Cuddeback CuddeLink Cameras

I have my home unit on the roof of my cabin, which sets on the highest point of my farm. I have 2 cameras that are probably close to .5 mile from the home, and make it home without linking through another camera. I'm running 5 J series, plus the cell home. I am very pleased with the networking features, they exceed my expectations. I am still trying to figure out the sensing and flash, they are much more finicky than my Brownings. The straps are a constant frustration, they try and make it way too complicated.
 
Im very interested in the cuddlelink system but totally confused . I currently run Moultrie 880s and Browning strikeforce , both using infrared . . Both cameras do a good job.
I will place cameras near the house and plan on linking them back to the house.
Cell service is non existent .
Im thinking about 4 cameras to start and checking card at the home unit .
I'm looking for recommendations from you cuddlelink veterans .
1. G versus J series ?
2.infrared or blackflash ?
3.Wait for better cameras to come to market .
Any suggestions would be appreciated .
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Worm said:
Im very interested in the cuddlelink system but totally confused . I currently run Moultrie 880s and Browning strikeforce , both using ifrared . . Both cameras do a good job.
I will place cameras near the house and plan on linking them back to the house.
Cell service is non existent .
Im thinking about 4 cameras to start and checking card at the home unit .
I'm looking for recommendations from you cuddlelink veterans .
1. G versus J series ?
2.infrared or blackflash ?
3.Wait for better cameras to come to market .
Any suggestions would be appreciated .
Thanks
Click to expand...

I run Browning Strike Force, if you're going to wait for a Cuddeback that good, good luck. It is probably the best trail cam ever produced at that price point. That being said, I am running the J series cams with red IR, the flash is very similar to the Strike Force, it's not very noticeable and doesn't spook game. I can't answer on the G cams, don't have any. If you are deploying the cameras at your house, there is no need for a cell unit, a standard home unit would work, or you can set one of the cams up as home and just pull that card.
 
Thanks swat . Ive only used infrared and have always been happy with picture quality. I know that each brand of camera has its quirks, etc.
 
Worm said:
Im very interested in the cuddlelink system but totally confused . I currently run Moultrie 880s and Browning strikeforce , both using infrared . . Both cameras do a good job.
I will place cameras near the house and plan on linking them back to the house.
Cell service is non existent .
Im thinking about 4 cameras to start and checking card at the home unit .
I'm looking for recommendations from you cuddlelink veterans .
1. G versus J series ?
2.infrared or blackflash ?
3.Wait for better cameras to come to market .
Any suggestions would be appreciated .
Thanks
Click to expand...

I started with J Series Long Range IR with the Cuddeback solar panels but still couldn't get 6 weeks out of a set of batteries. I still have 2 G series and they are superior cameras in my opinion. They run on D cells and can use the Cuddeback battery booster. I'm over 3 months on the internal D cells and a 12v external battery regulated to 6v. You can get the G series in Long Range IR, Long Range Black Flash, Dual Flash (Black and IR) or Strobe.
 
Last edited:
Joseph Lemon said:
I started with J Series Long Range IR with the Cuddeback solar panels but still couldn't get 3 weeks out of a set of batteries. I still have 2 G series and they are superior cameras in my opinion. They run on D cells and can use the Cuddeback battery booster. I'm over 3 months on the internal D cells and a 12v external battery regulated to 6v. You can get the G series in Long Range IR, Long Range Black Flash, Dual Flash (Black and IR) or Strobe.
Click to expand...

What’s your setup on the 12v external battery stepped down to 6volts for g camera? Can you give a few more details ?

I just bought 6 G’s with hopes of hooking up an external battery pack due to poor reviews on stock battery life.

I was thinking 12 volt SLA with a 12 volt solar charger and run it to a step down regulator to 6 volts then to battery port. I’m just not sure if size of port on camera. Also was wondering if it needed to be stepped to 9 volts or 6 due the external packs being 9’volts which cuddeback makes. Any help
Would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
 
MidwestAddiction said:
What’s your setup on the 12v external battery stepped down to 6volts for g camera? Can you give a few more details ?

I just bought 6 G’s with hopes of hooking up an external battery pack due to poor reviews on stock battery life.

I was thinking 12 volt SLA with a 12 volt solar charger and run it to a step down regulator to 6 volts then to battery port. I’m just not sure if size of port on camera. Also was wondering if it needed to be stepped to 9 volts or 6 due the external packs being 9’volts which cuddeback makes. Any help
Would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Click to expand...

That’s pretty much my setup exactly. A cheap plastic ammo box with a solar charger and a 12v battery stepped down to 6v with a regulator I bought on Amazon. I just took all my cameras down and they had been running 3 months with this setup.
 
Just curious why not run 6v batteries with a 6v panel and drop the step down converter? It would be more efficient and cheaper. Not to mention remove a point of failure that if it were to become shorted could introduce 12v straight into the camera.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joseph Lemon said:
That’s pretty much my setup exactly. A cheap plastic ammo box with a solar charger and a 12v battery stepped down to 6v with a regulator I bought on Amazon. I just took all my cameras down and they had been running 3 months with this setup.
Click to expand...

Awesome that’s what I was hoping!! Did you make your own port cable as well or just order one online?

I found online could use already assembled prewired ones on amazon with a 5.5x 2.1mm head as this ones only ones pre wired and then and put a 4.0 x 1.7mm adapter to fit into g series battery port
 
mattpatt said:
Just curious why not run 6v batteries with a 6v panel and drop the step down converter? It would be more efficient and cheaper. Not to mention remove a point of failure that if it were to become shorted could introduce 12v straight into the camera.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I hunt exclusively out of state and I run all the cameras I own out of state on different leases in multiple states. So time is pretty limited on each property
Over the years I’ve had more luck going with 12 volt sla for the extended battery life and stepping it down since I don’t visit that often and I want to make sure it stays running while I’m gone in case the solar doesn’t cooperate or the weather decreases the sunlight for a period of time and possible my battery to get to low to work. With a 12 volt I have more buffer than a 6 volt
 
MidwestAddiction said:
Awesome that’s what I was hoping!! Did you make your own port cable as well or just order one online?

I found online could use already assembled prewired ones on amazon with a 5.5x 2.1mm head as this ones only ones pre wired and then and put a 4.0 x 1.7mm adapter to fit into g series battery port
Click to expand...

I used the 4.0x1.7 adapter but still had to shave some plastic off of them to fit in the G series external port.
 
mattpatt said:
Just curious why not run 6v batteries with a 6v panel and drop the step down converter? It would be more efficient and cheaper. Not to mention remove a point of failure that if it were to become shorted could introduce 12v straight into the camera.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I already had 5 from some HME 12v battery packs with built in solar panels I used with Stealth Cams so it was just easier for me than getting new 6v batteries. If you’re good with a soldering iron the HME units have a circuit board with a flat 3 prong 12v regulator soldered in. You can remove these and solder in a 6v regulator and have a complete system perfect for the G series.
 
guys im new to the forum , just found it the other day- I am the manufacturers rep in wi for Cuddeback(among others) if i can answer any questions regarding cuddelink ill try to do my best. Its coming on my busiest time of the year with shows so response time may not always be fast.
 
Volkman said:
guys im new to the forum , just found it the other day- I am the manufacturers rep in wi for Cuddeback(among others) if i can answer any questions regarding cuddelink ill try to do my best. Its coming on my busiest time of the year with shows so response time may not always be fast.
Click to expand...

Any idea when the solar panels will be back in stock?

Also, can you confirm the J-series takes a 9v input from the solar panel?

I can't find any specs on the website and don't see anything in the manual or on the camera.
 
they hope to have solar kits the end of the month possibly early jan. if you need some now there are dealers who have them in stock, you can pM me and i can get you some shops that may have some left and would ship them . the input may be printed on the plug.I can't recommend using any other type of power source other than ours but i know there are others doing so.
 
HB_Hunter said:
Any idea when the solar panels will be back in stock?

Also, can you confirm the J-series takes a 9v input from the solar panel?

I can't find any specs on the website and don't see anything in the manual or on the camera.
Click to expand...

I had 5 J series. Cuddeback support told me they run on 9 volts.
 
Volkman said:
they hope to have solar kits the end of the month possibly early jan. if you need some now there are dealers who have them in stock, you can pM me and i can get you some shops that may have some left and would ship them . the input may be printed on the plug.I can't recommend using any other type of power source other than ours but i know there are others doing so.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The input isn't printed anywhere. Normally, the voltage is printed close to the plug. It just says "Solar Charger: Do not remove plug - Refer to owner's manual".

I checked the owner's manual and it didn't have any specs.
 
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