I bought my first cell cam a while back, the tactacam reveal 2, and loaded it with 12 alkaline batteries. Just over three weeks out at the lease and it is dead. Is this normal? What settings can I adjust to increase battery life? I’m in Colorado right now and have to drive past the lease to get home so I think I’m going to just replace the batteries for now, but I guess I’m going to have to invest in the tactacam solar panel and maybe their lithium battery pack. Anybody have experience with these?
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Either set your pics to send only once or twice a day, reduce the flash range and increase the delay between the pics… or, get a solar panel and be done with batteries. I’d go with the latter, it’s been great for us so far. -
Guy on my lease has the tacticam with the solar pact. Seems to work well. I'm looking to get to get another cell cam. Looking at the tacticam as well as others.Comment
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How many pics did you get? I only use energizer lithium in all my cams that dont have solar or are a long ways from me.
I run lots of these exact cams. Most have the solar but Im currently testing some cheaper lithium battery packs that I got off amazon for 1/3 of the price of the tactacam lithium pack. I use these for areas with not much sunlight in Colorado. As of yesterday, they have taken 4k pics in 2 weeks. I have three test cams running in my house. So far im impressed
Also, if they are gonna be a long way from you, and you decide to go solar, get the armored cables.Comment
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I’m new to the tactacam, I don’t see where it says how many images I have, but I’m sure it’s under 4,000. I’d guess it’s probably around 2000 or a little more. I get plenty of west Texas sun where I’m at so I think I’m going to invest in the solar panel, I’m just not sure if I want to purchase the battery pack to go with it… I probably should but I’m a kind of a cheapskate.Originally posted by RutnBuk View PostComment
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I'm getting middle to end of September to Christmas, then till they shed on Amazon batteries. I tried the wildlife innovations panel and it sucks
3 pics then 7 or 8 minute delay, somewhere in the middle on flash. Same results on 2 revealsComment
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New Tactacam user here.
My first experience was in 2017 with Spypoints. All 4 were thrown away. Didn’t touch a cell camera until 3 weeks ago.
ordered (2) Reveal SK.
already returned (1) unopened box, the other is in the field on a feeder.
Im almost satisfied.
The SK is not what I would recommend for a feeder or feed pen. While it is attractive with the included Litho battery pack, and solar panel attachment, tree bracket and dual antennas, I quickly realized it would not support the amount of desired pictures and maintain battery level for my application(an active feeder).
SK have solar panels (w\o batteries) and are only rated for approx 3,000 photos per month whilst being able to maintain a charge (trickle charge to the lipo battery pack) That averages out to approx 100 photos per day. A user can be satisfied with that amount of photos per day, but settings would need to be set limiting its delay, night mode, and transmittal. Thus, limiting the ability of the user to that time frame upon replacing batteries. Mine is currently at 40% battery life, in 3 weeks. It has been on high demand settings. I have noticed longevity increase as I’ve toned down my settings.
I kept (1) SK to continue testing its ability but opted to return the other SK.
I have already ordered (2) X-Pros ( just have no glow, compared to GEN X 2.0 with Low glow) I’ve heard both of these are great.
The Tactacam Solar panel with built in lipo batteries is a must for $60. I agree on the Armor cable.
I will be mounting cameras to a 2’ section of 1”x6”. Wiring camera to board, screw in solar panel bracket, and protect wire within PVC hose secured by U-shape hose clamps screwed to board. Plan to drill holes in board for wiring board securely to T-post…
Additionally, I will likely secure antenna with more holes in board and wire the antenna securely against the board. I have already had 1 antenna broke off by either coons or cattle.
Thus far I am impressed at the technology I have been denying myself, just doing my own fine tuning.
I watched a few YouTube videos comparing the Tactacam cameras. I found that very informative.Last edited by Mr. Public; 06-26-2024, 11:19 PM.Comment
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I’ve got 3, all with energizer lithium batteries and that’s the only batteries I will run with em.. I’ve got one camera set on default settings and have gotten 10k+ pics before batteries ran out. 2 of them are on their 2nd year and still show full.
but here’s the caveat with lithium. They will run at 100% until they die. They can be at 100% 1 day and dead the next. Not like the consistent decrease from alkaline.Comment
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I can’t stress enough for you to get a solar panel with a built in battery. They literally pay for themselves. You don’t ever have to put batteries inside your camera. I’ve been using Tactacam cameras since they hit the market and a couple have taken around 100,000 pics and never had a battery inside them.Comment
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I was getting 3-4 weeks while sending lots of pictures. I now have the Tacticam solar panels on all of them and they run year around. I haven’t done the math but I bet the cost of batteries for one year will pay for the solar panel.Comment
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Are you folks running the cams where they send the pic after every detection or are they set just to send pics at certain time intervals??Comment
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This will keep your battery 100% and pay for itself if the spot has sun exposure. Mine has been 100% battery for 6 months and sends pics all day.
Attached FilesComment
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Tactacam and t mate set upAttached FilesComment
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doesn't even take full sun exposure, I have one that is over 50% shaded that stays 100% sending pics after every detection.Originally posted by James View PostComment
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