Luke Cuenco 02.26.25
Cellular trail cams are superb at their job. Modern hunters have grown accustomed to using such a wide variety of tools that incorporate everything from accelerometers to satellite networks and complex wind reading equipment. In that same vein trail cameras have also evolved so much that they’re bordering on the same territory as a lot of remote CCTV subscriptions like Ring. I had the idea that it might be useful to convert a cellular trial camera into a rather inexpensive yet still useful property management tool for monitoring remote properties or locations you might want to keep tabs on, but might not have the infrastructure or need for live CCTV monitoring. Moultrie graciously agreed to send along a handful of their Moultrie Edge 2 PRO Trail Cameras as well as some of their POWER MAG PLUS batteries so we can check out the performance of these cameras, and explore their usefulness in a rather unorthodox application.
Reviews on AllOutdoor
AO Review: Edge 2 PRO Trail Camera – Beyond Hunting
The Edge 2 PRO builds on Moultrie’s trail camera legacy with meaningful upgrades: a sharper sensor, smarter AI-driven image sorting, and a robust multi-carrier cellular connection that locks onto the strongest signal available. It’s designed to work wherever you are, no guesswork is required.
Features
- 36MP Photos & 1080p Video with Audio: Capture crisp, detailed footage of anything that crosses its path.
- AI-Powered Image Filtering: Distinguishes people from animals, cutting down on pointless alerts.
- No SD Card Needed: Built-in 8GB memory (plus unlimited cloud storage via the app) eliminates card-swapping hassles.
- Auto-Connecting Multi-Carrier Cellular: Seamlessly picks the best signal from all four major U.S. networks.
- Long Battery Life: Runs for months on lithium AA batteries or the optional Moultrie POWER MAG PLUS pack.
- Moultrie Mobile App: View images and videos from anywhere, anytime.
Power Mag Plus
For this review, Moultrie included their EDGE Series POWER MAG PLUS, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack priced at $99.99. It’s built to outlast traditional AA batteries and offers some serious perks:
- Enhanced Capacity: Outperforms a full set of 16 AA batteries for extended runtime.
- Fast Charging: USB-C charging delivers weeks of power after just an hour plugged in.
- Cold Weather Reliability: Holds strong in freezing temps where disposables falter.
- Eco-Friendly Savings: Cuts down on battery waste and long-term costs.
Battery life varies based on factors like temperature (colder weather drains power faster), trigger settings (high sensitivity or long videos chew through juice), and activity level (busy areas mean more triggers). The POWER MAG PLUS shines with its quick recharge time and durability, making it a smart upgrade for heavy users tired of swapping AAs. I absolutely love how long the Power Mag batteries last although they are a bit slow to charge even with a fast charger setup. One hour of charge in a rush though should get your camera through a couple of days or more in a relatively quiet area. So if you’re taking this off a property and moving it near a tree stand then you’ll be even happier with its battery performance on AAs or rechargeables. In really remote locations you might not be able to visit on a regular basis, you can even outfit the Edge 2 PRO with a small solar array which can theoretically extend its battery life indefinitely.
Pricing & Subscription Options
We’ll start off with the hardest part of most cellular trail cam reviews – the pricing plans. The Edge 2 PRO retails for about $139.99—a fair price for its feature set and it borders on a bargain for the overall quality of the unit itself. Since it’s cellular, you’ll need a Moultrie Mobile subscription to unlock its full potential. Plans start at $9.99/month for basic image uploads and scale up to $34.99/month for unlimited storage and premium features like advanced AI tagging.
Annual plans offer a discount if you’re ready to commit and this is probably the best way to go from the start especially if you’re planning on using one of these as an ad hoc remote security device. The app ties it all together, letting you manage multiple cameras and check footage on the go. The pricing and subscription options that Moultrie offers are probably my least favorite part of the entire setup even though they’re not completely unreasonable.
Setup is relatively simple and all you need is a payment method, and an email address and you’ll be good to go. Connecting the camera is a breeze through the app as well with the initial connection being the most complex task you’ll have to tackle by initiating the connection from the camera to establish the first link. Once connected, the camera will be tied to your account and you’ll be able to monitor it regardless of where it goes even though you can move it and recalibrate it.
Using the Edge 2 PRO for Property & Security Monitoring
Got remote land, a farm, or a sprawling backyard? The Edge 2 PRO is a game-changer for keeping tabs on what’s happening when you’re not there. Unlike WiFi-dependent security cameras, it runs on batteries and cellular data, making it perfect for off-grid spots. The AI filtering stands out here—it weeds out false triggers from wind or wildlife, so you’re only pinged when something significant, like a person or vehicle, shows up. On a smaller scale, as I’ve demonstrated here, you can also keep track of smaller critters possibly invading your property and or eating your chickens or other livestock. All that being said the weather resistance of the unit is great and features heavy-duty rubber gaskets around any areas that lead to the interior of the camera which include the controls, battery compartment, and plug for the external power supply.
The Moultrie Edge 2 PRO’s build is a mixed bag—sturdy enough to shrug off rain and snow with its weatherproof shell, yet bulky and a tad clunky for discreet setups, thanks to its hefty size and those absolutely massive batteries I love. The Easy-Aim Mount is a gem, making setup a breeze even on uneven surfaces, and the straps are easily tensioned with even one gloved hand. The no-glow flash keeps pumping out crisp night shots without a hitch even though you can catch the flash on a cell phone camera or night vision. One thing you’ll want to watch out for is bugs nesting in its crevices of which there are fortunately few outside of the latch for the compartment and bottom of the camera where there are a few cavities.
Even though hard storage is the cheapest it has ever been, I love the built-in 8GB memory—no more lost SD cards. However, even though you can pull up to 30 seconds of video after a trigger event, you can’t actually monitor with the camera as you would a live CCTV or Ring camera setup. No live video feed means you’re stuck with stills or short clips, not real-time action, so you won’t catch a trespasser in the act unless they happen to stay in front of the camera constantly triggering it. It’s a solid workhorse, but don’t expect it to outshine a true security cam.
The cellular connection can be a crapshoot in truly remote areas, even with its multi-carrier bragging rights—I’ve had it drop signals just around my house where I have a fairly good signal and it can still take almost half an hour sometimes to get a photo or video clip retrieved. Most of the time this isn’t a problem and videos and images are transmitted to the Moultrie Mobile app within minutes. On that subject, while the Moultrie Mobile app is slick for checking footage, most of its features and your camera’s features are locked behind subscription costs; $35 a month for unlimited storage feels steep when competitors like Bushnell offer similar perks for less. The built-in memory is a nice touch, but 8GB fills up fast if you’re recording video, leaving you leaning on that pricey cloud anyway. I’d say the true value of Moultrie is their solid build quality and the superb weather resistance that these units have which extends into the Power Mag Plus batteries I used.
Final Verdict: Is the Moultrie Edge 2 PRO Worth It?
If you’re after a wireless, easy-to-use monitoring tool that skips WiFi and complex setups, the Moultrie Edge 2 PRO hits the mark. It’s reliable, has a very impressive battery life, and delivers solid image quality—whether you’re scouting deer, guarding property, or solving the mystery of your vanishing birdseed. You can even keep track of multiple cameras on the same app in the same account and there are tons of other options that I haven’t even dug out and used yet. This isn’t just a hunter’s gadget; it’s a do-it-all camera for anyone needing hassle-free surveillance. At $139.99 (plus subscription), it’s a worthwhile investment for peace of mind and practicality in the field or at home and these are for sure a huge step above your bargain bin trail cams.
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