Want to buy a wildlife camera with WIFI? Read in this article what the advantages of wildlife cameras with WIFI are and how you can best use them in practice, using our exclusive tips and tricks!
WIFI camera
A Wild Camera with WIFI is a wildlife camera that has the ability to connect to an existing WIFI network, or its own internal WIFI network, allowing the user to access photos, videos and the camera's settings from his/her her mobile device. Since the advent of wildlife cameras with WIFI, it remained to be seen whether this upgrade to the current selection of wildlife cameras would be of added value. It soon became apparent that there were many advantages to using a wildlife camera with WIFI. Would you like to know more about using the WIFI camera and its advantages and disadvantages? Then read on calmly.
The reading time is approximately 5 minutes.
What is WIFI
It's understandable that you use the term WiFi interchangeably with what we know as wireless Internet connection. In our society, if you see a sign saying Free WiFi in a coffee shop or hotel, it means that they offer you the opportunity to connect to their internet via WiFi. But WiFi itself is not the internet.
WiFi is simply a network in a certain area that allows electronic devices to connect, without the use of cables, by creating radio waves that allow these devices to connect. These networks can be connected to the Internet via a WiFi router, which is known to be the main use of WiFi, but the connection to the Internet is not necessary to have WiFi.
The technology of WIFI is very similar to that of Bluetooth connections, except with Bluetooth, the connection is a direct connection between only two devices, while WIFI allows multiple devices to be connected to the same network.
In short: WIFI makes it possible to connect devices to each other on an existing internet network.
What is a wildlife camera with WIFI
A wildlife camera with WiFi is a misunderstood concept for most. It does not necessarily mean that the trail camera has its own WIFI network (which is possible, just like with the EZ45 ). Normally this option means that the wildlife camera has the ability to receive WIFI signals. That's an important distinction that most people looking to purchase a wildlife camera should understand.
If you place a wildlife camera with WIFI on the Veluwe, miles from the city, the ability to receive the camera's signal will be rendered virtually useless. In fact, most WIFI signals reach around 15 – 25 meters, meaning the furthest you can place your camera from a WIFI router will be around 20 meters (ideal for in your garden or around your property) .
As previously mentioned, there are occasionally wildlife cameras on the market that come equipped with their own WIFI router built into the camera. This makes it possible to connect to multiple devices as well as to your devices.
When to use a wildlife camera with WIFI?
Safety at home
One of the most common uses for a wildlife camera with WIFI compatibility is for security around your home. Using a WIFI connection for a trail camera that is hung near your front door, or at the end of your driveway makes sense for those who like to watch the camera from a distance. If you can connect the camera to the existing internet connection, you can control your camera through that camera's app, allowing you to control the camera from your mobile device.
If you hide your camera in a nearby tree, or hang the camera higher in the air to keep it out of sight of intruders, connecting to your internet via WIFI can also be very beneficial. It saves you the time and energy of having to physically check the camera, which can be very inconvenient if you hang your camera from your eaves or higher up in a tree.
Behind your house
Wildlife cameras with WiFi functions are also ideal to hang behind your house, for several reasons. For example, you can monitor your own animals in your garden. You can also keep an eye on what people/animals are behind your house for security purposes (of course, wildlife cameras with WIFI also have night vision ).
I have a good friend in America who mounts his trail camera on the back of his shed. The camera looks out over a small patch of woodland that is part of a drainage ditch that leads to an agricultural field. Historical records from previous years have proven that bucks use this small patch of brush to sleep during the rut. It allows the bucks to look out over the bean field and still lie down in a safe area while they wait for the does to come into the field.
Instead of going outside and checking the camera daily to confirm when the bucks have entered the area, and potentially startling them , he uses a WiFi-connected camera, which allows him to monitor activity and still maintain a safe distance from the area until it is time to hunt.
Battery consumption
You've probably noticed with your cell phone, that when you're connected to WiFi your phone is eating through battery life at a much faster rate than it normally does. The same logic also applies to trail cameras. As long as there is a WiFi signal, the camera, even in idle state, will continuously consume battery to stay connected to the signal. This will drain your battery at a very fast pace, in some cases even 70% faster.
In these situations, it may be a good idea to use an external battery source with your camera. Solar panels and adapters in combination with lithium-ion batteries give you the most lifespan for a WiFi trail camera.
All in all, the wildlife camera with WiFi has all the advantages of a normal wildlife camera, but the possibilities with these types of cameras are a lot more extensive. Curious about how we can help you further? View our range of WIFI cameras .
More tips about using a wildlife camera? Go to our Tips and Tricks page!
Do you have any questions? contact us!