NatureSpy have used Ltl Acorn camera traps for a long time. Their versatility, excellent list of features and affordability means they are an ideal place to start if you’re interested in camera trapping.

The Ltl Acorn 5210a camera traps were used when our Yorkshire Pine Marten Project first started – you may have spotted them when we were on BBC Look North!

Pictures from our Ltl Acorn cameras have appeared in the Yorkshire Post, The Northern Echo, BBC Wildlife Magazine and on ITV Calendar.

One of the best qualities of these cameras is the 12MP images. These give a clarity that many other camera trap models don’t offer.

We always set the camera to take 3 pictures per trigger, and the images are taken at 4 second intervals after the first trigger.

You can see lots of camera trap images from NatureSpy’s Ltl Acorn cameras on our ‘Species Spied‘ pages.

The video quality is generally good across the range and at this price level. If video quality is really important to you, there are likely to be better choices within reach – such as the Bushnell Essential E3, SpyPoint Force 10 or Browning cameras.

Some of the Ltl Acorns (5610 series) have two separate configurable timers – great for if you don’t want the camera to be active at certain periods of the day. We use these timers when we have these cameras on schools, playgrounds or gardens, with the timer set to avoid the period where human activity is highest.

The built-in colour screen is also very useful for checking images quickly in the field and taking test shots. You can strap it up, turn it on, walk in front and then immediately and easily check when the camera triggered and the field of view. The 6210MC has a slightly smaller screen but still performs the same role, and also acts as a useful viewfinder.

You’ll also notice the unique sensor design – if you were to look inside the Ltl Acorn cameras you’d see not one IR sensor (as is the norm), but two. The top sensor faces forwards and is the main sensor. The bottom sensor is funneled into the two side facing ‘prep sensors’.

These sensors ‘prepare’ the camera in advance, so that when the animal approaches the main sensor and triggers the camera, you get optimal footage or images of the animal. This is demonstrated well with the fox picture above. Of course, a lot depends on the animal walking in the way you want it to!

All in all a  great place to start with camera traps, and you’ll be impressed with the results. If you’re not sure what’s best to go for, just get in touch; we’ve been helping people to choose the right camera trap for them for years.