Qualities & Features
- Solar Panel for extended deployments
- Transmit video and pictures over cellular data
- Can use multiple networks for greater connectivity
- Up to 1080p video (see below)
- Fantastic 33MP images
- 4 powerful infrared LEDs
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The Flex-S is the latest evolution in SpyPoint's cellular trail camera line-up, combining the benefits of both performance and solar power. It uses the latest in cellular trail camera technology to offer better 4G coverage than ever - perfect for wireless monitoring projects
The key feature of the Flex-S is its integrated solar panel, charging an internal lithium battery, ensuring your camera functions for extended periods in the field.
The Flex-S also allows video transmission on request, for the first time ever on a SpyPoint camera. New to Flex-S as well is SpyPoint's instant mode, which allows you to prompt the camera to take a picture or video on demand via the SpyPoint app, as well as update settings instantly. Instant mode will drain the batteries faster, but it is a great optional feature for this camera.Unlike previous models the SpyPoint Flex-S is able to use almost any cellular network to transmit your photos and videos straight to your smartphone or tablet. The camera will automatically select the network with the best connectivity, and if for any reason this signal drops, the camera will automatically scan the network and switch to the next network with the strongest signal. This is all automatically sorted by the camera so you can be confident you won't miss out on any activity!
The SpyPoint Flex-S comes with a pre-activated ready-to-go SIM card, and all settings/configurations can be set via the free SpyPoint app. The plans are affordable, with a free plan allowing 100 photos a month.
The camera can be configured to take images, record video and operate on time-lapse, and unlike its predecessor's the SpyPoint Flex-S can transmit photos and videos over 4G.
Photos are now taken in superb 36MP resolution and videos are 1080p with sound. Trigger speeds are good for a cellular camera, at only 0.3 seconds.
There are a few other great new features that make the Flex-S easy to setup and keep updated. When firmware is released for the camera you can now push this to be wirelessly updated on your camera using the SpyPoint app; meaning you can leave the camera in the field. There is also a handy Format button that will restore the microSD card to factory settings, speeding up setup and any troubleshooting. Finally there is a Test button that will trigger the camera to take and transmit a photo, enabling you to ensure you have the perfect placement during setup
All photos and videos 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 something is uploaded – so you can be updated in real time.
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Video Quality:
Max res: 1080p (10fps) Max length: 15 secs
Trigger speed: about 0.3 seconds Recovery time: approx 60 secondsUnlike previous cellular cameras, the Flex-S can transmit videos as well as photos. The camera is designed to get your captures to you as fast as possible - so the transmitted videos are compressed and smaller, with the full-size clips saved onto the SD card.
Photo Quality:
Max res: 36MP Max photos per trigger: 3 photos
Trigger speed: about 0.3 seconds Recovery time: approx 60 secondsPhoto quality is good on the Flex-S. As with all wildlife cameras, its using interpolation to boost the image sizes - we recommend choosing the lower resolution option as the higher interpolation can make the images a bit more grainy.
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Speed and detection
Trigger speed: approx. 0.3s (photos), 0.3s (videos) Recovery speed: Approx. 60 seconds on instant transmission mode
Detection range: approx. 100ft LED type: Low-glow LEDsTrigger speed for the SpyPoint Flex-S is quick for a cellular camera, at only 0.3s. 4G network speeds mean very fast transmission to the mySpyPoint cloud. With good signal, photos are transmitted within 10-20 seconds of them being taken.
Recovery speeds will depend on the ‘motion delay’ selected. The Flex-S can transmit as soon as an image/video is taken, or can delay the next detection for anywhere between 10 seconds and an hour.
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Build quality & batteries
Warranty: 2 years (through NatureSpy)
Batteries: Built-in rechargeable batteryThe FLEX-S has an integrated solar panel, charging an internal lithium battery, ensuring your camera functions for extended periods in the field.
The build quality of the Flex-S is good, with a slightly different design from previous cellular models such as the Link Micro LTE. Most noticeably the camera opens at the bottom rather than at the front in order to enhance the water resistance and durability.
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Ease of use
Please note that it can take between 30 minutes and 48 hours for the SpyPoint Flex-S wireless cameras to fully activate.
Photos taken by the camera are automatically uploaded to the cloud, and accessible via the SpyPoint Link 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. It transmits thumbnail-size images and saves hi-res images onto a microSD card (required – we supply a 16GB microSD with this camera unless you chose the 32GB upgrade).
There is a free monthly option that allows you to view 100 pictures every month (no videos included). If you require more than 100 photos per month you’ll need 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.
Photo transmission plan options are (prices are in US 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
Video transmission packs are purchasable as an add-on for $5 for 20 videos.
For more about available plans, see the SpyPoint website.
Every purchase funds our projects
Buy a camera, back a project.
Your purchase helps fund our projects - from the Scottish Highlands to Ecuador's cloud rainforest.- Audio Recording: Yes
- Battery Life - Photos: n/a
- Battery Life - Video: n/a
- Can use rechargable batteries: Yes - internal rechargeable battery
- Cellular: Yes
- Detection range max: Up to 100ft
- Encryption option: No
- External power jack: Yes - accessory only
- FPS: 10fps
- Hybrid capture: No
- Image data strip: Yes
- IR flash range: 100ft max
- LCD Display: N/A - phone app
- Max Images per trigger: 3 (5 seconds between triggers)
- Max SD Card capacity: 512GB
- Max video resolution: 1080p
- Memory overwrite: Yes
- Night vision flash: Low-Glow
- No of batteries: n/a - Rechargeable Lithium Battery
- Number of LEDs: 4
- PIR sensor: Up to 100ft
- Power supply: AA batteries
- Recovery speed: 60s
- Resolution: 36MP
- Solar compatible: Yes
- Start Stop Timer: No
- Strap included: Yes
- Timelapse: Yes
- Trigger speed - Photos: 0.3sec
- Trigger speed - Videos: 1.2sec
- Tripod mount: Yes
- Video length: 15 seconds
- Warranty: 2 year
- Weatherproof: Yes
- Wireless connectivity: Yes
SpyPoint
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-Micro-S – as above but with built-in solar panel and Lithium battery pack
- 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.
Need some help?
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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.
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