Xtreme Life RockCam Outdoor Hidden Camera and DVR with Remote Control

I have had two of these cameras for a few years now. I use them for covert surveillance and the motion activated recording works great, so long as you set it up properly. The quality of the video is great too, and it allows you to select from 4-5 different definition levels. The ability to set this camera for extended lengths of time in one location, on one charge, and get hours of video is superb. My only complaint is that the directions included with the camera read as if they were written by a child old with no English language experience. Once I figured it out though, the setup works well, albeit a little clunky in terms of the interface.

I would recommend this over a trail camera or outdoor surveillance camera if there is a threat of it being recognized and stolen. There are 2 ways of setting this up: dip switches or menu. I haven't tried the menu option in depth but I've tried the dip switch option. The recordings did not span the length of a year. The last time that I tried it, there were 3 months of video on the 16gb card after I let it sit for 4 1/2 months. I hooked it up to be recharged and when I went to the menu it stated that the battery was close to 100%. I touched the battery capacity indicator and it was 1 mark away from being full, so I don't know what happened to the missing 1 1/2 months. I set it up for 15 second clips with normal quality and detection at Low. The menu has more options than the dip switch option. For the dip switches, all you have to do is set the switches and turn the power on and it will record in a few seconds. The lag time is so wide between videos that fast movement may only be detected in 1 shot before the subject is gone. Also, there were videos shot of near darkness but there was nothing recognizable in the video. Night videos with no light are useless to the point where I just deleted them when I saw the thumbnail. Most of the videos showed no human or animal in them. I put this rock on top of a brick at the end of a carport and was able to record vehicles like the garbage truck that had stopped and my neighbor walking in the yard. With sensitivity on low and image quality of normal, I could make out all of this without problems. There is a delay between the sensor picking up movement and recording it. The manual explains how to set it up and is decent. If camera theft isn't the issue, try a cheaper trail camera or surveillance camera. I'm using this due to how covert it us but I'm looking elsewhere for another type of camera.. Only someone who looks very close may notice it to be fake. The other advantage it has is the single rechargeable battery vice paying for 4 or 8 or 12 alkaline or lithium batteries. It comes with an audio/video cable and a remote control.Update: Aug 6 2014: For those looking for trail camera reviews, I use the Trailcampro website. My rating still stands but I have a few things to add. In certain parts of the day when the sun is shining right, this camera will record for the max length, stop, turn on again and continue to record again even if there's nothing moving in front of it. This greatly depletes the battery. The last time I put this rock outside, the battery lasted for 1 month. I put the rock on top of bricks because the bottom doesn't fit firmly. There is still about 1 or 2 small gaps, unless I'm doing something wrong, where something can get inside. One time I had a bunch of ants inside. The next time I set it out I found spiders followed by roly polies (what we call them). I don't trust this on the ground to keep out rain.

Seems to miss alot of hits. Regular game cameras do a way better job, especially for the price. The audio didn't work on my unit and only gave white noise. I need a clandestine camera that works as well as a game camera, but all my game cameras are too obvious and get stolen. It also seems to have alot of false hits.

grossly over priced. fragile design. truly annoying configuration - you have to plug the video into your TV set!!!The IDEA for this product is good. If it was decent I'd have bought 5 or 6 more (been having problems with poachers stealing game cameras) but this one doesn't make the grade.