Treebark Cameras 4.1

I was introduced to the Treebark Cameras 4.1 earlier this year by the manufacturer when they asked if I was still testing digital trail cameras. As you could imagine I jumped at the chance to have another camera that uses a Sony P41 digital camera. The Treebark Cameras 4.1 also uses the Yeticam control board, which has proven to be a good board in the StalkerCam that I have been using for several months. The manufacturer stated that they had been trying to improve on the standard “homebrew” style of digital trail camera.

I have given the Treebark Cameras 4.1 an A for picture quality. As expected with the Sony DSC-P41 the pictures are very good. It took me a little while to get the picture quality page done because you have to make sure the camera is pushed all the way into the case or you will get black corners in the top corners of the pictures. The manufacturer has now installed a small pad in the back of the case to keep the camera pushed forward. You can read more and see pictures here.

The trigger speed was the fastest time out of all of the cameras that use real digital cameras that I have tested to date. It is not the fastest camera I have tested but it is among the top.

The camera uses two AA batteries and the control board operates using one 9 volt battery. As with our other cameras I use rechargeable AA and alkaline 9 volt batteries. The camera comes with two Energizer Lithium batteries and they took close to 1000 pictures. The rechargeable AA batteries have taken in excess of 600 pictures and the 9 volt battery lasts for several months.

Setup and operation are easy utilizing a slide on/off switch and dip switches to control the functions of the board. Eight time delays are available including 15 and 30 seconds and 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes. A rapid-fire function is also available that keeps the camera on waiting for a quick follow up photo. This is a very good combination of delay times.

The Treebark Camera is made with the pipe-through design for using a Python locking cable to attach it to a tree. If you order the camera on-line the cable is provided with the camera for USA orders. I feel that the Python locking cable is the best method to attach digital trail camera to trees. A tab is also located on the back of the unit that can be used to attach the camera tree by using a nail or screw.

The Sony P41 does not have internal memory but the camera comes with a 512 mb memory card to store photos and larger memory cards can be used.

The camera has an LCD screen for viewing pictures. A USB cable is also provided to download pictures to your computer and the pictures can also be downloaded from the memory card with a card reader which is not supplied.

This Sony camera imprints the date and time on the pictures.

Ten and twenty second movies can be taken in the daylight and the Sony camera can be removed from the unit and used as a personal camera.

The Treebark Cameras 4.1 has earned an A for an overall grade. The combination of the Sony P41, ease of use, battery life and quality craftsmanship in the construction of the unit are top of the line. The manufacturer took a look around the market and tried to put together a camera that combined the best features. This camera will be one of my mainstay trail cameras.

In June 2010 the flash quit working on the camera after I had used the camera for about fifteen months. I sent the camera back after contacting Greg about my situation. Greg repaired the Sony camera, made some improvements to the case and promptly sent it back to me at no charge. You can't ask for better service than I received.

You can purchase a Treebark Cameras 4.1 here.

Please keep in mind that the Treebark Cameras 4.1 is sold out of Canada so the price listed on the website is in Canadian dollars. To get the US price the US to Canadian exchange rate will be applied upon purchase of the camera.

This is our Treebark Cameras 4.1 attached to a tree with a Python Locking Cable at one of our feeders, and a picture taken at a mineral lick.

Return from the Treebark Cameras 4.1 Review to the Digital Trail Camera Review Page.