daytime pictures are pretty sharp and have good color quality. It seems to stop motion well and is above average, overall. Night pictures have strong contrast but do blur a bit on motion. You can see sample photos below.


Daytime video quality is grainy and lacking in high-end quality. Night video isn't bad for a no glow camera, not the best on the market but certainly usable. Overall, we consider video quality to be below average.

Night IR Blur Test

The equipment for the test consists of a target moving along a track from left to right at a constant speed controlled by a stepper motor and a sensor to trigger the capture of a picture near the center of the field of view of a trail camera.

The target is moving at 1.25 feet per second and is 10 feet from the camera at the center of field of view. The test is conducted in a dark room. Two pictures are taken, one with the target not moving and one with the target in motion. A visual comparison can now be made of the two pictures. All settings that affect the quality of night photos will be tested.

  • Economy Mode:

    No Motion

    Economy Mode:

    W/ Motion

    Long Range Mode:

    No Motion

    Long Range Mode:

    W/ Motion

    motion in economy mode long range no motion
  • What if you purchase from us and aren't happy with the image quality?

    This is a common question and we have a very simple solution. Call, email, or chat with us and we can take a look at the images and offer suggestions or immediately tell if something is wrong with the camera. If so, we will warranty the camera for you (with the free 2-Year warranty you receive from us) or return the camera for a full refund (within 90 days of purchase). You have control of the process, remember, we work for you.

    Megapixel Ratings:

    In the past, many people get confused with the megapixel rating trail camera manufacturers advertise. Companies inflate the mpxl rating to attract eyes to their products. They do this through interpolation, which digitally adds megapixels to a photo without actually improving the picture.

    The best way to judge picture quality is to look at actual pictures. You will notice this the most when you zoom in on a full-size image that a camera has taken. The details of the photo will appear hazy or even digitized. This is normal, and to be expected.

    Battery Life: 80/100

    Picture & Video Resting Power (on):

    Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption:

    Picture Mode

    If this Browning Dark Ops Max Plus camera were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 17 months in the field on a set of 6 AA Lithium Batteries. This is fantastic!

    Video Mode

    If this Browning Dark Ops Max Plus camera were to take 15-day and 15-night videos (10-second videos) every 24 hours, it would last 1.8 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries. This is below average.

    Detection Circuit: 93/100

    Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.04 s. | 0.7 s.

    Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.54 s. | 0.9 s.

    Detection Range & Angle: 90 ft. @ 48.9° detection angle (40.3° field of view)

    This detection circuit boasts incredibly faster trigger speeds and great recovery times. The 90 ft. detection range is good, but the detection angle is 8° wider than the field of view. This could result in a few false triggers. Overall, this is a great detection circuit.

    Quality of Design: 85/100

    Dimensions: 4.75" x 4" x 3"

    Battery Type: 6 AA

    External Battery Jack: 12-volt

    SD Card Size: Up to 512GB

    Case Design

    This is one of the smaller game cameras on the market, making it easy to conceal in a variety of ways. The camera feels sturdy and stable. The latch remains a touch close to the camera, making it somewhat difficult to unlatch with cold fingers.

    There is a python bracket on the back of the Dark Ops for a Python Cable Lock. It also has the standard 1/4" x 20 threaded insert on the bottom for a Slate River Angle Mount.

    Temperature ratings the camera records have a tendency of being unreliable and off by a significant margin.

    Camera Setup

    The Browning Dark Ops Max Plus setup is familiar and easy to navigate. Click "Mode" to enter the menu, tap "Up" or "Down" to toggle settings, hit enter to highlight a setting, change the desired setting with the up or down arrow, and then hit enter to save that setting. Very simple.

    The Dark Ops accepts up to 512 Gig SD Cards. That allows for tons of memory storage and most useful if placing the camera in video mode for long periods of time.

    Durability

    We have no concerns over durability, if anything arises, we will immediately update this review. The only thing we see on a regular basis is incorrect temperature readings. We see this on all Browning cameras, so if this is a big concern for you, we would recommend a different brand as they all tend to be inaccurate.

    Keep in mind, our 2-year warranty program is your free insurance program in case something goes wrong with a camera you purchase from us. This warranty protects you from any manufacturing defect the camera might experience for two years.

    Overall durability

  • Since 2005, our mission has to been to provide consumers with unbeatable value, advice you can trust, and customer service that exceeds expectations. There are plenty of places you can choose to do business with, if we are lucky enough to earn your support, we promise to give you our undivided attention. Trailcampro has grown each year not only by relying on your happiness but on the assumption that if we blow you away with customer service, you will brag about us to your friends (have you seen our referral/reward program?).

    As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to call, email or chat with us. We look forward to helping you find your next trail camera!

    Enjoy our reviews? Please consider purchasing your next trail camera from us.


    FAQ's: Trail Camera

    Q: Will this trail camera trigger on small animals (birds, rodents, etc.)?

    A: Trail cameras detect on a combination of heat and movement, so, yes, small mammals will trigger the camera. However, if you are going after smaller warm-blooded mammals, we recommend getting the camera closer to your target. For best performance, place the camera in an area that would enable picture detection from 3 - 20 ft.

    Q: Can animals see the infrared flash on this camera?

    A: This is somewhat controversial. Humans can't see the flash as the nanometer spectrum is above what the human eye can detect. It's also much harder for an animal to see, but that could depend on the species of animal as different species see in different light spectrums.

    Q: Where can I purchase this camera?

    A: From us! We hope to woo you with our incredible charm, two-year warranty, 90-day returns, free continental U.S. shipping, and technical expertise.

    Seriously, though, we know you have plenty of options of where to spend your hard-earned money. The internet can be the wild, wild, west of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you choose to do business with us, we will go out of our way to make sure you are happy with the camera you select and the service we provide you.

    We are passionate about testing and reviewing trail cameras, but most importantly, we are passionate about treating our customers the right way. We do things differently from what you have come to expect from other internet retailers and we hope you give us the opportunity to prove that to you.

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  • Manufacturer Specifications

    • Selectable Night IR Illumination (Long Range, Fast Motion, Economy modes)
    • SD Card Management
    • Up to 8 Multi Shot Images
    • Up to 8 Rapid Fire Images
    • Smart IR Video
    • Selectable Start/Stop Image Timer
    • Programmable Picture Delay (1 sec. – 60 min.)
    • Picture info bar displays: Time, Date, Temperature, Moon Phase, Camera ID
    • 12 volt External Power Jack
    • Supports up to 512GB SDXC Memory Card (not included)
    • Timelapse Plus camera mode with IR triggered images
  • Domestic Shipping Options
    • Free 2-Day Shipping on all orders over $99 to U.S. addresses
    • Free shipping will be shipped via the most economical method.
    • Orders placed before 3 p.m Central Standard Time are usually shipped the same day
    • We are happy to offer expedited shipping options. Prices are shown during checkout.
    International Orders

    Dear International Customer:

    International rates vary by country and postal code. Please click here for detailed international rates.

    Trailcampro L.L.C.

    3048 S. Clifton Ave
    Suite 108
    Springfield, MO 65807
    1-800-791-0660
  • Trail Camera Accessories

    Here are a few of the accessories we like to use with the Browning Dark Ops Max Plus cameras.

    Energizer Ultimate Lithiums | 6 Pack | $11.95

    Energizer Ultimate Lithiums | 6 Pack

    - There is no downside to using lithium batteries. Long battery life, extreme durability, and better night pictures. You will be happy you did.

    6 Foot Python Cable Lock

    - Use this with the security case, or just the camera itself. The Covert has brackets on the back specifically for this lock.

    Extra SD Cards

    sd cards

    - SD cards store your pictures and videos for easy removal. We give you a free SD card with the Covert, but most people use two cards. If you have two cards, you can swap them out when you retrieve the pictures.

    Browning Max Plus Security Case

    browning max plus

    - This security case works with the Browning Max Plus Trail Cameras.

  • Verified Customer Reviews

    We ensure that every customer review comes from one of our real customers and not someone who works for the competing trail camera manufacturer. These are verified customer trail camera reviews that you can trust.

    We would love your feedback if you purchased this trail camera from us. We want your honest feedback, these reviews are a vital part in helping consumers choose the right game camera.