The new Spartan SR1-IR red flash camera has been sitting on the table staring me down, waiting for its chance to shine. I found some time this morning to get the review started on this camera. The camera is identical to the Spartan SR1-BK camera I have been testing with the exception of flash type. This is not the invisible flash but the IR Red Flash. This means that it will have improved night vision and some what better battery life in theory. It is the standard camera (like MOULTRIE PANORAMIC 150I ) in the front door style. This is a sturdy feeling square box with some break up molded into its face plate. No space alien look here but who really cares.
There is a sturdy, one handed operation, latch that securely seals this camera up. The front and back halves meet against a flat uninterrupted planar surface that makes a really good seal. I have had no leaking with this line of cameras in the testing I have done. Where the front and back halves meet, the back half of the case recesses into the front.
The camera accepts 12 AA batteries and will run on the first 4. A menu driven operation makes for simple setup and I did not need any instruction manuals to configure it. The camera uses a native CMOS sensor of 5MP and supports interpolation up to 8MP. The unit comes in both a dark brown and a camo exterior. The buttons are easy to read and operation is smooth.
The LED array is exposes those shiny clear leds, though a vein running through the leds provides a break up pattern to help minimize this bright spot.
The SD card is easily accessible. For security, there is a python through hole on the top back as well as a strap slot. I would recommend a lock box as the python would not stop someone from opening the camera and removing your SD card.
There is a threaded insert on the bottom that accepts a standard tripod mount.
