Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow trail camera review
Digital Camera World Verdict
Straightforward-in-use, the dual sensors of the tree bark camouflaged Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow trail camera, variously optimized for day and night capture, provide a best of both worlds approach. With settings tweaked via a tiny LCD screen, curious observers can remotely capture up to 4k video or 32 megapixel stills of skittish wildlife without having to be in the vicinity at the time.
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Cons
- –
Trial and error and a period of familiarity required to achieve usable results
- –
6x AA batteries and memory card required for use
- –
No GPS functionality
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Want to get closer to nature, yet from the comfort, safety and warmth of your own home? We’re all aware of surveillance cameras, as a feature of everyday existence. Well, a ‘trail camera’ is a surveillance camera and more – its built-in sensors detecting movement and automatically triggering the taking of a photograph or recording of a video sequence when any subject approaches – which means the user doesn’t need to be anywhere in the vicinity at the time the images are being taken. In fact, as trail cameras are used to keep watch on and track skittish wildlife, the best results are going to be achievable when there’s no human around to disturb proceedings.
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Though the brand is best known for binoculars, the Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow is one of a number of trail camera or ‘trail cam’ options produced by the manufacturer. It distinguishes itself from the pack, however, by featuring two sensors rather the usual one – the thinking being that with one sensor optimized for daylight capture and the other for nighttime capture, best results will be achievable around the clock. Well that’s the theory; how do things pan out in practice?
- Bushnell Core DS-4K 32MP No Glow Trail Camera at Amazon for $199.
99
99Key features
A built-in 1.5″ color viewing screen allows you to check framing as you set up, and to review footage in the field (Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)
With a hard plastic exterior and camouflage print festooned fascia, the Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow is very obviously a camera built for use in the great outdoors rather than in studio. Its moldy tree bark-like exterior signifies it’s designed to either be strapped unobtrusively to a tree trunk or tripod mounted and left out in the wild, to be trigged by the approach or proximity of wildlife, and left to cope self-sufficiently with varying weathers and lighting conditions. Its ‘no glow’ suffix signifies that it features a non-glowing LED light, so it won’t spook wildlife, particularly at night.
Offering a decent 120ft detection range, this particular trail camera sets itself apart from the pack by featuring an additional sensor over its competitors for both day and nighttime use.
Its other headline features include 4K resolution video and a 32 megapixel image resolution, which is a step up from the 30MP resolution of the nearest comparable model in Bushnell’s range.
It also beats most others that tend to offer a 32GB capacity by virtue of allowing use of a generous 512GB SD card, removable media onto which said footage and images are stored. For the purposes of set up, it’s also suggested that for optimum results, the trail camera should be placed 16-17ft away from whichever position is being monitored.
The rivals
There are a bunch of competing trail cameras that serve the same function, though obviously core features such as resolution, range and functionality differ. The Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow trail camera distinguishes itself by featuring a class leading video resolution as indicated in its model name, plus a relatively speedy 0.15 second trigger response, which provides a further draw alongside its day and night optimized twin sensors.
We should take care, however, when making our purchase selection, as there’s a near identically named Bushnell trail camera retailing at slightly less, but offering a lower 30MP and just the one sensor, as opposed to this one’s 32MP resolution and twin sensors. We think the extra is worth paying for.
Alternative manufacturers’ options worth looking at if you don’t want to spend a premium outlay include the Spypoint Force 20. This one offers a slightly lower specification, including 70ft detection range, 1080×720 pixels video clips and a SD storage capacity of a ‘mere’ 32GB. Also look at the GardePro E6 No Glow trail camera, which comes with its own phone app for remote operation and is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. On the flip side it ‘only’ offers a 24MP stills resolution and 1080P video at 30fs, rather than the 4K boasted by the Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow.
Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow: Handling
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)
The size of a house brick, although weighing less, even with the 6xAAs required for power inserted, we’ll need to make sure the Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow trail camera is securely and tightly fastened wherever we choose to place it for our remote observation and recording.
The Chinese-made device feels obviously plastic-y when gripped in the palm, yet with little if any flex to the body. With a weatherproof exterior, we’d wager the build is robust enough to withstand the odd knock and accidental dislodge from whichever perch we’ve placed it on. We wouldn’t, however, want to try standing on it.
As users, we’re invited to exert control over the camera via a control panel that will be familiar to anyone who has operated a compact digital camera before. This comes complete with a tiny 1.5-inch LCD screen barely bigger than an actual memory card, via which we can affect and check our selections.
Built-in 1/4″-20 threaded mount enables connection to a tripod or tree mount (Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)
Once set up is complete, the operational buttons, screen and SD card slot are secreted from view and protected via an outer cover with a clamp mechanism to keep it securely shut. This ensures that any animal clambering over the camera once it’s been left in place won’t disturb our settings.
It’s worth adding that, while some competitors allow the entire inner camera module to be retrieved from the trail camera’s outer casing, here that element is fixed in place. For us that’s not an issue though, as the SD memory card required for storage can be retrieved and inserted into a card reader or laptop slot for playback, while the six AA batteries required for power slide into a tray compartment at the base of the unit. This tray is ejected, allowing batteries to be replaced, via a button on the backplate. Ambitiously, Bushnell suggests that a full set of batteries will last up to a year, max. Unsurprisingly the batteries required are an extra expense.
Performance
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)
With camera operation being automatic and remote, once media card and batteries have been inserted and settings chosen, there is a brief 10-second delay period in which we can quickly retreat from wherever we’ve set the camera up, and thereby avoid accidentally triggering its operation ourselves.
Advance set up is reasonably straightforward. A choice of presets includes Feeder, Trail, Food Plot or ‘Advanced’, the latter allowing us to opt for either photo or video capture modes, or to select a combination of both capture methods. We can also select image size, to have some control over just how much we can fit on the inserted card, plus adjust the unit’s sensitivity to detect either low level, fast moving or long-range subjects.
Basic attendant functionality includes being able to format the card in use, plus manually input latitude and longitude coordinates, if desired, which had us thinking automatic on-board GPS functionality would have come in useful. Time and date can also be set, but it favors the US convention only of month first, day second and year third.
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)
Video resolution is also selectable. We get the expected options of standard definition 1280×720 pixels, Full HD 1920×1080 pixels or up to a 4K resolution 3840×2160 pixels.
Duration of capture can be tweaked upwards or downwards, though the default duration is a 10 second clip.
As the Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow trail camera is designed to be set up and left to its own devices, we’re never quite sure what we’ll get – if anything – out of it, and so usage inevitably is a somewhat trial and error process. Still, as anyone who has watched a nature documentary that also utilizes remote filming will be aware, a large part of the appeal of trail cameras is the potential to be surprised.
Speaking from a photographic perspective, the images we got from the camera most closely resembled video grabs rather than slick or sharply defined images we might want to stick on our walls. While we weren’t expecting an equivalent SLR performance, it’s worth bearing in mind that what this one offers – remote, covert viewing – is something than an SLR can’t. So it’s very much a case of horses for courses.
Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow: Verdict
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)
With a two-year limited warranty providing some additional peace of mind, the Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow trail camera may command a slight price premium over other models in its manufacturer’s range, but overall we feel any extra is fair.
To achieve satisfying results, practice, perseverance and willingness to go through a period of trial and error is ultimately what is required.
Read more
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Bushnell Core DS-4K 32MP No Glow Trail Camera: Price Comparison
$199.99
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$199.99
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Gavin has over 30 year experience of writing about photography and television.
He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography.
He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3, BBC Focus, Empire, NME, Radio Times, MacWorld, Computer Active, What Digital Camera and Rough Guide books.
With his wealth of knowledge he is well placed to recognise great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters, cameras straps and more.
Spypoint Force-20 trail camera review
Digital Camera World Verdict
This entry level camera is a great place to start for the trail camera novice as it’s far cheaper than some of its Spypoint siblings.
The 720 HD definition clips may lack the impact of full 1080 HD but they still look fine on social media feeds. The basic LCD screen is easy to navigate when you set up the camera, then you can leave it to capture the activities of your garden’s nocturnal visitors.
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Pros
- +
Simple to set up and deploy
- +
Clear colour and monochrome footage
- +
Good value for money
Why you can trust Digital Camera World
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
From its packaging and branding the Spypoint Force-20 looks like a trail camera that’s designed specifically to let a hunter discover the habits and activities of their prey so that they can track it down. The ‘O’ in the Spypoint logo is even shaped like the cross-hairs of a rifle.
However, most of the readers of this review will not be game hunters, and there is plenty of non-lethal fun that you can have with the Force-20.
You can use this motion-sensitive infrared trail camera to discover and document what type of animals visit your garden in the dead of night. You may capture clips and stills of foxes, hedgehogs and maybe even a badger or two depending on your location in the world (in this instance, the UK).
You can also use the Spypoint Force-20 to discover when your cat decides to go for a nocturnal wander and see and what time it returns home, learning new things about your feline family member. You can even use the Force-20 as an outdoor security camera, although that’s not what it was designed for. By placing it in a flower bed or patch of vegetation it will discreetly record any visitors to your house while you’re on vacation.
The best trail cameras ideally have a decent battery life, reliable trigger and offer decent – if not amazing – stills and video quality. The Spypoint Force-20 ticks many of these boxes, and it’s cheaper than the Spypoint Solar Dark – largely because it lacks the solar power pack and takes AA batteries.
But let’s see how it handles and performs in real-world use.
- Spypoint Force-20 Trail at Amazon for $99.99
Spypoint Force-20 specifications
Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 9.6 cm x 5.1 cm
Screen: 1.5” LCD
External memory: SD card
Photo Resolution: 20 MP
Video definition: HD 720
Motion sensor: Infrared
Detection range: 21 m
Trigger speed: 0.7 sec
Power: 8 alkaline AA batteries (not included)
Spypoint Force-20 features
A very basic LCD screen and buttons lets you fine-tune the behavior of the camera (Image credit: Digital Camera World/George Cairns)
Like other trail cameras in the Spypoint line the Force-20 has a water-resistant casing that enables the camera to shoot in all sorts of weather conditions. Indeed during our test shoot we had some heavy rain, but the internal batteries and memory card where completely protected.
The camera’s plastic casing isn’t adorned with the traditional camouflage patterning of other Spypoint models (such as the Solar-Dark) but its plain earthy brown coloring won’t stand out enough to scare off any animals that pass it by.
The Force-20 has two banks of LED lights (84 in total) to help it illuminate animals in low light conditions. At night the LED illuminated infrared footage is a classic black and white while the clips and stills revert to color during daylight hours. A motion sensor triggers the recording of videos or photos (or both) when an animal wanders into shot. A monochrome LCD screen enables you to set up various shooting modes (and adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor so that you don’t end up capturing clips of wind-blown branches).
The Force-20 ships with a strap so if you are a wildlife photographer you can carry it as part of your kit. For most of us, the carry strap will probably stay in the box as the camera won’t need to be transported further than the outer reaches of a back garden.
There’s also a handy tripod thread at the base of the camera so you can mount and angle the camera for the best view of your subjects.
Spypoint Force-20 Build & handling
A brown (and water-resistant) casing means the Force-20 will be harder to spot in natural locations (Image credit: Digital Camera World/George Cairns)
In build the the Force-20 feels like most other trail cameras in the Spypoint range. Due to its plastic body it’s light and easy to carry. A sturdy clip enables you to open the water-resistant housing and access the greyscale LCD menu. Here you can use the buttons to experiment with different shooting settings and the delay between capturing clips. If the delay is set to Instant then you will fill up the memory card more quickly.
The Force-20 ships with a branded Spypoint 16 GB SD card and card reader. The card has a speed value of Class 10 which is fast enough to write HD video files. Disappointingly you can’t capture the action as full 1080 HD clips.
The Force-20 only captures the 720 HD size, but that’s adequate if you only need to share the files via social media to be viewed on a smartphone. The stills are a larger 20 MP but they may not feature the animal in the best position in the frame.
An infrared motion sensor triggers the camera to start recording clips (or snapping stills) when sensing movement (Image credit: Digital Camera World/George Cairns)
A total of 48 LEDS on either side of the lens provide illumination of your prey during night shoots (Image credit: Digital Camera World/George Cairns)
Spypoint Force-20 Hands-on
Spypoint Force-20 Performance
Captions on each clip provide useful data, such as the time of the captured event, the temperature and even the phase of the moon (Image credit: Digital Camera World/George Cairns)
For a budget entry-level trail camera we were impressed that the quality of the footage captured on the Force-20 was better than that recorded by the more expensive Solar-Dark.
The footage from the Solar-Dark was often over-exposed when the subject got too close to the LEDs. The Force-20 managed to capture more detail in closer subjects without over-exposing them. The exposure of the Force-20 footage was nice and constant too, unlike the fluctuating exposure of the Solar-Dark.
Unlike the color screen of its more expensive Solar-Dark cousin you can’t play back recorded footage of on the Force-20’s monochrome screen. You need to pop the SD card into the card reader and via the footage on your PC. You’ll also need to keep the Force-20 supplied with batteries as it lacks the Solar-Dark’s solar panel and internal battery.
Fortunately the Force-20 also lacks the Solar-Dark’s hefty price-tag (it’s early half the price), making it an attractive choice for those new to trail cameras. One nice touch is the inclusion of data on the footage. You can see the time an event occurred, an icon shows you the current phase of the moon and you can discover the temperature in Centigrade or Fahrenheit (depending on the menu setting that you choose).
Spypoint Force-20 Verdict
Despite its low budget price tag and limited choice of menu settings the Force-20 enables you to capture decent photos and clips of animals by night and day. Once you’ve chosen the shooting mode its a simple case of turning it on, placing it in a suitable location and then waiting overnight to see clips of animals in action (check out our accompanying video to see examples – such as foxes fighting!) This entry level device is an ideal choice for your first trail camera and it won’t blow your budget.
If you’re interested in wildlife watching, then you also might like our guide to the best portable hides for wildlife photography, plus binoculars for spotting faraway subjects. You can also get cellular trail cameras, which will help you to keep track of subjects from your smartphone.
Spypoint Force-20 Trail: Price Comparison
3 Amazon customer reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
$99.
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George has been freelancing as a photo fixing and creative tutorial writer since 2002, working for award winning titles such as Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N-Photo and Practical Photoshop. He’s expert in communicating the ins and outs of Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as producing video production tutorials on Final Cut Pro and iMovie for magazines such as iCreate and Mac Format. He also produces regular and exclusive Photoshop CC tutorials for his YouTube channel.
Selection of CCTV cameras with color night illumination
Today, there is a wide variety of IP cameras that are capable of recording color video even in the dark.
Full color night vision cameras are typically equipped with advanced image sensors and can deliver high quality color images and video in low light conditions, identifying details such as human faces and license plates.
How do night vision cameras work?
Color security cameras absorb much more visible light due to powerful image sensors that are very sensitive to light. Thus, night vision cameras can still capture color images or videos in low-light areas, while conventional cameras automatically switch to black and white.
Is it still worth it to choose color surveillance cameras or give preference to conventional ones? Consider a few criteria…
Image quality . Full color night vision color camera images with enhanced contrast in low light areas provide more visual detail to easily identify potential suspects, vehicles or other objects than conventional cameras.
Installation scripts .
As noted above, outdoor color night vision video surveillance systems require a minimum amount of light to produce color images at night. If you intend to monitor areas with poor street lighting or other small light sources, color security cameras are the absolute best options.
Price . Let’s dispel a popular myth – color night vision cameras do not always cost more than regular cameras.
How to choose a security camera with color night illumination?
An ordinary simple user understands a little among a large amount of technical information for a particular device, so we will try to explain some, in our opinion, the most important ones, for choosing the right model.
· Resolution : The higher the resolution of color night vision cameras, the better the image quality and the more visible details. To get a fairly clear image and high quality video, choose high-resolution surveillance cameras (at least 1080p).
· IR range : Specifies how far night vision color cameras can see in natural light.
3D DNR : This is a kind of benchmark for noise reduction technology in both static and moving images, resulting in a clearer picture with finer details.
· Wide dynamic range : Color night vision cameras with WDR technology can balance light to improve images and videos. Thus, they are most suitable for high contrast lighting.
· IR cut filter : The IR cut filter is designed to make night vision color cameras deliver true color so you can get high quality images and videos day and night.
· Angle of view : The larger the field of view, the wider the areas that your wireless color night vision camera can cover. In other words, if you need to monitor large areas with a single camera, cameras with a wide field of view are the best choice.
Surveillance camera placement If you install a video surveillance camera indoors, remember the rule – you can not place them behind glass or windows – the picture will be blurry.
And if you place color surveillance cameras in your children’s room – they may be afraid of the red glow at night, and hiding or blocking it will lead to the fact that you will not see anything, which will deprive you of the point of buying such a camera. A possible solution is to place the infrared light anywhere in the room, and turn it off on the camera.
Outdoor color security cameras must be IP65 weatherproof to withstand temperature extremes, wind, precipitation, pressure and humidity. It would be ideal if the cameras were equipped with additional protection. It also needs anti-vandal protection.
Summing up, we can say that in choosing from a variety of camera models, focusing on the technical characteristics you need, you can choose the perfect video camera that will suit you. Our online store offers a wide range of video cameras and related products needed to create your own security system.
Night vision camera ◊
Description
Your camera will be able to see in the dark!
It is possible to change the settings using the “slider” depending on the lighting (more or less dark).
To avoid seeing ads, install the paid version.
Version 5.0
Now using low-light camera (iPhone X or later) to make your night photos and night sight come to life!
Ratings and reviews
ratings: 78
?
1. All black 2. How would it work? The iPhone doesn’t have the hardware to make it work!
crooks
Nothing enters, they simply deceive people
crap
Shit👎 don’t try to download
Developer Winkpass Creations, Inc.
indicated that, in accordance with the application’s privacy policy, data may be processed as described below. Detailed information is available in the developer’s privacy policy.
Data used to track information
The following data may be used to track user information on apps and websites owned by other companies:
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Identifiers
-
Usage data
Related
with user data
The following data may be collected that is related to the user’s identity:
Unrelated
with user data
The following data may be collected, which is not related to the user’s identity:
-
Identifiers
-
Usage data
Sensitive data may be used differently depending on your age, features involved, or other factors.