Cuddelink 2020 GEN 2 version

[Mattwhull]

Have there been any changes made to the picture quantity restrictions during cell delivery?
We have two cell cameras each on their own channel with 5 remote cameras attached. The cell cameras appear to be only sending one group of pictures (30 or less) each time it connects to cell service. This is resulting in large queues on the remote cameras. In past years, we use to receive multiple emails when the home camera connected to cell.

 

[yoderjac]

I’ve been watching this thread (is this the second thread?) on these cameras for what seems like years. The trouble you guys go through to make them work is more than enough to keep me from purchasing them. That’s for sure.


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I went through the same thing years ago. I was constantly dealing with camera issues with the low cost Chinese cams. The game department asked me to teach a trail camera class for their hunter ed instructors. In preparing for that, I ended up doing an engineering analysis and came to the conclusion that high end was the lowest overall cost. I spent a lot of money up front, but I'm still using cameras purchased in 2008. When I amortize the cost over the lifespan (they are all still going pretty strong), they were a fraction of the cost that I would have spent on the low end cams. I ended up with a network running 15 wireless cameras that run 24/7/365 with solar panels with no monthly bill. The only recurring cost is SLA batteries. I'm getting 2-4 years out of each battery these days. They used to be $20 a piece but have over doubled since COVID.

This was well before cuddelink came out. I must of used a dozen brands of cameras back then including cuddeback before going high end.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[JonJ]

I’ve been watching this thread (is this the second thread?) on these cameras for what seems like years. The trouble you guys go through to make them work is more than enough to keep me from purchasing them. That’s for sure.


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Kooch,
My 2 cents after a year with 2 systems. My first trail camera used 35mm film and internet was through wired phone line. Today, pics in an hour over smart phone.
Before Cuddeback, we had a dozen assorted regular cams and it took over an hour to just go around and swap cards, then hours of laptop time sorting and filing days or weeks old photos (historical info). We've had dozens of cams over the years with half or more dying a few months after warranty expired. Then there was a C model Cuddeback my buddy splurged on that's still ticking for 14th season.
First cuddelinks, guy lost lease, got 5 for $50 each. Set them up in yard with home on the mantle (G-0, no cam). First issue was using old SD cards, 2nd old lenses over sensors limiting pics. Started reading, asking questions and now two systems, 20 cams, tickled pink.
Main system in area with limited cell signal and deep Creek bottoms with no cell, so multiple cell cams not an option.
The majority of problems I read are from not following a few steps with setup, battery changes, SD cards and expecting system to do more than designed, as in numerous cameras on 5 second delays taking hundreds of pics a day. They also use a home/cell that's also a camera placed on their primary spot. When it's taking pics, it's not transferring pics from remotes.
The biggest issue I have had with people at cuddeback is the understand the complexity of the system and don't write the manuals from the view point of the novice, no clue, new user who thinks they have purchased a plug-in play system. Granted, having some experience with computer operating systems and radio/antenna theory helps.
It's not a security system, it's not real time surveillance, it's not forgiving of operator errors.
Jon

 

[JonJ]

Have there been any changes made to the picture quantity restrictions during cell delivery?
We have two cell cameras each on their own channel with 5 remote cameras attached. The cell cameras appear to be only sending one group of pictures (30 or less) each time it connects to cell service. This is resulting in large queues on the remote cameras. In past years, we use to receive multiple emails when the home camera connected to cell.

Cell rate? Pics being taken per day by system?

 

[john volkman]

Have there been any changes made to the picture quantity restrictions during cell delivery?
We have two cell cameras each on their own channel with 5 remote cameras attached. The cell cameras appear to be only sending one group of pictures (30 or less) each time it connects to cell service. This is resulting in large queues on the remote cameras. In past years, we use to receive multiple emails when the home camera connected to cell.

the cell units never sent multiple groups pf pics at one time , the max the que could hold has always been approx 30 images, if your remotes ques are backing up its likely something else causing that . if you post a report i can try to help, also let me know what camera delay each camera is on and what the situation is, food plot, bait, mineral , trail etc.

 

[davidhelmly]

I’ve been watching this thread (is this the second thread?) on these cameras for what seems like years. The trouble you guys go through to make them work is more than enough to keep me from purchasing them. That’s for sure.


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Thank you, makes them more likely to have stock when I order! The cuddelink system works fantastic if you can read and follow directions, if you’re not a reader, expect difficulties.

 

[john volkman]

this link is a step by step video that is done well, if you follow this you will have success. i understand people dont like to read manuals, ive caught myself doing the same thing.

 

[ajtxwi]

this link is a step by step video that is done well, if you follow this you will have success. i understand people dont like to read manuals, ive caught myself doing the same thing.

Awesome video! I could have used this about a year ago. I think I will watch it a couple more times so see what I missed during a quick scan.

 

[Mattwhull]

the cell units never sent multiple groups pf pics at one time , the max the que could hold has always been approx 30 images, if your remotes ques are backing up its likely something else causing that . if you post a report i can try to help, also let me know what camera delay each camera is on and what the situation is, food plot, bait, mineral , trail etc.

John, thanks for the reply.
I have one camera, 002 in the attached image, that I cannot get the image queue to reduce. This camera is over a feeder and has a delay of 45 seconds. I'm use to the cameras reducing the image queue by the Home/Cell camera sending emails almost back to back until the queue is gone. At least that's what has occurred until this year. The Home/Cell camera would ignore the Cell Rate setting and would send pictures once it received ~30 pictures. I've received 40 pictures in 15 separate emails from the 002 camera over a 24 hour period on November 3rd with similar picture counts and emails on other days. I've currently got the Cell Rate set on the Home/Cell camera at 1 hour trying to see if it would help, but it hasn't. I'm only getting an average of 3 pictures from camera 002 per email. The emails do include pictures from the other cameras, but only 1 or 2. The most pictures I've received in an individual email on 11/3 was 7. This has been the norm this year with the most pictures received in an individual email being 15, and the emails are being sent at the Cell Rate interval in lieu of sending once ~30 pictures have been received by the Home/Cell camera. Maybe the Home/Cell camera is not receiving 30 pictures before the Cell Rate interval, but I find that hard to believe since I previously had the Cell Rate set at 6 hours and still didn't get more than 15 pictures in an email.
You'll notice camera 005 in the attached has a queue as well. However, I expect this since it is connecting through camera 004, which typically has a link level near 20, to get to the Home/Cell camera. It appears camera 005 is working properly to transfer the pictures and eliminate the queue as it had 25 pictures in queue on 11/1 and only has 5 on 11/3. Based on camera 005's activity, I would assume something is not functioning correctly with the 002 camera. Any thoughts?

 

[john volkman]

John, thanks for the reply.
I have one camera, 002 in the attached image, that I cannot get the image queue to reduce. This camera is over a feeder and has a delay of 45 seconds. I'm use to the cameras reducing the image queue by the Home/Cell camera sending emails almost back to back until the queue is gone. At least that's what has occurred until this year. The Home/Cell camera would ignore the Cell Rate setting and would send pictures once it received ~30 pictures. I've received 40 pictures in 15 separate emails from the 002 camera over a 24 hour period on November 3rd with similar picture counts and emails on other days. I've currently got the Cell Rate set on the Home/Cell camera at 1 hour trying to see if it would help, but it hasn't. I'm only getting an average of 3 pictures from camera 002 per email. The emails do include pictures from the other cameras, but only 1 or 2. The most pictures I've received in an individual email on 11/3 was 7. This has been the norm this year with the most pictures received in an individual email being 15, and the emails are being sent at the Cell Rate interval in lieu of sending once ~30 pictures have been received by the Home/Cell camera. Maybe the Home/Cell camera is not receiving 30 pictures before the Cell Rate interval, but I find that hard to believe since I previously had the Cell Rate set at 6 hours and still didn't get more than 15 pictures in an email.
You'll notice camera 005 in the attached has a queue as well. However, I expect this since it is connecting through camera 004, which typically has a link level near 20, to get to the Home/Cell camera. It appears camera 005 is working properly to transfer the pictures and eliminate the queue as it had 25 pictures in queue on 11/1 and only has 5 on 11/3. Based on camera 005's activity, I would assume something is not functioning correctly with the 002 camera. Any thoughts?

first thing i would do (when you can) is change your channel- for some reason everyone wants to use 01 in their channel and also people like to use 02,03.04, 05. Change to something like 05-15 or 05 -25 , you very well may have interference from other networks and this can happen with rf networks miles away not acres. I would clear the remote que for now so it can start fresh and the images will still be on the card when you get there to refill the feeder. 30 images in que is approx the most it can hold , sometimes less and sometimes more depending on if they are color, black and white etc. But it automatically sends when it hits that amount in que. You dont need an easy to remember channel number because its on every report, every camera and online. There is an outside chance the antenna on camera 2 is bad so you could swap antennas with another one but i doubt thats the issue.

 

[Mattwhull]

first thing i would do (when you can) is change your channel- for some reason everyone wants to use 01 in their channel and also people like to use 02,03.04, 05. Change to something like 05-15 or 05 -25 , you very well may have interference from other networks and this can happen with rf networks miles away not acres. I would clear the remote que for now so it can start fresh and the images will still be on the card when you get there to refill the feeder. 30 images in que is approx the most it can hold , sometimes less and sometimes more depending on if they are color, black and white etc. But it automatically sends when it hits that amount in que. You dont need an easy to remember channel number because its on every report, every camera and online. There is an outside chance the antenna on camera 2 is bad so you could swap antennas with another one but i doubt thats the issue.

Changing the channel fixed my issue. Thanks John!

 

[SwampCat]

My system is three years old and it seems to be slowly deteriorating in reliability. Most cameras use batteries twice as fast now. The home cell cam drops service every time it rains and then does not reconnect without me going to it and manually getting it to do it.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

My system is three years old and it seems to be slowly deteriorating in reliability. Most cameras use batteries twice as fast now. The home cell cam drops service every time it rains and then does not reconnect without me going to it and manually getting it to do it.

Are they taking a similar number of photos year to year? Maybe others have noticed this as well, but even my cell phone has been getting worse service at our property. Supposedly this is in part because of the 5G rollout, but I have no idea if this is true or not.

 

[SwampCat]

Are they taking a similar number of photos year to year? Maybe others have noticed this as well, but even my cell phone has been getting worse service at our property. Supposedly this is in part because of the 5G rollout, but I have no idea if this is true or not.

Yes - pretty much same number of pics. Cell cam often just quits without even showing low on batteries. Today there was a FAIL 202 when I tried to connect the cell cam. It did connect on a second attempt. Averaging about 11 or 12 days battery on the cell cam

 

[john volkman]

Yes - pretty much same number of pics. Cell cam often just quits without even showing low on batteries. Today there was a FAIL 202 when I tried to connect the cell cam. It did connect on a second attempt. Averaging about 11 or 12 days battery on the cell cam

that error code = If its constantly searching for signal to connect it will kill the batteries fast if you don't have external power/soalr on it. You may want ot try it in another area after season to see if it is a cell coverage issue,. we have seen where coverage changes year to year in specific spots. Sometimes even 30-50 feet can make a difference.

 

[SwampCat]

that error code = View attachment 47308 If its constantly searching for signal to connect it will kill the batteries fast if you don't have external power/soalr on it. You may want ot try it in another area after season to see if it is a cell coverage issue,. we have seen where coverage changes year to year in specific spots. Sometimes even 30-50 feet can make a difference.

I would have great solar capability where the cell cam sits. Which solar panel and accessories do I need to complete the switch to solar? Do you still use the rayovac batteries or do you have to switch to rechargeable when using solar? Thanks

 

[john volkman]

I would have great solar capability where the cell cam sits. Which solar panel and accessories do I need to complete the switch to solar? Do you still use the rayovac batteries or do you have to switch to rechargeable when using solar? Thanks

if your cell unit is a g series , (which means it holds 4 D batteries) you would put rayovac alkaline high energy in the camera and they are back up to the solar - the solar has its own battery, either the 3600 panel will work if it gets 5-6 hours of sun a day or the super solar /shade version if not. If your cell unit is a K ( which means you put 6 D cells in it ) then you would need reachargeable D cells in the cell unit - in that case you would be better off getting rid of yoru current cell and buying a new G cell home.

 

[ajtxwi]

if your cell unit is a g series , (which means it holds 4 D batteries) you would put rayovac alkaline high energy in the camera and they are back up to the solar - the solar has its own battery, either the 3600 panel will work if it gets 5-6 hours of sun a day or the super solar /shade version if not. If your cell unit is a K ( which means you put 6 D cells in it ) then you would need reachargeable D cells in the cell unit - in that case you would be better off getting rid of yoru current cell and buying a new G cell home.

Is super solar / shade version on the streets yet?

 

[john volkman]

Is super solar / shade version on the streets yet?

yes they are readily avialble, any dealer can order them if they dont have one in stock

 

[ajtxwi]

yes, they are readily available, any dealer can order them if they don't have one in stock

Awesome. I will check them out!