06 Cudde IR, Excite, Expert: Problems/Praise ?

Anthony · **Posted:** Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:24 pm

I am starting this thread so that we can consolidate all the new feedback for the new Cuddeback 2006 models.

I would appreciate having all your feedback and problems/resolutions here.

Since the Cuddeback distributor dropped the ball and failed to provide our test model early as promised, we are going to have to depend on your field input for a short period until we get our camera.

06 Cudde Related threads:

http://www.chasingame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=801&highlight=

http://www.chasingame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=800

Elkdude · **Posted:** Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:33 am

These are my observations about the Cuddeback IR which I recently purchased.

1) Trouble getting the camera to write to the CF card. Seems to be working now. Does not inspire much confidence wondering if the camera is really taking pictures.

2) Batteries are difficult to install/remove. This is caused by the metal plate that is installed at the end of the batteries.

3) The clock does not keep accurate time. I reset the clock at 10:00 pm last night. This morning at 5:45 am, the clock read 4:48 am, almost an hour difference.

4) The IR flash produces more light in the Standard mode than in the High mode.

5) Picture quality appears to be very good. Color photos appear bright, in focus with no washout of the subject. IR photos are good, providing the subject is 10-15 feet away from the camera. Otherwise, the IR flash washes out the subject.

6) Sensing appears to be OK. Subject must be directly in front of the camera to trigger a picture. This may be OK in light of the fast trigger speed of this camera.

7) The camera was easily programmed by following the instructions in the owners manual.

Initially, I am somewhat disappointed with the problems I have encountered with this camera, especially the CF card and time issues. I still plan to put this camera in the field in a few days. Time will tell if this was a wise investment.

Elkdude

Al · **Posted:** Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:15 pm

I preordered 2 of the Excite cams. Im still waiting for them.

BSK · **Posted:** Fri Jun 16, 2006 6:20 pm

I agree with everything Elkdude posted.

Other comments are:

1) In low light conditions, but not low enough to trigger the IR mode, exposure times are so long that even a person walking at a normal walking pace produces heavy motion blur in the image. I found the same thing to be true with the IR pictures at night (motion blur).

2) Removing the batteries, and the whole battery storage system, once the unit is attached to a tree will be a nightmare. I've even had the batteries not make proper contact with the grounding bar, even when it was installed correctly.

3) The "not writing to the CF card" problem continues to plague me. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and there is no rhyme or reason to these intermitent problems.

I have owned a large number of the Non-Typical film units, from the very first DeerCam model they produced in '98/'99 through the DC-200 units. I love these units and still use them. I use them regularly in my business and research. So consider that I'm a big fan of Non-Typical products when I say I'm currently so frustrated with the NoFlash units that I'm ready to send the whole lot back. I have zero confidence they will work correctly in the field.

rdfhunter · **Joined:** Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:43 pm **Posts:** 10

Where is the grounding bar loxcated? It seams mine has none.

Elkdude · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:02 am

Final comments on the Cuddeback IR.

I worked for eight hours today trying to get the camera to consistantly take pictures to no avail :cry:

. This evening I took 20 photos with no problems. I removed the CF card and looked at the pictures, erased the photos and reinserted the CF card back into the camera. It took seven photos and then stopped writing to the card. I repeated the above sequence and the camera would not write to the card. I am at the point now that I have zero faith in the camera being reliable in the field. I will box it box up and return it to the vendor. I had high hopes for the IR but have been disappointed with the troubles with the camera. On a positive note, the daytime photos that I did get were were pretty nice and the IR photos, if not overexposed, were also.

Elkdude

BSK · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:25 pm

I have fought and fought with the two units I have unpacked. Sometimes they write to the card, sometimes they don't. All of this experimenting was with the units set to the "Advanced" mode. Someone asked if the units worked on the "Easy" mode, so I unpacked a third camera, made sure I followed the set-up instructions to the letter (in "Easy" mode), and let the camera arm itself by leaving it in Standby for the 12 minute arming sequence. The camera worked like a charm indoors. Then, without touching any buttons, I took the camera outdoors. It would not store a picture to the card. I moved the camera indoors and outdoors multiple times with the same result--it worked indoors and would not work (would not store a picture to the card) outdoors. It appears to be either light sensitive or temperature sensitive (the only two differences indoors and outdoors). Internal ambient temp (of the unit) when it is working indoors was between 12 and 14 C. Outdoors, not working, 16 to 18 C.

All of this is extremely disappointing. If I cannot get the units working to my satisfaction after one more call to Non-Typical, I will purse returning all the units. And I had such high hopes for the NoFlash units...

rdfhunter · **Joined:** Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:43 pm **Posts:** 10

Is the grounging bar attached to the unit or was it packed in another location?

BSK · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:57 pm

rdfhunter,

The grounding bar for the three units I've unpacked were inside the units' battery compartment, right where they would be once the batteries are installed.

rdfhunter · **Joined:** Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:43 pm **Posts:** 10

Thank you. Well with that news add another complaint to the list.... No grounding bar in unopened unit.. I did rig it & shutter time seemed ok but in day mode with loseing light it would not trigger.

BSK · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:36 pm

Sounds like Cuddeback has a major mess on their hands.

Anthony · **Posted:** Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:24 am

BSK, et all

Have you tried getting support from your cuddeback dealer?

1) Have they provided you information on your issues either on thier website or personally on the phone, etc ?

2) Has you dealer offered to take back the cameras since they are essentially brand new ?

I was just curious what kind of support the dealer is providing. I would expect that the dealer should "take care of you" prior to going to Non Typical with issues like this.

Who was your dealer ? or did you purchase direct from Non Typical ?

rdfhunter · **Joined:** Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:43 pm **Posts:** 10

I can say that the dealer(BSP) said that they already had some complaints & that they would be forwarding probleems on to nontypical first.

BSK · **Posted:** Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:34 am

Anthony,

I have a lot of faith in Non-Typical. I was one of their very first customers, and I've used many, many of their products. First I want to see what they have to say before I pursue anything else. They are too much of a major player in the trail-cam industry to let these problems stand.

And by the way, I purchased my cameras from BuckNrut's online store. Very fast service too!

Anthony · **Posted:** Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:39 am

BSK,
So you've had to turn directly to Non Typical for answers ?

Let us all know what you find out... since we do not have our camera yet we can't really help with some of your issues.

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