Reconyx Hyperfire HC600 Review

Reconyx HyperFire HC600 Game Camera Review

Model # HC600 | Reconyx HC600 Owner's Manual

Pros

• Fast recovery time
• Long battery life
• Easy setup
• Durability is best in class

Cons

• No video capability

Trailcampro Analysis

We have been reviewing and using Reconyx game cameras for many years now. Their attention to detail, incredible speed, picture quality, and durability have rightfully placed Reconyx at the top of the trail camera mountain.

When you buy a Reconyx, you are getting an American made manufacturing marvel. Just hold the camera and you can instantly tell this was made by folks who take great pride in their work.

We have an old Reconyx RM45 that has been on a farm in northern Missouri for ten years now. It works as well today as it did when we first set it out. Don't let the sticker shock of a Reconyx camera scare you away, these cameras are built to last.

Picture Quality:

Photo resolution: 3.1 mpxl | Video Resolution: None | Flash Type: No Glow Infrared

The difference from the HC500 to the Reconyx HC600 is the type of glow produced from the infrared emitters. The HC600 is completely covert, you will not see a red glow. The HC500 produces a faint red glow that is visible really only when looking directly at the camera or close by.

The day pictures are crystal clear, with almost no blurring. The colors are rich and vibrant and rank among the best on the market.

Most companies these days advertise high megapixel ratings on their cameras. Their high mpxl ratings are actually interpolated images, which is taken from a smaller mpxl camera but enlarged. Reconyx takes 3.1 mpxl photos, from an actual 3.1 mpxl camera.

The night pictures surprised us big time this year. They are somehow brighter than the HC600's sister camera, the HC500 (which is red glow infrared). This has been a big change from the past and makes the additional money for the HC600 well worth it. We currently have the HC600's night pictures as having the second best flash range (second only to the Reconyx SC950).

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Battery Life:

Resting Power (on): 1.44 mW | Daytime Power Consumption: 1.12 Ws | Nighttime Power Consumption: 3.50 Ws

The HC600 uses 12 AA batteries. The HC600 has an extremely low resting current draw and a low current draw while taking a photo both during the day and night. This is truly impressive data and speaks volumes to the quality of the product.

Reconyx cameras work perfectly with the Tenergy Nimh Rechargeable Batteries. We like these batteries for the cost savings. We have noticed as of the summer of 2012 that the battery meter on the Reconyx cameras has been spotty and incorrect quite often. It has been giving incorrect readings.

Lithium batteries will give you the longest battery life and the best night picture quality. If this camera were to take 35-day pictures and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera could last an unbelievable 18.9 months in the field (with lithiums).

Detection Circuit:

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.28 s. / 0.9 s. | Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: None | Detection Range: 60 ft

With a 0.28-second trigger speed (about the time it takes you to blink), you won't miss a thing. Even better, the recovery time (time between first and second picture) is nearly instant. You get roughly 1 picture per second if there is movement in front of the camera.

This is one of the fastest detection circuits on the market. Since this Reconyx camera does not take videos, we could not calculate a video trigger or recovery time into the rankings.

The detection zone perfectly matches the field of view (very rare for any camera to do this). The detection range is 60 ft.

Quality of Design:

Dimensions: 5.5" x 4.5" x 3" | Battery Type: 12 AA Batteries | External Battery Jack: None

The camera is very small. It measures in at 5.5" x 4.5" x 3." As soon as you start the camera up for the first time, you realize this isn't your same-old game camera. This is the real-deal. Instantly, it asks for the year, date, time, what type of batteries you are using and so on. All this information is then saved.

The buttons are crisp and you immediately realize the quality in your hands. The clamps on the camera are strong and snap loudly, letting you know the camera is securely shut.

Two negative items knock the quality of design rating. The camera does not take videos, only pictures. Also, the battery meter does not accurately measure all types of batteries.

Enjoy our Reconyx HC600 reviews? Please consider purchasing your next trail camera from us.

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