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The ResearcherThe Researcher uses a Sony H70 16.1 MP digital camera. I have given this camera an A for picture quality. One thing we noticed right away was how clearly we could blow up the 16.1 MP pictures. You can really bring them in close and take a look in great detail. The Trigger Speed of The Researcher is in the same range with other digital trail cameras that use real digital cameras. As I've said in other reviews and would like to repeat; power up time has become somewhat less important to me but faster is better than slower. The Researcher electronics operate on one 9-volt battery and the Sony camera operates on a rechargeable Sony battery pack in addition to three C cell and three D cell batteries. The C and D batteries lasted from October 28th until March 7th taking 9602 pictures. We did recharge the cameras battery each time we retrieved the pictures. After the second set of alkaline C and D cell batteries died we used rechargeable batteries and have had success with them as well. We are getting several hundred pictures each week and the batteries are still going strong when we retrieve the pictures. This camera will a lot of pictures. Like some of the prior Sony digital cameras this camera does not imprint the date and time on the pictures. This is one knock against these cameras but you can always check the picture properties and see the date and time. Setup is done using two buttons. This is the same set-up as the prior Trail Watcher cameras and I've grown used to it and have no problems using it. They have performed well for me. The electronics are made by Snapshot Sniper. The Sony H70 has an extendable lens but does not have a case placement problem due to an aluminum shelf and a wing bolt that screws into the threaded connection on the bottom of the camera. This makes exact placement a non-issue. On the other hand it does make camera removal and replacement a little more difficult with cold fingers. I have also noticed that as the years go by case foam can deteriorate and change camera position some. This will not be a problem with the aluminum shelf. There is an on/off switch on the outside of the case so you have to make sure you turn it on when you leave the camera. This switch is handy when setting the camera up or making changes to settings as the camera will not take pictures as long as it is off but the electronics will still be on. It looks like something has turned our camera off a couple of times over the past month. We're going to try to keep an eye on this and see what is actually happening. Sony continues to change the method of changing settings on its cameras so you need to familiarize with the menu. The best thing is to leave them on the appropriate settings that it is shipped with and try not to change them. A ratchet strap is provided with The Researcher to attach it to a tree and a Python Cable Lock can be used to lock it to the tree. The Sony H70 uses either a Memory Stick Duo or an SD card. We bought a 16 GB SD card. The Sony H70 has a large 3.0 inch viewing screen to take a look at your pictures in the woods. I like these larger screens and they are getting larger as this one has. There are seven time delays ranging from ten seconds to 10 minutes. Time delays are separate for day and night operation which comes in real handy. The time delays include 10, 20 and 30 seconds and 1, 2, 5 and 10 minutes. I like this range of time delays. You can also set The Researcher to take up to 5 pictures per each motion detected from five to twelve seconds apart depending on whether it is day or night. There is also an activity mode which allows the camera to take pictures every four to twelve seconds. It will shut off after 20 seconds of no motion or after one minute of constant motion. The Researcher has a movie mode that can take 15, 30 second or 1 minute videos. A walk test feature is also provided that will turn itself off and allow the camera to start taking pictures after one minute or you can turn the walk test mode off. The Sony H70 can be removed from the unit and used as a personal camera. I've given the Researcher an A for an overall grade. This camera takes great pictures and it's hard to beat over 9000 pictures before changing batteries. This is a great trail camera. Learn more about and purchase a Trail Watcher 4220 here. Here is a picture of one of our bucks taken with The Researcher.
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