Are Cuddeback trail cameras worth the money? My two trail cameras are getting a little outdated, and one of them is acting screwy, so I want to buy something a little more up to date. Any experience with the Cuddeback's, or is there another brand that is better?
I have two older Moultries that take excellent pic's. I won a Cuddeback last year, and am less than impressed with it...I'm being kind !
Really?! What issues did you have with it?
"When" there are color pic's, the color quality is bad. And, the black and white pic's seem "washed out". Not good quality at all. The quality isn't even close to my other camera's.(Moultries) And, the one is an older flash type. After all I heard about Cuddebacks, I was really looking forward to seeing the results. Quite surprised, and disappointed.
I used one for a long time. Took great photos night and day. Regular flash. Then the flash went out. I sent it back and they sent me a new model at a reduced price. It's never taken as good of pics as my original. I wouldn't buy another.
One of the better photos from my original Cudde:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/critters310002.jpg)
I have 2 that have seen some use over the past 2-3 years. They are both working great-good buy!
Don't by Cuddeback. I've dealt with their customer service twice and it's awful. They wont fix your camera even if its new. But they will be happy to sell you another one. Went and bought 3 Moultris and they all have worked great.
I like Steealth Cams!
I have three with only one working. Buy a Moultrie or Bushnell. The Cuddeback take great pictures when they work but there customer service sucks.
Agree with the above. Owned 3 and will NEVER buy another. Like my Bushnells just fine.
Ken
I have had one for 5 years and added another 2 years later. Never had a problem.
I 2nd Loss Arra. The samething happened to me and I don't like the new one. I have a Moultrie and it went bad too. I sent it back and they sent a new one and now day light photos are all washed out. Won't buy another camera.
I agree, when they work they are great just hope and pray it doesn't break. CB customer service SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! Ive owned one and it will be the last one. There are many other camera makers out there, that you will get more bang for your buck. Ive had good luck with the WGI cameras.
I've had one for 3 yrs., zero problems, great pics and good battery life.
They used to make the best cameras. But now are behind on the trail. I've had three but won't buy another unless things change. Lots of good ones out there these days.
NO NO NO ...... and NO
I bought 2 Cuddebacks and both quit working, now have a Covert (had two but some thief stole one!)
Like the Covert much better, smaller, lighter, and take great pics.
Bushnell trophy cams are great
I really dont care for my bushnell trophy cam. My cuddeback cams are easier to use and take better pics
I have 2 bushnell trophy cam's and wish I wouldn't hasbe spent that much $ on them. I personally don't even use the video or plot watcher functions. They do take great pics and I spent the $ on the lithium ion batteries and they work great, I just could've gotten 4 other cameras for the same price as 2 trophy cams. But like I said they do take excellent pics, I am just looking for cheaper cameras without all the bells and whistles.
no to cuddyback, another vote for Bushnell
They are worse than bad, and the customer service is terrible. Every time I see the "Pros" :biglaugh: raving about them on TV, I change the channel immediately. You can probably tell that I don't recommend them FWIW. :nono:
Well, I decided after reading this to pass on the Cuddeback's. I ended up ordering a Covert camera after reading several reviews on it. I appreciate all the advice!
Shane
Good call...agree with most of the comments
2nd good call! I would never buy another one. I have had no trouble with moultre cameras and great luck with reconyx but they are not cheep.
I paid a lot a lot of money for my first Cudde and I am less than impressed. I had to send it back to be reconstructed and it is not real user friendly.
Now I just buy the Moultrie Game Spy D-50 for 65 bucks to my door.
I can put several out, they work great, and if one breaks, I can take it back for warranty.
Moultrie Game Spy D-50 has been great for me and if there is a problem send it back without any fuss. Mine have been through freezing weather,rain and the hot Tx sun and still have produced.
Good move on buying the Covert, they take great pics and have very long battery life. My old Cuddebacks ate batteries!!
Might a homebrew be an option?
I have not heard anything good about the newest cuddeback's but I do have 6 of the older ones and have not had a single problem with any of them. They are also so simple to use and set up. You can still get them at a reduced price in the sportsman's guide.
I had one for 2 years, second year started having problems, and as stated by other owners the customer service is terriable, thats if you can ever get them to answer the phone, thats a job in its self, sold it switch to the Moultrie M-80 its seems to be a good camera and thats my opinion.
I bought a moultrie M-80 this past fall. So far I like it, takes nice pics but battery life could be a little better. For the number of times I use it during the season and what I paid, I'm happy.
IMHO, anything that is not a homebrew in a Pelican case will not last very long if used continuously.
Better to get a mid-grade and set it in your heart (and budget) that you may be replacing them every two or so years.
Also better to go for battery life than things such as more pixels, shutter speed, etc.
Set them up on feed or paralleling a travel route and you shouldn't have to work about shutter speed.
My wife bought me a SpyPoint camera and it is amazing! very fast, good quality pictures, and very affordable at only $100! Better than any other I have used
The Moultrie M-80 is all I use these days. Compact, inexpensive, and does everything that I want them to do.
FYI: I buy discounted AA Lithiums at SAMS CLUB and slap 8 into each M-80. They last ALL deer season for me without a battery change.
I've used the same (Moultrie Game Spy) game cameras for the past few years and have not had any problems. I just change the batteries every year and they work great. They are affordable too.
Good luck
For me you can't beat the little Covert Ca3. Super camera for the money.
I bought cameras from Bushnell, Covert and Spy-point over the winter, all from some bay and all under $160, I am pleased with all, but hands down the Bushnells are my choice, I still have one running on the same 8 rechargeable batteries since late December. good infrared width and range. all take great daytime pics.
I purchased a Moultrie D55 on the advice of my cousin. He has a D 50 that has took hundreds of pics with no problems. My D 55 is simpe to use and takes great pics. Seems like alot of folks here use them. I got mine on sale for a little over $100.00
I curently own 6 cuddebacks, 4 Spypoints, and 3 Wild Game Innovations. I've owned more Cuddebacks than anything. Some of them worked well and some didn't. THeir customer service is bad. The WGI's are junk. I've purchased 8 and sent all of them back.The Spypoints have been good so far but I've only run them for one season.
Put out one of my wildviews last week. Over half of my pics were washed out. :(
I'm buying a bushnell this week.
I like the scoutguard - all I have experience with but had mine going for a few yrs now with no issues.
It is slow to wake up though, keep ni mind if trail setting aim it up or down the trail not perpendicular to the trail. If you do you will get soime empty shots.
GOnna pick up a couple more this yr,
J
they are good cameras but the price stops me every time. I have a hand full of the DLC Covert cameras and two Moultrie D55 IR cameras.....both types have made it through 2-3 season...long battery life...lots of pics.
I usually put mine pointing down trail or road at a slight angle so i get them crossing, coming, going and increases success rate rather than pointing perpendicular to trail. Increased my good photo count significantly...
I have 2 older cuddes and 2 newer ones all IR.I have never had a problem,picture quality is good.The older cuddes battery life is bad,really eats up batteries.I bought 2 new Bushnells this past season and their battery life is great but pictures are not so good.
I'd like to bring this back up, my wife got me a Spypoint from Cabelas for my Birthday. Supposedly a new model with sound recording?
I'm thinking of returning it for a more entry level model. Anyone have experience with Sky Point?
I'm thining the entry Coverty or Moultrie entry level... I'm not sure how much I'm going to use the camera at all.
Thanks for the input... :thumbsup: