Cuddeback Capture vs. Moultrie I40

 After using both of these trail cameras for most of this season I have found some features I like about each one and other features that I wish they would change.

The Pros of the Moultrie I40

1. What I like most about the Moultrie I40 is the super long battery life. I honestly get around 6 months from a set of 6 D cell batteries. I haven’t heard of a unit with better battery life.
2. The no flash is another reason I chose this model. I was getting one picture of a deer at a scrape or mineral lick and then the flash would spook them. In the Infrared mode there is no flash, just a red glow from the leds.
3. The quality of the photos is very sharp. The 4.0 mega pixel camera takes crisp color daytime pics. And the IR pics at night come out black and white but also good quality.
4. The temperature, moon phase, date and time are printed on the bottom of the picture. It’s interesting to compare activity during different temp. and moon phases.
5. I can view my pictures in the field on my digital camera.

The Pros of the Cuddeback Capture

1. The best feature of the Cuddeback is its super fast trigger speed. I can set this camera up 90* to a trail and not miss an animal walking by it. Other models I have to set up with the animal walking towards the camera.
2. I really like the finish on the outside of the case on the Cudde too. It blends well with the bark of most trees. Making it hard for the animals and would be thieves to spot.
3. Although I do think the flash sometimes spooks game, I like the color pictures this camera takes at night. Much clearer than IR pics.
4. While not the 6 month battery life I get from my Moultrie, 3-4 months isn’t bad from 4 D cells.
5. This camera is the easiest to operate on the market. Once you have the date set (it takes 2 minutes) all you do it turn the dial to the desired time between pictures to turn the unit on.
6. The SD card is very easy to change out.
 
The Cons of the Moultrie I40

1. My main criticism about the Moultrie I40 has to be the placement of the SD card. It is stuck back behind the battery cover in a tight little space that makes it very hard to get to. I really wish they would find a better place to put it in the case.
2. The big black case sticks out like a sore thumb. I know the deer spot it on the side of trees and it would be easy for a thief to spot also. Grey would be a much better color.
3. When I first bought it the IR pictures would be very washed out. I had to download a file to fix that problem. No problems since the download.
4. Having to remember to select the mode after turning the unit on. If you forget to do this you get no pictures.

The Cons of the Cuddeback Capture

1. My main complaint about the Cuddeback Capture is not being able to view the pictures on my digital camera in the field. They made a big deal about switching to the industry standard SD cards this year. But then they decide to use a different format than everyone else. If I am spending a few days out there I might want to move stands depending on what I get on my cameras. Now I have to come home and plug the card into my computer to view the images.
2. No way to lock the unit to the tree.
3. The date and time are the only things printed on the picture. More info would be nice.

Let us know what you think by adding comments below!

Here are some photos from the cameras as well.

Here is a shot from my Cuddeback, you can see this buck did not like the flash at all. I usually dont see this with the IR cameras.

Good examle of a day time photo with the cudde back.

Above is example of the Moultrie during the daytime.

This is a photo of the moultrie taken at night with the IR.