Honestly, I'd consider a different approach. I tried those budget intervalometers before, but unfortunately, they're super confusing to program in the dark... literally a nightmare. I wasted so much time with dead batteries too. Now I just use the Vello RS-C2II Wired Remote Switch for Canon 3-Pin Connection. It’s only about $15 and way more reliable since it doesn’t need power for basic shutter releases. Simple is better sometimes tbh!!

For your situation, I would suggest looking into the JJC brand. Sooo i totally feel u on the price shock for those official Canon accessories. Like, who wants to pay over a hundred bucks just for a button on a wire?? Ngl i was in the same boat when i first started doing long exposures with my camera and was worried about the shake. After some digging, i ended up getting the JJC TM-A LCD Timer Remote Control for Canon N3 and honestly its been great. I was kinda worried about the connection being loose or the plastic feeling cheap, but for the price, it realy feels solid enough and clicks right into the 7D Mark II port without any wierd wiggling. Basically, it does everything the fancy Canon one does. You get the intervalometer stuff for timelapses, which is reallyy fun to play with, and the screen is easy enough to read in the dark. If you want something even simpler, i also tried the Neewer NW-880/N3 LCD Display Shutter Release Remote Control for Canon. It works basically the same way and is super budget friendly too. I havent had any lag issues at all... it just works! Definitely better than spending a ton on the Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote Controller imo. Just make sure u double check it says N3 on the box cuz those 2.5mm ones look sooo similar in photos lol. Anyway i hope that helps, gl with the landscape shots!

I'm totally with the idea that simple is usually better, tbh. I spent forever looking at different brands because I didn't wanna mess up the N3 connector. If you still want the timer features though, I looked at these two during my own research: * Neewer Digital Shutter Release LCD Timer: - Pros: Super low price. It’s basically the cheapest way to get into long exposures and timelapses. - Cons: Build quality is kinda "meh." It feels a bit like thin plastic, so I wouldn't wanna drop it on rocks. * Pixel TW-283 Wireless Remote Control: - Pros: It’s wireless! So you don't even have a cord to trip over or pull on the camera. I've heard the range is actually pretty decent too. - Cons: More batteries to keep track of, which is kinda annoying if you're out in the field and they die. Anyway, I'm still a bit of a beginner with this stuff, but based on the market research I did, those seem like the most popular budget picks for the 7DII. Just gotta make sure you double-check it’s for the 3-pin port before buying!

If you're worried about that N3 port, you might want to consider the Pixel TW-283 N3 Wireless Timer Remote Control. I've found that even with a wired remote, you can accidentally tug the cord and induce vibration or, worse, stress those pins on the camera body. This Pixel unit is actually quite reliable because it uses FSK 2.4GHz which is way more stable than the cheap infrared ones. You should be careful with the battery door on these tho, as the plastic tabs can be a bit flimsy if you're swapping them out in the cold. I would suggest getting a set of Panasonic Eneloop AAA Rechargeable Batteries since the receiver drains power even when the camera is off sometimes. Make sure to double check that the cable is fully seated before you lock the collar, otherwise the signal might drop halfway through a sequence. It’s a solid middle ground between the dirt-cheap Neewer stuff and the overpriced Canon original.

@Reply #8 - good point! I am actually dealing with the exact same issue right now. Honestly, I spend more time worrying about the physical strain on my 7D Mark II N3 port than I do on the actual composition sometimes. Those pins are just so thin and delicate. I would suggest being extremely careful with the cheaper injection-molded plugs because if the spacing is off by even a fraction of a millimeter, you are gonna feel that resistance and potentially damage the internal interface. I have had some luck looking at slightly more pro third-party brands that focus on tighter manufacturing tolerances:

• Aputure AP-TR3C LCD Timer Remote for Canon N3
• Phottix TR-90 Digital Timer Remote for Canon N3 The Aputure connector feels a bit more snap-in than the mushy Neewer ones, while the Phottix has better electrical shielding which helps avoid those weird phantom shutter fires when you are near other electronics. Just make sure you inspect the plug under a bright light before the first use. If you see any excess plastic flashing around the pins, trim it off with a hobby knife or just return it immediately. It is definitely not worth the risk to the camera body for a twenty dollar part.

Basically, I've used my 7D Mark II for everything from freezing night shoots to dusty trail work, and the biggest lesson I learned is that the connector is the weakest link. Those N3 pins are super thin, and if you get a cheap knockoff where the molding isnt perfect, you risk bending something inside the camera body. Idk about you, but that repair bill would be way worse than just buying a decent cable. The one I eventually settled on has been solid for years, but I always make sure the cord isnt dangling and putting weight on the port. I actually had a budget one once where the casing cracked during a cold morning shoot because the plastic was so thin. Now I look for ones with a thicker, more rubbery cable because they dont get brittle when the temp drops. Also, if your just doing basic timelapses, dont forget the camera actually has a built-in intervalometer in the Shoot 4 menu tab. I use that a ton for my landscape stuff now since it means one less thing to carry or break. It doesnt do everything, but for simple stuff its pretty reliable and saves your gear from unnecessary wear and tear.

Yep, this is the way

Any updates on this?

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone chiming in. Super helpful discussion.