CuddeLink Black Flash (4 Pack) , Tan, 3 x 3 x 7 inches

Well, I started the transition to Cuddelink cameras this year. I am using 2 dedicated HOME (non cameras) and 7 cameras report to each home unit for a total of 14 cameras. I have been running about 20 Cuddeback trail cameras so I was already in tune with programming of these cameras since the Cuddelink uses the same set up.I have got some pictures from my cameras that I am not sure I would have received had I been out in the woods checking that cameras card. What I didn't know when I bought these is that even though they are "wireless", each camera still needs an SD card. Also, these use 12 AA batteries per camera. All things to think about when going down this path. I have found that the batteries seem to not work nearly as long in the Cuddelink cameras that do work well in my standard Cuddeback cameras. A little trick though is when the camera says "BAT DEAD", remove the batteries (in my case I use the longer lasting but more expensive lithium AA batteries) don't throw them all away but get yourself a cheap battery tester. I have found that with the 12 batteries, 2 will be stone cold dead but the other 10 are just fine. Trust me, you will go broke buying batteries if you don't do something to save any and all that you can.If you like an image that shows up on your SD card at the HOME unit, but the quality isn't the greatest, you will be visiting that camera pulling that card. The image that is sent to the HOME unit is a lesser resolution image but still very usable. But, the higher resolution picture is in the SD card at that camera. So is that image worth is to have a higher quality image? Your choice!So, there are things to consider when going to the Cuddelink system. If you designate a camera as a REPEATER, that camera is dead in the water and does not take any pictures. Something to think about. What I learned was that each camera doesn't necessarily have to be within a certain distance from the HOME unit, it just needs to be within range of any other camera that is out there. The image leap frogs from camera to camera making it's way home.Great system that will get nothing but better!UPDATED 11/2018So, it's been an entire summer and fall using the Cuddlink Trail Cameras (14 cameras and 2 dedicated Home units). I have to say that they are way to hard on batteries. Like I said earlier, I use the much better, but more expensive Energizer Lithium batteries which work excellent on the regular Cuddeback cameras. Not so with the Cuddelink. I just cannot keep these units stocked up with enough fresh batteries to justify keeping them.I find myself visiting these units a little less than pulling cards on my other cameras but I am finding that the visits to refresh with 12 expensive batteries per unit defeats the purpose. I am considering exploring the solar option but seeing that Amazon had one reviewer who gave them 1 star and called them "worthless" makes me concerned.Love the Cuddeback cameras, just can't see investing any more money into these Cuddelinks.

I had several different kinds of trail camera in either they failed almost as soon as they come out of the Box or the Flash is off center or very small portion of the view. These cameras work right out of the Box after they were program and have been operating safely for over a month now. I can see all 7 of the cameras a have by only going out and pulling that she about of the one next to the house. The thumbnails give enough definition under normal circumstances to a dentify the animal. Sometimes due to lighting with or rain fog or condition such as that I do have to go to the camera and pull the chip to review the high resolution image. I know this is only a month of use but compared to the other cameras the Flash is very even exposures are Pretty good except for long distances at night. The trigger speed is outstanding.

So I read a lot of reviews and really wondered if these would work for me. You can find more bad reviews than good, but thats pretty normal these days, most will not take time to write a good review. I opened the box, read instructions, very in depth, three different instruction books... I think is silly. They should put everything in one book, start from the top and work you through set up, usage and maintenance, etc. Having three different pamplets is silly to me. Makes it more confusing to a basic level consumer. Sure I figured it all out, just again, keep it simple. Surely they have a reason for it, but my personal opinion... silly.Moving on... the cam sequence to move through the menus is fairly user friendly. Like any cam, you will need to get to know it. I still struggle with getting to the transmission stregnth screen... very annoying when your trying to be scent free, get in and get out, all while being bombarded with mosquitos. Not Cuddybacks fault, I should have memorized the sequence to get there prior to getting in the field. But yea, one of the most used funcions in the actual field and it's a pain in the butt to get to.That being said, on my first set, I really truly wondered if the range would work as advertised. I only have 21 acres. Lots of hills and pine trees. The range was terrible. There is a radio signal strength indicator on each cam. Before you set your second cam, away from the home cam... you are suppost to make sure the signal strength is one of three things...weak, good or strong. Well, I was only about 150 yards away from the home cam, tried to set the second cam and it was weak, had to move around, closer to even find a spot that read good... I found one, problem is, now you have to set your cam based on if it has signal, not if it's where you want your cam. 110-140 yards, basic line of sight with a small hill is not too much to ask I would think. O well, moving on... had the sam problem from there on out. The signal would read good... I'd go to set the cam and it would switch to weak, standing in the same spot. So do I set the cam or not? Frustrating... so out of four cams set, that I tried to make sure the signal strength was good or better (note it never once read strong)... only three cams registered the next day on the home cam... one is out of range. Seriously on 21 acres, you would think....Then, I pull the home cam the next day, just to see how it all worked out. All of the dates and times I had set on the cams were wrong. Everyone had some random date in 2017... granted it's July 2019 currently. This was super frustrating. Every cam of the four were the wrong date on the photos. Grabbing some random date and time. Now I have to go to each Cam again... and figure out whats going on.Look, I love the technology. Three of the four took pics and sent pics home. One of the three cams took blurry photos, not sure why yet, have to play with it. Two of the cams took nice pics. The tech is great, if you can get it to work. I wager it will take some serious time this year making these work on my property. Thats somewhat understandable... but it's going to be a frustrating process I think.Great idea... lots of bugs in my opinion. If you have hilly pine terrain, all I can say is good luck. Your going to likely have problems. Maybe I just need more cams to keep the signal strenght up, move them closer together. However putting cams where you don't need or want them is expensive.... more batteries to deal with, more cost, etc.I'm not sure yet on my rating of these... will take some time. First impression though... they need some work.I'll be back to update this...