Trail Camera Comparisons

Cameras for this evaluation are purchased from local stores and installed on a single post in a known high traffic area.  The cameras are setup facing morning sun exposure.  Both cameras were originally setup using rechargeable batteries and the cameras did not perform well with these battery types.  They were then setup with a store brand battery with slightly improved results.  Best results were obtained using fresh  (new) Energizer D cell batteries.  The Cuddeback requires 4 D cells and the Moultrie requires 6 D cells.  After taking 100+ photos each over a 4 week period in the woods, both showed a remaining charge of 50%.

Each camera is setup side by side, pointing in the same direction.  Different events triggered photos for each camera except in cases where animals were detected in the front and center of the cone of detection.  The Moultrie camera picked up raccoon, moving along the ground and to the left and right sides, while the Cuddeback did not pick up many of these events.  This suggests the cone of detection may be wider for the Moutrie camera sensors than the Cuddeback camera sensors.   The Moultrie also seemed to detect deer approaching at a much greater distance than the Cuddeback.

Mounting Systems:

The Moultrie Game Watcher provides easy mounting using a bungee cord system and connection points on the camera frame that do not have to be disconnected to open the front cover to service the batteries or memory card.  The Cuddeback is mounted using a wood screw through the center of the camera.  No connection points are provided for a bungee strap other than a single eye hook on the back center of the housing.  The front cover can be locked and the rear of the camera provides a hard point for a cable lock.  Be sure to take a torque tip driver bit with you to install and remove the camera from the tree.

• Better image quality under overall lighting conditions: Cuddeback.
• Better image quality under low lighting conditions: Cuddeback.
• Better image quality under bright lighting conditions: Cuddeback.
• Better image quality under dusk/dawn lighting conditions: Cuddeback.
• Largest file size per image: Moultrie (4 megapixel)
  
• Widest Cone Angle of Detection: Moultrie
• Farthest Distance of Detection: Moultrie
• Earliest detection: Moultrie
• Fastest image capture after detection: Cuddeback
• Better Battery Life:  No Clear Winner except Cuddeback uses 4 d Cell compared to 6 D cells for the Moultrie - both had the same percentage of battery life remaining at the end of the testing.  The Cuddeback is slightly less expensive to use since it uses two less batteries.
  
• Better Mounting or Attach System: Moultrie
• Lowest Retail Price: Moultrie