2011
Spypoint IR-5 35 count red flash 5mp Camera Review
This camera was definitely not on our schedule but the features verses
the $129 cost made us want to get one and do a
quickie. This is an FL-A platform camera, based on the
removable IR module. It is not advertized as being white
flash switchable so we assume that their intent was to
just use the IR module with their special IR-5 firmware.
This little camera has a lot of big boy features but is
a single picture resolution and single video resolution
but still has the burst feature and adjustable video
length. They are staying with the camera in the box
style where you can mount the case yet pull the whole
camera out and go set on the ATV and do your card change
and return the camera to the box and the aim will still
be there. This camera is about half again the size of
the new M-100 Moultrie but still can be labeled as being
at the top of the mini style cameras.
In line down the front are the camera, array, and the PIR sensor. There
is the true tri-pod insert at the bottom along with the
12v external battery port. It sports a good heavy duty
sealed case in a good fall bark color. The back of the
camera has the belt and Python loops and some contoured
tree grabbers to hold the aim. The latches are
aggravating to undo but do close the case up good and
tight. Inside you will see the programming panel that is
all switch controlled with the exception of a small LCD
where the date time are set by using the up/down and
enter buttons. The inside edge of the camera module has
the SD card slot and PIR sensing adjustment. USB and TV
out are next to the SD card slot. The battery
compartment holds just 6 AA cells which has a locking
cover to hold them in place.
Move the first programming switch to test and hit menu and then the up
and down buttons and very quickly the date time is set.
Now here comes the kick in the butt. This camera has a
full minute of delay as minimum. It is pretty fast on
the trigger but when we are proceeding through our
evaluations and have to sit and wait and watch the clock
just to start the next sequence it gets aggravating but
the small battery capacity and fewer pictures will
relate to much longer battery life.
Here is a word of caution in the SD card area. Make sure that the card
actually seats and is locked all the way in because if
it does not and pops out a little, it will get caught by
the case rim next to the hinge and will break. My card
did not break but if I had not been going very slow it
surely would have with the amount of pressure that is
applied that close to the hinge.
Set up on single capture and the minimum delay I caught a few pictures
and studied the results which seemed to be sharp
and clear for this hundred range dollar camera. The sun
is leaving me so I cant get to the day video today but
maybe tomorrow I will see how well they look for a quick
initial evaluation.

3-19-2011 update: The sun was grey so I
just shipped over to Anthony for some Trigger testing
which came out in the 1.2 second category for both day
and night operations. The day range pictures were
exceptional and a zoom on the 8 plate was still very
sharp and clear. Our sleep tests did not show any delay
due to that. The sorry old one minute delay sure makes
things go slow during testing and are just plain
aggravating. Sensing proved to be 57 feet at 79 degrees.
This evening we will try to get the flash range done and
then get on to gathering sample pictures.
03-20-2011 update: While we were on the
flash range we also did the XtendIR black flash
conversion tests with this camera. The straight red
flash proved to be out to 60 feet and the black flash
did pretty good and it was out to 50 feet. We need to
get our hands on the Spypoint black flash Booster and
also start testing just how it works with these cameras.
This little camera seems to be doing a very good job
with the exception of having to wait that delay period.
The multi shot will help but then there would still be
that same one minute wait until the next set would be
taken.
03-23-2011 update: This camera spent
several days looking for animals but we were not blessed
with a whole lot of visitors. The few pictures that we
did get were very good but there is a pronounced amount
of movement blur in the night pictures when the animals
are walking. We have yet to see anyone except maybe the
new Moultrie
system where they use firmware to brighten the picture
after the fact, to not only brighten the night pictures
but to limit blur to a minimum. I dont think anyone
will complain about the day pictures being produced by
this camera. We will have to slide on to the video
evaluation. Please view the sample pictures.
03-26-2011 update: We only managed to get
one day video of some corn being put out but we did get
a plenty of night videos. The video quality is somewhat
fuzzy and would probably fall into the average category.
The movement was smooth and not choppy. Black to white
contrast was good. The strong point so far with this
camera is the nice clear day pictures.
03-29-2011 update: Slipped the programming
back to pictures and went after some day pictures over a
few piles of corn and this camera again did not
disappoint us and gave some very good results. Mixed
with the day pictures were a few night pictures and
again we will say that they are good but do not come up
to where the day color pictures are. The over all
function has been very good so far with out issue. The
price tag makes it fit right up next to a couple of the
competitors like the Stealth Archers Choice and the
Moultrie M-80. They will have to work to get even with
these day pictures. We will see because both are
scheduled to arrive.
04-23-2011 update: In its hidden location on
the hill this little camera just keeps on collecting
pictures and still does not want to give up due to lack
of power. We have seen mostly very good comments about
this camera from other users. The battery life test will
continue and we will continue to enjoy the pictures.
04-30-2011 update: The picture count is up
to 1204 plus 44 videos and the batteries still are good
according to the indicator. We will let it keep on
catching its view of the wild and we will see just how
long it can be left on the tree before we run out of
power.
06-08-2011 update: How about this, 5838
pictures and 44 videos in over 70 days? That set of
batteries did a very good job. We have come to the end
of the review with this data. The field reports also
have found a lot of favor with this camera.
Trigger Tests
(without flash)

(with flash)
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Flash Range
(camera only)

Camera + Uway XtendIR-B black
flash conversion
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Day Range/8 Plate
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Video Samples

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