Browning Patriot

Our
rating
7.6/10

Overview

The Browning Patriot is a completely new addition to Browning’s range.

The headline features are a 2 built-in sensor and lens arrays, and Browning say that the night sensors are military-grade, leading to superior night imagery compared to other trail cameras.

The Patriot also offers super-quick trigger speeds, 1080p full HD video definition and long-range detection.

One welcome feature is a start and stop programmable timer – allowing you to set when you want the camera to be active, and avoid those times when the pigeons are in the garden, or the cat is let out etc – essentially, so you can focus on the wildlife.

Trigger speeds, particularly for videos, are very impressive and quick, at around 0.15-0.3 seconds – a stat that few can match (regardless of what the manufacturers tell you!).

The build quality and overall design of the camera is strong, with a forward-facing 2-inch colour screen to help with set up and so you can review images/videos without dismounting the camera in the field. The warranty length in the UK through NatureSpy is 2 years.

The Patriot, despite its high-end features, is also straightforward to use – uncomplicated, without a vast array of settings, but quick and simple.

Due to it’s 12V power system (the reason night footage is so good), night time videos are limited to 20 seconds per clip. However, if activity remains, the camera can recover in under 1 second and record another 20 second clip.

Video Quality:

Max res: 1080p (60fps day, 60fps night)   Max length: 2mins day, 20 secs night
Trigger speed: about 0.3 seconds   Recovery time: about 1.0 seconds

The Patriot's dual lenses give it something really different in both modes and it is better than the majority of other wildlife cameras in this mode. However, we would say that the Browning Elite HP4 cameras offer slightly better clarity and definition, and you can judge for yourself with the examples below.

It's also worth noting that on night time videos, there is a background ‘hum’.

This isn't to say its video quality is poor - its just the Elite HP4 cameras are better. That said, it is a trade-off with the Patriot offering the dual lenses and better photo mode battery life.

Photo Quality:

Max res: 24MP (lowest 3MP)    Max per trigger: 8 photos
Trigger speed: about 0.15 seconds    Recovery time: about 0.35 seconds

The Patriot handles photos really, really well. It's where the dual lenses particularly come into their own. The images have a good colour and are well balanced. 

The night images are a little different - the powerful LED range coupled with the dedicated night time sensor means that they have a high contrast. Great if you're after a longer night IR range from the camera.

Speed and detection

Trigger speed: approx. 0.15s (photos), 0.3s (videos)   Recovery speed 0.35s
Detection range: approx. 90ft   LED type: No-Glow LEDs

As the figures above show, the Patriot is an extremely fast trail camera, regardless of the mode. There is no shortage of speed here once a detection is made. 

It also has a slightly wider field of view than most of the other Browning trail cameras; this means that you get ‘more’ in the frame, so can be good for tighter spots. However, as with all wider angle cameras, it does make things appear further away and give some lens blur around the edge so it's definitely a trade off.

Detection range is, as you'd expect, very good at up to 90ft. Obviously this depends on the size of animal you're after (a hedgehog won't trigger any camera at 90ft, and neither would you want it to!).

Build quality & batteries

Warranty: 2 years (through NatureSpy)
Batteries: 8x AA (Lithium strongly recommended)

A consistent theme with Browning Trail Cameras is high build quality. The camera is strong and well made, can stand up to the elements very well and there are no flimsy parts to it. 

It feels solid and strong, and the metal bracket which contacts the tree/post and which the strap threads though means there is no risk of breaking any plastic parts.

Battery life is also very good on this camera, especially in photo mode - thanks in part to its long range, power saving LEDs. You can expect up to 20 months of battery life on Lithium AAs taking about 70 photos every 24 hours. For videos, expect about 3 months based on 30 videos a day (split between day and night).

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

Ease of use

As with the other Browning Trail Cameras, the Patriot is a straightforward camera to use. The instructions are clear and concise. 

The screen is also one of the biggest which makes set up easier too - when turned on, you’re presented with an overview screen showing a view of what the camera can currently see and what it is set to take. It shows the number of images/videos recorded and the space remaining at a glance. If you don’t press any button within 30 seconds (to access the menu etc) the camera arms itself and is ready to go.

The screen also helps get your setup right – you can strap the camera trap up, then use the screen to perfect the positioning. Its very handy when you want to review the images/videos captured without taking the SD card out and using a computer/tablet etc – just open the door and have a quick check – useful if out and about, or a sneaky look before work!

There are three main modes; Trail Cam (photos mode), 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 Patriot in the best place possible.

Overall a very straight-forward camera trap to use, but if you do require any help or have any questions you can just get in touch with us.