Advanced trail cameras like the Tactacam Reveal Ultra are packed with tech features designed to help you get the most from your hunt. Chief among these are breakthroughs in flash technology.
The two most common types of flashes used in trail cams are no-glow and low-glow. Each serves a specific purpose and has unique benefits and drawbacks. Not that long ago, you had to decide which flash you wanted when you bought your camera. Now, the Ultra features both and lets you select which one to use from the phone’s app–an industry first.
But which flash should you select? Let’s run through the two flash types and cover each one’s pros and cons.
What Is No-Glow Flash?
No-glow flash is a flash that uses infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light at a wavelength above 940 nanometers, which makes it invisible to humans and most animals. While basically invisible, this flash is a weaker option, with a smaller illumination area and lower image quality. Its invisible nature makes it great for hunting in high-pressure areas where you don’t want to risk spooking animals.
What Is Low-Glow Flash?
Low-glow flash is a flash that uses LEDs that emit light at a wavelength of around 850 nano-meters. Though still termed “infrared,” this light will produce a faint red glow when the flash is triggered at night or in an otherwise very dark environment–it’s visible if you look directly at the camera. In exchange for this (limited) visibility you get longer flash range and better night image clarity. Because the flash may be visible, this is a good choice for areas where going undetected is less of a concern.
When to Use No-Glow Flash
- Property security: Yes, this is a trail cam, but many users will likely find it handy for property surveillance in the off-season. When used for monitoring a cabin, gate, or parked RV, the lack of a flash reduces the chance of the camera being detected or stolen.
- High-pressure hunting areas: When hunting in a high-pressure area, the last thing you want to do is change wildlife behavior and lower your chances of success. The lack of any visible flash from a no-glow setup minimizes interference with your site.
- Close-range monitoring: No-glow flashes work well when you are capturing images of animals at a close distance or in tight areas like along narrow trails or in small clearings.
When to Use Low-Glow Flash
- Rural property protection: If your property is rural or remote, low-glow can give you better night images without risking disturbance.
- Capturing game activity in large open areas: If your study plot is in a large field or sizable clearing, a low-glow flash will be handy since it will illuminate a much larger area and provide clearer long-range imagery.
- General wildlife observation: If you are simply out to see what sorts of animals are in a particular area and not too concerned about being stealthy, a low-glow flash will provide clear nighttime images and allow you to see what’s happening 75 feet or more from where your camera is positioned.
Choosing between no-glow and low-glow flash for your cellular trail camera depends on your priorities: stealth vs. night image performance. If you're serious about not tipping off animals or people, no-glow is the way to go. But if you want crisper night shots and are in a lower-risk environment, low-glow might suit you better.
Reveal Ultra redefines the hunting experience with switchable flash that lets you adapt to a wide range of conditions–all from your app. That, plus active GPS, live streaming, and more, makes it one of the most advanced game cams available today.