Browning Recon Force Edge Review

Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:

88/100

The Recon Force Edge has been discontinued. Check out the new Recon Force Elite HP4 here.

Recon Force Edge Review

This is one of, if not the top, red-glow video trail camera currently on the market. This camera has outstanding battery life, excellent detection speeds, easy setup, and great images. This is a big winner for 2021. - TCP Staff

Model # BTC 7E / Recon Force Edge Owners Manual

Camera FAQ's

Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:

88/100

Picture Quality:89/100

Mpxl Rating | Video Resolution

Battery Life:27 + Months

Resting Power(on) | Daytime Power Consumption | Nighttime Power Consumption

Trigger Speed & Detection:90/100

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed | Video Trigger & Recovery Speed | Detection Range

Quality of Design:90/100

Dimensions | Battery Type | External Battery Jack


Browning Recon Force Edge Trail Camera Review

Pros

  • Possibly the best video quality on the market (and solid picture quality too)
  • Extremely fast detection speeds
  • 20+ months of picture battery life
  • Easy to set up and large internal view screen

Cons

  • Have seen some audio issues on videos
  • *Does not work with NiMH rechargeable batteries.


Picture Quality: 89/100

Photo resolution: 20 interpolated mpxl

Video resolution: 1920 x 1080 (60 fps)

Flash Type: Red glow IR

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: 85/100

Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 0.64 mW

Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 1.4 Ws | 2.26 Ws

Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 25.7 Ws | 82.62 Ws

Picture Mode

If this camera were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, the Spec Ops Edge would last 20.5 months in the field on a set of 8 AA Lithium Batteries.

Video Mode

If this camera were to take 15-day and 15-night videos (10-second videos) every 24 hours, it would last 2.1 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries.

Detection Circuit: 90/100

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.02 s. | 0.6 s.

Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.38 s. | 0.6 s.

Detection Range & Angle: 90 ft. @ 61.9° detection angle (@38.1 ° field of view)

Speed is the name of the game when it comes to the detection circuit in the Recon Force. Picture trigger and recovery time is phenomenal and video trigger/recovery is outstanding. Detection range is 90 ft., which means this camera can reach out on big foot plots, open fields, or most security situations. The problem is the detection angle is significantly wider than the field of view, which means this camera has the potential of false triggering consistently.

Quality of Design: 90/100

Dimensions: 5” x 3.5” x 2”

Battery Type: 8 AA

External Battery Jack: 12-volt

Case Design

There isn't much to dislike here. The Edge is actually smaller than previous versions of the Recon Force line, making this model sit flatter and more discreet on trees. The latch opens easily, even with cold fingers. There is a 1/4" x 20 threaded insert on the bottom

Camera Setup

The internal picture viewer doubles as the setup screen. Setup couldn't be easier and more intuitive. You won't have a problem getting this camera up and running. New setup options include options to have a normal/fast trigger speed, adjustable PIR sensitivity, and to have economy/long range IR flash power.

Durability

Durability has been really good for the Edge. The only notable issue we have seen so far is a few cameras with audio issues. Through our 2-year warranty program on the trail cameras we sell, we are able to track warranty rates on all trailcam manufacturers. We do not publish this data but Browning trail cameras have proven to be a durable game trail camera for us. If an issue arises in this model, we will update this Browning Recon Force Review immediately. 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. This is one of, if not the top, red-glow video trail camera currently on the market. This camera has outstanding battery life, excellent detection speeds, easy setup, and great images. This is a big winner for 2021.


FAQ's: 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 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. 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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