Cuddeback's Cuddelink

[john volkman]

That’s too bad the usb connection was the only reason I purchased these, may need to look at selling these


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there have been others who have figured this method out on their own, so it is possible to accomplish what you want , especially if you have a programming degree or background in that type of thing. If you only bought the system to use that way i would not hang on to it waiting for Nontypical to come out with their own version of it. The demand on used cuddelink networks is very high right now so selling it should be quite easy if you choose to. There is a Facebook page by the name of Cuddeback buy/sell/trade . That would be where i would list it first.

 

[yoderjac]

no plans for this right now , the engineers have their hands full with other projects. Unlike almost all other trail camera manufacturers, Cuddeback uses all US engineers for design etc so they need to prioritize their workload. The intent was to have something along these lines but it proved difficult to accomplish in a way where it was user friendly and easy to operate.

The "difficult to accomplish" part is really funny. I've had USB access to the radio/modem for my BEC wireless cams since I bought them over 10 years ago. The GUI lets me change parameters on each cam, pics are captured on the PC, and you can set up automatic email or post them to a web site. It is very easy and user friendly to operate. There is no rocket science here and it is far easier than the rest of a 900 mhz wireless system.

Now I certainly believe providing this capability to existing camera owners is a lower priority than selling more cams.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

The "difficult to accomplish" part is really funny. I've had USB access to the radio/modem for my BEC wireless cams since I bought them over 10 years ago. The GUI lets me change parameters on each cam, pics are captured on the PC, and you can set up automatic email or post them to a web site. It is very easy and user friendly to operate. There is no rocket science here and it is far easier than the rest of a 900 mhz wireless system.

Now I certainly believe providing this capability to existing camera owners is a lower priority than selling more cams.

I'll admit that this is a feature that is disappointing is not already here. I would pay for an entirely separate unit if it meant I didn't have to rely on a mobile network when I already have fiber internet at our property. With that said, I'm starting to come around to the idea that as 5G rolls out, home networking may become less appealing. In the last two years, I have personally purchased 15 cameras, 1 home unit, 6 solar kits, 6 battery packs, and several other related accessories. I've rolled out two cuddelink networks and have had very few problems with either or the equipment. Having the system connect to a home network was and still is something I hope comes along, but I will take all of the improvements I have seen to the cameras and the network within the last two years. I have zero regrets for the amount of money I have invested in our camera systems, and absolutely believe it has helped us manage and hunt our local herd better.
It's a little perplexing that you would come into a Cuddelink thread and throw stones. Considering Cuddeback went from not even being in the same space as BuckEye to making BuckEye almost irrelevant in terms of networked cameras' market share, despite BuckEye having such a head start, says quite a bit. Sure, I bet you could make claims about quality over quantity and whatnot, but it sure sounds like you're showing some little brother syndrome on behalf of BuckEye by punching up.

 

[yoderjac]

I'll admit that this is a feature that is disappointing is not already here. I would pay for an entirely separate unit if it meant I didn't have to rely on a mobile network when I already have fiber internet at our property. With that said, I'm starting to come around to the idea that as 5G rolls out, home networking may become less appealing. In the last two years, I have personally purchased 15 cameras, 1 home unit, 6 solar kits, 6 battery packs, and several other related accessories. I've rolled out two cuddelink networks and have had very few problems with either or the equipment. Having the system connect to a home network was and still is something I hope comes along, but I will take all of the improvements I have seen to the cameras and the network within the last two years. I have zero regrets for the amount of money I have invested in our camera systems, and absolutely believe it has helped us manage and hunt our local herd better.
It's a little perplexing that you would come into a Cuddelink thread and throw stones. Considering Cuddeback went from not even being in the same space as BuckEye to making BuckEye almost irrelevant in terms of networked cameras' market share, despite BuckEye having such a head start, says quite a bit. Sure, I bet you could make claims about quality over quantity and whatnot, but it sure sounds like you're showing some little brother syndrome on behalf of BuckEye by punching up.

I'm not throwing stones at cuddelink. I think it is great that they are in the market. It is a completely different market from BEC. BEC is focused on reliability and longevity for research project and such where data loss through missed triggers, camera issues, and such matter. It is also ideal for management where data loss is problematic and full resolution pictures need to be transmitted. Cuddelink is addressing the hunter market where lower up front cost is important and data loss has little impact and transmitting thumbnail pics is sufficient.

I was simply laughing at the comment that it was "difficult to accomplish". The decision is a business decision and has nothing to do with the technical difficulty.

By the way, I'll probably soon take a deep dive into the cuddelink system again (did so year ago when it first came out). The BEC network I have are over 10 years old but still running on all cylinders. The up front cost was quite high, but when amortized over the life span, they actually end up cheaper. Some day they will die and since I'm using it for management, will need to be replaced by a new BEC or some other reliable system. However, I just bought a retirement property where we are building. Something with a low up front cost like cuddelink may be ideal for general situational awareness, however some basic features, like the link to a computer you requested are needed.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Greg Gross]

Hoytvectrix I agree with you but I don’t want to give up on the networking side, 5G is coming true but who knows how many cell cameras will work with the 5G network once it’s up and running.

At least if it was connect to a home network it would be a lot easier to setup and deploy your own email or txt style servers, and then you wouldn’t have to go purchase another cell camera that works with the 5G network


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[john volkman]

The "difficult to accomplish" part is really funny. I've had USB access to the radio/modem for my BEC wireless cams since I bought them over 10 years ago. The GUI lets me change parameters on each cam, pics are captured on the PC, and you can set up automatic email or post them to a web site. It is very easy and user friendly to operate. There is no rocket science here and it is far easier than the rest of a 900 mhz wireless system.

Now I certainly believe providing this capability to existing camera owners is a lower priority than selling more cams.

what's really funny is how you constantly comment on things you have little to zero direct knowledge of, including how much time was invested in trying to develop the usb connection and what challenges were faced when trying to make it user friendly to our average cuddelink user, while also keeping customer service challenges to a minimum. WE WOULD sell MORE cameras to existing and NEW customers if this feature was available , the entire basis of the CL system is for the user to build their network over time and buy more cameras. IF it was as easy as you claim it would be already done, so we could sell even more cameras than we already are now.

 

[yoderjac]

what's really funny is how you constantly comment on things you have little to zero direct knowledge of, including how much time was invested in trying to develop the usb connection and what challenges were faced when trying to make it user friendly to our average cuddelink user, while also keeping customer service challenges to a minimum. WE WOULD sell MORE cameras to existing and NEW customers if this feature was available , the entire basis of the CL system is for the user to build their network over time and buy more cameras. IF it was as easy as you claim it would be already done, so we could sell even more cameras than we already are now.

I have a 40 year career in interfacing HW and SW. Much more complex RF communication systems. I know of which I speak. I have know idea how much effort Cudde applied. A well top-down designed system would have few if any challenges. Of course, if one rushed to market with good-enough pieces and little over all design work, challenges may abound. You are right, if it were easy, it would already be done, and it has been, many times, with many different RF remote sensing devices in much more complex systems. The old BEC system is an example of a relatively simple one.

 

[john volkman]

I have a 40 year career in interfacing HW and SW. Much more complex RF communication systems. I know of which I speak. I have know idea how much effort Cudde applied. A well top-down designed system would have few if any challenges. Of course, if one rushed to market with good-enough pieces and little over all design work, challenges may abound. You are right, if it were easy, it would already be done, and it has been, many times, with many different RF remote sensing devices in much more complex systems. The old BEC system is an example of a relatively simple one.

Well, here's your opportunity to help fellow forum members out., you should easily be able to map out the instructions for those cuddelink users who want to run their system directly via usb. This would prove much more useful to those on this forum than your constant efforts to tout how much you prefer BEC in a thread about Cuddelink. Its important to note that another forum member was able to accomplish it already with some effort. I'M quite certain he didnt have a 40 year career in interfacing either so this should be much easier for you. Ill look forward to your detailed but simple instructions forthcoming.

 

[Greg Gross]

I didn’t mean to start a argument on this topic, I was just stating a point the option is built into the camera why isn’t it available, for example I am 600 plus miles away from my hunting ground I make it back Mabey 3 times a year I have 6 people who look at the pics of the usb option was available I could create a server with a file server that all family could have access to and not have to worry about pics being purged etc


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[yoderjac]

Well, here's your opportunity to help fellow forum members out., you should easily be able to map out the instructions for those cuddelink users who want to run their system directly via usb. This would prove much more useful to those on this forum than your constant efforts to tout how much you prefer BEC in a thread about Cuddelink. Its important to note that another forum member was able to accomplish it already with some effort. I'M quite certain he didnt have a 40 year career in interfacing either so this should be much easier for you. Ill look forward to your detailed but simple instructions forthcoming.

Well gee, if a forum member has already shown it can be done with cuddelink, then it sounds like the technical issues are small and it is simply a matter of productizing it. Once the source code is published as suggested by another member, perhaps many will give it a whirl!

 

[john volkman]

I didn’t mean to start a argument on this topic, I was just stating a point the option is built into the camera why isn’t it available, for example I am 600 plus miles away from my hunting ground I make it back Mabey 3 times a year I have 6 people who look at the pics of the usb option was available I could create a server with a file server that all family could have access to and not have to worry about pics being purged etc


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Greg, i have no problem with you asking any type of question, this is why i monitor the threads to try and help those who use the system.
I want to make sure you know you can have up to 10 individual email address's or phone numbers on your account at no charge so everyone in your group has access to and is sent the images taken by a particular cuddelink system. Of course this involves a Cellular unit and the fee associated to that but they are very reasonable once you spread that over up to 24 cameras with multiple parties of interest. There is also the photo plan option on cuddeback camp page that has different levels of use(including a free option) where all pics can be viewed as long as they have your user name and password to the account.

 

[john volkman]

Well gee, if a forum member has already shown it can be done with cuddelink, then it sounds like the technical issues are small and it is simply a matter of productizing it. Once the source code is published as suggested by another member, perhaps many will give it a whirl!

with 40 years of experience, cracking the code should be easy for you, people have cracked codes many, many times on much more complex systems than Cuddelink.

 

[Greg Gross]

John i hear yeah but when you have to purchase a battery pack to keep the system running for days on end or a solar panel for each unit that get expensive, my Spartan cam I use for at-least 8 months on a set of batteries and get plenty of pics in the hills of Missouri.

And also we use spypoint which gives us 100 pics free a month this is something Cuddelink doesn’t off and we have 3 of these on our 200 acre farm if we set the spypoint cameras up correct we can a full moth of deer pics.


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[john volkman]

John i hear yeah but when you have to purchase a battery pack to keep the system running for days on end or a solar panel for each unit that get expensive, my Spartan cam I use for at-least 8 months on a set of batteries and get plenty of pics in the hills of Missouri.

And also we use spypoint which gives us 100 pics free a month this is something Cuddelink doesn’t off and we have 3 of these on our 200 acre farm if we set the spypoint cameras up correct we can a full moth of deer pics.


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the rf transmission from camera to camera uses more power so battery accessories are a must if you want to leave cameras untouched for months like most do. The cost of a solar panel or booster plus the camera is still less than what you can buy a spartan for . The spy point free 100 image is a great deal for those who dont get much for pics per month. Once you go over 100 are you charged a fee?
The cuddelink system also allows the user to place cameras in areas that dont have good cell service and link them to the home unit that does. On top of that, one plan for up to 24 cameras can really save the user some money in a hurry. As always, everyones situation is different and is why there are so many options out there.

 

[yoderjac]

I didn’t mean to start a argument on this topic, I was just stating a point the option is built into the camera why isn’t it available, for example I am 600 plus miles away from my hunting ground I make it back Mabey 3 times a year I have 6 people who look at the pics of the usb option was available I could create a server with a file server that all family could have access to and not have to worry about pics being purged etc


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You didn't start an argument. John is just a bit sensitive and protective when it comes to any critique. Sometimes he seems to think this is his service and advertising thread and anything that distracts from that is a problem.

with 40 years of experience, cracking the code should be easy for you, people have cracked codes many, many times on much more complex systems than Cuddelink.

Sorry, what I have the ability to do, and what is legal and I'm willing to do are two different things.

 

[john volkman]

You didn't start an argument. John is just a bit sensitive and protective when it comes to any critique. Sometimes he seems to think this is his service and advertising thread and anything that distracts from that is a problem.



Sorry, what I have the ability to do, and what is legal and I'm willing to do are two different things.

We have hashed this over and over but you keep bringing it back. I simply answer questions and try to help forum members. If i was using this as my "service" i would be directing forum users publicly to buy from my specific accounts which i do not and never have on the forum . Those that monitor and run this forum have no problem with what or how i am answering on this thread. Im going to defend Cuddeback when someone posts false or incorrect info which you often have, simple as that. You seem to think any Cuddelink thread is here for you to tout BEC. You might be better served to start a BEC thread so you can help their users. I promise to not comment on that thread if you do, ill leave it all for you to use as your "service".

 

[yoderjac]

We have hashed this over and over but you keep bringing it back. I simply answer questions and try to help forum members. If i was using this as my "service" i would be directing forum users publicly to buy from my specific accounts which i do not and never have on the forum . Those that monitor and run this forum have no problem with what or how i am answering on this thread. Im going to defend Cuddeback when someone posts false or incorrect info which you often have, simple as that. You seem to think any Cuddelink thread is here for you to tout BEC. You might be better served to start a BEC thread so you can help their users. I promise to not comment on that thread if you do, ill leave it all for you to use as your "service".

Simply explaining that he didn't start an argument and that you just have a different perspective than I do and always react to my posts on this thread.

 

[mx1alex]

I bought some K-5789 cams a couple years ago. When I bought them I had to have an active sell plan for them to work at all. Does anyone know if this is still the case or can I use them as a stand alone traditional cam? I was told when I bought them that after a year I might be able to use them without the cell plan.

Also can I use one as a "home" cam and the others as "remotes". Was told that when I bought them I couldn't but that I might be able to down the road.

 

[john volkman]

I bought some K-5789 cams a couple years ago. When I bought them I had to have an active sell plan for them to work at all. Does anyone know if this is still the case or can I use them as a stand alone traditional cam? I was told when I bought them that after a year I might be able to use them without the cell plan.

Also can I use one as a "home" cam and the others as "remotes". Was told that when I bought them I couldn't but that I might be able to down the road.

the K can only be a cell home and has to have an active plan to operate on the current firmware., if you had purchased an ANNUAL plan for the K's ,cuddeback will work with you if you don't want to use the unit as as home cell with a plan, it will involve you trading the K for J camera at Cuddeback. if you only had run them on a monthly plan they wont do the trade until and annual plan is completed . They are fairly easy to sell if you would rather not do that

 

[Greg Gross]

Like I said this wasn’t to start a argument, the function was there when these came out and was advertised to be available.

I can see cuddeback point they have cell service and want everyone to purchase cell service and cellular devices.

Now don’t get me wrong but I have trail cameras that use cell service, but where I hunt in Missouri there is spotty connection on our farm, 3 are spypoint I use there free service and the other is Spartan cam which is connect to my cell phone provider so it’s treated like a cell phone.

The reason I like the usb connection is that I can easily setup a server on my farm in Missouri and be able to save this images to a web server anyone can access


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