Trail camera

Blacktail Slayer · 01-04-2007, 04:20 AM

I have had tons of problems with my trail camera's and think the Cuddeback may be the only camera that is worth the money. It has got the best reviews that I could find. I did see a few people post reviews saying their cuddeback got water and insects(ants) inside,the battery life not lasting long, batteries coming out and turning camera off, or the battery door coming off. Has anyone else had or heard of these problems. I don't know if I should wait another year to see if any better Cuddeback models come out. I would like to have another camera by June so I don't mind waiting and seeing what comes out for 2007.

sliverpicker · 01-04-2007, 04:58 AM

I've read all the complaints about the Cudde's, but fortunately I haven't had the same problems. The biggest complaint I heard was about their customer service, but I think with all the bad press they've been getting may have got their attention. Read a post the other day that said he phoned Cudde and got right thru and they dealt with his problem PRONTO, no questions asked!

If you install the batteries you just have to make sure the metal plate is secured in place, or it CAN lead to frustration. Before I even deployed my new Cudde I ran a bead of silicone along the door channels to discourage moisture and little critters from setting up house keeping.

I guess with the price of a new unit, the customer shouldn't have to go to the trouble of modifying anything should they!?

Battery life seems okay. I replaced my batteries last Friday after a month, and still had half power.

Now if I can just get a lion to walk in front of the trailcam???

Good luck!

Abalone · 01-04-2007, 05:54 AM

So is anyone besides me playing with the home made stuff ??????

Instead of putting lots of money into one expensive Digital Camera I would rather have several cheap ones covering a large area. I would tic me off to no end if someone stole a $200.00 camera.

I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Personally I want to learn about the animal movement in my area. Don't care if the photo quality is great..........

I have a Little Owl that another IFISHer gave me. Haven't had a lot of luck with it yet as it is too sensitive to movement. I am working on other ways to trigger the shutter.... once I get that figured out I will make more cameras..... Lots of fun.

Santiam338 · 01-04-2007, 06:08 AM

I have had my Cuddeback for over a year now....The warrenty is off...LOL

I give my camera a A+....No problems of any kind and it is in the woods pretty much all the time...

I have had cheaper cameras,home made cameras and such...Nothing but headaches and frustration...

Never again..

The expensive cameras are worth every penny in my book...

Fishstix · 01-06-2007, 10:59 AM

Hey Abalone, I have a homemade one that works pretty good. It is kind of cool to make it yourself and get it all set up.

Abalone · 01-08-2007, 07:54 AM

Fishstix:

What plans did you use to build it ? or did you make your own ?

I finally got inside one of the camera's I bought. Soldering the shutter release is going to be tricky. Very fine traces on the circuit board.. I believe you can use any Camera for
a Trail Camera, just a matter of tearing one apart and learning the insides. I am using photo limit switches instead of a PIR sensor. I'll be able to do more with it. Plus it will be wired with remote control so the sensor won't be directly contected to the camera.
This will have the added benifit of putting the camera out of reach of any would be thief.

Fishstix · 01-13-2007, 07:13 AM

I used some plans off another website. I just made a few changes. But for the life of me, I can't remember the site.

As for my camera, I used a PIR sensor. I never thought about using limit switches. Having a seperate remote sensor would be great. I want to get a cheap digital camera to use next.

Fishstix · 01-13-2007, 07:27 AM

I found the site

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/...p?showforum=50

Rainman · 01-13-2007, 08:18 AM

There's an old saying in Montana that if you buy the best, your only complaint will be that you paid too much.

Blacktail Slayer · 01-13-2007, 06:45 PM

I only heard that the 2006 cuddebacks had problems so I think I will wait and see what the 2007 are like. I plan on getting one around June.

Chug · 01-13-2007, 08:20 PM

Moultrie, is coming out with newer models. IR, & regular style. with faster trigger time, using D-cell for power source.

them Cam's are addicting.. hardest part is the wait!!..

fiddler · 01-14-2007, 02:10 PM

Sold my '06 cuddeback no flash and just finished it's replacement today. Better camera (I think) for less than 1/2 the price. Only had a chance to test it on some birds today. P41 camera, Snap shot sniper controller. I have about $220 into it including the lock.

boone · 01-14-2007, 02:12 PM

Those are great pics of that robin!!!

Rainman · 01-14-2007, 02:16 PM

Nice looking robin...is the season open on them yet ??

wildebeast · 01-14-2007, 08:07 PM

Great looking camera setup and the SSS board works very fast.

I have several of them using the 41 and I use the double pictures mode on the board. I put mine in a 1020 case, but it's a tight fit.

Can't wait to see some pictures.