Browning Command Ops Elite 22

Our
rating
7.2/10

Overview

The 2023 Browning Command Ops Elite 22 is an improvement on the 2022 version – adding better video and photo resolution and a better detection range.

Browning continue to improve on their budget offering and this latest wildlife camera certainly packs a lot of punch for the price, and is a versatile little camera that is fun to use.

It uses a new kind of low-glow LEDs introduced on some models in 2017 and 2019 to give it a decent flash range and much improved battery life. These low-glow LEDs make it better suited to wildlife-only setups, rather than security. 

Trigger speeds are very decent, especially for a camera at this price – now improved at around 0.3 seconds for photos, and similar for videos – few cameras at this end of the market are as quick. Most of the cameras at this price point and below are very slow – meaning the recording starts after the animal is gone!

Video quality is a step-up from the previous Command Ops, with an improved resolution of 900p. Definition and colour has also improved quite a bit – although is still a long way short of the Recon Force cameras. The daytime quality suffers a little if the lighting isn’t great, for example around dawn and dusk. If the light is good, the video is pretty decent.

Photo quality is strong, with decent definition and colour. Again, expect a little loss of definition is daylight isn’t great.

The build quality and overall design of the camera is exceptional, and follows a similar design to the Sub Micro series of Browning cameras (i.e. the Strike Force HD Pro X). It doesn’t have the metal bracket at the back, but curved strong plastic to make it pretty straight forward to strap up. Settings are changed via a little LCD screen, which is bright and easy to use.

Due to it’s 9V power system, night time videos are limited to 20 seconds per clip. However, if activity remains, the camera will record another 20 second clip. The warranty length in the UK through NatureSpy is 2 years.

This camera is fun to use and gives great quality for the price – we give the Browning Command Ops Elite 22 7.2 out of 10.

Video Quality

Max res: 900 (30fps day, 30fps night)    Max length: 2mins day, 20 secs night
Trigger speed: about 0.6 seconds    Recovery time: about 1.1 seconds

The last Command Ops Elite was a really popular little camera, and video is one area that’s moved on again this year – just adding some extra clarity, better sound and ensuring its still a great choice for some casual hedgehog watching, or where you don’t need that high-end video that cameras like the Elite HP5 offer.

Night videos are pretty good, though the way you set the Command Ops Elite 22 up is important to maximise the IR flash range.

Frame rates are 30fps day and night, which is better than a lot of other cameras at this price point. File sizes are pretty large, but no unmanageable – a 16GB card will hold about 250x 20 second videos.

The Browning Command Ops Elite 20 also records audio which is of pretty good quality, similar to that on other similar priced camera traps.

Photo Quality

Max res: 22MP (lowest 2MP)    Max number per trigger: 4 photos
Trigger speed: about 0.3 seconds    Recovery time: about 0.8 seconds

Photo quality is often overlooked on this camera because the video quality is so good – but the photos don’t disappoint either.

Daytime photos are clear and colourful, offering great detail. Night time are good and the LEDs really help to freeze motion better.

As with all camera traps, we recommend using the lower photo resolution settings for better results – this avoids excessive interpolation and can actually improve the image quality.

Speed and detection

Trigger speed: approx. 0.3s (photos), 0.6s (videos)    Recovery speed 0.6s
Detection range: approx. 70ft    LED type: Low-Glow Power LEDs

The Command Ops Elite 22 has a pretty respectable speed – this isn’t a slow camera. Both triggers are also similar in speed too, so there is no need to choose the mode based on the trigger speed you need – either is pretty fast.

Detection is pretty good – Browning’s official figure is 80ft, which is for larger animals such as deer (or humans!). For smaller British wildlife, you ideally want to use the camera with a max. range of about 40ft in mind.

Due to the way PIR sensors work, it is best to place the camera so that animals will move across the sensor, rather than directly towards it.

Recovery speeds, in general, are very fast. Video recovery of about 1.1 seconds is very quick for a camera this price.

If using the Rapid-Fire mode, you get each photo at 0.2 seconds apart after the initial trigger. After the last photo however, the recovery is about 4 seconds.

Build quality & batteries

Warranty: 2 years (through NatureSpy)
Batteries: 6x AA (Lithium recommended)

We really love the Command Ops Elite 22 design. The camera is sturdy, well-constructed and feels good in the hand. The camouflage is also great and blends in well. Because you don’t have large numbers of small LEDs, there is little that gives the camera away.

Battery life is exceptional on the Command Ops Elite 20, particularly if you use Lithium batteries. It requires 6x AA batteries at a time. Generally, you can expect around 13 months battery life for photos (taking around 60 pictures every 24 hours) and about 6-7 months for video (taking around 20 videos every 24 hours). This will obviously vary depending on how active and how long each video is, and if there are more night shots than day. We’ve found that this camera is excellent on battery life, and one of the best available, thanks to the new IR LEDs used.

Browning cameras in general have been also very reliable for us and are covered by a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty in the UK when bought through NatureSpy.

Ease of use

The Browning Command Ops Elite 22 is certainly straight forward to use. When turned on, the little LCD screen lights up and has good contrast – no squinting needed. It shows the files recorded and the space remaining at a glance. If you don’t press any button within 10 seconds (to access the menu etc) the camera arms itself and is ready to go. The menu is self-explanatory (set time/date etc) and easy to navigate through.

There are three main modes; Trail Cam (photos only), Video, and Timelapse Plus. Most of the time, you’ll be using either photos or videos. The timelapse function only works during the day – and with timelapse plus, you can have photos taken at set intervals plus the camera will trigger day and night based on any detections.

There is also a ‘Motion Test’ feature, like most camera traps have, where a test light on the front will blink when it detects you. You can use this to find the right distances or angles and it can help with setting up the Command Ops Elite 20 in the best place possible.

Overall an easy camera trap to use, but if you do require any help or have any questions you can just get in touch with us.