Hi Stephanie. 

We work with a lot of different camera traps as part of the Boombox Project. Up until about 4 years ago, I would say that Reconyx seemed to be very popular with the researchers we work with, many of whom run camera trap networks from 10 to more than 50 devices. These days, we see a lot of Browning camera traps and probably the most popular is the Browning Spec Ops followed by Browning Recon Force. Incidentally, the image quality between the two of them are the same, and I think the only difference I know of other than enclosure, is that the infrared LEDs have a faint red glow on the Recon Force. Also we have no affiliation with any trailcam company.

In regards to your questions:

• Cost/is the technology you used worth the price?

Brownings are on the intermediate end from $150-$225 USD. Reconyx is definitely on the high end at $450 USD, but image quality is generally lower than Browning. There are some no-name Chinese brands that have good image quality at reasonable prices. We are still looking into these. If this is for your doctoral research and you have the budget, Browning might be the least risky way to go. 

• How do they perform in the following categories: battery life, trigger reliability, durability, and night image quality?

For battery life, we've heard researchers having their trailcams out for one full season (3 months) attached to Boombox. The trailcams and Boombox were functioning throughout the season, and especially in the colder areas of Japan. So I could say that a battery life of a few months should be expected. This really depends on the trigger frequency though and we recommend checking the camera traps more often to avoid losing data. 

For trigger reliability, I'd say most camera traps use essentially the same PIR motion sensor from the same company and similar processing circuitry. This means I don't think you'll find a huge amount of difference in motion triggering between brand name camera traps like Browning, Bushnell, etc. 

For durability, we still hear a lot of good reviews of Reconyx. They also have a generous warranty policy. Most of the people we talk to say the Reconyx are extremely durable. 

For night image quality, I would say that Browning has very good overall image quality which also means you get very detailed night videos as well. 

• Something durable around non-human primates

Hmmmm. Primates are tricky because they are so smart. We often get cables yanked out by monkeys and if things aren't fastened well, they will get stolen by them. I would say that similar precautions would be needed for humans as for monkeys. Have the cameras fastened well (maybe a lock is not needed with monkeys though). Try to camouflage them and make them unintrusive. The Browning Spec Ops is probably better for this application since the LEDs are no glow and won't be seen by primates at night (assuming their vision is similar to human vision). 

Hope this helps.

Akiba

FreakLabs

Boombox Project

I agree with Akiba @Freaklabs 

In our experience with a few Reconyx cameras and dozens of Browning ReconForce/SpecOps models (of various vintages).

The durability and reliability of the Reconyx cameras is somewhat better, but they are also much more expensive, are not as battery-efficient as the Browning ReconForce/SpecOps models.  

In short, you can buy 3 times as many Browning cameras for the same price as a fleet of Reconxy cameras.  I’d expect up to 5 percent of the Browning’s to fail over 3 years, but with 3 times as many cameras, you get nearly 3x the data.  

("common" problems with Browning cameras include water incursion in very wet and humid environments, mitigated, in our experience, by putting them in security boxes which deflect water; lens blurriness over time in some units, probably associated with UV damage)

Browning SpecOps/ReconForce between the Advantage and Elite-HP5 (but not the new Elite-HP5 Ultra) all used the same SOC and very similar SONY sensors, and take about 15 hours of daylight FHD video on a set of EUL Lithium Metal batteries.  Expect about half this for all night time videos due to flash. 

Image quality for these cameras is excellent, especially in capturing movement at 60 FPS.   For our work, we’d rather have FHD resolution at 60 FPS vs. QHD (or even 4K) at 30FPS or slower.   

Alas, these models are no longer available new  

Both Browning and Reconyx have upgraded their product line recently to go after the (even higher) resolution market. I haven’t looked at the most recent Reconyx model, but the Browning HP5-Ultra has a few quirks, which you can read about here: 

https://winterberrywildlife.ouroneacrefarm.com/2026/03/07/browning-elite-hp5-ultra-trail-camera-review-and-teardown/

The HP5-Utra’s claim to fame is QHD video at 60 FPS, at a cost of about 25% higher power (ie. close to 12 hours of video capacity for set of new EULs).  It does have a FHD mode, which offers better battery life than previous models, but it only runs at 30 FPS.  Finally, with a new Sony sensor, and a new SOC, the video quality ought to be better than it is.  Browning has released new firmware to address this, and rumor has it that they are testing a second, more comprehensive firmware fix for image quality and possibly other issues.  

The Browing cameras use a 3 detection zone architecture which you can read about here: 

https://winterberrywildlife.ouroneacrefarm.com/2022/08/01/deep-tech-trail-camera-detection-zones/

Hard to tell whether this will be better or worse than other cameras for your application.  Browning is one of the few camera makers that sells replacement Fresnel lens’s for the PIR sensors.  These can sometimes become targets for woodpeckers (in our area), and maybe monkeys in yours?   

As noted, you can go even further “generic”, for example with the GardePro A60.  I’m working on a technical review for this inexpensive camera.  Bottom line, not quite as rugged, and not quite the image quality the image quality of the Brownings, but less expensive.   For us, slightly higher cost  for improved image quality and increased ruggedness make the Browning cameras a better choice.  But if the A60 is "good enough" for your application, you can get even more cameras and data.   

Monkeys!   We always put our cameras in locked security boxes.  Per above, this seems to help deal with moisture, prevents curious animals (for us mostly bears and elk) from wrecking the camera, and discourages opportunistic theft of camera or SD card by homo sapiens.  Operationally, if you are running cameras in the same site for multiple check sequences, a somewhat permanently attached security box (e.g. screwed into a tree or post) makes camera service much easier – you just remove the lock, pop out the camera, check it, and pop it back in.  No need to recheck the aiming of the camera.  

Hi.

I would just generally share the camera trap types based on the projects we are doing here at the Maasai Mara, Kenya.

I would highly recommend Browning Trail cameras especially the strikeforce. Quite cheap, easy to maintain and had very high quality images. 

For small mammals, Browning cameras when set with high sensitivity would have a wonderful capture of the small mammals both day and night, with low near infrared light which doesn't easily scares off two animals.

For batteries, it is easier to work with the rechargeable batteries which really function well with Browning Trail cameras and this would help save a fortune on the project costs.

I am in North America where I work at a Nature Center using Camera Traps to document the local mammals and birds. The Brand we have used for the last three years are GardePro Trail Cameras. These are very affordable and has of yet we have not had any camera failures. All are still working. Detection is very good, has are the night and day videos. We have not had any leak. One very nice feature of these cameras is they are very power effiecent and can go months on good batteries. For close up videos we use duct tape over the to cut down the night flash. All GardePro cameras use dark flash and do not produce any kind of light or glow. They do produce a red light when the cameras is contacted with a Wifi Signal and it shows that the camera is waking up and it goes out when you disconnect. 

We now only use the Wifi Cameras that GardePro offer. Wifi allows us to really get the sighting of the cameras accurate, by using the Live View, in places like trees or in underbrush when we are trying to detect smaller mammals. The Wifi also allows use to check the status of the cameras without having to open them or disturb the trap set. Right now we have several mounted on posts in a beaver pond and it is very nice to be able just walk the shore and check the cameras without having to wade in to see if the batteries and SD cards are still working. If needed the settings on the camera can be changed using the GardePro App, also without having to open the camera. The Wifi signal reaches about 5 to 6 meters. 

The Models we like the best are 

E6, WIFI, This model require 8 Double AA batteries. We Use Dracutum rechargeable batteries. This brand has worked better than any other we have tried. When on sale at Amazon in the United States GardePro E6 sell for 50 US Dollars. But, even when not on sale they are under 75 US Dollars. This is and older model but very reliable. 

E8, Wifi, This model comes in a couple of sub models. One version is powered by 8 Double AA batteries. but you can also get this camera with a single rechargable battery that can be kept powered up with a solar panel. Make sure which you one you want to use. The single rechargeable battery model only works with that single battery.  You can buy this has a kit of camera, battery, and solar panel for about 120 US Dollars. This might be the better option if you are in a remote location. The battery is removable and you can switch them out with a fresh rechargeable battery and you can buy extra batteries. The camera runs very well and for a good while on that single rechargable battery. 

I have no experience with nonhuman primates, but the GardePro cameras do come with a latch and lock system were a small padlock or zip tie can be used to keep the cameras from being opened. We have only had one camera get chewed on by and animal and it still works. If used with the solar panel which is mounted separate, that might be awfully tempting for primates to explore and destroy. We only use cameras with solar panels when the camera is mounted in a tree and the wire between the solar panel and the camera can be protected by running it through a pvc pipe. Squirrels find the wire something interesting to chew on. But the cameras work very well without a solar panel and we just switch in a new battery every couple of months. 

Hope this helps.