Campark TC22 4K Trail Camera Review

Campark TC22 4K Trail Camera Review
https://youtu.be/jJFTovKNy3A

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https://www.campark.net/products/tc22-4k-trail-camera-wifi-dual-lens-solar-power?_pos=1&_sid=c1bfa568d&_ss=r

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So what is a trail camera? A trail camera is a camera that is designed to operate unattended outdoors and to automatically capture pictures or video of anything that triggers the built-in motion detector. They are mainly used to monitor wildlife activity but could be used for security purposes also.

This new top of the range camera from Campark , they have about 25 trail cameras available, arrived packed in an attractive mid-market product box inside of which was the camera itself, two tree mount straps, data cable, and a User Guide. Although the camera itself is made of plastic and is rather lightweight (which is perhaps no drawback) build quality seems excellent. The User Guide is a good size, well printed, and easy to read.

The IP66 water-resistant camera uses two built-in rechargeable 18650 batteries with a capacity of 4400mAh. Take note that if used intensively the batteries will run down in just a few days but in normal use should last well with Campark claiming a standby life of up to 12 months. The batteries can be charged using the grommet protected USB-C port on the base of the camera (the internal USB-C port is for data only and will not charge the batteries). The camera also has a large solar panel on the top and this will help to keep the battery topped up. From being fully depleted the camera will automatically detect and begin working from solar charging when it has returned to a usable battery level.

On the front of the device are the two lenses (one for night and the other for day), a light sensor, front and side motion sensors, 850nm night vision infrared LED panel. On the side are clips to secure the front flap which opens out to give access to the colour LCD monitor and control buttons. Inside the door flap is the full-size SD card slot (Class 10 U3 or better), with the USB-C data port for computer connection port and camera reset pinhole. Inside the door flap below the 2.4" 320 x 240 colour LCD screen are an array of buttons for track navigation, menu, mode selection, camera selection, wifi on/off, replay, shot taking and OK. The buttons are a good size and reasonably easy to find and use outside at night. Below them is a turret switch to set the device to OFF/SETUP/On. On the camera base is the metal screw hole for a tripod and the USB-C battery charging port.

The camera is triggered by the front and side facing motion detection sensors (total angle of view 120°) has three sensitivity levels available and at 0.1 seconds the trigger delay is the fastest I have yet tried. Care must be taken also to avoid false motion sensor alerts – foliage, vehicles, etc – as this will soon flatten the battery. Although the trigger time is fast nevertheless when recording wildlife try and position the camera so the subject approaches the camera and not across it. That way the trigger has time to fire and you will see the subject head-on and not get a picture of its rear end as it leaves the frame! motion

Although there are plenty of refinements and fine-tuning that can be made, the camera can be up and running very quickly with the default settings. After fully charging the batteries and removing the gels covering the lens, sensors and screen, insert the full sized SD card and set the turret slider to SETUP. You will be prompted to format the SD card and you can now set the image and video resolutions, video recording lengths and other parameters such as time stamping, schedule timer etc. One particularly useful feature is that you do not have to choose between Video or Stills as you can set it to record both at once.

Like some other high-end trail cameras I have tried this one offers a wifi connection to the camera. This uses Bluetooth to automatically detect your phone and when prompted by the Wildlife Cam app it turns on a Wi-Fi hotspot inside the camera which your phone can then connect to. This is more useful than it might seem as it allows you to configure the camera settings remotely and without needing to handle the camera. You can also directly take stills and videos and access existing recordings. Take note that this is a hotspot only app and you cannot control the camera over the internet.

I was pleased and not a little surprised by the photo and video quality, too often trail cameras fall down here by using cheap hardware to save production costs, but not so here. Image quality is excellent for both Video and stills at up to 60MP with genuinely high quality 4K video at 30fps. Thanks to the Sony IMX458 sensor and 6-layer high-quality glass wide-angle lens this camera has given the best results I have got from a trail cam.

This camera can be great fun if you have a big garden and wonder what goes on there when you are away. Both for features and image quality this is by far the best trail cam I have ever used and sets the benchmark for others. Priced at $179.99 before discounts this is the most expensive trail cam I have yet tried but the high-quality results and ease of use make it well worth the money

The Good
4K@ 30fps video quality
Fast 0.1-sec Trigger
Great image quality
Good build quality
Wifi App Control
Simultaneous stills and video option
Scheduling
Solar Panel/USB Rechargeable Battery
Audio recording option
IP66 Water/Dustproof
Loop Recording

The Bad
Heavy Battery Drain When Used Intensively
No Standard Mount Included
Expensive

Music: YouTube Audio Library: Beckoning - Telecasted