If you’re like me, you probably see those low cost game cameras in the stores and wonder if it’s worth buying. I picked one up a while back, and intend for my Moultrie A5 game camera review to help you answer that question. The A5 is perhaps the most widely available trail cams out there. You’ve probably seen this model in your local hunting, outdoors, or tractor supply stores due to its extremely budget friendly price. You can find them in many stores for a good deal.
Contents:
Specifications
The A5 has pretty average specs, and that should not be a surprise for a camera with such a low price point. With that said, the camera should provide perfectly acceptable pictures if it works right.
- Image Sizes: 5MP, 4:3 standard aspect ratio, 640×480 Low, and 2560×1920 High
- Video: 640×480 VGA
- Trigger Speed: 1.2 seconds
- Recovery Speed: 60 seconds
- Detection Range: Up to 40 feet
- Flash Range: Up to 50 feet
- SD Card: Supports up to 32GB Cards
- Output: USB 2.0 Port
- Batteries: 4x C cells (Not Included)
- Modes: Infrared, Motion Detection, VGA Video
- Camera Size: 7in x 6in x 3in
- Info Bar: Time, Date, Moon Phase, Camera ID
- Software: None Included
- Warranty: 1 year by Manufacturer
Unboxing
The Moultrie A5 comes in a nice white box, just like its big brother the Moultrie M-880. on the back of the box, you’ll see a colorful photo of the keypad and LCD screen, as well as a day and night shot of some deer. Inside the box, I found a tree mount strap, an instruction manual, and a nice Moultrie decal as a bonus.
Fit and Finish
The first thing you will notice about the A5 camera, is how big and bulky it is. It doesn’t really matter once it’s strapped to a tree or fence post, but if you are looking for something more discreet, you may want to buy a camera like the Browning Recon Force instead.
Despite the size issue, this camera is constructed rather well. The housing is sturdy, and instead of smooth plastic, the outside sports a rough tree like texture. The hinge and buckles give off a satisfying ‘snap’ when the cover is closed. I do wish the gasket was a little more robust to keep moisture out, but I’m sure it will get the job done. I’m not very confident in the long term durability of the plastic buckle on the strap, but if you move up to the M-880, you’ll get a metal version.
Camera Features and Setup
As you might expect for a budget hunting camera, the A5 has just the basic features and setup controls. To setup the camera for use, you need to use the three sliding selector buttons on the left side. The first slider has the option, IRAIM, SETUP, and AUTO. IRAIM allows you to test the alignment of your IR sensor, so that you can record in your intended direction. The SETUP selection allows you to change the internal settings of the camera. When you move the selector to AUTO, you are ready to leave the camera in the field to record. The second selector sets your picture delay to either 1, 5, 30, or 60 minutes. the last selector is where you choose between Video mode, and High or Low picture resolution.
Image and Video Quality
The image quality is pretty standard for a low cost game cam. Daytime images are average quality because the image sensor is not as powerful as higher end cameras. If you are not trying to win a photography contest, and just want to capture game movements on your land, then the A5 might work fine for you. One bonus going in favor of this camera, is that it has a very nice battery life. The 4x C cells will power the unit for months.
Accessories
This Moultrie hunting cam is compatible with all the usual game cam accessories. It has a ¼-20 threaded boss on the bottom to mount to gimbal brackets. On the back housing, it has a hook for a padlock, and loops to thread in a Python security cable.
The Verdict
So should you spend your cash on this budget camera? I don’t want to tell you yes or no without knowing exactly what you intend to do with the camera. The important thing is to know what your needs and expectations are before buying this game camera or making another camera choice.
If you want better images, I would still recommend the Browning Force Recon and Moultrie M880 over the A5. If you really just want to record game movements on a food plot, and don’t care that much about stellar image quality, then the Moultrie A5 just might be the bargain for you.
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