Reconyx XS8

Reconyx Ultrafire XS8 Review

- The Ultrafire XS8 is a video security trail camera from Reconyx. The XS8 features "dynamic video," which records video as long as there is motion in front of the camera. The video automatically pauses after 3 seconds of inactivity. Once movement is detected again, recording continues. - TCP Staff

Model # XS8  |  Reconyx XS8 Owner's Manual

Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:

85/100  

Pros

• Exceptionally long battery life
• Excellent video quality
• Decent video detection capabilities
• Large, easy to read internal viewer

Cons

• Slow picture trigger speed
• Batteries can be tricky to load

Trailcampro Analysis

The Reconyx XS8 is the security camera version of the popular XR6.  The biggest difference between the two cameras is the XS8 comes with more programming options, aimed specifically for security surveillance.

Picture & Video Quality:       89/100

Photo resolution: 8, 5, 3 mpxl  |  Video Resolution: 1080 p HD w/ audio  |  Flash Type:  Low Glow Infrared

Reconyx XS8 picture and video quality are identical to the Reconyx XR6. Daytime pictures are excellent and offer robust color, clarity and depth.

This is a low glow security camera (no visible light emitted at night) and this usually means a sacrifice in flash range. That isn't really the case here. Night picture and videos both produce excellent flash range and clarity.

Video quality is undoubtedly the calling card of the XS8. Daytime videos are the best we have seen and night videos are exactly what you would want from a security camera. Video Quality is outstanding.

Battery Life:     100/100

Resting Power (on):  0.18 mW  |  Daytime Power Consumption:  2.98 Ws |  Nighttime Power Consumption:  5.99 Ws 

The resting power is incredible.  This camera barely uses a trickle of energy as it sits waiting for activity.  The day and night consumptions improved dramatically from the XR6's data.  This camera is very efficient.

The camera operates on 12 AA batteries and it is recommended you use either NiMH rechargeable or lithium batteries only.  No alkaline batteries.

If this camera were to take 35-day pictures and 35-night pictures every 24 hour period, this camera would last 17.1 months in the field on a set of lithium batteries.  That is outstanding.

The battery compartment stacks the batteries in there pretty tight and they can be tough to load.  Be sure to look at which battery post is positive and which is negative before loading as they are easy to confuse.

Detection Circuit:     73/100

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 1.05 s. / 3.2 s.  |  Video Trigger & Recovery Speed:  1.04 s. / 3.6 s.  |  Detection Range:  60 ft.

The 1.05-second picture trigger speed was not what we expected when we started the Reconyx XS8 Review. The camera recovers after taking a photo in 3.2 seconds, and while that is plenty fast for most animals, that is not what we would call "Reconyx fast."

Video trigger time is 1.04 s., which is actually quite fast compared to other trail cameras.

The detection zone is very typical from what we have seen in past Reconyx models. Detection range is right around 60 ft. and the detection width closely mimics the field of view.

Overall, the detection circuit is hampered by the slow trigger time which brings down the overall rating.

Quality of Design:     92/100

Dimensions:  4.5" x 3.5" x 3.25" |  Battery Type:  12 AA Batteries  |  External Battery Jack:  None

Case design on the XS8 is identical to the XR6 so you will see many similarities here.  The front face of the XS8 is actually smaller than previous Reconyx models by one inch in both height and width. The depth of the case is a bit thicker.

There is a 1/4 x 20 threaded insert on the back of the camera for a Slate River Mount. Most cameras have a bracket for a Python Cable Lock, however, Reconyx takes it a step further and has two mounts. One of the holes locks the camera to the tree but the inside of the camera can still be opened without taking the lock off. The second hole locks both the camera to the tree and the case shut. This is a pretty handy feature that is unique to Reconyx.

After years of complaining about the on/off switch that Primos cameras use, it is only fair to point out the XS8 is using the identical system. Instead of a simple on/off toggle switch like previous Reconyx models utilize, the XS8 has an on/off button. After the camera has been running for a while, you have to turn the power button on, wait for the screen to light up, and then turn it off again.

Programming the camera is exactly what we want. The programming is as simple or complex as you like. The large, ample viewing screen makes both programming and picture review very easy. You can view both pictures and videos the camera has taken on the screen, including the audio from the videos.

The XS8 gives you the option of start/stop time, by hours and day of the week.  This means you could have the camera on at specific times of the day Monday through Friday, but all day on Saturday and Sunday.  Very handy feature for business owners.

Many of the early bugs we discovered on the XR6 cameras have been fixed long before the XS8 became available for sale.  This means this camera comes bug-free.  Reliability is outstanding.

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