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Recon Outdoors Talon ExtremeImage quality is only 1.3 megapixel but this image size is not that bad for a digital game camera if the image quality is good. After the first couple of sets of pictures it looks like the Talon Extreme rarely takes a full color picture. So far, the large majority of pictures taken are in the infrared mode even though it is well before dark and after dawn. We gave the Talon a C for picture quality and you can read more about our picture quality grade here. The Recon Outdoors Talon Extreme operates on six D size batteries. I installed six fresh Energizer batteries to see how long they would last but the camera quit operating before the batteries went dead. Six D size batteries is an expensive purchase if they don't last long. Initially camera operation hasn't been too difficult. A sealed key pad and LCD display have been relatively easily to navigate so far. There is also a laser aiming light. We tested this unit against the EagleEye and the Woodland SpyCam. The Talon Extreme took the picture either just behind or at the same time as the Woodland SpyCam. This gives it a power up time that is right in the middle of most cameras. It isn't blazing fast nor is it slow. One thing that could be a problem is that the detection beam is very narrow so this unit will not see a quicker power up time as movement is detected farther away from the camera. You will have to be more meticulous about the set up, especially the height. In late December another of our cameras captured three bobcat picures that the Talon Extreme missed altogether. Both cameras were set up on the same feeder. The Recon Outdoors Talon Extreme comes with a strap to attach it to trees, but it isn't very long. Any tree over one foot in diameter would be too big and there isn't any way of locking the camera to the tree unless you purchase the lock box that is available separately for $49.99. Each image also includes the moon phase, temperature, time, date and a user-defined name. This unit uses compact flash cards to store images and there is enough memory built in to store 25 pictures. One interesting feature is that the pictures on the internal memory will automatically transfer over to a memory card the next time a memory card is installed and the unit is put in set up mode. The Recon Outdoors Talon Extreme comes with an RCA cable to connect to a TV to view the pictures. There isn't a viewing screen or USB cable provided with the unit. If you do not have a memory card and card reader you will not be able to download the pictures to view them. Time delay between pictures can be set for five delay settings including 30 seconds, 1, 5, 10 and 60 minutes. These aren’t bad but I do like to have a 10 second delay for trails and food plots. The Recon Outdoors Talon Extreme will also take both day and night video clips. The IR quit working after one month and I returned the camera for a refund. I have given the Recon Talon Outdoors Extreme a C for an overall grade. This was a tough grade to give since I did not get to use the camera long, but the operation of the camera that we did get to see put it in the middle of the pack as compared to the other cameras we have tested.
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