Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Security (Non-Cellular)
Review
Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Security - TCP Staff
Model #HF2X | HF2X Owner's Manual
Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:
88/100
Review
Pros
- Excellent night pictures
- 16+ Month battery life
- Fast detection and 80 ft. detection range
- 5-year Reconyx warranty
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The Hyperfire 2 Security (HS2X) camera has the following programming upgrades over the Reconyx Hyperfire 2 (HF2X):
- Loop recording (SD card override)
- Advanced multi-scheduling (programs the camera to only operate during set hours of the day and on different days of the week)
- Increased video lengths - 5s, 10s, 15s, 30s, 1m, 2m, 3m, 5m. The frame rate decreased as the video length increases.
Cons
- Increased video lengths reduce video frame rate
- Not true no glow IR
Be Wary Of Megapixel Ratings
Megapixel ratings for trail cameras seem to increase more & more every year. In reality, the native resolution of 99% of all trail cameras is 5 megapixels or less. Manufacturers artificially inflate megapixel ratings for advertising purposes through a process called interpolation. Interpolated photos are enhanced by software to mimic the file size of a higher megapixel photo, but seldom offer additional clarity or resolution. The result is an exponentially larger file size photo which takes longer to load and slows down the speed of your camera. We always program our cameras to capture photos at the image sensor's native resolution. This allows our cameras to operate as efficiently as possible and store more photos to memory. With shorter load times, this also allows us to review photos at a much quicker pace. The Hyperfire 2 is not interpolated. This is a true 3 mpxl camera. We wish every company would advertise their native resolution.
Photo resolution: 3 mpxl
Video resolution: Fullscreen: 1024 x 720 (@20 fps) | Widescreen: 1028 x 576 (@20 fps)
Flash Type: Low Glow IR (Reconyx labels this no glow but we can see a very faint visible glow)
Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 0.65 mW
Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 1.2 Ws | 6.5 Ws
Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 22.6 Ws | 108.2 Ws
Here are your best battery options:
Trailcampro Choice: AmpTORRENT Rechargeable AA Lithium
If the Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Security were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 11.1 months in the field - per charge - on a set of AmpTorrent Rechargeable AA Lithium batteries.
There are a number of benefits to these batteries:
- Up to 1,200 charges
- Consistent 1.5 volt operation
- Charges with the included USB cable
- Eco-friendly (less batteries in a landfill)
- Batteries pay for themselves after 2-3 charges
Longest Lasting Choice: Energizer Ultimate Lithium
If the Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Security were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, it would last 16.6 months in the field on a set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.
Video Mode
If this camera were to take 15 day and 15 night videos every 24 hours, it would last 2.7 months in the field on a set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.
Ultimate Lithium batteries are the longest-lasting battery choice due to their incredible consistency and capacity. We've loved these batteries for a long time. However, in recent years they have become cost prohibitive and forced us to seek out a more affordable, eco-friendly option.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.20 s. | 1.0 s.
Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.24 s. | 4.6 s.
Detection Range: 80 ft
Dimensions: 5.25" x 4.5" x 3"
Battery Type: 12 AA
External Battery Jack: Special Order
SD Card Size: Up to 512GB
Case Design
The Hyperfire 2 and the Hyperfire 2 Security are identical in case design, the most durable on the market. It feels solid and well-built. The latch is oversized and easy to manipulate. The batteries slide in much easier than on the Reconyx Ultrafire cameras and the SD card is easy to insert as well. The python lock bracket is on the front of the camera, meaning the cable will lock the inside of the camera as well as the camera to the tree.
We were disappointed that the Hyperfire 2 only has one threaded insert (on the bottom) instead of having two like the old cameras. This limits the versatility of a tripod or Slate River Mount. Also, the camera has a simple LCD screen for settings but lacks the internal viewer that many cameras come equipped with now.
Without a doubt, the case design on the Hyperfire 2 is really solid but not groundbreaking. We do expect this camera to be able to work down to -20° Fahrenheit, so if that is a concern, the case design is still superior to Chinese-made cameras. However, when spending this amount of money, it would be really nice to have the bells and whistles that we see on other cameras (internal viewer and multiple 1/4" x 20 inserts).
Camera Setup
Getting the camera up and running is similar to the Hy2 with a few added features:
- Increased video length (from 10 seconds up to 90 seconds. Please note, frame rate drops significantly on Reconyx Hyperfire cameras the longer the video length is set to.)
- Programmable start/stop time
- Additional time lapse settings (5,15,30 sec, 1,5,15,30 min, 1 hour)
- SD Card loop recording
SD Card Storage Examples
With a 16 Gig SD card and the camera taking 3 mpxl photos, the HS2X could store 25,000+ pictures on the SD card.
With a 16 Gig SD card and the camera taking 1280x720 videos, the HS2X could store 750+ 10-second videos. These numbers can vary slightly but this gives you a good idea of storage ideas.
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
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 durability on Reconyx trail cameras is unmatched. These cameras are engineered and produced in Holmen, Wisconsin by some of the brightest minds in the business. On top of that, Reconyx has recently started issuing a 5-year warranty on the Hyperfire 2. This is quite the statement.
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.
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