11 replies to this topic

[Caleb]

Hey all,

I just purchased a Moultrie Game Spy D40 Digital Trail Camera off of ebay and would like to know if anyone here is using this camera, what you're opinions are of them and maybe see some examples of the picture quality.

Here are the specs:

-4.0 Mega pixels
-Rapid response time captures moving game
-60-day battery life
-45-ft white flash ensures optimal, viewable shots
-Color day and night pictures
-Video clips during the day
-Imprint time, date and camera ID on every photo or video
-Laser and IR aim for quick and precise camera set-up
-Multi-shot pictures (up to 3 shots)
-Weather-resistant, airtight camera housing and seal
-Operates on 6 D-cell batteries (sold separately)
-Easy to operate LCD menu driven display



Thanks in advance for your reviews.
Caleb

[Darcy]

I've got two of them, had one set up for about a week and lost access to that area (road issues), so they are both just collecting dust, although I may get one set up later this week. With some masking tape and some leaves and two different colours of spray paint, I did them both up in camo. The only shot I have is this one here....



Gives you an idea of the pics it takes...doesn't do much to improve my looks.

[Murph]

I bought one of these cameras from Cabela's in the fall of 2008 although mine had the Camo case. I was initially very impressed with the pictures as it wasn't an overly expensive camera and I just wanted to be able to see what was there. However I started to notice the night time pictures had a reddish hue to them. I wasn't overly concerned but then the flash quit and it would not take any pictures at night! I sent it back to Cabela's and they sent me another one of the exact same model back and I have been using it and been very happy with it ever since. Again, it won't take the sharpest pictures in the world but for the price it is well worth it. Day and night pictures are pretty clear and certainly good enough to see what is roaming around your trails!

Here's a pic with what I called the "reddish hue" in the background of the first camera.




And here is a night time pic from the second camera without such a reddish hue.




Day time pic.





Since the first one of these I had basically quit I have been using the one I got in return for about a year and a half now and have not had any serious problems. It's easy to set up, take good pics (about 2,000 on the one I have now), and has not had any leakage as far as rain goes, the case is rock solid.

The only minor problems (again, nothing major) that I've noticed is that when it gets cold in the fall I get a black blank about once every 100 pics (see below). I've also noticed that it's important to keep it pointed out of the sun or it will take lots of pics of shadows and such. One more thing I've noticed is that when the battery life gets down to around 55% or lower there seems to be an extra second delay in taking pics.

Black blank





Overall I would buy another one of these cameras for sure (and probably will before the summer is out) and all things considered give it a solid A-.

[Caleb]

thanks for your opinions guys. Looks to me like it may be a good investment as I don't have one now, am not entirely sure of how many and what are active around my stand and what times they are coming.

Murph, your reply raises another question. What direction is everyone finding is the best to point a camera to reduce the chance of sunglar and overexposure?

[deadeyes]

make sure the camera is pointed north or as close to due north as you can to prevent effects from the sun.you can mount it to the tree about 5 feet off the ground and put a stick behind the top of camera to point it down as well.

[caper]

moultrie has reconditioned I40's on now for $119.00 with a 1g sd card and a 1 year warranty.I have mine out for 3 years straight and got thousands of pics.The battery life is awesome.The only problem I had is the digital display is hardly viewable.I emailed moultrie and they are going to send me one free of charge.

http://www.moultrief...-dgs-i40-refurb

[Halftail]

Murph,
I've had a couple of these cameras.The fiorst one worked like a charm for a couple of years them the flash quit.That one took good pics day and night.The one i have now don't seem to have as strong of a flash and like you takes a Black pic once every so often.That's weird,thought might have just been mine.Overall it;s work the 100 or so bucks.

[IBVFD]

I have one of these cameras with one major issue.

The flash broke, the part that flashed came out and it does not flash anymore, Does anyone know where I can get this fixed in the Truro Halifax area. PM me thx with details.

Other than that I took some nice pics with that reddish hue but I didnt mind it

[willy]

Ive had 2 of these and to me they are garbage. On both cameras the flash has quit
working. the camera still stamps the time and dates but picture is black.
I bought a bushnell trophy last fall and like it alot,good pics,really really good batery life,
and easy to set up.

[Caleb]

Well, I finally got the camera out in the woods and right away am having problems with it. Instead of going to sleep or standby mode it completely shuts off. I've tried everything and contacted the company about sending it in to be repaired but have still not heard back. Nothing like a sour first experience to almost ruin your opinion of a product.

[noluck]

I've got two of them, had one set up for about a week and lost access to that area (road issues), so they are both just collecting dust, although I may get one set up later this week. With some masking tape and some leaves and two different colours of spray paint, I did them both up in camo. The only shot I have is this one here....



Gives you an idea of the pics it takes...doesn't do much to improve my looks.

God, how many pics do I have like that? That 'eehhhh, what the hay does that say.....hhhmmmmm 4pics or 40? Jeeze did I set this right?? HHHHMMMMM lord!'

[noluck]

Caleb, I bought 2 trailcams from ebay. Both said they were new, but the both had an 'R' melted into the inside covers so I believe they were rebuilds. The one was a wildview 0.4 but took very nice pics for 3 years and was good on batteries until it just stopped. The other turned out to be a 35mm trail camera and it took a full roll of film but would rewind and then I accidentally popped the cover off and overexposed all the pics, got mad and drove it in the bushes. I went back about a month later and picked it up, it is in the basement somewhere. So then I got a moultrie that I ordered direct from them. It was on sale for $70usd, by the time it got here it cost about $120cad. It takes awesome pics day and night, but as soon as it get cold it devours batteries and these are the large latern batteries at $10 a pop.