Reconyx SC950C 4G Review

Battery Life:

Resting Power (on): 2.07 mW

Daytime Power Consumption: 103.1 Ws | Nighttime Power Consumption: 105.7 Ws

Picture Mode

If this camera were to take 15-day and 15-night pictures every 24 hours, the SC950c would last 1.6 months in the field on a set of 12 AA Lithium Batteries.

Detection Circuit:

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.28 s. / 62 s.

Detection Range & Angle: 70 ft. | 43.2° (42.9° F.O.V.)

The trigger speed is very fast but the recover speed is slower than many of the cell cameras on the market currently.

The detection range is average but the detection width is perfectly matched to the field of view, meaning false triggers rarely happen.

Quality of Design:

Dimensions: 5.5" x 4.5" x 3"

Battery Type: 12 AA Batteries

External Battery Jack: 12 volt

AT&T Model

When you receive the camera, Reconyx has included detailed instructions on sim card setup. The instructions have setup information, plans that you can use and so on.

You must use the Go Phone Plan for $30 a month ($25 if you use autopay). You will need to enroll the camera and activate it through AT&T's website. You can't call AT&T or activate through a store. Must be done on their website.

$30 a month is about double the cost of most cell camera data plans. Most data plans for cellular trail cameras range from $5-15 a month. Big thumbs down on price.

Verizon Model

To activate the cellular setup, simply call Verizon and provide the camera's model number. While conducting the Reconyx SC950c Verizon review, we found current Verizon customers can add the 950c to their existing plan and share data for just $5 per month. A $20/month is available for customers that do not have an existing Verizon account. This process is really simple and quick.

The camera also comes with a CD you must install on your computer for cellular setup.

Next, you will need to set the camera to send the pictures to the proper email or phone number (s). You can use up to two email address' and four phone numbers. From the image on the left, you can see how simple the programming is.

Enter the recipient (s) and hit ok. From this window, you can have the camera send a photo every day (from 12:00 to 12:30 pm). This will simply let you know that the camera is still operational.

You can set operational times in 15-minute increments with two schedules. Users can set specific hours for two (2) time periods. For instance, Mon-Fri on from 5 pm to 9 am. and weekends on 24 hours/day when no one should be there.

The SC950c set in "burst mode" can take up to 10 images (spaced by a time interval that you set) and then transmit all 10 photos. This is invaluable for security situations. Instead of one transmitted picture of an intruder, you get five.

Outside of data plan costs, our biggest hangup on the usability of the SC950c is the absence of a smartphone app to enable two-way communication with the camera and to have a more efficient way of checking pictures. As it is, the camera will send the photos to an email or phone number, this means every picture is a new email/text. It is time-consuming to have to open 100 different emails to view 100 new photos. It would be much easier if it went to an app and you could scroll through the pictures while in thumbnail mode. Hopefully, this is something Reconyx can add in the future.

The camera's case is extremely well-made and durable. The latch is beefy and manipulates flawlessly. The antenna is short, which could possibly help make the camera less conspicuous if you have a trespasser problem. The battery tray allows for easy insertion and removal of AA lithium batteries. Overall, the case design is excellent in every way.

Through our 2-year warranty program (this is double Reconyx's manufacturer warranty) on the trail cameras we sell, we are able to track warranty rates on all trailcam manufacturers. We do not publish this data but durability on Reconyx trail cameras is unmatched. These cameras are engineered and produced in Holmen, Wisconsin by some of the brightest minds in the business.

We have not had any warranty concerns to date with this camera. If an issue were to arise, we will update this review accordingly.

Reconyx SC950C Cellular Review:

The American-made 4G Reconyx SC950c is the most dependable and durable cellular camera on the market. It also scores high marks in picture quality, case design, and trigger speed. It does fall behind in battery life and the lack of a smartphone app (lack of two-way communication). This is a lot of money for a trail camera, but it remains the only choice for true durability and longevity.

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