Trail cameras
Invisible illumination, or a camera that is harder to take?
Both run on batteries, need no home network and have an IP66 housing. GardePro uses 940 nm LEDs, which produce no visible glow, and is read out over Bluetooth then local Wi-Fi; CEYOMUR uses 850 nm, brighter but faintly visible, and gives the camera a padlock loop.
| Compared on | E8 | CY40 |
|---|---|---|
| Stills | Up to 64 MP stated | Not stated |
| Video | 1296p H.264 | 2K |
| Infrared wavelength | 36 × 940 nm, no glow | 24 × 850 nm, faint glow |
| Retrieving footage | Bluetooth, then local Wi-Fi up to 15 m (49 ft) | No link, card by hand; built-in screen |
| Trigger time | 0.1 s, three PIR sensors | Not stated |
| Weather rating | IP66 | IP66 |
| Power | 8 × AA or external supply | Batteries not included |
| Concealment | Not stated | Camouflage housing |
| Anti-theft | Not stated | Built-in padlock loop |
| Running cost | No subscription | None, no app |
| Listed on amazon.com | Yes | No |
A tick marks the better answer on that line only. Counting ticks does not decide the page — the two verdicts below do, because these products answer different questions.
Buy the E8 where the camera must not be noticed at night. 940 nm LEDs emit nothing the eye can see, and pairing over Bluetooth means retrieving footage without unmounting it.
No amazon.com listing was found for this one. We hold references for other markets but none for the United States, so it may not be buyable here — which is the first thing to weigh against anything below.
Buy the CY40 where the camera itself is at risk, and on a tight budget. A camouflage housing and a padlock loop are what keep it in place; in exchange, you walk out to collect the card.
The wavelength of the infrared. At 850 nm the LEDs glow faintly red and give a brighter image; at 940 nm nothing is visible and the image is darker. For wildlife that shies at the glow, 940 nm is the better choice. It does not make covert filming of people acceptable: recording people where they expect privacy is illegal in many states, invisible light or not.
Lithium, not alkaline. Alkaline cells lose most of their capacity below freezing, which is why trail cameras report low batteries in November on a set fitted in October.
It makes theft more work. With a cable lock through the loop and around a tree or post, the CY40 cannot just be lifted off; bolt cutters still get through. GardePro states no loop for the E8; an aftermarket steel security box is the answer there.
64MP stills · 1296p H.264 video · Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing · 36 × 940 nm LEDs · no monthly fee
GardePro pairs by Bluetooth before switching to Wi-Fi, which removes the step where trail-camera apps usually fail. It states 64 MP stills, 1296p H.264 video, 36 no-glow LEDs and an external high-gain antenna, with no subscription.
Best for: Anyone who has already given up on a trail camera app once.
2K video · 24 × 850 nm IR LEDs · IP66 · camouflage housing · keyhole lock point
A camouflaged trail camera with 24 infrared LEDs at 850 nm and a front-opening body. CEYOMUR states 2K video with audio, an IP66 housing and a built-in keyhole for a lock.
Best for: A shed, a gate on a track or a plot with no power, where the camera should not be obvious.
