Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 Trail Camera Review

We have loved the Recon Force line of camera for years and the 2022 Recon Force Elite HP5 is no exception. Expect the familiar best-in-class video quality, fast detection, and long picture battery life as in years' past. Video battery life is just average, but everything else on this camera will impress you.- TCP Staff

Model #BTC-7E-HP5 | Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 Owner's Manual

FAQ's

Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:

91/100

Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 Trail Camera Review

 Pros

• Great pictures
• Best-in-class video quality
• Fantastic battery life
  
• Exceptional detection circuit

 Cons

• Inaccurate temperature readings
  
• Average video battery life

Photo resolution:  24mpxl (interpolated)

Video resolution:   1920 x 1080 (60 fps)

Video coding format: MP4

Flash Type:  Red Glow IR

What if you purchase from us and aren't happy with the image quality?

This is a common question and we have a very simple solution. Call, email, or chat with us and we can take a look at the images and offer suggestions or immediately tell if something is wrong with the Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 camera. If so, we will warranty the camera for you (with the free 2-Year warranty you receive from us) or return the camera for a full refund (within 90 days of purchase). You have control of the process, remember, we work for you.

Megapixel Ratings:

In the past, many people get confused with the megapixel rating trail camera manufacturers advertise.  Companies inflate the mpxl rating to attract eyes to their products.  They do this through interpolation, which digitally adds megapixels to a photo without actually improving the picture.

The best way to judge picture quality is to look at actual pictures.  You will notice this the most when you zoom in on a full-size image that a camera has taken.  The details of the photo will appear hazy or even digitized.  If you enjoy this camera's quality, check out our Browning DCL camera that provides realistic and consistent pictures.

Battery Life:    85/100

Picture & Video Resting Power (on):  0.39 mW

Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption:  1.2 Ws  |  2.3 Ws

Video Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption:  23.1 Ws  |  98.5Ws

Here are your best battery options:

Trailcampro Choice: AmpTORRENT Rechargeable AA Lithium

Picture Mode - If the Recon Force HP5 were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 18.4 months (38,731 photos) in the field - per charge - on a set of AmpTorrent Rechargeable AA Lithium batteries. 

Video Mode - If this camera were to take 15 day and 15 night videos every 24 hours, it would last 1.5 months. 

There are a number of benefits to these batteries; up to 1,200 recharges, consistent 1.5 volt operation, charges with the included USB cable, eco-friendly (less batteries in a landfill), and the batteries pay for themselves after 2 recharges.

Longest Lasting Choice: Energizer Ultimate Lithium

Picture Mode - If the Recon Force HP5 were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, this camera would last 27.7 months (58,156 photos) in the field on a set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. 

Video Mode - If this camera were to take 15 day and 15 night videos every 24 hours, it would last 2.3 months in the field on a set of Lithium batteries. 

Ultimate Lithium batteries provide the longest-lasting battery choice due to their incredible consistency and capacity. We have loved these batteries for a long time, however, in recent years they have become incredibly expensive and not the most cost-effective option. 

Solar Panel Option: Browning Solar Panel Power Pack

The Browning Solar Panel Camera Power Pack is compatible with all of the Browning trail camera models and provides a constant power source for your camera in the field. The Browning Solar Camera Power Pack includes 6 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries that are constantly being recharged by the highly efficient solar cell to keep your cameras running strong in the field. As with all solar panels, the battery life of this camera will be directly related to the amount of sunlight the panels receive.

Video Mode

If this camera were to take 15 day and 15 night videos every 24 hours, it would last 2.3 months in the field on a set of Lithium batteries. 

Detection Circuit:     95/100

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed:  0.02 s.  |  1.2 s.

Video Trigger & Recovery Speed:  0.36 s.  |  1.0 s.

Detection Range & Angle: 100 ft. @ 47.4° (53.9° field of view)

This is a fantastic detection circuit from top to bottom. It has plenty of speed and can detect out to a max of 100 ft. 

Quality of Design:     90/100

Dimensions:  5.5" x 4.25" x 3"

Battery Type:  8 AA (we recommend Lithium, nimh rechargeable will work)

External Battery Jack: 12-volt

SD Card Size: Up to 512GB

Case Design

 The case design of the Recon Force Elite HP5 is exceptional and the camera feels sturdy and well-built. The strap and python cable are threaded through a steel bracket affixed to the case. Most manufacturers use plastic. The HP5 has a threaded slot on the bottom for a Slate River Mount and the battery compartment and SD card slot are both easily accessible.

The battery tray is tough to get out initially. However, after removing it several times it loosens up for future operation.

Temperatures recorded on the HP5's data strip are rarely accurate and can deviate by a significant margin. In general, this is an outstanding case design. 

Camera Setup

 The Recon Force HP5 has a 2" internal viewer for picture playback, live preview, and settings adjustments. The buttons respond quickly and the HP5 is very easy to program.

The Recon Force HP5 has nearly every programming option imaginable and accepts SD cards up to 512 Gigabytes.

Durability

The only criticism we have with the HP5 (and most other Browning trail cameras) is the failure to accurately record the temperature on each photo.

Keep in mind, our 2-year warranty program is your free insurance program in case something goes wrong with a camera you purchase from us. This warranty protects you from any manufacturing defect the camera might experience for two years.

Since 2005, our mission has to been to provide consumers with unbeatable value, advice you can trust, and customer service that exceeds expectations. There are plenty of places you can choose to do business with, if we are lucky enough to earn your support, we promise to give you our undivided attention. Trailcampro has grown each year not only by relying on your happiness but on the assumption that if we blow you away with customer service, you will brag about us to your friends (have you seen our referral/reward program?).

As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to call, email or chat with us. We look forward to helping you find your next trail camera!

Enjoy our reviews?  Please consider purchasing your next trail camera from us.

FAQ's: Trail Camera

Q: Will this trail camera trigger on small animals (birds, rodents, etc.)?

A: Trail cameras detect on a combination of heat and movement, so, yes, small mammals will trigger the camera. However, if you are going after smaller warm-blooded mammals, we recommend getting the camera closer to your target. For best performance, place the camera in an area that would enable picture detection from 3 - 20 ft.

Q: Can animals see the infrared flash on this camera?

A: This is somewhat controversial. Humans can't see the flash as the nanometer spectrum is above what the human eye can detect. It's also much harder for an animal to see, but that could depend on the species of animal as different species see in different light spectrums.

Q: Where can I purchase this camera?

A: From us! We hope to woo you with our incredible charm, two-year warranty, 90-day returns, free continental U.S. shipping, and technical expertise. 

Seriously, though, we know you have plenty of options of where to spend your hard-earned money. The internet can be the wild, wild, west of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you choose to do business with us, we will go out of our way to make sure you are happy with the camera you select and the service we provide you.

We are passionate about testing and reviewing trail cameras, but most importantly, we are passionate about treating our customers the right way. We do things differently from what you have come to expect from other internet retailers and we hope you give us the opportunity to prove that to you.

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