Fox Alert! 🚨 Protect chickens and chicks with the GardePro trail camera 🦊
This GardePro E8 2.0 Pro review is based on a German-language YouTube video by @wolliges.bewildert and has been translated into English. GardePro supplied the camera for the video, and Wolliges Bewildert tested it for a very practical reason: a fox had been prowling near her chicken enclosure. She needed to understand exactly where and when this predator was moving around her property.
While her video beautifully captures everyday chicken care alongside the installation, this article hones in on the GardePro test itself. We'll cover her unboxing experience, battery and solar setup, menu configuration, coop placement, a minor initial setup hiccup, and her first successful nighttime capture.
Why a Trail Camera Was Needed
Wolliges Bewildert had previously relied on a wildlife camera that was over eight years old. It had grown unreliable, and constantly swapping dead batteries or weak rechargeable cells became incredibly frustrating. Eventually, her family just gave up on using it altogether.
The timing for this GardePro test couldn't have been better, as fox activity had recently spiked in her area. Friends and relatives had reported spotting a fox along the road, and one had even breached her chicken area about three years prior. She wanted to monitor that exact same side of the enclosure to see if the animal was scouting for a new way in.
This gave her review genuine, real-world stakes. She wasn't just installing the camera to collect cute wildlife clips; it was deployed as a security tool to protect her young chicks and pattern a potential predator.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Inside the camera, Wolliges Bewildert found a dedicated battery pack. Instead of chewing through disposable AA batteries, this pack charges via a standard USB-C connection. She immediately recognized this as a massive upgrade over her old camera, which drained batteries quickly and struggled with standard rechargeable cells.
The package also included a long mounting strap, threaded mounting points, and instructions. Utilizing the camera's threaded mount, she was able to attach it to a ground stake her family already owned, giving her the flexibility to place it exactly where she needed it, even without a suitable tree nearby.
She did note one important detail for future buyers: an SD card is not included with this specific camera package. She simply popped in her own card and easily formatted it directly within the camera's menu before use.
App Access, Motion Detection, and Time-Lapse Options
Wolliges Bewildert appreciated that the camera connects to a smartphone app, allowing it to act as a hybrid between a home monitoring device and a conventional wildlife camera. She highlighted two primary ways to use it.
In motion-detection mode, the camera wakes up and records only when it senses movement. Alternatively, users can set up a time-lapse or hybrid mode for extended observation. While she didn't conduct a full time-lapse test in this video, the feature caught her eye since her large, natural garden hosts a wide variety of animals throughout the day.
During configuration, she gladly switched the menu to German. She set her clock to a 24-hour format, selected the Berlin time zone, and easily navigated the controls for time-lapse, audio, resolution, and recording length. Taking advantage of the camera's 4K video capabilities, she extended her daytime and nighttime clip lengths from the default 10 seconds up to 30 seconds.
She handled the initial setup directly on the camera's built-in screen. Her only minor critique was that the screen's contrast made it slightly difficult to read under bright outdoor sunlight. However, the menu layout was intuitive, containing all the settings she needed, and formatting the SD card was a breeze.
Rechargeable Battery and Solar Panel Setup
The battery required an overnight charge out of the box, indicating to Wolliges Bewildert that it packs a substantial capacity. GardePro also provided their solar panel accessory for this test, which can be purchased separately.
The panel plugs securely into a weatherproof port on the bottom of the camera and features an adjustable mounting bracket. She was pleasantly surprised by the generous cable length—estimating it at roughly 3.5 to 5 meters—which allowed her to position the camera in the shade while placing the panel in the sun.
She staked the camera near the side of the chicken enclosure where the fox had previously breached. She aimed the solar panel east to catch the morning sun. Because nearby trees cast partial shadows over the area, she was curious to see if the panel could still draw enough light to keep the camera charged long-term.
Mounting required a bit of improvisation. The supplied heavy-duty strap is designed for thick trees or posts, making it feel a bit bulky on the slender stake she used. Nevertheless, she managed to secure the setup tightly and carefully routed the solar cable above ground to protect it from rodents or moisture.
First-Night Results and a Useful Setup Lesson
The first night didn't yield the dramatic results she hoped for; the camera only captured some grass swaying in the daytime breeze. Wolliges Bewildert went back into the settings and realized the internal clock had shifted when she swapped to the 24-hour format, so she quickly corrected it.
She also discovered a common rookie mistake: she had accidentally left the device in photo mode instead of video mode. After double-checking the manual, she switched it over to video recording and confirmed the motion detection was armed.
That quick tweak made all the difference. At 4:19 AM, amidst a light drizzle in the early dawn, the camera successfully captured the fox. The predator glanced toward the lens, trotted past the chicken enclosure at a safe distance, paused briefly, and then vanished toward the edge of the property. Since it didn't aggressively approach the fence, she suspected it might have just been hunting for mice in the tall grass.
Regardless, the crisp footage confirmed that the fox was indeed patrolling her property and revealed its travel routes. For her primary goal—monitoring a direct threat to her flock—the camera delivered exactly the actionable intel she needed once it was dialed in.
Overall Impression
This hands-on review perfectly highlights the capabilities of the E8 2.0 Pro, as well as the normal learning curve that comes with any new trail camera. Wolliges Bewildert was ultimately won over by the removable USB-C battery, the solar compatibility, the crisp 4K video, the customizable recording lengths, and the sheer convenience of phone access.
Her experience also serves as a great checklist for new users: remember to buy a compatible SD card, format it immediately, double-check your time/date settings, verify your recording mode, and pick a mounting spot that suits the included strap.
Most importantly, once dialed in, the camera flawlessly documented the fox lurking near the coop. This proves that the GardePro E8 2.0 Pro isn't just a toy for casual wildlife watching—it's a vital security tool for farmers and homesteaders who need to track predator activity and protect their animals.
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