Quick Facts

•  Price:                          $249.95
•  Trigger Speed:             0.552 s
•  Recovery Time:            30 seconds
•  Detection Range:          50 ft.
•  Detection Width:           Narrow
•  Flash Range:                35 ft.
•  Battery Life:                 1 month avg.
•  Battery Type:               4 D Cell
•  Memory Card:              SD Card

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Pro's

• Fantastic Trigger Speed
• Easy Programmig
  

Con's

• Slow Recovery Time
• Poor Night Pictures
• Narrow Detection Zone

Best think about this camera

• Half second trigger speed

Conclusion
         
          The Cuddeback Capture IR was a huge hit with consumers before it was ever released.  The Capture Ir is probably the most hyped camera I have ever seen.  However, the huge anticipation built a level of expectation that the camera has not lived up to.

          Let's start with the good.  Cuddeback has long been known for its fantastic trigger speeds.  The Capture IR does not disappoint in this regard.  In our 2009 Trigger Speed Showdown, the Cap IR scored an impressive 0.552 second trigger speed.  The Capture IR is also a breeze to program.  You'll have the camera programmed in no time at all. 

          The quality of day pictures is ok.  I'm not impressed by them but they are also not a detriment to the value of the camera.  The night pictures, however, way under-perform for the price of the camera.  Let's compare the pictures of the Capture IR's two biggest competitors, the Bushnell Trophy Cam and the Scoutguard SG550.  The pictures were taken from our 2009 Flash Range Test.

          Notice how much grainier the Cuddeback's picture is?  Also, the deer near the salt block (45 ft), is nowhere near as clear and distinct as the Trophy Cam or SG550.  These other two cams are also $50 cheaper.

          The next issue with this camera (and all Cuddeback's) is the narrow detection zone.  Now, some people prefer a narrow detection zone because it centers the animal in the middle of the picture, giving you the best possible picture of that animal.  However, unless you are using this camera exclusively on feeders or bait, you could potentially miss a ton of pictures.  Imagine the difference in pictures from a camera with a wide detection zone on a food plot to that of a camera with a narrow detection zone.  Here are two graphics to illustrate that point:

          I've never understood the idea that a narrow detection zones give you better pictures, because, if you give me a camera with a wide detection zone, fast trigger speed and quick recovery time; I'll not only get the picture of the animal in the center of the picture, but also several pictures of it walking into and out of the picture frame!  That is having your cake and eating it too!

          I cannot think of a scenario in which the Capture IR is a better option then say a Bushnell Trophy Cam, Scoutguard SG550 or Spypoint IR-A.  It is not a camera that we recommend.  Inversely, Cuddeback makes the best incandescent camera on the market, the Cuddeback Capture.