Browning Dark Ops Pro X Review
The Dark Ops Pro X scores well in every single category we test for and offers possibly the best value low glow trail camera on the market. You'll have a hard time finding things you don't like about the Dark Ops Pro X. Big thumbs up from us. - TCP Staff
Model # BTC-6HDPX | Browning Dark Ops Pro X Owner's Manual
Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:
90/100
Browning Dark Ops HD Pro X Trail Camera Review
Pros
- Top-notch detection circuit
- 17+ months battery life
- Solid picture/video quality
- User-friendly and hand internal viewing screen
Cons
- Inaccurate temperature readings
- *Does not work with NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Photo resolution: 20 mpxl (interpolated) | 4.08 mpxl (native resolution)
Video resolution: 1600 x 900 w/ audio
Flash Type: Low Glow IR
Day pictures don't have the sharpest clarity and a somewhat "muted" color, however, they stop motion really well and are very consistent (an underrated quality in any trail camera). Night pictures have good flash range (when set in "Long Range") and stop motion really well (when in "Fast Motion"). We have found "Long Range" to be our favorite night IR setting on this game trail camera, but you can play around with it to see what you prefer.
Video quality isn't on the same level as the Browning Advantage cameras. It has average clarity and only 30 frames per second. The daytime videos are very average overall. The night videos are brightly illuminated, clear, and have good fluidity.
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.
Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 0.9 mw
Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 1.0 Ws | 1.4 Ws
Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 12.5 Ws | 38.7 Ws
Picture Mode
If this camera were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, the Dark Ops Pro X would last 17.3 months in the field on a set of 6 AA Lithium Batteries. This is outstanding.
Video Mode
If this camera were to take 15-day and 15-night videos (10-second videos) every 24 hours, it would last 3.2 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.17 s. | 0.6 s.
Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.53 s. | 1.9 s.
Detection Range & Angle: 80 ft. @ 41.3° detection angle (43.1°field of view)
There is very little to critique here. The Dark Ops Pro X is super fast, detects out to 80 ft., and has a detection angle that is very close to the field of view. This is an excellent detection circuit.
Dimensions: 4.25" x 3.75" x 3.25"
Battery Type: 6 AA
External Battery Jack: 12-volt
SD Card Size: Up to 512GB
Case Design
The Dark Ops Pro X's case design has seen a radical re-design. other Dark Ops models, the Pro is super small and easy to carry/conceal. The case feels really solid and durable. The Pro X has an adjustable metal back bracket that swivels up and down (about a 30° range of motion). The bracket allows for easy up and down adjustments without using twigs for shims. If you need more adjustability, we'd still recommend a Slate River Mount.
Browning made the SD cards easier to load and unload (much easier than other Dark Ops models). The only downside we found is the battery eject button takes a bit of work to unlatch. Expect to use a sturdy fingernail.
Temperature ratings the camera records have a tendency of being unreliable and off by a significant margin.
Overall, the case design on the Dark Ops Pro is outstanding. It is nearly everything you'd expect from a quality game trail camera. If you need extra protection from thieves or bears, we do have a Dark Ops Pro XD Security Case that fits perfectly.
Camera Setup
The Dark Ops Pro X has a small internal viewer that makes camera setup and picture/video playback extremely easy. The viewer's live-view element eliminates the guesswork to setting up for the perfect trailcam shot.
The internal setup should only take you a minute or two - at the most. Even though the internal viewing screen is small, Browning was nice enough to enlarge the words on the screen for those of us with poor eyesight!
The Dark Ops Pro can accept SD cards up to 512 Gigabytes. This is more than enough storage than you could ever use.
SD Card Storage Examples
With a 16 Gig SD card and the camera taking 4 mpxl photos (this is our recommended setting as it is closest to the native resolution), the Dark Ops Pro X could store 9,008 pictures on the SD card.
With a 16 Gig SD card and the camera taking 1280x720 videos (called "Ultra" video quality in the settings), the Dark Ops Pro X could store 508 10-second videos.
From this data, you can extrapolate out storage capacities of different sized SD cards and different resolution settings. Shop all SD card options here.
Durability
The only issue we have noticed is a carry-over from 2016/2017/2018 models as well. If you turn the Dark Ops Pro X off, while standing in front of the camera and with the recovery time set to the fastest setting, the Dark Ops may continue to shoot dozens of pictures as long as you are being detected. We hoped to see a firmware update that fixes this, but to date, we have not. In the meantime, a quick and dirty fix for this is to place your hand over the PIR lens of the camera while shutting it off. This will keep the camera from taking pictures.
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.
The Dark Ops Pro X scores well in every single category we test for and offers possibly the best value low glow trail camera on the market. You'll have a hard time finding things you don't like about the Dark Ops Pro X. Big thumbs up from us.
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!
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FAQ's: Browning Dark Ops Pro X Trail Camera
Q: How do I view the pictures?
A: There are a number of ways to do this. Pictures/videos are stored on the SD card you place in the camera. Here are some other methods for viewing images:
- View pictures on your computer. Plug the SD card in a desktop computer or laptop via the built-in SD card reader or use a USB reader if your computer doesn't have one. This method works for most tablets as well. With this method, we recommend having two SD cards per camera so you can swap them in the field.
- Trail Camera Viewers. While more expensive, handheld viewers are useful if you don't have a smartphone or run multiple trail cameras.
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 a low glow trail camera, meaning it has an extremely faint red glow when taking pictures or videos at night. We rate cameras as low glow if we can see the glow within 15 ft., but have a much harder time seeing it at a greater distance.
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. If that isn't enough, we give you a 16 Gig SD card with this camera and you can call and talk our ear off anytime.
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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