Qualities & Features
- Great 1080p HD video
- Improved long-range LEDs
- Hi-res 20MP images
- Sub 0.5s trigger speeds
- 2 year warranty
Although we appreciate that some conservation efforts require wild animals to be controlled, we have a strict anti-hunting policy. As such we cannot supply camera traps for the purposes of wildlife monitoring with the intention of dispatching any animal.
We work hard to minimise our impact on the environment. We recycle all cardboard, plastic, batteries and other packaging. For shop orders, all cardboard used is made out of 70% recycled material and is 100% recyclable. If you do receive any paper, plastic or polystyrene packaging, we have reused these materials from packaging that has been sent to us. Sustainable resources are used wherever possible. We think before we print. NatureSpy branded apparel is 100% certified organic made using solar and wind powered renewable energy and low waste, cruelty-free inks.
We’re a small organisation that aims to produce a big impact. Through our wildlife work we also want to educate people and communities about their local green spaces and wilder neighbours. In doing so we hope to achieve a dual purpose of encouraging people to care for and protect wild animals and habitats while using nature for their own health and well-being.
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Overview
The Browning Recon Force Edge is a great value wildlife camera with impressive video quality. It's the next version along from the Recon Force Advantage, which has been incredibly popular before it was discontinued, and a step below the most recent Recon Force Elite HP5.
The video quality day and night is superb (check out the 'Watch in Action tab), some of the best on any camera trap, and photo quality is very solid. This is one of the reasons you may have spotted it on BBC Springwatch!
It offers faster trigger speeds, excellent day and night video definition, clear audio and some extra menu options compared to the previous version.
One big new feature is the addition of 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.
Many of these improvements are thanks to an upgrade to the iCatch V35MA processor. Trigger speeds, particularly for videos, are very impressive and quick, at an improved 0.2-0.4 seconds – a stat that few can match (regardless of what the manufacturers tell you!).
The build quality and overall design of the camera is excellent and has improved, with a forward-facing 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 Recon Force Edge is also straightforward to use – uncomplicated, without a vast array of settings, but quick and simple. The only difference between this and the Spec Ops Edge is that this camera has low-glow, rather than no-glow, LEDs.
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.
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Video Quality
Max res: 1080p (60fps day, 60fps night) Max length: 2mins day, 20 secs night
Trigger speed: about 0.37 seconds Recovery time: about 0.8 secondsVideo quality is a massive strong-point on the Recon Force Edge – its fantastic. Clear, crisp, good colour and excellent audio to boot. It ticks all the boxes.
Real-world example videos from the Browning Recon Force Edge;
Daytime videos are nice and clear – you can watch on a large screen and not lose any clarity. Night footage is very strong, with good contrast and an excellent level of definition. There is just something about it that is pleasant to watch. There is a small improvement on daytime colour and video definition on this new version, as well as clearer audio.The Recon Force Edge has two video resolution settings; ‘High’ and ‘Ultra’. The Ultra resolution is uncompressed 1080p HD video – and records at 60fps during the day and now also at night, for very smooth footage. However, the only drawback here is the larger file sizes generated at this resolution. If you want to use the Ultra setting, an SD card of at least 32GB is recommended, with a 1 minute daytime clip being around 130MB in size.
We generally use the camera on the High resolution – the quality isn’t really much different, and at 30fps is still very smooth – just to help with the file sizes.
The accompanying sound is also really clear, and improved compared to the 2018 version. Using this camera you get to really add another dimension to the videos through the audio – whether its badgers crunching through leaves on the forest floor or hedgehogs snuffling at a feeding bowl.
The exposure control at night is also fantastic, with the Browning instantly adjusting to maintain the correct light levels.
It also has ‘Smart IR Video’ – with this turned on, the camera will continue recording up to 2 mins in the day and 20 seconds at night if activity remains.
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Speed and detection
Trigger speed: approx. 0.1s (photos), 0.37s (videos) Recovery speed: 0.8s
Detection range: approx. 90ft LED type: Low-Glow LEDsThe Edge is a quick wildlife camera, both in photo and video mode. Triggers on this model are super quick, both around 0.2 and 0.3 second, and detection is strong - its a wildlife camera that doesn't miss much at all. Video trigger speeds have seen big improvement across the proper manufacturers in the last few years – however, this camera is one of the quickest – clocking in at around 0.3 seconds for video.
LEDs are low-glow, which are what we’d recommend if you’re only after wildlife. There is a no-glow version if you are worried about those pesky humans however; the Spec Ops Edge.
Detection, as you’d expect, is excellent and consistent, at around 80-90ft for a human-sized animal. Remember that PIR sensors are looking for a change in ambient heat + motion, so detection distances can vary based on ambient temperature.
The Recon Force Edge also updates some of the menu options; the sensitivity of the camera can be raised and lowered more easily, and there is the popular option to set an operation time allowing you to tell the camera to be active only at a certain point over 24 hours - avoiding the dogs, or when you're cutting the grass for example.
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Build quality & batteries
Warranty: 2 years (through NatureSpy)
Batteries: 8x AA (Lithium strongly recommended)The build quality on the Recon Force Edge trail camera has moved up a peg - the camera is smaller than previous versions and has been slimmed down, in the right way.
The build is strong and sturdy and the seals have improved too. The contact with any tree/fence post etc is actually via a steel bracket at the back of the camera, meaning you can pull the strap tight and never worry about breaking any plastic. The edge of the steel bracket has small metal teeth, so it grips what it is attached to well and doesn't slip. The strapping is the standard nylon webbing, with a strong metal clasp.
Battery life is good on the Edge; it requires 8x AA batteries at a time. We strongly recommend using Lithium batteries, as they don't care about cold temperatures, have much higher currents and voltages, and can provide power consistently. This in turn improves the detection rates of the wildlife camera.
Generally, you can expect around 15 months battery life for photos (taking around 60 pictures every 24 hours) and about 2 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.
Browning cameras have been very reliable for us and are covered by a 2 year manufacturer's warranty in the UK when bought through NatureSpy.
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Ease of use
The Recon Force Edge is certainly not a difficult wildlife camera to use.
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 files 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.
This forward-facing colour screen is extremely useful - you can strap the camera trap up, then use the screen to perfect the positioning. Its also 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 you head to work!
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.
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.
- Audio Recording: Yes
- Battery Life - Photos: Up to 12 Months
- Battery Life - Video: Up to 2 months
- Can use rechargable batteries: No
- Cellular: No
- CMOS Sensor: 4MP
- Detection range max: Up to 90ft
- Encryption option: No
- External power jack: 12V 5.5mm DC Input, min. 2A max. 7A
- FPS: 60fps
- GPS Geotag: No
- Hybrid capture: No
- Image data strip: Yes
- IR flash range: 80ft max
- LCD Display: 2 inch colour
- LED Type: Low-Glow
- Max Images per trigger: 8
- Max SD Card capacity: 512GB
- Max video resolution: 1080p
- Memory overwrite: Yes
- Night vision flash: Low-Glow
- No of batteries: AA x8
- Number of LEDs: 36
- PIR sensor: Up to 90ft
- Power supply: AA batteries
- Recovery speed: 0.6s
- Resolution: 20MP
- Solar compatible: Yes
- Start Stop Timer: Yes
- Strap included: Yes
- Timelapse: Yes (daylight only)
- Trigger speed - Photos: 0.02sec
- Trigger speed - Videos: 0.3sec
- Tripod mount: Yes
- Video length: Up to 2 minutes daytime, 20 seconds night
- Warranty: 2 year
- Weatherproof: Yes
- Wireless connectivity: No
Browning Trail Cameras - what do we think?
Browning Trail Cameras are an American-based camera trap manufacturer with a growing reputation. They’ve innovated fast and won loyal customers across the pond – and its easy to see why. We’re proud to be a main UK distributor.
The current range from Browning builds on their successes, pushing the boundaries and improving every time. The Recon Force and Spec Ops have some of the best video quality we’ve ever seen on a camera trap; comfortably beating the previous leaders, Bushnell.
Browning say that you can watch their 1080p footage back on a 60 inch TV and not lose clarity – and we can see what they mean. Add excellent video trigger times (which are always slower than photo triggers) of about 0.3 seconds, and you can start to see why we’re so excited about these trail cameras. You can see videos for the product you’re viewing on the ‘Example video’ tab or in the ‘Our Review’ section.
We’re currently using Browning trail cameras on a number of NatureSpy projects – in Croatia (bear, wolf and lynx), Northern France (wolf and lynx) and of course the North York Moors (pine marten). We also work with a number of large environmental organisations and charities around the world also using Browning trail cameras.
Photo quality is also generally good, though differs throughout the range. Trigger times again are strong. All models also have Multi-Shot and Rapid-Fire modes, which give you control and choice over what you want your camera to do when taking photos.
Many models also have built-in, forward facing colour screens and a host of smart features and simple set ups to make camera trapping that bit easier and convenient. Add this all together with the excellent price and it can be difficult to look beyond a Browning wildlife camera trap.
And as NatureSpy are an official UK distributor, you’re fully covered by our 2 year warranty and if in the unlikely event something goes wrong, we’ll deal with it entirely in the UK.
If you need some further help with camera traps or Browning Trail Cameras in general, check out our support section - packed full of videos, FAQs and support.
Customer Reviews
Need some help?
We pride ourselves on our pre and post-purchase customer service.
We understand that occasionally, there is a question you can't find the answer for, or a tweak you need to make to improve the performance to help you get that shot you've been after.
Fortunately, we've seen it all before. We have a dedicated support section that covers loads of topics both simply and also in depth, depending on what you need.
Because we're Europe's experts and we work with the products we offer on a daily basis, we know them better than anybody. Our support area is based on years and years of working with the products we offer.
So instead of scratching your head to trying and figure something out, head over to the support centre or check our FAQs.
