Cellular trail cameras are one of the most impactful innovations the hunting community has experienced in recent years. With trail camera manufacturers focusing most of their resources on creating new and improved cell cameras, it’s hard not to wonder if traditional cameras will still be around in the next ten years.
Having said that, I feel a sense of nostalgia for some of the older models. I still have one of my first trail cameras I bought back in 2009. It’s roughly the size of a cinder block, takes 4 “D” batteries, and takes 3MP pictures. And trust me, that was advanced for that era.
While I enjoy reflecting on days gone by, I appreciate the technological advancements in today’s market. Having a trail camera send photos directly to my phone without pulling an SD card is incredible.
Known for their simple-to-operate cameras that capture high-quality images at an affordable price, Wilgame Innovations has been in the trail camera game for a long time. So when it came time to add a cellular trail camera to my arsenal, I decided to check out the new Terra Cell trail camera. Below are my thoughts and experiences with this camera.
Out of the Box
The setup for the Terra Cell seems pretty straightforward. Highlighted on the box are some features of the camera as well as quick tips for an easy setup.
Opening the box you’ll find the camera, detachable antenna, user manual, tree strap, and a Wildgame Innovations sticker.
Specs on the Terra Cellular Trail Camera
- 20 Megapixels
- Real-Time Photo Transfer
- 80 Foot Detection Range
- 0.7 Second Trigger Speed
- 16:9 Image Ratio Format
- Compatible with Verizon and AT&T
- External 12-Volt DC Jack (Compatible With Solar Panels)
- Artificial Intelligence Photo Analyzer
- QR Code App Setup
- Cable-Lock Ready Latch
- Powered by 8 AA Batteries
Initial Setup
I was very impressed with how easy setting up this camera was. Compared to some other cellular cameras I have used, the Terra Cell has a quick and easy sync with the mobile app.
After installing the 8 AA batteries and inserting the SD card, you can attach the antenna.
Syncing With The Huntsmart App
As I touched on briefly earlier, the ease of setup for this camera is what stood out the most to me. After you familiarize yourself with the app, this setup can be done in under 5 minutes.
Once you have downloaded the Huntsmart app and created an account, you can utilize the QR scanner by simply selecting “Add Camera” and then scan the QR code on the inside of the camera. Once complete, you can finish the rest of the process away from your camera, as everything is controlled from your phone.
Some key settings that you can adjust are blur reduction, image transmission frequency, capture delay, photo burst, operating hours, and time zone. You can also control how your camera manages photo storage – either saving all images to the SD card, deleting the images from the card after they’ve been uploaded or DVR mode, which will delete your oldest images when the SD card fills up. That way you’ll never miss the most recent action.
Huntsmart Analytics
Quite possibly my favorite feature of this camera is its integration with the Huntsmart app. With this app, assuming you have utilized the map feature that links your camera to a specific location, using Huntsmart’s artificial intelligence, you will be able to filter pictures based on animals detected, time of the day, specific dates, temperatures, and even moon phases.
Year after year, more and more hunters seem to understand the effects of environmental factors on deer activity and just how important these are. The Huntsmart app conveniently tracks this data and organizes it through one simple filter.
Advanced Technology at a Fraction of the Price
As I analyzed the features of this camera, I couldn’t help but wonder what other camera manufacturers were charging for similar technology. After doing some additional research, I discovered the Terra Cell camera has the technology and features of a camera that could easily retail for $250 or more. With a listed retail price of around $120 on their website, and being available for even less than that at some retailers, the Terra Cell is a pretty impressive bargain. In fact, I plan on purchasing a few more before long.
Data Plan Pricing
As we all know, the price of the camera is only the beginning when it comes to cellular trail cameras. After the free 30-day trial runs out, the Terra Cell has a very attractive pricing structure for monthly fees. Depending on how many pictures your camera takes, plans start at just $48/year. Even the unlimited photos plan is only $12 per month, or $120 per year if paid annually.
Below is a breakdown of the various data plans for the Terra Cell and what is included with each.
Monthly | Annual | # Of Photos | Included Plan | |
Gold Plan | $12 | $120 | Unlimited | Pro Hunter |
Silver Plan | $10 | $96 | 1250 | Weekend Warrior |
Bronze Plan | $5 | $48 | 250 | Scout |
Copper Plan | Free | Free | 100 | Scout |
Questions I Have Been Asked
Does the Terra Cell take nighttime pictures?
Yes. The Terra does take nighttime pictures. The detection trigger is great, and the quality of the nighttime images is rather impressive for its price point.
Does the data plan charge per camera?
Yes, the data plans are based on each camera.
Is the Huntsmart app free?
Yes. The Huntsmart app can be downloaded from the app store of your choice for free. The data plan you purchase will dictate which features are enabled for your camera.
Does the Terra Cell have a video mode?
Unfortunately no, this camera does not have a video feature. This would be my one complaint. Although I don’t use video functions very often, it is nice to have that option, especially during the rut.
Final Thoughts On The Terra Cell Camera
I was very impressed by the simplicity and consistency of the Wildgame Innovations Terra Cell camera. Unfortunately, it seems that most cellular trail cameras tend to have bugs when sending photos on time and providing a quality picture; however, I have had no issues to report.
While the picture quality and transmission consistency were great, there are some negatives to this camera. The main downside is that there is no video option. During the rut it’s nice to see what trail a buck is taking and how he is reacting to either a scrape, rub line, or even a heavily used travel corridor, and pictures won’t tell the entire story like videos will. But for a $100 cellular trail camera, you can’t have it all.
