In the fall 2020 French and I added a couple Spypoint Cell-Link units to our ever growing game camera arsenal. This accessory turns any ordinary trail camera using a standard size SD memory cards into a cellular camera. This is a great unit if you already have a decent traditional camera on hand, if not the Spypoint Link Micro is a better value.

I paired mine with an older Stealth Cam unit which is a decent camera on it's own but made even better that pics are transmitted to my phone. The Cell-Link connects to the camera using a cord is attached to an SD memory card adaptor. Pictures taken by the camera connect to the Cell-Link via this cord and are stored on a Micro SD card inside the Link whilst also being transmitted directly to the Spypoint App like all other cellular trail cams.

Spypoint has the most reasonably priced monthly service plans for cellular cameras. All cellular models come with a basic package at $0 per month which will transmit up to 100 photos per month. From there packages range from $5 to $15 per month PER CAMERA on a month to month plan if you are lucky enough to have a lot of action at your location. This makes running multiple cameras reasonably affordable.

Like all trail cameras, proper installation is key to reducing false photos. Pointing in a direction so the sun is never in frame, removing tree branches in frame out to about 15 feet away from the camera, and selecting a sturdy tree on which to mount the unit. Having a camera on a tall slender tree will undoubtedly inundate you with false photos on the first windy day.

All Spypoint cellular trail cams transmit a lower quality version of each picture to your smart phone. The full High Definition version can be downloaded in two ways:

• For free by removing the memory card at the end of the season and downloading the Full HD photos to your computer.

• Live while still out in the field by purchasing a package on the Spypoint website, $5 will allow you to remotely download 50 photos you select, you don't have to download them all at the same time.

HD photo download requests are transmitted during the next camera check-in, for the Cell-Link this will be once every 24h.

Some tips pertaining directly to the Cell-Link:

• Make sure the unit is placed in an area with strong LTE/4G cellular service as verified on your phone. Weak cell service is the stem of most troubles with connectivity to the network & receiving pictures to your phone.

• Make sure the cord is not pinched nor the card adaptor pulled out of the memory card slot when you close the door on your camera. Very important to get a test pic through by moving in front of the camera before leaving the installation location.

• At the start of each season ensure the firmware is up to date. The Spypoint App will display what version firmware is installed, verify what version is currently available on the Spypoint website. The instructions on updating firmware is on the website and must be done using an SD memory card.

• Make sure the micro SD memory card you purchase matches the specifications printed on the instructions included with the camera. A card that is too large (too many GB) or the wrong spec will not work.

Cheers, Mike