Cuddeback NoFlash Digital Scouting Camera Review

Cuddeback NoFlash Digital Scouting Camera Review:

The Cuddeback NoFlash Digital Scouting Camera takes exceptional pictures! The camera features a different setting for taking pictures at day versus night. During the day, it takes a 3 megapixel, color photo. During the night/low light, it takes a 1.3 megapixel, black & white photo using the invisible infrared flash. This infrared, night time feature still produced excellent photos and it appeared to 'scare off' less bucks than a camera with a normal flash.

Positives:

• Image quality - exceptional color photos
• Housing - controls are easily accessed on the camera
• Can easily see battery status and number of pictures taken
• Tree screw is nice mounting option
• Trigger time is excellent

Negatives:

• No external battery options
• Setup can be a bit complex
• Expensive
• No multiple image capture option

Picture Size - Day:	3.0 Mega pixels Approx 1.0 MB image file size 2048 px wide x 1536 px high (72 px per inch)
Picture Size - Night:	1.3 Mega pixels Approx 350 KB image file size 1280 px wide x 1024 px high (72 px per inch)
Batteries:	4 "D"batteries External: no external options
Memory:	Memory Type: CompactFlash Card Internal Memory - 32 MB
Flash:	Infrared flash
Picture Modes:	Single Video (AVI)

The setup process is a bit clunky as the LCD display is only a few characters in length. We recommend going through the setup process before you take the camera into the field. Or, if you are going out into the field, take your manual with you to help guide you through the process.

The Cuddeback cameras all use D batteries only (4) and there is no option for an external power source (through 2009 versions). Although Cuddeback's accurate trigger means less false pictures and thus less battery usage, we still prefer camera that allow for using an external 12 volt battery. The reason is that with a larger 12 volt batter (such as a motorcycle/snowmobile batter or even a larger auto battery) and with a larger memory card, you can leave the camera for much longer periods of time. Sometimes you need to do this out of necessity (if the camera is along way away from where live) and it is good as you can leave the land less disturbed by not checking the camera so often.

The daytime pictures are very vivid - excellent color. In high quality mode during the day the pictures they are taken in color at a resolution of 2048 x 1536 or 3 megapixels (about a 1MB file size on average). Here is an example picture from the camera reduced to about 20% its original size:

During low light/night-time, the camera takes infrared pictures (black & white) without the flash so that it is less likely to scare the game. These pictures are taken at a resolution of 1280 x 1024 or 1.3 megapixels. Most pictures are around 300KB (less than 1/3 of 1 MB). Here is an example of a low light photo taken with the infrared. This image has been reduced to about 30% of its original size


Cuddeback is the cream-of-the-crop when it comes to digital scouting cameras. We just wish they weren't so expensive and that they included external battery options. If you want the top of the line in terms of picture clarity and color, we highly recommend this camera!

Reviewer: - Jerry Matzner
Review Date: - 1/31/2007

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