These types of cameras are prevalent in the security marketplace where power and Wi-Fi signal is readily available, not so much in the outdoors where power and Wi-Fi are non existent. Wireless Wi-Fi cameras transmit data through Wi-Fi networks where no data plans are needed for the wireless trail camera. Cellular trail cameras transmit data through cellular networks maintained by carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, US Cellular etc. While the concepts are similar, performance and how the devices transmit data vary greatly. To clarify any confusion here, there is a very big difference in a wireless Wi-Fi enable camera compared to a wireless cellular trail camera. A simple example would be the Exodus Render, a Verizon certified device, has to have Verizon signal for it to transmit data and the Render will send that data to any mobile device regardless of the network provider.Ĭellular trail cameras need to have some type of data plan to be active. The cellular trail camera will send the data there or even a web portal.

Best case scenario, the cellular camera you chose to buy operates with a mobile cloud based software so if you can download an App to your phone, tablet, or other mobile device.

In other words, it doesn’t matter who you use as a cell phone provider. Despite what many think, as long as you have a data plan for the cellular trail camera it can send data to any phone that is active, regardless of the cell phone provider. The better the signal strength, the better the performance. A Verizon certified product needs Verizon coverage, an AT&T certified product needs AT&T coverage and so on. Cellular trail cameras need network coverage compatible with their individual hardware design to send data, regardless of where that data is going. Just like a cell phone, a cellular trail camera needs signal for it to work.

Trail camera that works with cell phone