Reconyx HyperFire HC600
Game camera technology is always on the move. Each year, the manufacturers of these devices are turning out higher quality, faster, and more feature rich versions of their trail cameras. Reconyx is leading the way in the innovation of game camera technology with their HyperFire HC600.
This 3.1 megapixel infrared digital game camera is the cream of the crop, but it carries a steep price tag to go with it. The price of Reconyx game cameras is what keeps most people away from them. But ask anyone who owns a Reconyx scouting camera, and they wouldn't trade it for the world.
Where the Reconyx company really stands apart from other game camera manufacturers is with their performance and features. Take the HC600 for example, which has added two cutting edge features to their camera line:
The first is the High Output Covert operation. You may be familiar with that tell-tale red glow from the infrared emitters of most infrared digital game cameras. Many people believe that this will actually spook the deer, and it is often debated amongst hunters. I don't have any evidence that this red glow spooks game, but I do know that they see it and will often inspect it. I have numerous videos from other game cameras where deer stare at and even approach my game cameras for a closer look. Anything that is out of place or distracts deer in the woods can't be a good thing. Well you don't have to worry about that with the HC600. Their technology allows the infrared emitters to reach a range of 50 feet, with absolutely no red glow. Way to go Reconyx! Hopefully other game camera manufacturers will follow your lead.
The second big innovation is with Reconyx's HC600 is their lens technology. Their Ultra HD IR camera lens results in images that are more clear and have more sharp detail than previous models. With 1080P image resolution, this game camera provides quality pictures that allow you to see your game in detail.
Another area where game camera companies have struggled over the years is with battery life. There is nothing worse than going to check on one of your game cameras, only to find that the batteries are dead. It leaves you wondering how long your camera was sitting in the woods capturing no activity, resulting in lost scouting time. Most manufacturers are getting better with their battery life, but Reconyx has really raised the bar with their 1 year battery life. You need to use 12 Energizer Lithium batteries, or 12 NiMH rechargeable batteries to get this extended life. This solves a lot of problems for scouting in remote areas where changing batteries frequently is not convenient. Many people have gone to external 6 volt battery packs to solve this problem, but that only adds expense to your game camera setup. No need for it with the HC600.
On the subject of feature rich... the HyperFire HC600 gives you all the standard game camera features:
- number of pictures per activation
- delay settings between pictures
- delay settings between activations of the PIR
- info strip on images with date, time, temperature, and moon phase
- sensitivity adjustments
- and more...
But Reconyx takes this feature rich camera a step further with two features that I am very fond of...
Time Lapse Video
Have you heard of the dedicated TLV cameras, like the Day6Outdoors Plotwatcher, or the Moultrie PlotStalker? Well, the HC600 can serve as a TLV game camera as well. This is a great feature for scouting out large fields, clearings, or open sections of woods. Normally, the only game you capture images of are those that were close enough to activate the passive infrared sensor. Well the TLV game cameras can capture images of game as far as the eye can see. There is no need for the sensor to be triggered. So you get a much better idea of what type of game movement is occurring in the woods.
Electronic Security
Reconyx has implemented their Theft Deterrence CodeLoc Pass-Code Protection on the HC600. This security feature allows you to enter your own 4 digit pin number that is required to operate the game camera. If every game camera manufacturer implemented this type of technology, it could go a long way for eliminating game camera theft. Without this PIN number, the camera would be useless to a would-be thief.
In addition to their CodeLoc Pass-Code protection, Reconyx has implemented a security cable channel that runs through the chassis of the camera housing. This channel will accept a Masterlock Python cable lock. This is one of the best methods for securing a game camera to a tree, aside from using a security lock box.
I'm impressed with the innovation that Reconyx has brought to the game camera industry and look forward to what they will bring to the table in the future. I could go on and on about what this trail camera is capable of, but I'll let the following Reconyx HyperFire HC600 review tell the rest of the store. Look at some of the videos showing the images that this camera is capable of capturing. I'm sure you will be equally impressed.
