Reconyx MicroFire WiFi Enabled Covert Gen2 IR Camera, Covert Camo, MR5

I have 6 of the Microfires. This cam is great for deer scouting. No need to touch the cam at all except when you change the batteries (one time a year). You can access the pics easily from 30 yards away. I know this to be true since some of my stands are set up at that range. I can access the cam while sitting in the tree. The pics are easy to manage and very good quality as are the videos. I'm not sure if the reviewers below don't know but you can access the HD pics remotely as well (just takes a lot longer). I typically will save the pics I want to be HD downloaded (or videos). I don't save each pic in HD because it takes a while to download.If you don't want scent on the cam this is a great choice. The video and pic quality is excellent. The trigger speed is great. The only set up issue is determining what sensitivity level you desire. If you start at the medium level and work up or down from there you will eliminate most false pics (grass or trees blowing).This cam has a five year warranty. I used to use Bushnell (hated them and they only worked one year for $130.00 each with terrible factory support (non existent)).I buy multiple units when they go on sale (10% off).You won't be disappointed.

I wanted this for its Blue Tooth ability. Did not want a phone plan expense. First one I purchased from Cabela's and it was a return they sold me and it was missing parts, The second one from Cabela's the chip ejector stopped working the same day I received it. The 3 one from another vendor has been working now for a few months. I am using it for security camera and liked the black lite night vision that there is no red glow to the unit. I decided to just exchange chips because if you try to down load from the camera to the phone app it just about kills the batteries. Does take nice day and night time videos with sound.

Have used several brands and the MR5 is excellent. New Lithium batteries last 6 months after taking thousands of pictures and 200 5 second videos. The wifi works about 100 feet, even from back side and the Bluetooth 50 feet line of sight. Great picture quality and sends still pics to multiple emails. Well constructed quality product

We really wanted to love the MR5, because the concept is so good...wireless access without cell service. We knew the pictures would not be as vibrant as our Reconyx XS8 and that with fewer IR lights (due to small camera size) the IR distance would be less, but it seemed like an acceptable compromise.The GOOD:1. Small and compact2. Wireless without cell service (limited use, see below)3. Comes with mounting hardware4. Security case is avaliable and it does allow for a Python cable lockThe BAD:1. The provided mounting hardware screws into the camera and into a tree...takes about 20 seconds or less to remove it and walk off with the camera.2. Camera can ONLY be locked to a tree via the security case (though since we always use security cases, this isn't an issue for us, but could be for some)3. Wifi range from behind the camera is horrible...line of site was about 25 ft for the app to see the camera existed, BUT was only about 15 ft for it to view or download photos or video.4. Wifi range from behind the camera with the security case on was almost nonexistant. If I have to be within a few steps of the camera for it to work, it's easier to just swap the card in the camera.5. Batteries go in easily, BUT very hard to get the battery holder out of the camera with batteries installed. There is a tiny tab to grab, but you need plyers to grab it and I anticipate this eventually ripping or pulling out. Sometimes if you hit the camera on a counter, to try moving the battery compartment towards the opening, you can make some headway...then get the plyers.6. The line-up marks for reassembling the camera can be difficult to see for some....the camera and battery sections twist apart and twist together but must first be lined up properly7. Pics/videos have good detail (similar to our XS8) but less color saturation (similar to our Browning Dark Ops)HOW WE USE OUR TRAILCAMS:We put trailcams near the backyard fence, facing into the woods, so from our house we see the back of the camera. In the MR5, wifi range was given for range facing the camera lens (thus in front of the camera) on cameras not using a security case. No provision was made for an external antena when using the security case.CONCLUSION:We returned the MR5 because it didn't work for our use needs; though if you check your trailcams from in front and don't secure them with cables or use security boxes, this might work for you.We would prefer a larger camera with better IR range, easier battery exchange, usable wifi WITH the security case (in practical terms this likely means an option for external antena) and maintaining the traditional Reconyx photo/video quality. We prefer video, so look for video quality, detection and recovery times to be excellent.The MR5 is not a horrible first attempt, but could be vastly improved. In its current iteration, we would not recommend it to people wanting wifi access for cameras facing away from the house/user or for those who want to lock their cameras(requires security box).

A great idea, a smartphone operated trail camera. To bad it so issues. One hundred foot range, no way! The Bluetooth signal is extremely weak and you must be within a few feet and then there will be connection trouble. The battery consumption is terrible, the first lithium ultimate's lasted almost a month, the next set only one week. The third set is almost pooped out after a week. I have gotten some nice daytime pictures, and some nice night-vision pictures. But if you almost have to touch the camera to retrieve the photos you might as well get a standard camera and swap the SD card out at each visit. The battery usage means a visit every week to change batteries (and $$$$ for the lithium batteries too). If Reconyx fixes the connection distance and stops the unit from eating batteries like candy it will be a nice trailcam.