{"product_id":"moultrie-m550-gen2","title":"Moultrie M-550 Gen2","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1065\/8354\/files\/overview_large.jpg?5837078373304241527\" style=\"float: none; display: block; margin-bottom: -10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e- The M550 has way more cons than pros.  The camera is slow, takes poor pictures and has a weird case design.  It does get good battery life, though.  Upgrade to the M880 Gen2 for a much more enjoyable trail camera experience.  - TCP Staff\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eRead our full review below.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Moultrie M550 Gen2 review from 2015\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1065\/8354\/files\/moultrie_m550_gen2_T_650_large.jpg?16076952557647696847\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 15px;\"\u003e\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e2015 Moultrie M-550 Gen2 Review\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eModel # \u003cem\u003eMCG-12717\u003c\/em\u003e  |  \u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1065\/8354\/files\/m550gen2_manual.pdf?10654341332633896246\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eMoultrie M550 Owners Manual\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat battery life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood video quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow trigger speed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePoor picture quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery poor design on Python lock bracket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo audio on video\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrailcampro Analysis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003e    The M-550 Gen2 is categorized by Moultrie as their \"...most affordable mini game camera.  It has all the features you need for game monitoring, but a price you can afford.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     At first glance while working on this Moultrie M-550 Gen2 Review, the camera looks to be built with the same design as the other 2015 Gen2 Moultrie cameras.  A few of the manufacturer specs are different (no PIR setting, lower quality video resolution and no SD card overwrite), but visually the camera appears very similar to the M-880 Gen2.  Let's see if the inside matches the outside.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuality of Design     \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 5.75\" x 4.75\" x 3.25\"  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e|\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBattery Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  8 AA Batteries  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e|\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExternal Battery Jack:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  12 Volt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e    The case design changed quite drastically from previous years.  The latch is huge, which so far is a plus.  It has been relatively easy to open and close even with cold fingers.  The buttons for programming and the battery eject tray are all positive and work well.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     The python lock bracket is an extremely poor design.  The loops are angled which makes the camera sit funny on a tree if you are only using the python lock and not the security case.  It would also be pretty easy to torque the camera in a way to easily snap the brackets.  We don't like this design at all, the only way to truly correct this is to use the camera with a security case.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     Programming is not particularly easy or intuitive.  The M-550 lacks a few programming options that the more expensive M-880 Gen2 has, such as PIR settings and SD card overwrite.  In time, we have learned how to program the M-550 but user interface is definitely something Moultrie needs to evaluate on their game cameras going forward.  \u003c\/span\u003eHere is a breakdown of some of the more popular settings:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1-3 multi-shot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 s. - 90 s. video clips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTime Lapse: \u003cspan\u003e10\/30 s. \/ 1\/5\/10\/15\/30 min.   1\/2\/3\/6\/12\/24 hrs. w\/ 1 or 2 prog. \/ day\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhoto Stamp: Time, date, temperature, moon phase and camera name\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePicture + Video Mode: No\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStart\/Stop Time: No\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePassword Protection: Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSD Card Overwrite: No\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePIR Settings: No\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlash Settings: Yes (Motion freeze on\/off)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     Durability is slightly below average for a Chinese made camera.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetection Circuit     \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePicture Trigger \u0026amp; Recovery Speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.25 s. \/ 4.7 s.  \u003cstrong\u003e|\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eVideo Trigger \u0026amp; Recovery Speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e  2.53 s. \/ 8.6\u003cstrong\u003e s.\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003e|\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eDetection Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e  50 ft.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e      A 1.25 second picture trigger time is quite slow.  The video trigger time is a full second slower that the M-880 Gen2.  The recovery times are pretty similar.  Overall, these are well below average numbers for a modern trail camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     Detection range is right at 50 ft, just as the manufacturer claims.  By today's standards, this is below average.  Overall, this detection circuit is very average, if not below average.  This camera would not excel on a fast moving game trail.  This camera would need to be over a stationary bait pile or something similar in nature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePicture Quality     \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhoto resolution:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e8 mpxl (Enhanced, High, Med. \u0026amp; Low)\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003e|\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eVideo Resolution:\u003c\/strong\u003e 640 x 480 no audio  \u003cstrong\u003e|\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eFlash Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Red Glow Infrared\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     Daytime picture quality has a wide variance in color quality.  Some pictures are washed out while others are great.  Clarity is poor on most of the pictures.  Overall, day pictures are well below average.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     Night pictures have an overwhelming flash, washing out anything close to the camera.  You can see multiple examples of that below.  On the plus side, the flash range is solid.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e [powr-image-slider label=\"2906243\"]\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003e    You can view sample videos from the M-550 Gen2 below.  We rated the video quality as average to slightly above average.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k7KuECLVm0U?list=PL4E1YatDE8qqO33H592CfPCIv0qQP0gaI\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBattery Life     \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResting Power (on):\u003c\/strong\u003e  1.08 mW  \u003cstrong\u003e|  Daytime Power Consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e  2.15 Ws \u003cstrong\u003e|  Nighttime Power Consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e  7.93 Ws\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e      The resting power is very low and will enable the camera to sit inactive in the field for a very long time with a good set of batteries.  The daytime consumption is also a pleasant surprise and while the night power consumption is a bit high, overall, these are great numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e    While this camera can operate on alkaline AA batteries, we greatly prefer Energizer Ultimate Lithiums in our cameras.  They are much more consistent and will last an incredible amount of time.  This camera will not work with rechargeable batteries.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     If this camera were to take 35 day pictures and 35 night pictures every 24 hour period, this camera would last 8.1 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMoultrie M-550 Gen2 Review Conclusion     \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e     Overall, the 2015 Moultrie M-550 Gen2 rates poorly compared to similarly priced cameras.  The picture quality and detection circuit aren't up to par.  We do not recommend this camera.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnjoy our reviews?  Please consider purchasing your next trail camera from us.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdditional Resources: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/moultrie-game-camera-reviews\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Moultrie game camera reviews\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\"\u003eMoultrie Game Camera Reviews\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trailcampro.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":35777643249832,"sku":"MCG-12717","price":89.95,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0463\/3618\/0392\/products\/trail-camera-moultrie-m-550-gen2-1.jpg?v=1597663702","url":"https:\/\/trailcamproof-com.myshopify.com\/products\/moultrie-m550-gen2","provider":"trailcamproof.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}