Toguard H40-1 Trail Camera Review

What are most people looking for in a trail camera? That can be a big question and the specifics can change from person to person, but there are some things that everyone can probably agree on.

Luckily, the Toguard H40-1 is a trail camera that has the things most of us are all looking for.

So let’s take a closer look and see if it is a good choice for you.

Introducing the Toguard H40-1 Trail Camera

Buy Now

The competitively priced Toguard H40-1 is a full-featured trail camera with a long list of great features, which makes it more versatile and allows it to work successfully in a variety of settings. This easy to use model is attractive to both new and seasoned trail camera users.

Priced a bit more than entry-level trail cameras, the Toguard H85 has WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities to allow you to connect to your camera from a distance. In addition to its wireless functionality, it has a ton of higher-end and customizable features that make it a true value.

Pros

• 16MP camera
• 1080p HD video
• Good flash range
• Wide detection angle
• Adjustable PIR sensitivity
• Affordable price
• Easy to use
• IP56 rated to stand up to the elements

Cons

• Uses MicroSDHC memory cards
• Some people might wish the detection range was longer
• Low glow flash

See Current Sale Price and Learn More Here

Review of Key Features and Benefits of the Toguard H40-1 Camera

Camera

The H40-1 comes with a camera that can take pictures with up to 16MP resolution and can capture 1080p videos. Both specs are pretty common these days and are about what you would expect from an entry-level priced trail camera. When combined with its 120° wide-angle lens you should expect to be pleased with the pictures and videos you get from this Toguard camera.

The camera also features a photo+video mode, where it takes a select number of photos then takes a video. This feature is useful when you want to diversify your outdoor recordings. I used to be a picture person and then started to prefer using my trail cameras to take videos. Now with trail cameras that offer the photo+video mode that is my go to option.

Motion Sensor (PIR)

With its single motion sensor, this Toguard trail camera has a 75 foot detection range. The 75 foot detection range is a nice bonus as it is a bit further than the 65 foot range that is commonly found on many trail cameras these days.

The H40-1’s PIR sensor has a 120° detection angle, which is very good and wider than many cameras out there. The only negative about the wide-angle of the motion sensor is that depending on where you set it up it could end up getting a lot of false triggers. That is why some people decide to pay more for cameras that have a 120° detection angle with 3 PIR sensors (one middle sensor and two side sensors) that allow you to turn off the side sensors if needed.

The good news is that the motion sensor on the H40-1 has an adjustable motion sensor sensitivity, where you can set it to high, medium, or low depending on your preferences, which should help you eliminate some of those false triggers.

Trigger Speed

At 0.5 seconds, the H40-1’s trigger speed is more on the average side. However, when combined with the camera’s wide detection angle it is exceedingly difficult for anything to pass by this Toguard trail camera without being detected.

Flash

With its 42pc 850nm low glow flash, which has a range of 75 feet, the H40-1’s flash shouldn’t scare away the animals that you are targeting.

That said, know that while low glow flash won’t visibly illuminate the area that is being photographed or recorded, it will make the front of the camera glow red when the flash is in use, which could give away the camera’s location if someone is looking in its direction when the flash is on. You might want to opt for a camera with a no glow flash if you plan on using it on public hunting land, as a security camera, or in any other place where you would like to keep its location hidden at night.

Dimensions

The dimensions of this Toguard trail camera is another excellent attribute. While not touted as a mini trail camera, Its size is still a compact 3.15 x 5.12 x 2.36 inches, which is pretty compact and not easily detectable in the wild. The small dimensions could also make it popular for home surveillance as its compact size makes it harder for burglars to spot it.

Time-Lapse

The time-lapse mode on the Toguard H40-1 is a very helpful feature. When turned on, the cameras’ time-lapse feature will disable the motion sensor and the camera will only capture images at the predetermined time intervals that you specify.

If you are unfamiliar with using time-lapse mode on trail cameras, there are a couple of ways in which it might come in handy for you. First, if you have the camera set up in an area where you are getting a lot of false triggers, even after selecting the low sensitivity setting on the motion sensor, enabling the time-lapse feature will allow you monitor the area without getting hundreds of battery draining false triggers each day from things like the sun rising or setting, or branches and grass moving in the breeze. Another way you might like to use the time-lapse feature is when you want to monitor the area that is beyond the range of the motion sensor. A third way time-lapse might be useful is if you are trying to monitor slow-moving animals or document gradual processes.

LCD Screen

When you open the camera’s cover you will see that it comes with a 2 inch color TFT LCD screen, which allows you to easily set up the camera and change its settings. The LCD screen also allows you to view your recorded videos and photos.

While you indeed can use the LCD screen to preview pictures and videos on the camera, know that it is hard to see a lot of detail on such a small screen. In order to see and appreciate all the details the camera can capture you should plan on having two memory cards for the camera so you switch the cards out and bring it home to view on a larger screen.

Speaking of memory cards…

Memory Card

As with all trail cameras, the H40-1 will need a memory card to store the pictures and videos. It can accommodate class 6 or higher micro SDHC memory cards with a capacity of up to 32GB. Toguard recommends using Class 10 cards.

Using micro SD cards in trail cameras is never something that we have been a fan of. While they perform just fine, we dislike trying to take these smaller cards in and out of trail cameras in the field. If you have bigger fingers or are handlining these cards on a cold day it is easy to drop them on the ground and lose them in the leaves and the brush.

For best performance in the Toguard H40-1 we suggest using the SanDisk Ultra 32GB micro SDHC card.

Password Protection

The password protection feature gives you a hint about how full-featured this trail camera is, by allowing you to prevent unauthorized people from using it. To set up a password, go to the password option in the menu, where you will provide a 4-digit password to encrypt the camera. Then any time you turn the camera on, you have to provide the password before you can use the camera or change its settings.

Batteries

The Toguard H40-1 requires 8 AA batteries to operate. For best performance, especially during cold weather, we suggest using high-quality lithium batteries like Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. If you want to know the reasons why we suggest these batteries you can read our article that talks about the best batteries for trail cameras.

Input for External Power Supply

If you want to extend the amount of time you can leave the H40-1 in the field unattended, you can use an external power supply unit. The H40-1 will accommodate a 6V external power supply with at least 1.5A, and it should have a connector that has a plug head with 3.5mm and 1.3mm external and internal diameters, respectively.

Image Stamp

As with most trail cameras, the H40-1 has an image stamp. It includes the date, time, temperature, and moon phase. If you are new to trail cameras, an image stamp really helps when you are sorting through pictures and videos as you look for patterns of behavior with deer or other game animals.

Areas of Use

The full-featured Toguard H40-1 is a very versatile trail camera and you should feel confident using it in a wide variety of settings including hunting on public land or property surveillance.

Remember that it might not be a good fit for you if you need a no glow flash to keep the camera’s location hidden at night. Likewise, if you plan on posting the camera in an elevated position (and will need a ladder to check the camera) you might want to look at spending more money and get a camera with WiFi or cellular capabilities.

Included Accessories

This Toguard model H40-1 comes with the following items to help you get it up and running quickly and easily.

Price

Usually priced just a bit higher than entry-level trail cameras, the Toguard H40-1 has a reasonable price, especially when you consider its features. If you happen to buy it on sale it is sometimes priced like an entry-level trail camera, which makes it an exceptional bargain. Its affordability is an even bigger bonus if you are in the market to buy multiple trail cameras.

You can check the current price of the H40-1 here.

Other Options

Campark T85 Trail Camera

If you like the H40-1, but really need a camera with no glow flash and the ability to connect the camera wirelessly you can get the Campark T85. While priced more than the Toguard, the T85 justifies this higher price by having several features (in addition to the no glow flash and wireless connectivity) that are a step up from the H40-1. These features include a higher resolution camera, a faster trigger speed, and 3 motion sensors. We actually did a full review of the Campark T85 if you want to read more about it.

You can check the current price of the Campark T85 here.

Toguard H20 Mini Trail Camera

The upgraded 16MP Toguard H20 mini trail camera is very similar to the H40-1 in many ways including its photo and video resolution and motion sensor. That said, there are a few important differences between these two cameras. Included in these differences is the H20 having a faster trigger speed and a smaller size, measuring 3.2 x 4.2 x 2.2 inches, which makes it easier to conceal its location. Meanwhile, the H40-1 has more low glow LEDs, which gives it a longer flash range. We have also completed a full review of the Toguard H20 if you want to read more about it.

You can see the current price of the Toguard H20 here.

Final Thoughts

The user-friendly Toguard H40-1 trail camera does a great job of eliminating the frustration of missing out on capturing images and video. With its 120° wide detection angle and 120° wide-angle camera lens, the H40-1 can monitor close to 3 times the area as numerous other trail cameras.

You can check the current price here.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 16:21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API