Cuddeback CuddeLink Cameras
- Thread starter Stevieray
- Start date
Pacahunter
Member
I just purchased the system. $750 with tax from bass pro. I swore I’d never get a Cuddeback again, but this system enticed me.
Stevieray
Active Member
Please keep us updated on how they function and post some pictures from them.
Stevieray
Active Member
I have a Covert Blackhawk and it has work without an issue for the last two years.
swat1018
Well-Known Member
Well, I would consider that a miracle! I have had no less than a dozen of the code blacks since about 2011. I haven't bought them, most of them have been sent to me by their customer service in an attempt to get a few that work. These 3 "work" but I get a million pics all day long if it's over 85 degrees which is rough on batteries, just to name one problem. The flash sucks, etc. They are about useless.
Chainsaw
Well-Known Member
Good luck with them Paca. I hope they work well for you and many of us look forward to hearing about your experiences with them.
BigCreek
New Member
I've had 6 G-series cams running for a little over 6 weeks. So far I'm happy with the cams and system. There are a few pros/cons.
Pros
Awesome system, it's nice not having to go out to every camera to pull cards
Above average trigger speed.
Pic quality is above average
Quiet. So far I haven't noticed any animals react to the cams while taking pics
Cuddebacks Customer service has improved dramatically since I last owned a few of their cameras(08'ish)
Cons
Poor distance in heavily wooded areas. I'm maxing out at 350 yards on most cams. I've been told distance should improve greatly in the fall when leaves drop and foliage isn't as dense.
Poor battery life. I've had batteries go dead after 1650, 1900 & 2950 pics. The battery booster pack or solar options are practically a must if your cams get a lot of action.
Rains tend to take cams offline from the home unit for a bit.
So far, I'm loving the system and it's intentions. I'm a little disappointed with the distance and battery life issues but am hoping that will change with the booster pack and in the fall when leaves are falling.
I'm liking the powerhouse black flash cams a little more than the IR's.
Pros
Awesome system, it's nice not having to go out to every camera to pull cards
Above average trigger speed.
Pic quality is above average
Quiet. So far I haven't noticed any animals react to the cams while taking pics
Cuddebacks Customer service has improved dramatically since I last owned a few of their cameras(08'ish)
Cons
Poor distance in heavily wooded areas. I'm maxing out at 350 yards on most cams. I've been told distance should improve greatly in the fall when leaves drop and foliage isn't as dense.
Poor battery life. I've had batteries go dead after 1650, 1900 & 2950 pics. The battery booster pack or solar options are practically a must if your cams get a lot of action.
Rains tend to take cams offline from the home unit for a bit.
So far, I'm loving the system and it's intentions. I'm a little disappointed with the distance and battery life issues but am hoping that will change with the booster pack and in the fall when leaves are falling.
I'm liking the powerhouse black flash cams a little more than the IR's.
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Pacahunter
Member
Big, so do u have to wait for the pics to upload on the home camera? Or are they on the camera right away?
BigCreek
New Member
350 yards. I've tested these at quite a few locations and some get low readings at 270 yards through thick woods with a little elevation change. If I put a cam or two on a high point that helps communication between cams quite a bit. Cuddelink advertises 1/4 to 1/2 mile through dense forest.
They get to the home cam pretty quick, within minutes. Right now I have one of my cams set as the 'home' unit and have it fairly close to my house. When I get the home cell unit I should know more accurately.
BigCreek
New Member
I’m up to 7 cuddelink‘ s& the home cell unit. My home cell arrived a few days ago. So far I’m loving getting updates often. Can set it to email pics every hour to 24. It’s nice having multiple cams emailing pics with only 1 unit to pay for service. However, that service is 30$ a month. Still better than 5 or 6 different cell cams.
I’m still pretty upset about the battery life on the Cuddelink’s. I am going through batteries like no tomorrow. Had 1 crap on me yesterday after only 519 pics, seriously cuddeback? That’s redic. It defeats the entire purpose of the system if you have to replace batteries once a week. I’ve read on other forums that the cuddepower add-on helps but these 300$ cams turn into 1k investments on batteries alone.
Overall, I’m not sure if I would recommend the system to anyone. Too many red-flags. My neighbors are waiting for me to give the go-ahead after my tests but it’s an investment in a company with shady past/products and insulting marketing ploys with their constant add-ons. It’s intentions are what we all need/want but I would probably say wait another year til a more respected trail cam company comes out with the same but better system
Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
Thanks for all the info. I'm with you - lot of red flags and hopefully another company will duplicate this process!
Double L
Well-Known Member
My one buddy has been running 8 J cameras since last fall and has had good luck with them. I just got 9 Gs and one cell unit for 10 total. Just got them up and running Saturday. so far so good, I did get the battery booster for them. Ill keep posting later with my liking of them or any issues that I have.
Please post real life distance communication between cameras in the woods. The distance scares me more than the batteries. Other than a couple camera survey periods, my average camera probably would take less than 200 pics in a week. Very little cold weather. My biggest concern is distance and overall reliability of the camera. That isnt a knock on cuddeback - that is a knock on most low to medium priced cameras - I have used moultrie, wild game innovations, busnell, covert, browning, cuddeback, stealthcam - and probably a few more. Speaking of $150 cameras and less - other than the brownings - I wouldnt call any of the ones I have used “reliable”.
Double L
Well-Known Member
I just pulled up google earth and did measurements on it. My shortest run is 175 yds. my longest whis is on a ridgetop is 420 yards and it is wooded. Most of mine are 300 to 400 yard runs, I noticed terrain was my biggest factor more so than woods. where I am we have little flat ground so i had to get creative when placing them. when I lost signal I waited till I got more cameras running then went back and found they picked up other camera links.I put out 10 cuddy on Saturday. So far I am very pleased with them. If they dont fail later on I will recommend them. I registered them on line which gets you two year warrantty and pro rated 3 years after that. I too have been camera shopping. Moultrie seems to have went down hill. Browning was ok. Spy point Cell is just ok. spartan is really good but $$, and alot of places i dont have cell service. the cuddy system for $30 month isnt a bad deal at all. After you add battery pack its still cheaper than the spartan. I get about 6 weeks of battery out of spartan. the spy point I dont think gives me good quality pictures especially for $25 month. Moultrie takes good pictures but you got batteries in modem and camera and cost of both. I now have 14 cameras sending me pictures, I will add 6 more cuddy and drop the spy point and the moutrie. I figue buy once cry once
Double L
Well-Known Member
My hunting buddy who has the J cameras since last year has had good luck with battery life. I just got the the g cameras and I got the battery booster to go along with it.I dont know how long they will last yet. my spartans get about 6 weeks of battery life. I would get the cuddy with the new solar charger if I was you. I will be trying one them very soon. I didnt see the offered that till after i bought mine
