Cellular trail cameras can cost a lot of money and sometimes they don’t have everything that you need. Either it doesn’t have a feature you are looking for, a certain spec or specs are subpar, the cellular plan can be too expensive, or the app is poor and in some cases nonexistent.
Luckily for us, Moultrie has tried to knock it out of the park with the Moultrie Mobile 7000i Cellular Trail Camera as they tried to create an affordable cellular trail camera that has great performance, a strong mobile app, and flexible cellular plan options.
Check out our review and see if they created something that can meet your needs too.
Table of Contents
Introducing the Moultrie 7000i Cellular Trail Camera
Moultrie has made a huge upgrade with its mobile trail camera technology with the Moultrie Mobile 7000i cellular trail camera. These cellular trail cameras are much easier to use and set up when compared to when Moultrie Mobile first came out. Back then you could buy a separate Moultrie Mobile Cellular Field Modem that could turn your existing Moultrie trail cameras into cellular trail cameras. This idea was brilliant at the time, but let’s face it it was cumbersome to use. Between doing firmware updates and getting the settings just right for your trail camera to communicate with the modem, getting up and running could feel frustrating, especially if you were not a technology wiz.
With the 7000i the camera and the modem are in one easy-to-use unit. Combine that with some high end features and an app that allows you to easily manage everything and the 7000i becomes a very attractive cellular trail camera option.
The 7000i has two models to choose from. There is the XV-7000i, which uses the Verizon network and the XA-7000i, which uses the AT&T network. So no matter which company’s cell signal is best where you are, Moultrie has you covered.
Pros
- Produces high-quality images up to 20MP resolution and can record 1080p videos
- Invisible no glow flash
- Fast 0.3 second trigger speed.
- Great mobile app
- You can receive your images on your cellular devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or computers.
- Affordability
- 2 year warranty
- Energy efficient
- Options for both AT&T and Verizon are available
Cons
- Videos do not transmit via the cellular network
- No LCD Screen
- If the camera loses cellular connection, it may shut down.
Review of Features and Benefits of the Moultrie 7000i Trail Camera
Camera
One of the standout features of the Moultrie 7000i is the quality of the camera. The camera has an image resolution of 20 megapixels and a quality 1080p video resolution, which should more than satisfy the needs of most every hunter and outdoor enthusiast.
It is worth noting that the camera won’t transmit videos to you. However, it will save any
Motion Sensor
The motion sensor is always a critical component of trail cameras as they help detect any activity, which activates the camera to start shooting. The 7000i has a passive infrared motion sensor (PIR), with an 80-foot detection range, which if you are not familiar is longer than many trail cameras out there.
Trigger Speed
When talking about the motion sensor, you cannot avoid talking about the trigger speed, which is the speed at which the camera is activated once it detects any disturbance. The 7000i has a fast trigger speed of 0.3 seconds, which should be fast enough to capture almost any object within the detection range.
Flash
The Moultrie 7000i has a no glow flash with an 80-foot range. This flash range is better than the no glow flashes found on many other trail cameras.
Having a no glow flash means that the camera will remain undetectable at night when the flash is in use. This opens up the 7000i for use in situations, like being on public hunting land or being used as a security camera, where having its location revealed might mean vandalism or theft.
Moultrie Mobile Cellular Plan And Options
With all cellular trail cameras, there are two big costs that you need to keep in mind. First, there is the cost of the trail camera itself. Second, is the price of the data plan, which is every bit as important as the cost of the camera, because this will be an ongoing expense for as long as you own/use the camera.
Remember that there are two models of the 7000i; the XV-7000i and the XA-7000i. The XV7000i uses the Verizon network, while the XA7000i uses the AT&T network. You can choose whichever model that will work best in the area you are planning on using it. The 7000i is completely separate and independent from your current cell phone plan/provider. So you don’t need to choose the model that has the same carrier as your cell phone.
Regardless of which network you will be using, all the plans include:
- Option to pay month to month or annually (for greater savings)
- Free unlimited cloud storage
- Ability to Download HD versions of images on demand
- Advanced image recognition
- No contracts
There are currently 5 plans to choose from:
Monitor Plan
- 100 Images per month
Standard Plan
- 1,000 Images per month
- Option to add 500 images for $4.99
Large Plan
- 1,500 images per month
- Option to add 500 images for $4.99
Unlimited Plan (Best Value for most people)
- Unlimited images each month
Pro Plan (Best if you have 3 or more cellular cameras)
- Unlimited Images each month
- Option to add additional cameras for $7.99 per camera per month
There are several plans to choose from, which come with perks such as free cloud storage, high-quality image download, and advanced image recognition.
Mobile App
To receive the images on your phone or tablet, you need to download and install the Moultrie Mobile App. The app makes viewing your images a straightforward process and comes with several features that allow you to:
- Remotely check the camera’s status and update settings
- Automatically filter images based on what’s in them
- Customize notifications so you only see what matters
- Manage your data plan and payment method
- Keeps you up to date on new feature releases
- Also allows you to do interactive mapping
- This feature is especially helpful if you end up with multiple cameras in different locations.
- Below is a video clip from Moultrie that will give you a flavor of what interactive mapping is like.
The free mobile app is available for both Android and IOS operating systems.
Internal Antenna
When you look at the 7000i you will notice that there isn’t an antenna sticking out from the top of the camera like there is with most other trail cameras. That is because it has an internal antenna.
I like the internal antenna for a couple of reasons. First, by not having the hole where the antenna is inserted into the exterior of the camera might help to eliminate another possible way that moisture could enter the camera. The second reason I like the internal antenna is that not having an antenna sticking out from the trail camera helps it blend in better to its surroundings and stay concealed, which is very helpful if you are worried about the camera getting stolen or vandalized.
Time-Lapse
The Moultrie 7000i has the time-lapse feature, which you can use to capture objects out of detection range. This feature is also helpful if you want to keep track of slow-moving animals such as the cold-blooded types.
However, you need to remember that the camera will transmit all of these images to you. Unless you have the Unlimited or Pro plans mentioned above, using the time-lapse feature could use up a significant chunk of the images on your monthly cell plan.
LCD Screen
The Moultrie 7000i doesn’t have an LCD screen. However, you don’t really need one to help you set up this trail camera because you will select or change the camera’s settings with a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The one area where you might miss having a color LCD screen is when you are wanting to make sure that you have the camera pointed in just the right direction. It can feel a little cumbersome not having an LCD screen for that part of your setup, but it honestly isn’t that big of a hassle.
Memory Card
You will need a memory card to store the footage you record from the trail camera. The camera can accommodate SDHC memory cards with a maximum capacity of 32GB. Moultrie states that class 10 cards are required.
Over the years we have had very good luck with SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC memory cards and recommend using them.
Batteries
Between capturing images, recording videos, and transmitting images to you via the cellular network cellular trail cameras can use more power than a traditional trail camera, especially if they are in an area with a lot of activity. So sometimes trail camera manufacturers will design cellular trail cameras to use more batteries to extend the amount of time it can stay in the field unattended and that is the case with the Moultrie 7000i cellular trail camera, which runs on 12 AA batteries.
The camera does not consume an excessive amount of power and in most situations can last around three months on a set of high-quality batteries. For maximum battery life and top performance, we suggest that you use Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.
Input For External Power Supply
If you really want to extend the amount of time that you can leave this 7000i in the field you can use an external power supply unit to power this trail camera. It has a 5.5mm x 2.1mm external port, where you can connect a 12-volt power unit.
Image Stamp
The image stamp shows you details about when the picture or video was taken. Details that are included on the image stamp include the time, date, camera name (yes, you can name the camera), temperature, and moon phase.
Camo Exterior
Now, this part of the review is purely opinion. I absolutely love the Moultrie White Bark Camo pattern on the exterior of the 7000i. Maybe it is because it would blend in great in many areas I hunt. That said, if you are debating between a couple of trail cameras that you like equally well, things like the camo pattern can certainly be a deciding factor.
Areas Of Use
As we referenced earlier, this camera has some fantastic features and is ideal if you want to have up to date information to help make your hunting season a success. Because of its no glow flash you and the camo exterior we just mentioned you can also feel confident using it on public hunting land as well as using it as a security camera to monitor your property when you are not there.
Price
As expected the Moultrie 7000i has a heftier price than many non-cellular trail cameras. The cost, however, is worth it when you look at its features. Mobile connectivity, high-quality images, fast trigger speed, and a great mobile app are just some of the features that help it distinguish itself.
When compared to other cellular trail cameras the 7000i price comes out to be on the lower end of the cameras we recommend. So when you purchase the 7000i, you are getting terrific value for your dollar.
Other Options
Moultrie Mobile 6000 Cellular Trail Camera
If the affordable 7000i is a little more camera than you need, but you would still like to take advantage of the Moultrie Mobile technology you might want to take a step down to the Moultrie Mobile 6000 cellular trail camera and save yourself even more money. The 6000 is available in both an AT&T version and a Verizon version. Features/specs that are downgraded on the 6000 include 16MP camera, 720p video recording, 0.9 second trigger speed, Low glow flash with a 70 foot range. So while the 6000 might not be as ideal to use as a security camera or to capture images of fast-moving game animals it is more than enough to monitor most game trails, food plots, and feeders.
You can check out the current price of the Moultrie Mobile 6000 here.
Campark T85 WiFi Trail Camera
If you don’t really need a cellular trail camera but would still like to have a lot of the higher-end features that the Moultrie 7000i offers while saving some money the Campark T85 might be the camera for you. Features that it has in common with the 7000i are a 20MP camera, no glow flash, and a 0.3 second trigger speed. While it doesn’t automatically send pictures to you like a cellular trail camera, it does have wifi connectivity so you can check or download pictures and videos to your phone from a short distance away using Campark’s free smartphone app.
Click here to see the current price of the T85.
Final Thoughts
Nobody wants to pay a lot of money for a cellular camera only to find out it has crummy specs. That said, you should consider the Moultrie Mobile 7000i cellular trail camera. Not only is it affordable, but it also has a great app and tremendous specs to compete with today’s top cellular trail cams.
You can learn more about the Moultrie 7000i and check its’ current price here.
Last update on 2024-04-19 at 00:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
