Stealth Cam Fusion Verizon Trail Camera Review
The Fusion does not stand out in any category and receives below average grades in battery life and detection circuit. However, it is easy to set up and the data plans are reasonable. If you are in need of an inexpensive cellular trail cameras, this could do the trick. - TCP Staff
Model # stc-fvrrzw
Pros
- Very easy to activate
Cons
- No internal set up screen
- Poor battery life
- Below average detection circuit
The Stealth Cam Fusion wireless cellular camera uses a LTE Quectel EC21-V module that allows this trail camera to operate on Verizon LTE towers. It is backwards compatible and should work on 4G/3G towers while they are still active. If you prefer shooting images and videos on Verizon-powered cameras, check out our Spartan GoLive camera!
The pictures can be retrieved by a smartphone using the Stealth Cam app. You do NOT need a Verizon cell phone, any carrier's phone would work for retrieval. It is only important that the Fusion has 3 or more bars of Verizon reception.
Photo resolution: 26 mpxl (interpolated)
Flash Type: Red glow IR
The day pictures from the Fusion game trail camera aren't clear and have drab color. They do seem to stop motion really well, though. In general, the majority of the pictures look overexposed but are usable to determine what animal is in front of that camera and, if you are a trophy whitetail hunter, how big a buck is.
Night pictures are fairly grainy with below average flash range. Not really much to write home about in this category but consider that this isn't meant to be a high-end cell camera, so you shouldn't expect photo quality of a camera that costs hundreds more. To take well-illuminated photographs in the nighttime, check out the Stealth Cam Fusion X!
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 Stealth Cam Fusion Verizon wireless trail camera. If so, we will warranty the Stealth Cam Fusion cellular 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.
Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 1.99 mW
Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 100.3 Ws | 103.6 Ws
If this camera took 15-day pictures and 15-night pictures every 24 hours, it would last 1.2 months on a set of lithium batteries. This is well below average.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.77 s. | 69.5 s.
Detection Range & Angle: 70 ft. @ 48.4° detection angle (42.2 field of view)
The trigger speed is slightly below average and the recovery time takes longer than a minute.
The detection range is average and the detection angle is slightly wider than the field of view. Overall, we consider this detection circuit to be less superior than other cellular cameras on the market.
Dimensions: 5.25" x 3.75" x 2.75"
Battery Type: 8 AA
External Battery Jack: 12-volt
Case Design
The Fusion is a fairly small camera and the outer plastic shell has a hard, durable fit/feel. The latch is medium-sized and easy to open and close. The camera has a bracket on the back for a Python Cable Lock and a 1/4" x 20 threaded insert on the bottom for a Slate River Mount.
There is no internal programming, which limits the way you cam program the camera to just the smartphone app and means you must pay for data to run this camera. Cameras without internal programming can also be harder to troubleshoot in the event they aren't working as expected.
The battery compartment is unique and we actually really like it as there is very little to ever go wrong with it. The batteries are snug and pull out with very little effort once the camera is opened.
Camera Setup
The cellular setup process for the Stealth Cam Fusion wireless Verizon trail camera is extremely simple. Just follow the below steps:
- Download the Stealth Cam Command app, create an account, and sign in
- Press the plus sign in the top left corner to add a new camera. You can use the app to scan the QR code that is located underneath the battery tray. This adds the camera. Follow the directions on the screen to complete camera set up and data plan configuration
- Top on your camera within the app and select "Camera Setup" to begin customizing your settings.
Data Plan Costs
| Monthly | Annual | ||
| Free | 30 Days (Card Required) | Free | 30 Days (Card Required) |
| $5 | 600 Photos | $4/mo | 600 Photos |
| $10 | 2,000 Photos | $8/mo | 2,000 Photos |
| $20 | Unlimited Photos | $15/mo | Unlimited Photos |
| $50 | 36,000 Photos | $40/mo | 36,000 Photos |
| Bundle Pro: 3 cameras included | Bundle Pro: 3 cameras included | ||
| $5 per each additional camera | $5 per each additional camera |
Durability
We currently do not have any warranty concerns but if something changes, we will update this 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.
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.
FAQ's: 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 game trail camera in an area that would enable picture detection from 3 - 20 ft.
Q: Can animals see the infrared flash on this camera?
A: Yes. This is a red glow trail camera, meaning it has a faint red glow when taking pictures or videos at night. Humans and animals can see this if looking at the camera. This does not "light up" the woods, though.
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.
Read Reviews From All the Game and Trail Cameras