IR Type

Why IR Type Matters for Trail Cameras

Trail cameras use special night vision features to take photos and videos when it’s dark out. Instead of using regular light, these cameras have infrared (IR) lights that let you see what’s happening even in the middle of the night. The kind of IR your camera uses will affect how clear your photos are, how easy the camera is to spot, and how well it works for your needs. Picking the right IR type helps you get good night photos while keeping the camera hidden from animals or people.

IR Types in Trail Cameras: What You Need to Know

Infrared (IR) is a kind of light you can’t see with your eyes. Trail cameras use IR LEDs to light up their surroundings at night, letting their sensors “see” in the dark. There are three main options:

• 850nm Low-Glow IR: Produces a very faint red light when it turns on.
• 940nm No-Glow IR: Also called black flash, it stays totally invisible when it’s working.
• White Flash: Just like a regular camera flash, this creates full-color night pictures but is easy to see.

Each IR type works best for certain situations, so knowing the differences helps you pick the right camera for watching animals, hunting, security, or research.

850nm Low-Glow IR: Brighter Images, Some Visible Light

Trail cameras with 850nm low-glow IR use LEDs that send out light at 850 nanometers. This is just beyond what most people can see, but the LEDs do give off a very faint red glow when they’re on. The camera’s sensor picks up this light and uses it to take clear black-and-white pictures at night.

How 850nm Low-Glow IR Works

When the camera senses movement after dark, the 850nm LEDs light up the area with infrared. The camera’s sensor is tuned to this light, so you get sharp nighttime images. The faint red glow is easy to miss unless you’re close to the camera and looking right at it.

Pros: Brighter Pictures and Longer Range

Cameras with 850nm IR usually produce photos that are brighter and clearer than no-glow models. The camera can “see” this light more easily, so you get better detail and a longer flash range—often up to 80 or 100 feet.

Cons: Red Glow Can Be Noticed

The downside is the faint red glow. Animals (especially those with good night vision) and people can see the red light if they’re near the camera. This might scare off wildlife or let people know there’s a camera nearby.

When to Use 850nm Low-Glow IR

Low-glow cameras are best when you want the best picture quality and don’t need to hide the camera completely. Hunters, wildlife watchers, and researchers often pick 850nm models to get clear night shots, especially in areas where theft or damage isn’t a big worry. They work well for open areas, trails, or anywhere you need to see farther at night.

940nm No-Glow IR: Best for Staying Hidden

940nm no-glow IR, sometimes called black flash, uses LEDs that send out light at a wavelength almost no animals or people can see. When this IR is triggered, there’s no visible glow at all.

What Makes 940nm No-Glow IR Different?

The 940nm wavelength is farther along the infrared scale. While camera sensors can still use this light, it’s totally hidden from view, no matter how close you get to the camera. This makes no-glow models perfect for situations where you can’t risk the camera being noticed.

Pros: Totally Hidden Flash

The big advantage of 940nm no-glow IR is that it can’t be seen, even right up close. This is important for monitoring shy animals, protecting your property, or setting up a security camera where you don’t want anyone to know it’s there.

Cons: Slightly Darker Photos, Shorter Range

No-glow cameras usually produce images that are a little darker and not as clear as 850nm models. They also have a shorter flash range, often around 50 to 70 feet, because the camera’s sensor doesn’t pick up this light as well. Photos might look grainier, especially with less expensive cameras.

When to Use 940nm No-Glow IR

Choose no-glow IR if you’re worried about your camera being spotted or about scaring off wildlife. These are ideal for places where people might try to steal or damage your camera, for watching rare or easily frightened animals, or for security in busy areas. Hunters often go with no-glow in areas where animals are easily spooked by new lights.

White Flash: Full-Color Night Photos (But Easy to Spot)

Some trail cameras have a regular white flash, just like a standard camera. This is different from IR light and gives you color photos at night.

How White Flash Works

White flash uses visible light to light up an area, letting the camera capture full-color photos and videos after dark. The flash is bright enough to cover a wide area and gives you the most detailed night images you can get.

Pros: Nighttime Photos in Full Color

White flash is the only option if you want color photos at night. This can help researchers who need to see color details or property owners who want the clearest possible images for evidence.

Cons: Very Noticeable, Can Scare Animals or Alert People

The big downside is that the flash is very bright and easy to see. It can scare wildlife, making them avoid the area, and it also lets people know there’s a camera watching.

When to Use White Flash

White flash cameras are best for research where seeing colors is important, or for security situations where you don’t care if people know they’re being watched. Sometimes, just having a visible flash can help keep trespassers away, but these cameras aren’t ideal if you want to stay hidden.

How to Choose the Right IR Type for Your Trail Camera

When you’re picking a trail camera, think about these factors:

What Are You Using the Camera For?

If you’re hunting or watching animals, you’ll likely want clear photos but may not need to be completely hidden. Researchers may need color images. If you’re using the camera for security, you probably want it to be as invisible as possible.

Which Animals Are You Watching?

Some animals, like deer, are sensitive to even faint red lights. If you’re watching animals that are easily spooked, go for no-glow IR. For less sensitive animals, low-glow might be enough.

Where Will the Camera Be?

If you’re putting the camera somewhere public or where people might find it, you’ll want no-glow IR to avoid drawing attention. If it’s on private land or a place with little risk, low-glow or even white flash could work fine.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

No-glow cameras usually cost more because the technology is newer and more complex. If you’re on a tight budget, low-glow models offer good performance and are usually cheaper. White flash cameras are about the same price as low-glow models, but remember they’re easy to spot.

What to Look For in Trail Camera IR Specs

When shopping for a camera, check the product details to see what kind of IR it uses.

IR Wavelengths: 850nm vs. 940nm

• 850nm (Low-Glow): Faint red glow, brighter photos, longer range.
• 940nm (No-Glow): No visible glow, more hidden, but slightly darker photos and shorter range.

How to Find IR Type in the Specs

Manufacturers usually list the IR type in the details. Look for terms like “low-glow (850nm),” “no-glow (940nm),” or “black flash.” White flash cameras will say they shoot color photos at night.

Flash Range and Picture Quality

The flash range tells you how far the camera’s IR light can reach. Low-glow cameras might hit 80 to 120 feet, while no-glow models are usually around 50 to 70 feet. White flash can light up even farther, but it’s very visible. Better sensors can help make up for the dimmer light in no-glow cameras, so higher-end models may not have as much of a drop in picture quality.

Picking the Best IR Type for Your Needs

To sum it up, match your camera’s IR type to what you need. If getting the brightest, sharpest night photos is most important and you don’t mind a little red glow, 850nm low-glow cameras are a solid, budget-friendly pick. If you need to keep your camera hidden from both animals and people—like for security or watching sensitive wildlife—940nm no-glow is your best bet, even though photos may be a little darker and the range is shorter.

Go with white flash only if you need color images at night and don’t care if the camera is visible. Always check the camera’s IR specs, flash range, and picture quality before buying. Think about the types of animals you’ll be watching, the risk of theft, and your budget to make sure you get a camera that does the job right.

Choosing the right IR type means you’ll get the results you want—whether you’re tracking wildlife, collecting research data, or keeping your property safe without anyone knowing there’s a camera there.