SPYPoint Link Micro Cellular Trail Camera

Product name: SPYPOINT Link Micro Cellular Trail Camera

Editor: Kate Small

Just the facts:
https://www.spypoint.com/en/about-us

The LINK-MICRO is a photo-mode only camera, with multi-shot mode capabilities. Given its small size, there is no menu screen for setup, all camera settings are managed in the SPYPOINT app, where you can also view images.

• BUCK TRACKER Detection Technology (patent pending)
• Network: 4G (HSPA+)
• SIM card: Preactivated included
• Photos transmission
• Camera fully configurable via the SPYPOINT App
• Definition: 10MP
• 4 Power LEDs
• Flash range: < 80′ (24m)
• Trigger speed: 0.5 s
• Photo type: Color by day, infrared by night
• Stamp on pictures: Date, time, moon phase and temperature (°C/°F)
• Multi-shot mode: Up to 2 pictures per detection
• Illumination technology: Infrared boost
• Continuous mode
• Memory card: Requires an Micro-SD card (not included) up to 32 GB
• Power 8 alkaline AA batteries (not included)
• External power: DC 12V input
• Distance detection sensor: Up to 80 ft (24m)
• Motion Sensor: 1 sensor covering 5 zones detection
• Schedule setup: 7 days
• Mount Standard 1/4″-20 tripod
• Dimensions 3.1″ W X 4.4″ H X 2.2″ D (7,9 cm W X 11,2 cm H X 5,6 cm D)
• WARRANTY
• “Know you’re covered” warranty: 2 years

The LINK-MICRO from SPYPOINT offers hunters an affordable cellular trail camera. It features a compact design, the smallest on the market, while maintaining a robust list of features to make sure you’re getting the intel you need.

My story:
We’ve all had trail cameras and know the excitement that comes with getting that SD card, plugging it into your computer and eagerly awaiting the pictures to load so you can see what trophies and action your secret spot holds. For me, personally, I use the majority of game cams while bear baiting. They help me to pinpoint whether or not the bait is worth sitting yet, if I need to move my bait or add different scents, if the bears are rutting and narrowing down which bear is number one on my list. I had heard of cellular trail cams but had never seen one in action until last bear season when a buddy of mine bought one. I’ve got to tell you, I was pretty impressed. Being able to know the second a bear is hitting the bait is pretty enthralling.
This season, I was fortunate enough to be able to try out the SPYPOINT Link Micro Cellular Trail Camera. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. When I got it out of the box, I immediately appreciated it’s light-weight and compact body. This was important for me as my baits are usually set in the steep backcountry and every little ounce counts. Another minor feature I took notice of was that it comes in a camo exterior to help better conceal its presence on the bait This is a feature I appreciate, as curious bears will often spot your trail cam and rip it down.
I couldn’t wait to get this thing set up and was so thankful to find that my technologically challenged self had no problems doing so. The micro link comes with an easy step-by-step guide that even I couldn’t screw up. Simply download the app, sign up, link the camera code to your app and voila! You have a trail cam that sends pictures instantly to the palm of your hand! All of the camera’s settings are controlled through the app which is a huge asset. This prevents you from having to go to the bait and change the settings, sparing your bait from human scent. The app even tells you the battery life of the trail cam and how much space is left on your SD card. The SPYPOINT app is extremely user friendly and you can change picture delay, multishot, transfer frequency, trigger speed and sensitivity at the touch of a button from your own living room. It even transmits the temperature at the bait site which comes in handy when trying to pattern the bears’ activity. It is worth mentioning that this trail cam works with Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. SPYPOINT gives you unlimited transmission of live photos for the first 30 days. After those 30 days you can choose a plan to either pay $15/month for a month-to-month subscription or $10/month for a yearly subscription.
Flash forward to me setting my first bait of the season. I absolutely could not wait test out this cellular trail cam! I will point out one downside to all cellular trail cams is the obvious, that you must place it in an area with cellular coverage or the photos won’t transmit to your phone live. Anyway, I was able to find what I deemed a good baiting site with good cellular coverage and I threw this bad boy up with the strap it came with, which held it in place perfectly and was easily adjustable.
The very next day I got my first SPYPOINT Micro Link Cellular Trail Camera picture notification transmitted to my phone. The excitement of seeing that notification pop up on my cell phone was bar none. It happened to be a lynx (which was a surprise in itself). The picture was just as clear as any other trail cam I have used and the camera speed was excellent, being able to capture the quick movement of a smaller animal swiftly walking by.
A couple of nights later I had my first bear of the year hit the bait. The camera quality at night remained exceptionally clear. Now here is the issue I have with SPYPOINT, I think in the future it is imperative that they put a warning label on their cellular trail cameras that you will undoubtedly lose hours of your life by watching animals live on your bait. That first night I stayed up until one in the morning watching a bear roll around and eat the bait. It is addicting. You’ve all been warned. The nice thing was, knowing that I had to get up for work at 5:00 am, I was able to set the sensitivity on the camera to low and let myself get some sleep.
I do owe some serious credit to the SPYPOINT Micro Link Cellular Trail Camera. My Stepdad, Tom, had come from Oregon to hunt bears with me. Him and I had sat the bait all day. It was about 6:00 pm and that time of day the bait gets cast in shadows and becomes somewhat difficult to see. I had thought I caught movement near the bait and had glassed it with my binos (we were 186 yds away), I couldn’t see anything on the bait. I put my binoculars down and got a notification on the SPYPOINT app. There was in fact a bear on the bait, just out of our line of sight but still in sight of the trail camera. This allowed me to get Tom on the gun before we could even see the bear with our own eyes. I’m happy to say Tom harvested a beautiful cinnamon bear that day, largely in part to the SPYPOINT Micro Link Cellular Trail Camera.
I have had the SPYPOINT Micro Link Cellular Trail Camera up now for about 40 days and it is still working phenomenally. This trail cam has proven its durability and technological capabilities; having bears come up for over a month and knock it around, one particularly ornery bear even ripped off the antenna and photos are still transmitting instantaneously. I’m thoroughly impressed with this little gem and plan on getting more in the future.
What they could do better:

What could they do better:
While there are a barrage of standout qualities from this camera there are a couple of tweaks I would make. I wish it held battery life just a little longer. It has lasted me about 7 days at a time if I keep the sensitivity on low. If I turn the sensitivity up, obviously the battery life is depleted at a quicker rate. Another issue is when trying to zoom in on a picture the picture quickly becomes pixilated. So if you are expecting close up details, you may be disappointed. That being said, for the quality and price of this device, you will be hard pressed to find anything better.
We consider it a BUY

Overall: 4
Functionality: 5
Value: 4
Ergonomics: 4
Durability: 4