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- 10 pt Whitetail Dec 2011
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- Big buck
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- Leupold RCX2
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- Typical daytime RCX-2 image
The first thing you notice about the new Leupold RCX-2 Trail Camera system is that this is one well-built, rugged camera. The camera body and remote controller are lightweight yet tough with typical Leupold attention to detail. I have used this camera for a couple of months on our hunting lease and now have enough field experience with it to offer an honest evaluation. The RCX-2 includes more advanced features than the entry-level RCX-1.
The RCX series utilizes a remote controller to configure the camera via USB cable, download images to an onboard SD card, or to view images on a clear and bright 3″ display. I found using the controller to be intuitive – although it is a bit different from the typical trail camera set up. The controller uses a rechargeable lithium battery. The camera itself uses 8 AA batteries.
As to battery life, I loaded the camera with lithium batteries and left it in the field until the batteries were dead. In total, the camera took almost 4,000 photos on one set of batteries – the vast majority of which were at night powering the 48 infrared LEDs.
The camera sports a very fast trigger speed.
Although you can download images from the camera to the remote controller, I found it quicker and easier to simply swap the cards. However, it is important to note that one controller can interface to multiple cameras. For example, you could have three cameras covering different trails, make the rounds, and download all three image files to the controller for viewing later.
The RCX-2 includes a lock down security plate (for a python-type cable lock) and the bottom plate accepts a small padlock to secure the SD card. A hinged plate on the bottom of the unit protects the camera ports, switch, and battery compartment. The door is held in place with a brass screw and rubber moisture gasket. Also included are hex stand-off mounting studs, mounting straps, USB cable, and charger.
Tactical Gun Review’s mission is to test products in the field – not the lab. To that end, the Leupold RCX-2 passes with flying colors:
Long battery life.
Ability to hot swap cards (view recent photos in the deer stand).
Very few false images. I would say that 99% of the images actually included a deer. That can’t be said for some of the other cameras I own.
High quality photos.
The highest recommendation I can give is that the camera helped me take this year’s trophy whitetail.
by Mike Coker
Mike Coker
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I have a RCX-2 that for some reason gives the message that it has no SD card in it when it does, and the same SD card works in other cameras that I have and used to work in this one. Do you have any advice on what the probably might be? Also another RCX-2 that I own, for some reason in the last several months this camera seems to use up the battery life much quicker than it used to. Lithium batteries make no difference.
I’ve emailed you several times but have heard nothing back. I”m not sure if possibly you responded to an old email address that I had. Please send your response to ro**@wb*****.net
Thank you,
Ron Ziglinski
Ron,
You need to contact Leupold support
https://www.leupold.com/resources/product-service/
Have not been able to take any pictures at night….regardless of which settings I use….battery pack at full charge…even went to 36 Leds….not sure what is going on….any suggestions?????
I’m assuming you carefully read the instruction manual and double-checked all settings. If still having problems I would call Leupold. They have great customer service and stand behind their products. Mike
Stephen, I’m surprised to hear of your experiences with this camera. If I were you I would send it back to Leupold for warranty service. I’ve had zero problems with mine.
I left camera in the good hunting spot for a week went back and no pics. I’ve tried several times on difrent places and settings without success.
I made some changes again giving it one more try and put less costly camera next to RCX-2. Went back during deer season and checked it daily with no pics but plenty on the other one. I sent e-mail to the customer servis, but they did not respond. Maybe it’s better, because reading reports of many people who have contacted the customer service, which has always been very kind, but they never managed to solve the problem. This camera is a huge waste of money and time. Not sure I will ever buy another Leupold product ever again.