Review
Yellowstone.ai Y2 4G- TCP Staff
Model # Y2
Yellowstone.ai LIFETIME WARRANTY
Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:
85/100
Yellowstone.ai Y2 4G Cellular Trail Camera Review
Pros
- Lifetime Warranty
- Multiple cable Lock options
- No Glow
- PIR Sensitivity
- Time Lapse
- Operation hours
- Hybrid Mode
- Includes SD card
Cons
- Antenna Durability
Be Wary Of Megapixel Ratings
Megapixel ratings for trail cameras seem to increase more & more every year. In reality, the native resolution of 99% of all trail cameras is 5 megapixels or less. Manufacturers artificially inflate megapixel ratings for advertising purposes through a process called interpolation. Interpolated photos are enhanced by software to mimic the file size of a higher megapixel photo, but seldom offer additional clarity or resolution. The result is an exponentially larger file size photo which takes longer to load and slows down the speed of your camera. We always program our cameras to capture photos at the image sensor's native resolution. This allows our cameras to operate as efficiently as possible and store more photos to memory. With shorter load times, this also allows us to review photos at a much quicker pace. To put things in perspective, the trail camera widely considered to be the "Gold Standard" and used by more professional researchers than any other unit is just 3 megapixels.
Photo resolution: 12 mpxl (interpolated)
Video resolution: 1080p
Flash Type: No Glow
Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 0.98 mW
Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 36.79 Ws | 37.2 Ws
Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 83.17 Ws | 39.87 Ws
Here are your best battery options:
Trailcampro Choice: AmpTORRENT Rechargeable AA Lithium
If the Yellowstone.ai Y2 were to take 15-day and 15-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 4.0 months in the field - per charge - on a set of AmpTorrent Rechargeable AA Lithium batteries.
There are several benefits to these batteries:
- Up to 1,200 charges
- Consistent 1.5 volt operation
- Charges with the included USB cable
- Eco-friendly (less batteries in a landfill)
- Batteries pay for themselves after 2-3 charges
Longest Lasting Choice: Energizer Ultimate Lithium
If the Yellowstone.ai Y2 were to take 15-day and 15-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 5.4 months in the field on a set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.
Ultimate Lithium batteries are the longest-lasting battery choice due to their incredible consistency and capacity. We've loved these batteries for a long time. However, in recent years they have become cost prohibitive and forced us to seek out a more affordable, eco-friendly option.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.42 s. | 35.3 s.
Video Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.6 s. | 24.7 s.
Detection Range & Angle: 90 ft @ 36.1° detection angle (53.1° f.o.v.)
Transmission Speed (Can Vary): 36.79 s.
Dimensions: 3.5" x 4.5"x 5.5"
Battery Type: 6 or 12 AA
External Battery Jack: 12v / 2a DC 4.0x1.7mm port
SD Card Size: Up to 32GB
Country of Origin: China
Case Design
The Yellowstone.ai Y2 camera appears very durable and is the only company to offer a lifetime warranty. There's a small door on the bottom half of the unit with a simple latch. A cable lock can be threaded through the front door preventing theft as well as access to the controls. Another option allows access to the controls while still securing the unit. There are LED lights for camera connection and the SD card is easily accessible. The eject button for the battery tray is inside the door and the battery tray comes out the bottom.
The antenna seems less durable than others, but replacements are available and covered by the camera's lifetime warranty. There are teeth on the back of the unit for mounting and a 1/4 x 20 mount on the back and the bottom of the case.
Camera Setup
Quick Start :
- Activate wireless service- "Yellowstone.ai Command Center" app or at my.yellowstone.ai
- Charge battery pack (1-6 hours) or insert AA batteries
- Install antenna, SD card, and insert battery pack into camera
- Setup the camera and make sure it finds service, take and view a test picture
- Mount your camera and switch to on mode
- Adjust settings in your command center
Your camera will come with a quickstart guide.
Durability
Through our 2-year warranty program on the trail cameras we sell, we are able to track warranty rates on all trail cam manufacturers. We do not publish this data but durability on Yellowstone.ai trail cameras is unmatched. This company offers US based customer service and offer a lifetime warranty on their cameras.
All test results are achieved through the use of proprietary equipment used exclusively by Trailcampro. Any re-publication of this data without prior written consent is strictly prohibited by law. COPYRIGHT TRAILCAMPRO, L.L.C. 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Read Reviews From All the Game and Trail Cameras