Moultrie M4000i Review

Moultrie M4000i Review

The M4000i possesses outstanding picture quality but falls in a very average ranking in nearly every category. It's not a bad option if you need an inexpensive picture taking game camera, however, we would not recommend it for video enthusiast (frame rate is far too low). - TCP Staff

Model # MCG-13333 | M-4000i Owner's Manual

M4000i FAQ's

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• Outstanding picture quality
• Fast picture and video recovery times
• Extremely small camera and easy to conceal

• Below average video quality
• Poor detection zone
• Below average video battery life

Picture Quality:

Photo resolution: 16 Mpxl (interpolated)

Video resolution: 1280 x 720 @ 15 fps

Flash Type: Low Glow IR

We are placing cameras in the field. We will post pictures and videos as they become available.

Day pictures have excellent color, really good clarity, and impressive depth to each photo. The color is a little inconsistent from changing light conditions, but overall, the day pictures are great.

Night pictures are evenly illuminated, with good clarity and contrast. Once again, these are great night pictures.

Day videos shoot at 15 frames per second, which is about half of what a typical camera does. This and the poor resolution result in a well below average daytime video quality. Night videos are an improvement over day videos. They are well illuminated and have impressive contrast.

What if you purchase from us and aren't happy with the image quality?

This is a common question and we have a very simple solution. Call, email, or chat with us and we can take a look at the images and offer suggestions or immediately tell if something is wrong with the Moultrie M4000I trail and game camera. If so, we will warranty the camera for you (with the free 2-Year warranty you receive from us) or return the camera for a full refund (within 90 days of purchase). You have control of the process, remember, we work for you.

Megapixel Ratings:

In the past, many people get confused with the megapixel rating trail camera manufacturers advertise. Companies inflate the mpxl rating to attract eyes to their products. They do this through interpolation, which digitally adds megapixels to a photo without actually improving the picture.

The best way to judge picture quality is to look at actual pictures. You will notice this the most when you zoom in on a full-size image that a camera has taken. The details of the photo will appear hazy or even digitized. This is normal, and to be expected.

Battery Life:

Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 1.49 mW

Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 3.1 Ws | 10.4 Ws

Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 18.3 Ws | 200.2 Ws

Picture Mode

If this camera were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, the M8000 would last 6.2 months in the field on a set of 8 AA Lithium Batteries.

Video Mode

If this camera were to take 15-day and 15-night videos (10-second videos) every 24 hours, it would last 1.1 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries.

Detection Circuit:

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.7 s. | 1.6 s.

Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 1.66 s. | 1.1 s.

Detection Range & Angle: 70 ft. @ 53.5° Detection Angle (33.6° F.O.V.)

Picture trigger is average but recovery speed is really fast. Video trigger is a touch slow but the recovery rate is very fast.

The detection zone is hampered by a far too wide detection angle and average detection range. This means the camera is detecting far to the left and right of the field of view. This will result in false triggers.

Quality of Design:

Dimensions: 4.75" x 3.5" x 3.75"

Battery Type: 8 AA

External Battery Jack: 12-volt

Case Design

This is a small, thick trail camera. Our initial reaction to handling the camera is it feels strong and sturdy from the outside. The latch to open the camera is large, thin, and easy to open. Closing the latch is easy but the latch does not close all at once. It is a single latch but there is a pressure point on the top and bottom. If you aren't careful when snapping shut, you could just snap in one side of the latch and not the other.

Batteries load fairly easily, although you will have to hold one of the batteries down while inserting the other to keep it from "popping out." The camera has two Python Cable brackets, one on the back and one through the front (this one would allow you to lock the camera to the tree and the SD card is also locked inside the camera). There is also a 1/4" x 20 threaded insert on the bottom for a Slate River Mount.

Camera Setup

Setting the camera up is very simple and should only take you about a minute or so. This camera is very simplified and only has basic setting options (no start/stop time, no hybrid mode, no password, etc.).

Durability

Durability on Moultrie game cameras has been impressive in recent years. If any problem arises we will update this review accordingly.

We are evaluating the durability and will update the review accordingly.

Keep in mind, our 2-year warranty program is your free insurance program in case something goes wrong with a camera you purchase from us. This warranty protects you from any manufacturing defect the camera might experience for two years.

The M4000i possesses outstanding picture quality but falls in a very average ranking in nearly every category. It's not a bad option if you need an inexpensive picture taking game camera, however, we would not recommend it for video enthusiast (frame rate is far too low).

Since 2005, our mission has to been to provide consumers with unbeatable value, advice you can trust, and customer service that exceeds expectations. There are plenty of places you can choose to do business with, if we are lucky enough to earn your support, we promise to give you our undivided attention. Trailcampro has grown each year not only by relying on your happiness but on the assumption that if we blow you away with customer service, you will brag about us to your friends (have you seen our referral/reward program?).

As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to call, email or chat with us. We look forward to helping you find your next trail camera!

Enjoy our reviews? Please consider purchasing your next trail camera from us.

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FAQ's: Moultrie M4000i Trail Camera

Q: How do I view the pictures?

A: There are a number of ways to do this. Pictures/videos are stored on the SD card you place in the camera. Here are some other methods for viewing images:

• View pictures on your computer. Plug the SD card in a desktop computer or laptop via the built-in SD card reader or use a USB reader if your computer doesn't have one. This method works for most tablets as well. With this method, we recommend having two SD cards per camera so you can swap them in the field.
• Trail Camera Viewers. While more expensive, handheld viewers are useful if you don't have a smartphone or run multiple trail cameras.

Q: Will this trail camera trigger on small animals (birds, rodents, etc.)?

A: Trail cameras detect on a combination of heat and movement, so, yes, small mammals will trigger the camera. However, if you are going after smaller warm-blooded mammals, we recommend getting the camera closer to your target. For best performance, place the camera in an area that would enable picture detection from 3 - 20 ft.

Q: Can animals see the infrared flash on this camera?

A: This is a low glow trail camera, meaning it has an extremely faint red glow when taking pictures or videos at night. We rate cameras as low glow if we can see the glow within 15 ft., but have a much harder time seeing it at a greater distance.

Q: Where can I purchase this camera?

A: From us! We hope to woo you with our incredible charm, two-year warranty, 90-day returns, free continental U.S. shipping, and technical expertise. If that isn't enough, we give you a 16 Gig SD card with this camera and you can call and talk our ear off anytime.

Seriously, though, we know you have plenty of options of where to spend your hard-earned money. The internet can be the wild, wild, west of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you choose to do business with us, we will go out of our way to make sure you are happy with the camera you select and the service we provide you.

We are passionate about testing and reviewing trail cameras, but most importantly, we are passionate about treating our customers the right way. We do things differently from what you have come to expect from other internet retailers and we hope you give us the opportunity to prove that to you.

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