The Spypoint Flex cellular trail camera presents itself as a feature-packed device, catering to hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. It’s designed to make cellular connectivity simple by choosing the best available network in the area. While this is a major selling point, its performance in key areas such as image quality and battery life creates a more complex overall picture. In this review, we’ll look at its strengths and weaknesses, discussing whether this trail camera is worth your investment.
Picture Quality: Spypoint Camera Reviews
One of the standout aspects of the Spypoint Flex is its image quality. With a rating of 89/100 for picture quality, the camera produces 33-megapixel (interpolated) photos. While megapixel counts often attract buyers, it’s important to recognize that these are not true megapixels. The process of interpolation digitally adds pixels, which does not necessarily enhance the quality but inflates the numbers for marketing purposes. Despite this, the Spypoint Flex takes clear and vibrant daytime photos.
In terms of daylight performance, the camera does well in capturing colorful, sharp images. You may notice some minor blurring with fast-moving animals, but it’s generally acceptable for most use cases. The improvements in photo quality over previous Spypoint models are noticeable, though they might not be revolutionary.
Nighttime performance is where the Spypoint Flex truly stands out. Using red glow infrared (IR) flash, the camera manages impressive contrast in low-light conditions. The flash has a good range, effectively illuminating animals at a distance. However, objects that are too close may appear washed out. Although night photos are generally excellent, blurring can occur when subjects move too quickly, which is a common issue with many trail cameras.
Battery Life: Spypoint Camera Reviews
If there’s one major drawback to the Spypoint Flex, it’s the battery life. Powered by 8 AA batteries, the Flex struggles to keep up with even moderate usage. If the camera is set to take 15-day and 15-night pictures every day, the batteries will last approximately 1.8 months. For users who need long-term, consistent performance without frequent battery changes, this is a significant limitation.
The poor battery life could be a dealbreaker for some, especially those who need their cameras to last through extended periods without needing attention. Spypoint could potentially address this issue with a firmware update in the future, but as of now, it’s a frustrating shortcoming.
Using an external 12-volt battery jack may extend its usage, but the additional setup and expense might not be ideal for all users. For now, it’s clear that the Flex’s battery performance falls short of expectations, earning it a low score of 50/100 in this category.
Trigger Speed and Detection: Spypoint Camera Reviews
The Spypoint Flex features a fast picture trigger speed of 0.31 seconds, which is excellent for capturing fast-moving wildlife. However, the camera’s recovery time leaves much to be desired. It takes a sluggish 74.6 seconds to recover after taking a picture. In video mode, the situation is similar, with a trigger speed of 1.23 seconds and a recovery time of 58.1 seconds.
This imbalance between trigger and recovery speeds may cause the Flex to miss some of the action, particularly in areas with a lot of movement. On the positive side, the detection range, measured at 70 to 90 feet, ensures the camera can capture subjects from a reasonable distance, and the 43.6° detection angle is quite traditional for trail cameras.
The slow recovery time is a drawback, especially for hunters or wildlife watchers who require rapid sequences of photos or videos to capture all the details. It’s not uncommon for other cellular trail cameras to exhibit slower recovery speeds, but Spypoint Flex users should keep this in mind when deciding if it meets their needs.
Design and Setup: Straightforward and Sturdy
The design of the Spypoint Flex is compact and functional, with dimensions of 5.5” x 4.5” x 3”. The outer casing feels durable, offering protection against harsh environmental conditions. A few minor annoyances crop up with the design, such as a tendency for one column of batteries to pop out during installation. While this doesn’t affect the overall performance, it’s something to be mindful of.
The setup process is one of the Flex’s strongest attributes. Downloading the Spypoint app and linking it with the camera is quick and painless, taking just a few minutes. After adding the camera to your account and turning it on, you’ll be able to manage settings and view images remotely from your smartphone.
One thing to note is that the Flex lacks an internal viewer, so you will be almost entirely reliant on the smartphone app to review images and adjust settings. Some users may prefer the convenience of a built-in display, but the app’s functionality makes up for this omission in most situations.
Cellular Performance and Plans: Spypoint Camera Reviews
One of the primary selling points of the Spypoint Flex is its ability to automatically select the best cellular carrier available in the area, making it versatile across different locations. The camera can connect to “all national carriers,” and photos and videos can be transmitted to your phone without a hitch.
Spypoint offers four subscription plans for the Flex, ranging from a free tier to premium plans. The free plan allows users to transmit up to 100 photos per month, with the basic, standard, and premium plans offering 250, 1,000, and unlimited photo transmissions respectively. The premium plan costs $15 per month, which is reasonable for users who require constant, high-volume monitoring.
Durability: Solid Build with Long-Term Protection
Durability is a crucial factor for any trail camera, and the Spypoint Flex doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The camera is built to withstand the elements, providing reliable performance in various weather conditions. If any issues arise, Spypoint’s two-year warranty adds peace of mind, allowing users to return or exchange faulty units easily.
Spypoint Camera Reviews | Final Thoughts
The Spypoint Flex offers a lot in terms of image quality, ease of setup, and cellular functionality. Its ability to connect to multiple carriers and transmit photos and videos reliably is a major advantage, especially for users who need consistent remote monitoring. Additionally, the nighttime image quality is excellent, and the fast trigger speed ensures that even fleeting moments are captured.
However, the camera’s below-average battery life and slow recovery time are significant drawbacks. If you’re planning to use the Flex for extended periods without frequent battery changes, you might want to explore other options or invest in external battery setups. In short, the Spypoint Flex has the potential to be a top-tier trail camera with a few improvements, particularly in battery performance. For now, it serves best for users who can manage its limitations while enjoying its strengths.
