Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Review
The Bushnell Cellucore 20 Cellular Trail Camera impressed us with its picture quality, battery life and ease of set up. The Cellucore does not have an internal viewer for getting the camera up and running or troubleshooting nor is it the fastest trailcam in the bunch. Overall, for such an inexpensive cellular trail camera, there is much more to like than not! - TCP Staff
Model #119904A | Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Manual
Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:
82/100
Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Trail Camera Review
Pros
- Good picture quality
- Solid battery life
- Easy cell setup - only takes a minute or two
- Bushnell cell camera plans are simple, affordable, and there is an unlimited option
Cons
- No internal viewer or set up screen
- Detection circuit is average
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Photo resolution: 20 mpxl (interpolated)
Flash Type: Red Glow IR
Day pictures have impressed us with their consistency and solid color. The Cellucore 20 seems to stop motion well and adapts to the ever-changing light conditions (something Bushnell cameras have struggles with in the past.
Night pictures, as you can see from our sample photos below, illuminate fairly well - even in an open field. These aren't the brightest or crispest infrared photos we have seen, but they did a really solid job out to 50 or 60 feet.
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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. |
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Fast Motion No Motion |
Fast Motion W/ Motion |
Long Range No Motion |
Long Range W/ Motion | Short Range No Motion | Short Range W/ Motion |
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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 Bushnell CelluCORE A20 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 20 megapixel 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): 1.58 mW
Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 26.2 Ws | 28.1 Ws
If this camera were to take 15-day and 15-night pictures every 24 hours, the Bushnell CelluCORE 20 would last 4.3 months in the field on a set of 12 AA Lithium Batteries.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.64 s. | 40.3 s.
Video Trigger Speed: 2.45 s.
Detection Range & Angle: 80 ft. @33.8° detection angle (40.3° field of view)
The detection circuit is bolstered by a fast recovery time but only has an average trigger speed. The 80 ft. detection range is good and the detection angle is a little less than the field of view. This should help keep the camera from false triggering (you will still want to clear out moving branches/weeds in front of the camera). Overall, this is an above average detection circuit.
Dimensions: 5.5" x 4.75" x 3"
Battery Type: 12 AA (we recommend Lithium)
External Battery Jack: 12-volt
SD Card Size: Up to 32GB
Case Design
A few things stand out on the CelluCORE case design. Right off the bat, as you attach the antenna you will notice a rubber sleeve that covers the raised antenna port. Currently, most cameras use a compression O-ring weatherproof seal, which has been a water entry port if the O-ring is missing or if the antenna is too loose or too tight. Our initial impression of the antenna design on the CelluCORE is positive and could potentially help eliminate water entry from that opening, even if the antenna isn't screwed all the way in.
The latches seem to manipulate easily and the camera has two brackets on the back for a Python Cable Lock and a threaded insert on the bottom for a Slate River Mount. Inside the 20 megapixel camera, is an unorthodox battery tray. A metal tab locks/unlocks the tray and a threaded string pulls the battery tray out. To be honest, this looks homemade. The function of the design seems to work but we can't quite come up with a reason for engineering it this way. In talking to Bushnell, they indicated that this design has been more reliable than a spring loaded battery tray. Regardless, the battery tray seems to work and there isn't a downside to it, just something worth noting.
The CelluCORE does not have an internal screen, so programming will be done from the Bushnell app. There is only an on/off switch, a "wake up" button, and colored lights to indicate camera status. We generally prefer an internal screen as it can help with set up and troubleshooting down the road.
Camera Setup
- Download or open the Bushnell Trail Cameras app. Login or create account.
- Hit the + button to add a camera. You can easily scan the QR code (under the battery tray) to add the camera to your account
- Select activate free plan (your first 30 days are free).
- Install 12 Lithium batteries and an SD card. Turn the camera on, monitor the status lights (there is a guide on the camera explaining what the lights mean)
The cellular set up is incredibly easy. Big thumbs up from us. From start to finish, it may have taken a minute or two. The app is also easy to navigate, fast, and the settings are simple to navigate. There currently isn't a good camera status indicator but Bushnell has plans to add this in a future app update. This will be an important update as the status indicator is very helpful in troubleshooting.
Data Plans
| Up to 2000 Photos | Unlimited Photos |
| $9.99 per month | $14.99 per month |
| 10 Hi-Res images | Unlimited Hi-Res images |
| 5 monthly video downloads | Unlimited Video Downloads |
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The data plan costs are VERY reasonable. Unlimited thumbnails, high resolution images, and video downloads for $15 is an outstanding value.
Durability
We will monitor the durability on the CelluCORE and update the Bushnell CelluCORE review accordingly.
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.
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: 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: Yes, this is a red glow trail camera, animals and people will be able to see a red glow when taking a picture or video at night.
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.
 All test results are achieved through the use of proprietary equipment used exclusively by Trailcampro. Any re-publication of this data without prior written consent is strictly prohibited by law. COPYRIGHT TRAILCAMPRO, L.L.C. 2023, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.Â
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