john volkman
5 year old buck +
the camera should recognize what module is in it. but yes its only a black flash camera at that point. but it has the added features of the powerhouse flash series that Fred explained earlier.
Cuddeback's Cuddelink
- Thread starter Peplin Creek
- Start date
12pointer
5 year old buck +
Thanks John....I'm still not sure I completely understand the advantage of a powerhouse IR module! I understand the advantage of the powerhouse black flash module (double the flash range)...Is there an application where you could explain the advantage of a powerhouse IR module over a standard IR module? If I understand correctly, the flash range is still approx. 100 feet and detection range remains the same. I know I heard some talk of a super capacitor and that the powerhouse module pictures will not degrade as battery the batteries draw down, but if you have booster pack battery life really isn't an issue. Just curious to the advantages of improved IR flash capabilities.
john volkman
5 year old buck +
Fred touched on this earlier but the capacitor is a huge advantage, to put it simply , you will get the best IR nighttime images possible with the powerhouse ir module consistently. I would not focus on the 100ft flash range spec, that is the listed max, setting your camera where your targets are 33 yards away would not be the best situation for any scouting camera. Its safe to say, depending on how you set your camera up (and where) you will get brighter, crisper(less motion blur) and more consistent quality images with the powerhouse module no matter what battery system you use on it. Eventually, if you use alkaline batteries there will be point where the batteries are low enough or the temps are such that they wont be at full power and your images will suffer, the powerhouse makes big difference at that point. The best way to tell is to try one in your particular situation to see if its what you want before you go all in.
I said before that i will be using some of each of the module choices depending on the site i put each camera. I dont think any of the powerhouse modules are a best single option in every situation. Every hunter has differing opinions on each type of flash and how they affect deer so its not worth opening that can of worms again!
12point
5 year old buck +
Status on camera that has took the most pictures. View attachment 17423
Peplin Creek
5 year old buck +
What’s your battery setup?
Red Picqua
5 year old buck +
kinda on subject.. but I did see at a local meijer that they had a Cuddeback attack IR on closeout for 59 bucks. I don't remember meijer selling them but maybe I was not looking for them, if that makes sense. For those not in the midwest its a grocery store chain similar to a super walmart. I did not buy it, but I began to wonder if they are going to carry the Cuddelink cameras.. hmmmmm
12point
5 year old buck +
Just regular Duracell alkaline batteries no solar no extra battery system. I'm happy with the battery life. I am using them to get use to the camera's, I will probably change to lithium's latter in the summer, closer to hunting season. I have a plan in mind to use this system to cover a food plot a funnel another food plot and another salt lick. I will not want to disturb these areas.
Peplin Creek
5 year old buck +
Yeah that should work out nicely. I just recently put out 2 J series long range cams and went with lithium’s. I don’t think I will have near the picture volume you have on them. I am curious to see how long they last. I am hoping for 4/5 months. One thing I think might be hard to tell though is when the battery is low. Lithium’s produce the same voltage throughout its life cycle. I am thinking it might show that the batteries are ok and then just die. Where as the alkaline’s decrease some voltage so the system can tell. But roughly two months for you and over 1000’s pics is pretty awesome. If a guy can get 4 months out of lithium’s. I would say that camera series is great for people wanting to get a system up and running.
Peplin Creek
5 year old buck +
As far as picture quality in the cuddelink system with the J series long range, I can’t tell a difference between that and the more expensive dual flash cameras. There are times when I think the j series might produce a better compressed image but there could be other factors involved as well for image quality. I guess the point I want to make is, just because the j series camera is cheaper. The image quality through the system isn’t decreased.
My current system is as follows:
4 dual flash cameras all on cuddebacks powerpacks - one being the home unit.
2 j series long range on lithium’s.
50 of the 80 acres is covered and all images return home. Very happy with system. Seems really reliable. Planning to add 2 more j series cams in the future and hopefully their cell service if it works out.
If I had one “issue” with the system it would be the image size. I did have images of small bucks in velvet that were further from the camera that at the time I couldn’t make out. Once velvet dropped though things seem better. The system isn’t perfect but it really is pretty nice to give hunters and land owners ideas of what’s happening on their property without having to go to the physical camera.
My current system is as follows:
4 dual flash cameras all on cuddebacks powerpacks - one being the home unit.
2 j series long range on lithium’s.
50 of the 80 acres is covered and all images return home. Very happy with system. Seems really reliable. Planning to add 2 more j series cams in the future and hopefully their cell service if it works out.
If I had one “issue” with the system it would be the image size. I did have images of small bucks in velvet that were further from the camera that at the time I couldn’t make out. Once velvet dropped though things seem better. The system isn’t perfect but it really is pretty nice to give hunters and land owners ideas of what’s happening on their property without having to go to the physical camera.
FredG
5 year old buck +
I think you're absolutely correct in equating the J model cameras and G (Dual Flash) model cameras. I'm pretty sure that the internal components (lens, CMOS, PIR sensor, etc.) are identical in both models so it would stand to reason that the two models would have very similar image quality. The only place where they part ways is in the flexibility, or adaptability, of the G model. If a person knows for sure that red or black J model cameras will perform to their liking in the setups they plan, then by all means take advantage of their economy. If, on the other hand, you have some more demanding sets in mind that may benefit from the increased power of either the Power House IR flashes or the Double Barrel white flash then the G model might be a better choice for those sets. But under any conditions, short range or longer range, more light on the subject will result in better overall image quality... the issue being whether or not the gain in IQ is meaningful enough to you and worth the price of entry. I'm the kind of person that can't decide which color of white socks I want to wear today so I naturally gravitate toward the flexibility of the G's. :)
12pointer
5 year old buck +
John,
Does the home unit have any feature (audible beep or led flash) when a new picture comes in? If not, it would be a nice feature :-)
john volkman
5 year old buck +
no it does not , the led screen will show when its transmitting but it isnt audible or have a light, if you set up a home cell it would send you an email which obviously can be set up to make an audible sound.
12pointer
5 year old buck +
Fred,
I am with you and also opted for the G model, but mainly for the powerhouse black flash option! If I can get decent pictures with a black flash , I will choose that over IR every time! I prefer to never let them know I'm there under any condition! I will use strictly the black flash powerhouse modules in all my cameras. I'm in it for deer surveillance not photography pictures.
12point
5 year old buck +
I have never used lithium's in any cameras, I didn't know about their voltage life cycle that's good info. I will keep you posted on battery life. I need to change that cameras picture delay from 5 seconds to 1 minute or more on that salt lick. I'm sure the weather here will have some to do with the battery life we don't get many days in the 20's for a high usually warmer than that.
12pointer
5 year old buck +
John
John,
I am finally getting back to playing with my cameras! On the dual flash camera, if you are in EZ Mode, which flash is operable (IR or black flash?) It appears to me that you need to be in advance mode to select which leds are used is that correct?
John,
I am finally getting back to playing with my cameras! On the dual flash camera, if you are in EZ Mode, which flash is operable (IR or black flash?) It appears to me that you need to be in advance mode to select which leds are used is that correct?
john volkman
5 year old buck +
yes, advanced mode offers you a lot of options, you can run video and pics independently in either ir or black flash, you can also turn video and or pic mode on or off day and night. Note that video mode is disabled when in cuddelnk mode. All the set up info should be in the owners manual both the printed manual you get with the camera and also a downloadable version form the website.
12pointer
5 year old buck +
Thanks......do you know which LED'S it uses when in EZ mode....850 or 940?
