would like opinion from experienced cammers

[skeeterbait]

I have a lot of experience with digital and 35mm cameras, but am just beginning to get into trail cameras. I will be learning from you guys and building my own, but to get into it fast, I first bought a digital Cuddeback and am ready to put it out for the first time and am wondering about proper setup conditions. My inexperience comes with the motion sensors. Do the range of sensors vary that much from one type to another? I can only assume also that since they rely on heat, the temp of the day will effect their range. Is it possible for you to estimate what I can really expect if the Cuddeback says "up to 100 feet" what range I can really expect say on a 85 degree day? What about on say a 70 degree night? Will the detection range exceed your flash distance? Thanks guys for any help you can give me. I would really appreciate your opinions based on your own experiences with your sensors.

[ghoot]

Welcome skeeterbait,
Haven't used a Cuddeback, but you're right about it being less sensitive with the warmer temps. Just guessing here, but I would say 30' at 85 and 45' at 70. They will get over 100' with the right lens for the sensor and colt temps.

[skeeterbait]

Great info ghoot, thanks. So about half that distance or 15-20 feet off the expected trail would be about right for the temps here this time of year. Interesting though that it can indeed trigger beyond the effective range of the flash.

[wildebeast]

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

Try to aim the camera north or in the shade because the sun reflection off leaves and such can trigger sensor. It&#39;s been known to happen.

cliff

[bat]

skeeterbait welcome to the game cam building. Judging from that name I would bet you are from down here in the South.

There are several different sensors (but not all of them) that have adjustable sensitivity (like the pix boards) so you can adjust them to work with the different temperatures. Do a complete read up on the different ones available so you will be familiar with each ones capability. This may help you decide which ones you would like to try to use in a cam. I want try to list the different ones that are available but most are captured up in the pinned topics above. Hope this helps and if you need more help there are loads of willing people in here to get you going if you decide to build one. Glad to have you in the forum.
bat

[skeeterbait]

yeah Bat, I am from Prattville, Alabama, which is just north of Montgomery. Thanks for the info, I have started reading the pinned threads above like you said. Lots of good info there, thanks for the tip.

[thehunter]

Welcome Skeeterbait,

I understand your name real well. I am from right outside of New Orleans where we all are Skeeterbait or knat bait.

This is a great forum for building trail cams. Ask any question and you will get it answered but I have to warn you once you get the fever and -----"Once you get started you can&#39;t just build one".


Good luck

[thehunter]

Skeeterbait,

If you want to see what some of the build your own cams look like, check out some of the members set ups in their-------- my pictures, webshots, etc etc.

[wilbur]

Haymaker has a lot of good tips.

Go to Pixcontroller (http://www.pixcontroller.com) and click the Outdoor Setup Tips link.