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Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Camera Review
Model #HF2X | HF2X Owner's Manual
The Hyperfire 2 is an excellent picture-taking low glow IR trail camera. It combines fast detection speed, with incredible battery life, and best-in-class night pictures. The video quality will disappoint you, but everything else is rock solid. -TCP Staff
Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:
88/100
Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Trail Camera Review
Pros
- Best in class night pictures
- 16+ month battery life
- Fast detection and 80 ft. detection range
- 5-Year Reconyx Warranty
Cons
- Low daytime video resolution/quality
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)
Day pictures appear identical to previous Hyperfire game trail camera models. They have realistic color and good clarity in a variety of field conditions. We have found the pictures to be very consistent and have even produced impressive "twilight" photos at times of the morning and evening when other cameras would have switched to IR (black/white) mode.
Night pictures are very clear, offer top-of-class flash range, have excellent contrast, and stop motion as well as any camera we've seen. Overall, these are the best low glow IR pictures on the market.
Daytime video quality is disappointing when compared to Ultrafire models. When Reconyx first introduced the XR6 many TV shows immediately began incorporating footage with no perceivable loss of quality. This won't be possible with daytime video from the HF2. The frame rate is just 20 frames per second and videos can be jerky and sometimes hard to watch. The resolution is low and the clarity just isn't what we were expecting. However, night video quality is really good with strong illumination and contrast. The camera also does a great job of not overexposing close objects.
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 Reconyx HF2X Hyperfire 2 trail 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.
However, the Reconyx HF2X Hyperfire 2 trail camera is not interpolated. This is a true 3 mpxl camera. We wish every company would advertise their native resolution and not fall into making up marketing tricks.
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
Please note, our overall battery rating takes the weight of both IR picture and video life and averages them together.
Picture Mode
If this camera were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, the Hyperfire 2 would last 16.6* months in the field on a set of 12 AA Lithium Batteries.
* We incorrectly had the battery life at a much higher rate until we found a mistake in our data. It is now corrected and accurate. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Video Mode
If the HF2X Hyperfire 2 Covert IR Camera were to take 15-day and 15-night videos (10-second videos) every 24 hours, it would last 2.7 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries. This is very good video life.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.20 s. / 1.0 s.
Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.24 s. / 4.6 s.
Detection Range: 80 ft. (maximum)
Detecting critters shouldn't be an issue for the Hyperfire 2. Trigger speed in both modes is excellent and recovery times are very good as well.
The Hyperfire 2 detected out to 80 ft., making it an above average detection range. Overall, the detection circuit is outstanding.
Dimensions: 5.25" x 4.5" 3"
Battery Type: 12 AA Batteries
External Battery Jack: None
SD Card Size: Up to 512GB
Case Design
The Hyperfire 2 has a fairly standard case design. 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 thereby not only locking the camera to the tree but also preventing access to the internal controls and memory card.
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
It's easy, simple, and arms in seconds. While the standard Hyperfire 2 does not offer programmable start/stop times during specific hours of the day, it does allow the user to select day, night, or both day & night operational periods. Another upgrade is the ability to use SD cards up to 512 Gigs.
SD Card Storage Examples
With a 16 Gig SD card and the camera taking 3 mpxl photos, the Hyperfire 2 could store 25,641 pictures on the SD card.
With a 16 Gig SD card and the camera taking 1280x720 videos, the Hyperfire 2 could store 747 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.
If an issue were to arise, we will update this review accordingly.
The Hyperfire 2 is an excellent picture-taking low glow IR trail camera. It combines fast detection speed, with long battery life, and best-in-class night pictures. The video quality will disappoint you, but everything else is rock solid.
Enjoy our reviews? Please consider purchasing your next trail camera from us.
FAQ's: Reconyx Hyperfire 2 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.
- 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 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 low glow game trail camera, meaning it has a very faint red glow when taking pictures or videos at night. Humans and animals can see this if looking at the camera. This does not "light up" the woods, though.
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.
Read Reviews From All the Game and Trail Cameras
Trailcampro's 2 Year Warranty | 90 day Return Policy
Trailcampro 90 Day Return | 2 Year Exclusive Warranty Details
If you purchased your trail camera from us (Trailcampro.com), here are the following warranty stipulations. If you purchased from another retailer, we recommend contacting that retailer or the manufacturer of that product for their warranty details.
If You Purchase From Trailcampro.com
We attempted to make our return policy and 2-year exclusive warranty as simple as possible. However, there are a few stipulations.
90 Day Returns
You may return or exchange anything purchased from Trailcampro for a full 90 days from the date of purchase. Please use the items as you normally would and much as you like subject to the rules below.
Our return policy lets you field test products, at no risk to you!
- Buyer's remorse? Return the camera to us for a full refund (minus shipping).
- Purchased the wrong camera? We will ship you the right camera.
- Something wrong with the camera you received? We will replace it at no cost to you.
90 Day Return Policy Rules:
- 90 days from date of purchase.
- In order to receive a full refund, items must be returned with their original packaging (including UPC code) and all contents
- Cameras or products must be returned in their original condition. You cannot write on the cameras, paint them or deface them in any way. This completely voids the warranty with both us and the specific manufacturer.
- If you purchased one of our "Package Deals" and only return part of the package, we will refund the items full price minus the package discount.
- Orders with quantities of 5 or more are not eligible for a refund or exchange. They are still eligible for warranty replacement.
- There are no returns on used cameras or cameras that clearly state "No Returns"
- If you are returning for a refund, you are responsible for return shipping. Your refund amount will be minus the cost of the initial shipping to you.
2 Year Warranty
We strive to make our customer experience superior to anything available. Traditional warranties only last a year and must be processed directly through the manufacturer. This process usually involves frustrating minutes on hold with call centers and oftentimes weeks, if not months of down time waiting for your replacement product. We process our warranties in-house and expedite the replacement process. When you call Trailcampro you'll speak directly with an expert who will immediately identify the problem and offer a solution.
2 Year Exclusive Warranty Details:
- Warranty starts from the time of purchase and continues for a full 2 years.
- Replacement cameras receive the remainder of the 2-year warranty leftover from the original purchase.
- Warranty is only valid for full retail priced orders (quantity discounts void our 2-year warranty). Discounted items still receive the manufacturer warranty. Price matches void the 2-year warranty as well.
- If your defective camera has been discontinued, we will exchange it for a similarly priced item to your liking.
- If you have a 3G cellular trail camera, it is not considered manufacturer defect if you lose 3G reception in your area.
- Used cameras do not apply for our 2-year warranty
- Cameras cannot be marked on, damaged, or defaced in any way. Warranty is for manufacturer defect only. Defect does not include damage, whether intentional or not.
If you have any questions that were not answered here please feel free to contact us.
To warranty a camera please use the form below. Upon receipt of an RMA number, you will need to ship the camera back to us. You will be responsible for the shipping charges of the defective camera back to us. We will ship the replacement back to you for free.
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