Spypoint Flex-M Review

It's important to remember the Spypoint Flex-M Twin is a two-pack, which increases its value. Instead of choosing just one location for a trail camera and hoping for the best, you can install a second camera in a different spot or with a different angle and get twice the coverage. If you're doing the math, this means you can install two Flex-M cameras that each get 100 image uploads per month, giving you 200 total images.

Performance

We test trigger performance in a wide open field during the day and at night by walking and jogging through a trail camera's detection zone. We move through in ten feet increments from 10 feet all the way out to 100 feet, then analyze the results. This test determines how well a camera recognizes movement and how it reacts by taking photos or videos.

The Spypoint Flex-M has a 0.4 second trigger speed, which is about half as fast as some premium cameras we tested. In the day, we were able to jog through the relatively narrow 50° image zone at ten feet without the camera triggering fast enough to catch us. It caught us at 20 feet out and beyond, all the way to 100 feet. Interestingly, most premium cameras caught and recorded us before we reached the middle of the frame. The Flex-M sometimes caught us before the middle, but most often snapped a photo when we were 60-70% through the image zone. If you have deer running through game trails quickly, this is not the camera for you.

The Spypoint Flex-M usually caught us somewhere in the frame, but its timing was less consistent compared to cameras that cost twice as much.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

At 50 feet, the Flex-M caught us quickly.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

At 70 feet, the Flex-M triggered with perfect timing.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

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However, out in the wild where animals aren't usually running, it was able to capture some cool photos of a walking bull moose, a mule deer, a whitetail buck, and a flock of wild turkeys.

We set this camera up on a game trail so that animals would approach or leave directly to or away from the camera, avoiding close side-to-side action — and we nabbed some cool photos with that technique.

Image Quality

To test image quality, we evaluated more than 25,000 photos and videos while testing multiple game cameras. We compared side-by-side trigger test photos, as well as considered backyard photos and, most importantly, images taken out in the wild with real animals.

Spypoint Flex-M doesn't take the best photos or videos but we don't care: It's so affordable we're willing to just enjoy it for what it is. That said, we were able to capture some great photos that kept us excited about the animals out cruising the trails.

For the budget-friendly price point, we simply can't argue with the photos captured by the Flex-M. We knew a cow moose was hanging out in the area, and it was nice to see this bull show up, too.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

A nice little mule deer buck makes an appearance. Check out the velvet still on its antlers.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

At times like this, we wish the Flex-M was a bit better in the dark. We're pretty sure that's a skunk!   Credit: Chris Maxcer

Not the best detail or color on these turkeys, but it's still cool to see this photo show up on our phone.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

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In general, images struggled in high-contrast, light/dark situations. Videos were sometimes blurry or had moments of pixelation or fuzziness. As long as you're not trying to blow up a Flex-M image to frame and put on your wall, though, you'll likely be able to identify most of the creatures that pass by.

Ease of Operation

Ease of operation takes into account the entire package in relation to doing its job of automatically talking photos and video. How well does the camera mount to trees? How well does the battery system power the unit? Is it easy to retrieve photos? Setup accounts and apps?

The Spypoint Flex-M is a little harder to setup and use than a non-cellular trail camera, but not by much. Once we downloaded the app and created an account, the app was easy to understand and navigate on our phones. We could see the camera's location on a map, monitor battery life, check out thumbnails of animals that passed by, and change camera settings from taking photos to taking video. For our initial testing purposes, we spun up an unlimited photo uploads plan for a month, used it easily, then canceled it and moved back to the free plan. Easy peasy.

Features

The Spypoint Flex-M includes most of the basic features we expect from game cameras, including a decent strap, a solid case, batteries that don't spill out onto the forest floor, the ability to take photos and videos, and nighttime IR illumination.

The most important feature, however, is its affording pricing: Its performance is mediocre, but its value is incredible. If you place this camera in a spot where the lighting is relatively stable and the animals are more likely to walk and stand vs run, it'll do a solid job and probably make you happy. Of course, to make the system a bit more powerful, Spypoint offers pricing options for additional photo transmissions, ranging from $5/month for 250 photos to $15/month for unlimited photo transmissions. For videos, the Flex-M transports a 3-frame animated preview to the app, but the full video has to be loaded from the Micro-SD card manually (for free). To transmit it wirelessly, you can purchase a video add-on package.

Durability

For durability, we pay special attentions to hinges and clasps, noting their materials and strength. We also evaluate the thickness of the plastics, downgrading models that seem abnormally thin or brittle. Doors should seal with gaskets so moisture stays out. Cellular cameras usually take a hit in durability rankings because their antennas are a weak point that can easily break, which can also render the camera non-functional.

The Flex-M plastic housing is a bit lighter than we like to see, but we experienced no issues with it when we strapped it down tightly to tree trunks or threw it in our backpacks. The antenna could snap during transit, so we recommend unscrewing it if you plan to carry these in a pack with other gear. We let our sprinkler system rain all over the Flex-M and we didn't see any leaks or experience any fogging.

The plastic casing and antenna isn't as rugged as the plastics and builds we see in cameras that cost twice as much, but it's reasonably solid and should hold up for years.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

The antenna is the biggest point of weakness in the Flex-M. You should unscrew it before travel in a backpack, and just be aware that curious bears sometimes break off antennas.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

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Should You Buy the Spypoint Flex-M Twin?

If you want to try out a cellular trail camera but are not sure you need or want to pay for the remote connectivity features, the Spypoint Flex-M Twin is the best cellular camera for anyone on a tight budget. The pricing is so good that the risk of buyer's remorse is darn near zero. Of course, to use it properly, you'll need to place it in an area with at least 1-2 bars of consistent signal. If you're willing to pay just $5/month, though, there are other options that are more compelling.

What Other Trail Cameras Should You Consider?

The Tactacam Reveal X 3.0 costs twice as much as the Flex-M but it also delivers much better photos and video with improved performance across the board. The app is fantastic and user-friendly, but it doesn't have a free cellular plan option. To use it effectively, you'll have to commit to spending at least $5/month to get 250 photo transmissions just to keep it running like it's supposed to. If that's in your budget, it's a better camera that also offers competitive unlimited transmission packages.

If you'd like to see a boost in photo quality and don't need cellular connectivity, the Wosports G600 produced higher quality photos and video. Plus, it offers a cool Photos + Video mode that records photos and video at the same time, plus a remarkable 120° field of view. If you're looking for an inexpensive camera that's can cover a large portion of a patio, deck, or yard, it's our favorite casual trail camera for backyards.