Tactacam Defend Security Camera Review

The Tactacam Defend camera is a great unit to use for security. This is great for businesses, properties, and homes. You can view photos from anywhere at anytime and you don't have to have WiFi. - TCP Staff

Model # DFD-GRD01 | Tactacam Defend Manual

Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:

 85/100

Tactacam Defend Security Camera (Cellular Trail Cam) Review

 Pros

• Great battery life
• Internal Storage
• Great picture
• View your photos anywhere and don't need WiFi
• You can turn off the motion detection
• Photos are logged into a calendar
• Can use on Reveal app or Defend app
• PIR Sensitivity adjustment
• Internal storage or SD card Storage
• Motion Schedule

 Cons

• The design doesn't work great with some other mounts
• Transmits photos to cloud before the camera takes another photo
• No delay option in app
• Red Glow

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.  To put things in perspective, the trail camera widely considered to be the "Gold Standard" and used by more professional researchers than any other unit is just 3 megapixels.

Picture Quality:  89/100

Photo resolution:   4K (interpolated)

Video resolution:  Up to 1080p, 30 FPS

Picture Format: .jpg

Video Format: .mp4

Flash Type: Red Glow

Battery Life:    80/100

Picture & Video Resting Power (on):  2.21 mW

Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption:  22.9 Ws  |  25.8 Ws

Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption:   n/a  |   n/a

Here are your best battery options:

Trailcampro Choice: AmpTORRENT Rechargeable AA Lithium

If the Defend were to take 15-day and 15-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 4.7 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 Defend by Tactacam were to take 15-day and 15-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 7.1 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. 

Detection Circuit:     80/100

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed:  0.40 s.  |  16.0 s.

Video Trigger & Recovery Speed:    n/a  |   n/a

Detection Range & Angle:  70 ft @ n/a° detection angle (58.4° f.o.v.)

Quality of Design:     89/100

Dimensions:  6" x 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"

Battery Type:   12 AA

External Battery Jack: 12-volt

SD Card Size: Class 10, U3, 16-32GB (SanDisk, Tactacam, Lexar) or 8GB internal storage

Country of Origin: Vietnam

Case Design

 The Defend by Tactacam is going to look more like a security camera rather than a trail camera. It is a very sturdy and solid unit. The camera will come with its own bracket that will allow you to turn the camera. The bracket has 4 holes that allow you to screw the camera in (included). On the back, the camera has a 1/4 by 20 allowing other mounting units for the camera. There is a cover on the backside for all buttons and another tab under the cover that allows access to the 12 batteries. The Antenna is well made, but the placement can make it hard to mount the unit if you use a different mount. The unit has a cover over the lens and PIR allowing the camera to stay more dry and covered from the Sun. All in all, this camera is great to put on a buildings or properties to watch over.

 Camera Setup

1. Install a Class 10 U3 SD card, 16GB or 32GB) (Optional)

2. Install 12 AA batteries or Reveal Lithium Cartridge

3. Download the Defend app to your phone and create an account

 4. Follow screen prompts to set up a data plan

5. Scan your Defend camera QR code to activate and connect

6. Place your Defend camera in its monitoring location

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. 2024, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Back to Top of Page

Read Reviews From All the Game and Trail Cameras