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Hunting Guide Reviews

Non Typical DeerCam DC-100®

December 16, 2003

# Camera: Olympus Infinity XB 35 mm. Film format: 35mm DX-coded color negative film (24 x 36 mm). Lens: Olympus lens, 29 mm, f/4, 3 elements in 3 groups . Shutter: Programmed electronic shutter (1/60 - 1/250 sec.) . Viewfinder: Inverted Galilean type, large-size viewfinder. Magnification - 0.68X. Field of view ratio - 80% . Focusing: Active-type autofocus system. Focus lock possible. Focusing range: 3.3ft to infinity . Exposure control: Programmed automatic exposure control . Exposure counter: Progressive type with automatic reset . Self-timer: Electronic self-timer, 12-sec. delay. Film speed range: Automatic setting with DX-coded film with ISO 100-400. Film loading: Automatic loading (automatically advances to first frame). Film advance/rewind: Automatic (automatic rewind activated at end of film, automatic rewind stop). Rewind possible at any point . Flash: Built-in flash with Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Off and Fill-in modes. Power source: 3V lithium battery (CR123A or DL123A). Dimensions: 4.6"W X 2.8"H X 1.6"D". Weight: 6.2 oz. (without battery).

Features:

Camera Independent Use: Yes, you can take the camera out of the unit and use it like a normal 35mm camera.
Power Source: 9 volt alkaline is easily accessible in htis new model, it does not require a screwdriver and subsequent removal of the heat seeker to plug in the 9V. Merely open the DC-100 housing and it's right there in the open. The camera operates on a
Battery Life: Typically 4 months.
Low Battery Indicator: Main sensor unit yes. Camera unknown at this time, if anybody has this info please email us at
Detection Method: Passive infrared motion detector which is designed to detect heat in motion within a conical area. The ± 4 degree cone-shaped detection zone extends to 60 feet (maximum detection distances vary with ambient air temperature and animal siz
Detection Range: 60 feet. Standard & High Sensitivity settings allow optimizing for animal size.
Camera Delay Options: 10 settings, (15s, 30s, 1m, 2m, 5m, 10m, 15m, 30m, 45m, 60m)
Operation Modes: 24 hour only setting
On/off Switch: Has an external button to deactivate the camera for testing or changing film. It automatically turns on after 6 minutes.
Programming Modes of Operation: Two standard operating modes allow anyone to use DeerCam. Beginner mode jumper selection of camera delay, on/off switch very easy to learn. Advanced mode - 1 button operation, easy to use and enables advanced features. Both
Film Date Stamp Options: 4 settings: day/month/year, time, day/time, no print.
Camera Focus Range: 3.3 feet to infinity.
Camera Flash Range: Unknown at this time, if anybody has this info please contact us
Camera Aiming Test Light: "Walk/Test" Light" blinks when you walk through the infrared beam to let you know where the beam is pointing.
Film Check Observation Window: To access the pic frame indicator window the housing must be opened, it cannot be seen otherwise.
Event Counter: Yes, counts activity and indicates number of events (2500 total events)
Waterproof: Yes.
Temp Range: -20° to 100° F.
Mounting Setup: Bungee cord.
Case: ABS plastic.
Size: 6" w x 9 1/2" h x 2 1/2" d.
Weight: 1 pound 1 ounce.
Sound Insulation: Yes, foam around the camera.
Camo: Yes
Lock or Antitheft Capability: This year the security cable was made standard equipment with all DC-100's.
Warranty: 2 year warranty on electronics / 1 year warranty on camera and enclosure.

Other Information

Available Late 2001 - The XpanderTM - The optional Xpander installs inside the DeerCam and features a LCD display and push button switches. XpanderTM allows intuitive and easy viewing of events, setting camera parameters and enabling password protection. (An EVENT is the date/time an animal is detected). With the XpanderTM installed DeerCam is able to operate in a third mode, the Professional Mode. In Professional Mode you don't have to wait for film developement to determine animal activity, DeerCam electronically records the date/time of all activity for immediate viewing. Essentially, Professional Mode turns the DC-100 into a scouting camera and a trail monitor.

This camera replaced the NCX-10 as of May 2001. Good battery life and photos. Customer service answered my e-mail inquiry in 1 business day.

User Comments

The day after I emailed you I got my unit back from Non Typical with the film out and they checked it over and ran 2 rolls of film and it worked fine, so I am back in business for now and the pictures came out great. In all I was very pleased with the repair time and that everything seems ok and Ron was very helpful and friendly. Thank you. - Dave W.

My experience has been with the NonTypical Deer Cam also. It is a cheaper unit than the Camtrakker and still takes some nice pictures. But like somebody else said, if they are going to take, it will be gone no matter what. It is just like a treestand in that matter. You can only take so many precautions. I would recomend the deer cam model to anybody, very simple to use. Check out some pics at my page. http://www.geocities.com/hfpmad/Deer_Cam/CAM_Frames.htm - IL_BOW_MAN.

I have a Non Typical Deercam and love it. It's cheaper than the Camtracker. I still worry everyday I have it in the woods. Hopefully it'll be there tommorrow when I check it. - Deer902.

I personally have three DeerCams by Nontypical. They run about 250.00 and I have not had any trouble with them. The newer models this year are easier to use and have more settings. It comes with a security cable but I think with any of the cameras on the market, if someone wants to steal it, they are going to get it no matter how big a chain or cable you use. - ntexhunter.

This is my first year with the camera, and I have to say I'm less than impressed. Two main areas of concern 1. sensor performance. During the warm months, it wouldn't trigger on my body heat outside of about 15-18 feet. Now that it's cooler (SE Virginia) I'm getting shots at up to 30'. Effectively I've got a 5 or 6 month capability unless I can guess animal movement at under 5 yards!! 2. Battery life - The maker estimates battery life for sensor and camera in terms of months. Now that the weather is cooler, I'm replacing batteries almost weekly. At 2 x 9v a pop, that's getting expensive! Plus, I've already had to replace the camera battery once. All that being said, the shots are nice, and especially important, I'm learning a LOT about animal movement patterns. I'm also learning that hunters follow deer trails. I've got more shots of hunters (all during daylight hours) than I do of deer (all during darkness). There's a message in there! Hope this is of some value, and I'd appreciate any feedback you can pass to on what other users have reported. Also, what the feed back has been on other brands of trail cams. Thanks. - Garry K.

I have 2 of these camera's. I first bought 2 SX-500's. I had problems with both of them. I sent the first one back to the company and they tried to fix it. That took about 2 weeks before I got it back. I had the same problem with the second camera and what they did was sent me the new DC-100 and said when they get the expander that they will just send me one. Well I ended up sending the second one back a second and a third time (just sent it back to the company Monday) and now they are sending me another DC-100 and said they will now send 2 of the expanders. At any rate when I called them I had no problem getting through. They never put me on hold and when I needed to talk to a technichian and they were not there, the tech called me back the next day. - Nate H.

I've also been using the Nontypical DeerCam for the past two years. I like the battery life, but I'm not thrilled with the picture quality. I've only used 400 film though; I'll try some 800 this summer and fall. Like woodseye, I only use mine to try to get buck pics for hunting later. Unlike woodseye, I do take the camera out of the case for taking other pics when the case is not set up. One complaint of mine with the DeerCam is that with one button to control everything it takes awhile to figure out how to set it up again. Push the button so many times to do this, so many to do that, don't do it too fast, and take your gloves off so you can feel the button push in, etc. - tim.sirek.

I purchased two cameras at the same time and decided I would keep the one I liked best. One was the DC 100 and the other was a Moultrie Game Cam II. I was hopeful of the Game Cam because of the great price point, but the clear winner was the DC100. Yes, it is twice the price, but for me, a much better unit that will hold up much longer and be easier to use. The game cam is simple to setup or program, but other things about it make it less convenient to me. The game cam had decent battery life and ok picture quality, but using the same film and taking pictures at the same time of night (I held them side by side, taking a picture of a target deer in my backyard at 35 feet), the dc100 was far superior in picture quality.

In the field, the Game Cam filled up with water (the housing itself), had one large cockroach and a bunch of babies, and a worm in it. The camera and interior is not sealed, so the housing makes a nice nest for critters which I prefer not to deal with. The Game Cam does not have a bi-pass button either, so once you attempt to open it to check on the number of pictures remaining, you will take a picture or two before you can close the shutter. The quality and feel of the camera is very poor. It feels like a piece of junk, but again, took decent pictures. The mounting system for the tree requires your own bungee, which I found troublesome b/c some trees are too big and some too small. With the size and weight of the Game Cam with two D cells and a six volt, it needs to be fastened securely or it will slip down the tree.

Overall, this is not a terrible unit by any means, and for the guy on a tight budget, not a bad way to go but for many folks, spending a little more money will mean getting a much better quality unit. - Tealboy.

Pricing Information

$259.95 at Dewclaw Sales. $279.99 at Bass Pro Shops and at Cabela's.
Note: These prices are current as of 5/10/02. Please check for current price and availability.

Manufacturer Information

Non Typical DeerCam PH# 715-762-2260.
http://www.nontypicalinc.com/