Cuddeback Cuddelink Long Range IR Brown, Clear, One Size

I've bought almost a dozen Cuddlink J model cameras so far along with two Home units (two different properties).Here's the skinny on these cameras: what they lack in detection range and options, they make up for because they're wireless.If you buy these hoping they'll outdo your latest high dollar XYZ brand camera, you may find the Cuddelink cameras to be inferior in several aspects. But if you buy a Cuddelink because you want a no monthly fee wireless camera, you've found the only one on the market. It took me a while to quit missing my Moultrie cameras when I first replaced them with these Cuddelinks, but after a month or two I'm sold on them.I use the Home unit with these Cuddelink cameras, so whenever I want to check all the trail cameras, I simply pull the SD card from the Home unit. Keep in mind that every Cuddelink camera can also function as a Home station. There's supposed to be a firmware update on the Home unit in 2019 that allows the computer to automatically download the photos via the USB on the Home unit and upload them to the internet, but for now I'm manually pulling the SD card. If you want the photos emailed to you then you'll need a Verizon Home unit with a monthly cellular fee to do so.Here's my finding during the last few months with the cameras on Photo mode (video mode not tested since it won't send videos via the Cuddelink network):Detection range: aprx 50ft - there's no detection sensitivity settings, it's set from the factory, won't trigger on small animals like squirrels or raccoonsNight vision range: decent, better than detection range, night photos are goodBattery life: two months +/- with included 12 AA battery pack (using Amazon AA's) or 4-5 months with optional D battery pack with Amazon D batteriesPhoto quality: typical - I keep them on 5mp since 20mp doesn't seem any clearer, just larger filesCuddelink Network Photo quality - small and somewhat grainy, doesn't send full resolution photo via Cuddelink network, stores full resolution photo on camera's SD cardCuddelink Wireless Range: excellent - I live in East Texas pine trees and these get through them with no issues, won't go through hills of courseTrigger speed: 1/4 second according to manualRecovery time: abt 1 second, several settings ranging from seconds to hoursOver-all a great camera system that's ahead of the game due to the Cuddelink wireless network

Have a home link setting on my desk upstairs inside my home with 2 cuddelink cams over a quarter of a mile in opposite directions. No problems whatso ever!. The home link receives the thumb nail picts over large standing cornfields and into the woods about 50 yrds. No more scent trails to my cams!! I can check cams right before a hunt to see if a mature bucks are moving in the daylight. And if he's in the bedding area nearby. I really don't see how there could be any low reviews about cuddelinks unless folks don't understand all the settings. Based on my funnel locations I set my flash intensity lower and set them at 6 to 8 ft heights

Like many have said, the link technology is awesome.Sadly it misses the mark in this price range on everything else.Quality is okay. Range in my opinion is okay. But in this price range you can get way better in both of those departments. AND if you don't mind the monthly cell bill, you may likely find better options link wise too. I personally don't want one, so only use the link technology... and honestly don' mind paying extra up front for that feature.I love videos, so my biggest complaint is that I can't take a snap shot and a video while using the link technology, which is just sad because it is a software issue, as it would be easy to implement. No need to send the videos via link, as I know they would be waiting for me on the SD card, but it would be great to be able to record that video in the first place, and still get a snap shot sent to the home base.As of right now, it does not do that.Also it is annoying that once i clean off the SD cards of photos it restarts the numbering of the photos. Honestly I might be missing this in the settings, but I know they keep track of that variable, because the status screen shows how many photos the camera has taken.So give me a software update that allows me to record video and still use the link technology to send thumbnails, and I am a customer for life, as I like the rest of it. The SD card is easy to get in and out, and the menu system is easy to navigate once you've done it a few times, and the link system is straight forward, and there are a bunch of videos on the web that walk you through it.Also the D battery upgrade is well worth the investment if you don't plan on going out and collecting SD cards, as they last for nearly a year.That is my two cents worth...minus inflation of course.