One of the first tasks we complete each moose hunting season is setting out our game cameras. Between all of our crew we have a respectable inventory of ordinary trail cameras, cameras equipped with Spypoint Cell Link transmitters, some Spypoint Link Micro units and now a bunch of Spypoint Flex, Flex G36 and Flex Solar units.
In 2022 French and I picked up our first Spypoint Flex cellular trail cameras, they were brand new to the market at that time. Compared to the Link Micro these units have higher resolution, dual SIM cards for better connectivity to the cellular network, can record & transmit pictures & video, and are way easier to set-up/update firmware. All around they are just great units and a real step up from an already incredible product line!
Opening the door you will gain access to the battery tray & micro SD memory card slot whilst being greeted by an array of very useful LED's. Upon powering up the unit you can view battery strength, cellular signal strength and status (will change colours while powering up, transmitting or if there's a problem with the camera). You can format the memory card right from the unit and force through a test picture! This is a huge leap forward with regards to ease of use and set up for cellular game cameras.
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:
Higher end models such as the solar panel equipped units will request these from the cameras right when you command a download. All other models will download your request at the next camera check-in which is approximately every 6 hours for the Flex.
In 2023 I added another Flex camera to my inventory, this is the new G36 model which bumps picture and video resolution up a few steps and has reportedly better battery life. These cameras require a quality set of batteries. When using AA I always use Energizer Ultimate Lithium and can get 1.5 seasons out of the set of eight (camera in service for 5-6 months per season). Mark's had great success with the optional Spypoint rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery packs, and his solar equipped units are even better they just keep running and running.
2023 I discovered the antennae broken on my first generation Flex, a quick call to customer support had a new one in the mail right away. The replacement also included a new rubber grommet to seal the area where this one corroded and failed, that same grommet was included with the new G36 and presumably all new in the box Flex units.
In 2023 French added some Solar Panel equipped Flex cameras to his inventory. He equipped most of the cameras with these dandy optional screw in fully adjustable mounts. Ordinarily you have to shim the top of the camera against the tree to get the image level and not pointing at the sky. With these mounts you can set the camera precisely where it needs to point.
With many years using Spypoint cellular trail cameras and three full seasons (as of this writing) with the Flex, I can easily say it's the best model yet and definitely my personal favorite. There are lots of choices on the market, but these units are very reasonably priced, have by far the best value in cellular service billing, and picture quality is simply breath taking day and night.
Cheers, Mike
Copyright © 2025 Michael Smith |
