Bushnell Core DS 4K No Glow Trail Camera Review
The Bushnell Core DS 4K is a fantastic low glow trail camera that excels in nearly every area. Daytime pictures are great, video resolution is 4K, you can expect multiple years battery life and the case design is solid. Our only real complaint is limited flash range. Overall, this is an excellent trail camera. - TCP Staff
Model #119987C | Bushnell Core DS-4K Owners Manual
Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:
93/100
Bushnell DS4K Trail Camera Review
Pros
- Fantastic day pictures and videos
- 25 Months picture battery life
- Outstanding detection circuit
- Great case design and easy user-interface
Cons
- Limited flash range
- Programming font is difficult to read
- Will only record 14 second videos in the dark
The Bushnell Core DS-4K is a dual sensor trail camera, meaning it has two lenses, one for day pictures/videos and one for night pictures/videos.
Photo resolution: 32 mpxl (interpolated)
Video Resolution: 3810 x 2160 (30 fps) w/ audio
Flash Type: No Glow IR
WHY BUY FROM TRAILCAMPRO?
Since 2003 Trailcampro’s rigorous testing has literally shaped the evolution of trail cameras. Our testing is supported exclusively through purchases at Trailcampro.com with absolutely NO outside funding whatsoever. If you have found anything on our website useful, please consider Trailcampro for your next purchase. Beyond supporting the ongoing improvement of trail cameras, click HERE to find out why Trailcampro offers the best value in the industry.
Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 0.44 mW
Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 1.6 Ws | 1.0 Ws
Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 10.9 Ws | 45.5 Ws
Picture Mode
Trailcampro Choice: XTAR Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
If this camera takes 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 16.7 months in the field - per charge - on a set of XTAR Rechargeable Lithium AA batteries.
There are a number of benefits to these batteries:
- Up to 1,000 charges
- Consistent 1.5 volt operation
- Not affected by extreme weather (Hot or Cold)
- Charges with the included 8 bay Smart Charger
- Eco-friendly (fewer batteries headed to the landfill)
- Batteries pay for themselves after the 2nd charge
- No lithium smell
If this Bushnell Core DS 4K trail camera were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 25 months in the field on a set of 6 AA Lithium Batteries. This is great battery life
Video Mode
If this camera were to take 15-day and 15-night videos (10-second videos) every 24 hours, it would last 3.7 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.15 s. | 0.7 s.
Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.68 s. | 0.5 s.
Detection Range & Angle: 80 ft. @ 42.4° (41.5° field of view)
Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.5" x 3.5"
Battery Type: 6 AA (we recommend lithium)
External Battery Jack: 9-volt
SD Card Size: Up to 512GB
Country of Origin: Thailand
The Core DS 4K feels sturdy and well-built. The latch is easy to manipulate and has a positive snap when closing. The Core DS 4K has a bracket on the back of the camera for a python cable lock and a threaded insert on the bottom and back (we like the optionality) for a Slate River Mount.
The SD card slot is easy to locate and easy to get a card in and out. Batteries load easily into the tray and slide in and out of the camera effortlessly. This is a really good case design.
Camera Setup
The set up menu is very easy to navigate (if you can see it) and would be intuitive for first time trail camera users or experienced pro's. One downside is the font used in programming is very small and difficult to read. The Core DS 4K has popular settings like Hybrid Mode (picture + video), time lapse, and start/stop time (AM, PM, or 24 hours). The internal viewing screen makes field set up extremely simple, letting the user see exactly where the camera is pointed.
Some of the writing on the set up screen is fairly small, it might be hard to read for older eyes.
Durability
The vast majority of consumer-grade trail cameras are inexpensive, imported devices exposed to harsh conditions 24/7/365. Most manufacturers only offer a one-year warranty. We stock only the most durable units and provide an additional year of warranty at no extra charge. The Trailcampro exclusive 2-year warranty allows you to deal directly with Trailcampro avoiding long wait times on hold with the manufacturer and prolonged periods without a replacement camera. We turn around most warranties in just one business day!
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.
Read Reviews From All the Game and Trail Cameras