Moultrie’s new Edge 4 Solar looks to mitigate the problem all trail cameras share—battery life. Between the new, larger solar panel and the included rechargeable battery, you can reduce your battery budget and trips to change them out. Moultrie’s newest version of the Edge doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, it makes subtle, thoughtful improvements to an already feature-rich trail camera.
I was able to get my hands on the Edge 4 Solar before it dropped. Here are my initial thoughts.
Specs and Features
- Network: Connects to any of the Big 4
- Memory: Built-in
- Power: Includes rechargeable battery
- Max Photo Resolution: 40 MP
- Video Resolution: 1080P
- Trigger Speed: 0.4 seconds
- Detection and Flash Range: 100 ft.
- OnX Hunt integration
Upgrades from Edge 3
- Waterproof: IP67 design
- Buckshot: Sends zoomed-in max-res buck pics
- Night Clarity: Enhanced IR LEDs for night pics
First Look at the Moultrie Edge 4 Solar
I just received the Edge 4 Solar this summer, so I haven’t had the chance to test it in harsh, wintry conditions. However, I’ve tested every iteration of the Moultrie Edge so far, and the improved photo and nighttime video quality in the 4 Solar is evident.
The same day I deployed this camera, I received a video of a doe investigating the scrape where it was placed. Some of the prior Edge or Edge Pro cameras tend to blur at night, but Moultrie improved that dilemma with the IR LEDs. As you can see below, the video quality is crisp without blurs or flares. Even the resolution in the background appears to be improved from the Edge 3.
Moultrie’s New Edge 4 Solar includes some of the same great features as previous models like the OnX integration, built-in memory with GPS, and the Live Aim, which allows for a quick, seamless setup.
New features for the Edge 4 Solar include a larger solar panel, Night Clarity (improved IR LEDs), an IP67 waterproof rating, and Buck Shot, which automatically sends zoomed-in pictures of bucks. The door on the camera also got an upgrade. Instead of the typically latch that the other Edge cameras have, the Edge 4 uses a button to open and close the controls panel, which streamlines the camera body and prevents it from snagging on anything.
Solar Panel and Set Up
One of the advantages of cellular trail cameras (where legal) is that they allow you to set it and forget it, given that you’ve found a proven spot. This is especially critical if you want to monitor a property from a few states away. The Moultrie Edge 4 Solar allows you to do this, thanks to the rechargeable battery and enlarged solar panel. MeatEater’s own Janis Putelis highlighted the utility of the Edge 4’s solar panel.
“Once I find the right spot for the camera, the only reason for me to touch it is if a bear turns it.”
The solar panel has two adjustment wheels that allow you to position it in the direction that receives the most sunlight. This is critical for maximizing the charging capabilities, and it only takes a few moments to fine tune. I set up my Edge 4 Solar just inside a tree line that borders a cutover. It doesn’t get direct sunlight throughout the day, but it gets enough. So far my batter has been hovering around 96-98%. I have it placed on a travel route that doesn’t truly heat up until October, but you should expect more battery drainage if you place it at a feeder or anywhere deer linger.
Organization
Run enough trail cameras, and it’s easy to lose a few of them, especially if you cover a lot of public ground. The OnX integration ensures that you won’t forget about your Moultrie Edge 4 after the season ends or you decide to move them to a new spot. In fact, Moultrie has a quick, convenient tutorial here on how to sync your Edge cameras with OnX.
What makes the Edge 4 Solar, and all the edge cameras, so effective is Moultrie’s user-friendly and robust app. The cataloging, OnX integration, and organization make it easy to keep track of various properties, deer, and cameras. If you’re someone who prioritizes strategic organization for your hunting intel, especially whitetails, the app alone should appeal to you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re already familiar with the app, then you know how streamlined and effective it can make your trail camera strategy. If you’re looking to add a cellular trail cam to your scouting regiment, you should put this one at the top of your list. Check out the Edge 4 right here.
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