Moultrie Game Spy D - 55 IR Game Camera

Firstly, I want to make clear that I'm not using this camera for its intended purpose; I'm using it to try and find my lost cat by locating the camera near where he's been sighted, and then placing food to attract cats.

That being said, the camera has worked perfectly for my needs. It is easy to set up; the quick start guide steps you through setting up the time, photo/video, photo resolution, number of shots per trigger, and period between triggers. It has a nice, long adjustable strap for placing around trees, fence posts, etc. The camera's heavy-duty case is also lockable, as long as the lock has a small bar. I used a small padlock which is locked to a cable bike lock and the camera. At one feeding station location, the camera was vandalized by kids who tried unsuccessfully to remove the camera; failing at that, they tried to smash the lens. They managed to scratch the plastic lens shield, but the camera still takes good photos despite the scratches. The plastic covering of the digital info display was cracked open as well, but the camera still functions perfectly.

The night-vision works very well. I have placed the camera at a maximum of 3 feet from the feeding station, and can easily tell on the night photos whether a cat is black, gray, white, or tabby. The camera also has an aim feature that allows you to determine where the lens is aimed for optimal placement.

I was also concerned at first, because I'd heard that some of the game cameras won't detect smaller animals like cats. This camera has captured 7 different cats at 3 feeding station locations (none of them was my cat, sadly), as well as people walking by, crows, dogs, and bushes waving in the wind. I imagine that, if I were a hunter, I would find this to be a very useful tool for spotting game. I also am favorably impressed by the battery life. This camera has been running more or less constantly for 2 weeks straight on 6 C-cells, and the battery life indicator is at 89%. At this rate, I don't anticipate needing to replace the batteries for a couple of months. If I were placing this out in the bush, I would be able to rely on it staying on for quite a long time without needing to be babysat; I think the SD card would fill up before the battery ran out.

I give it 4 stars because there is no on-board memory, and it requires an SD card in order to operate. Also, there's no onboard display, so if you were a hunter, you'd either need to take the SD card all the way home to review the photos, or take your laptop out to the bush with a card reader. Not ideal. I have no idea if the photos taken by the Moultrie would show on another digital camera's display or not; I know other game cameras have problems with this kind of cross-compatibility. The camera does have a USB out feature, but that apparently only works for PCs, and I'm a Mac user.

This camera is outstanding, definitely 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I have several different cameras-this one is far superior to the others. The key with any camera is to not face it East because off morning sun unless you are in Pine trees or shaded area. It is good to face it where a trail comes toward it. The battery life is amazing, and the fast triggering exceptional. I had a large buck rub and scrape--I positioned camera about 20' from rub and the camera took 21 pictures of the buck crystal clear at night-great photographic quality. Surprisingly the flash had no affect on him as far as scaring him. Daytime photos are better than my other more expensive cameras. Programing the Moultrie couldn't be easier. I couldn't be happier with this camera. I also bought lock box for it and purchased a heavy chain and lock. No need to donate great camera to the wood's fairy. Don't hesitate buy Moultrie, buy the best.

This is my third Moultrie camera. All three are in the woods taking pictures of deer as I write. I purchased the D-55IR early in October and and has been in the woods for around 4 weeks. Still running on original batteries and taking great pictures. What I like about all my Moultrie cameras is that you can set them up without the manual. As far as not seeing the pictures in the woods, take your point and shoot camera with you. You can zoom in on the pictures to see whats on them. Sometimes I exchange the cards before I hunt and look at them while I'm in the stand. I am looking at buying a couple more of the D-55IR just so I don't have to buy three different si zes of batteries that my other cameras use.

Nov. 2011 update
I told my coworker how much I liked the D55IR and he bought two. He took these to the U.P. (Michigan). one camera took some nigh time photos and the other would not take any. He set the two next to each other, deer tracks in the snow and all the bait gone but no pictures. He asked me to check them out so I put them behind my house with my camera (now have three DIR55's and all work great) and the first one of his had few night time pictures 50 total, his second had 200 pictures with night time photos and mine had 500. I am going to tell him to send them back for repair.

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