The SpyPoint Link-Dark 4G wireless camera trap sits comfortably between the lower-end SpyPoint Link Evo and higher-end SpyPoint Link-S, in its popular 4G wireless range.
SpyPoint camera traps have a strong history of innovation, and the Link Dark comes with a pre-activated ready-to-go SIM card, and all settings/configurations can be set via the free SpyPoint LINK app.
The main advantages of this camera are the much lower cost compared to the Link-S, with much the same features; very fast photo trigger speed, colour screen for set up and review, GPS Geotagging and same image resolution. So if you don’t need an inbuilt solar panel, this might be the wireless camera for you.
The Link-Dark also has no-glow LEDs which the other SpyPoint Link cameras do not have – an important feature if using for security purposes. Image transmission is fast when signal is good – generally 10 seconds to 1 minute from the time the picture is taken.
Photos taken by the camera are automatically uploaded to the cloud, and accessible via the mySpyPoint app (iOS and Android), or myspypoint.com. You can also set the app to ping your phone when a new photo is uploaded – so you get real time updates.
Even better is that there is a free monthly option that allows you to view 100 pictures every month, and for the first 30 days you get unlimited photos free. After the first 30 days, and if needing more than 100 photos per month you’ll need to to choose a paid plan – which are very affordable – especially bearing in mind that there is nothing to pay to any network provider like there is with other wireless cameras. So essentially if you only need 100 pictures per month, there is no ongoing cost with this wireless camera – for the first time in the UK.
Plan options are (prices are in Canadian Dollars);
Free plan = 100 photos/month
$5 per month (or $4/month if paid annually) = 250 photos/month
$10 per month (or $7/month if paid annually) = 1000 photos/month
$15 per month (or $10/month if paid annually) = unlimited photos/month
The camera also records the hi-res versions of the photos to it’s SD card, so they can be retrieved if no longer available online.
Example SpyPoint Link Dark images (as transmitted to the app):
In the UK, the Link-Dark will use the o2 (Telefonica) network (although you’ll never need to do anything with them) – therefore it is important to ensure you have o2 signal where you plan on using the camera (check o2 coverage here).
Battery life, from 8x AA lithiumbatteries (not included), will be approximately 2 months when taking around 30 pictures every 24 hours. For a wireless 4G camera that is very respectable.
The SpyPoint Link Dark also has a market-leading trigger speed – approx 0.07 seconds for photos. 4G network speeds mean very fast transmission the the mySpyPoint cloud.
Not sure which is the right camera trap for you? Try our camera trap chooser…
The Spypoint Link-Dark also has a curved motion sensor which improves the detection angle and detecting distance of its five detection zones.
SpyPoint Link Dark features:
12MP resolution still images
High-quality HD Video – 1280 x 720 pixels (non-wireless)
42 No-Glow LEDs
Built-in 2″ colour screen
0.07 second trigger speed (photos)
Programmable trigger interval: Instant to 30 min.
Multi-image mode: 1-6 images per trigger
Video length: 10 second to 90 seconds, programmable (non-wireless)
Time-lapse mode
Time stamp on photos – Temp (C or F), date, time and moonstamp
PIR sensor is motion activated out to 60′
Adjustable web belt and 1/4-20 socket
SD card slot – up to 32GB (not included)
8x AA batteries (not included)
Weatherproof
2 year warranty (UK – 1 year International)
For full specs, click the tab above.
SpyPoint camera traps have been around for a while now, and have developed year on year. They are a Canadian-based company, and all of their trail cameras are tested in the harsh Canadian winter before release.
There are currently several models of SpyPoint cameras, with a release of 4 cameras in summer 2019, all of which fit in at different places in the market. SpyPoint has also turned in the last few years to specialise in cellular camera traps that send photos in near-real time. This culminated with the release of the innovative Link-Micro in May 2019.
The non-wireless trail cameras are:
Force 20 – an entry level, affordable little camera with strong features and excellent night-time video
Force Dark – a mid-market camera trap with industry-leading trigger times (particularly for photos) and selectable low-glow or no-glow LED options
Solar Dark – the only camera trap with a solar panel built in. Potentially unlimited battery life, especially when paired with an initial set of lithium batteries. The same trigger speeds as the Force Dark too and control over low-glow or no-glow LEDs
The wireless trail cameras, all using the Telefonica (o2, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile etc) network and locked to the SIM Card they are provided with, are:
Link Micro – an innovative, small and affordable wireless trail camera. No frills but a great way to access an app-based, 4G wireless trail camera
Link-Evo – their basic, full featured 4G wireless trail camera. Slightly faster trigger speeds than the Link-Micro and more options in the app
Link-Dark – best suited for security applications thanks to its no-glow LEDs. 4G and fast photo transmission, with the fastest trigger speeds available.
Link-S – Essentially a Link-Dark with a solar panel on the top – perfect if the camera needs to be left in-situ for long periods of time
The wireless cameras also come with free 28 days of initial unlimited use. If you don’t choose one of the paid plans after that point, it reverts to a free 100 photos a month plan. They are all controlled via an app available on iOS and Android, and also online via myspypoint.com.
The trigger speeds of these cameras are all really good, and battery life is great. If they’re some of the main things that you are looking for, then SpyPoint might be for you.
It also feels like there is a bit more going on in a SpyPoint camera – they feel cleverer than the average. The detection zones are broken up into 5 areas to ensure a better result, screens display countdown timers when you turn the camera on, and fast release clips help you take the camera off it’s backing quickly and conveniently.
All come with a 2 year UK warranty when bought through NatureSpy, as an official UK dealer. If you need to ask any questions at all about SpyPoint or any other camera trap we do, just get in touch.
Model: SpyPoint Link-Dark
Features
Photo Recording
– Photo Resolution: 12MP
– File Format: JPG
– Time Lapse: Predefined intervals from 3 min to 1 hour
– Multi-Shot Mode: Up to 3 photos per detection
– Stamp: Date, time, temperature (°C/°F) and moon phase
– Capture Mode: Colour by day, infrared black and white by night
Video Recording
– Resolution: (HD 720p)
– File Format: AVI
– Video Length: Adjustable from 10 to 90 secs
– Stamp: Date, time, temperature (°C/°F) and moon phase
– Capture Mode: Colour by day, infrared black and white by night
Audio
– Sound Recording: Yes
Memory Storage
– External Memory: SD Card (up to 32GB not incl.)
Power Sources
– Alkaline or Lithium Batteries: 8x AA
– Lithium Battery Pack: Rechargeable lithium battery pack (not incl.)
– External (12V): 12V Jack
Detection System
– Detection Distance: Up to 30m (100ft)
– Trigger Speed: 0.07 s
– Delay Between Each Detection: Adjustable from Instant to 30 min
Night Time Illumination System
– LEDs: 42
– Type: No Glow LEDs
– Flash Range: Up to 80ft
– Exposure: Automatic infrared level adjustment
Dimensions
– Width x Height x Depth: 112x132x84 mm
Recommendations
– Operating Temperature: -30 °C to + 50 °C
– Storage Temperature: -40 °C to + 60 °C
It is a great camera as it gives us very good pictures from inside of the wood and within the first week we had caught poachers was enough clear evidence to give to the police great camera can’t recommend it enough
Charles (verified owner) –
Brilliant piece of kit . Less than a minute to get the picture. .
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Jan hall –
It is a great camera as it gives us very good pictures from inside of the wood and within the first week we had caught poachers was enough clear evidence to give to the police great camera can’t recommend it enough
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Mary E (verified owner) –
So easy! I bought a camera trap some years ago but gave up using it as it was so difficult to set up . This ones’s dead simple and great fun!
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Stephen (verified owner) –
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