Cuddeback IR User manual

is device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Please note that changes or modications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: is equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. ese limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. is equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged
to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures: --Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna. --Increase the separation between the equipment
and receiver. --Connect the equipment into an outlet on a
circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
--Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.

Send us your photos and you may win a
free Cuddeback®
Got a great picture? A big deer or a special
scene? A funny situation or beautiful
colors? We want to see them and give you
a chance to win a free Cuddeback. Visit
http://cuddeback.com/contest to enter
your best pictures into our photo contest.
Contest entry also allows you to become a
CuddeBacker and receive special promo-
tions, rebates and other discount oers.
Like Us
Let us know how you like our cameras,
and feel free to suggest improvements.
In this connected world, your reviews
do make a dierence. Please support us
online by writing a positive review on
any of the retail or forum websites. We
thank you for your support.
Please Update
We never stop improving our products.
Firmware updates allow your camera to
be improved with enhanced performance
and new features. Refer to Appendix B:
Firmware, for instructions.

Battery Notice
Remove batteries when the camera is not going to be
used for an extended period of time. Failure to follow
these guidelines may result in battery leakage, which will
damage your camera.
✓Never mix old and new batteries.
✓
Never mix dierent types of batteries.
✓Never mix lithium and alkaline batteries.
✓
Replace all batteries at the same time.
✓ Always remove batteries when the camera won’t
be used for an extended period of time.
✓Dispose of batteries properly as recommended
by the manufacturer.
SD Card Notice
is Cuddeback camera is compatible with secure digital
(SD) cards sizes 2GB to 32GB. Do not use SDXC cards.
Micro SD cards will function with the proper adapter
(usually included with the micro SD card).
Treat your SD cards well. ey are very sophisticated
electronic devices made with billions of static-sensitive
transistors. Keep them dry and do not bend them.
WARNING – Never insert a wet or damp
SD card into your camera or computer.

Internal Memory
You can use this camera without an SD card. Up to
120MB of internal memory is available for image storage.
Note: Videos and time-lapse images cannot be stored to
internal memory. Images stored in internal memory must
be copied to an SD card for retrieval.
is feature is handy if you check a camera without a
spare SD card. You can remove the SD card and take it
home, yet still leave the camera aeld. When you return,
all you need to do is install the SD card and transfer
images from internal memory to the SD card.

Cuddeback®IR Operating Instructions
What You Need
1. One or more secure digital (SD) cards.
Compatible with SD cards up to 32GB.
2. Eight AA batteries (we recommend
Rayovac®or Duracell®brand batteries).
3.
When Cuddeback
®
IR is running it displays an
electronic “worm” on the LCD. This worm scrolls
around the LCD to indicate that you must not remove
the SD card, must not turn the rotary knob, and must
not press any button. Please be patient and wait for
the worm to go away before removing the SD card.
“Worm”
1

2
Zone Control
Cuddeback’s patent-pending Zone Control allows you to
select wide-angle view or centered-subject view. Position
the shutter as appropriate for your needs. Be aware that
wide-view mode can generate more blank images when
deer move to the edges of the view.
Zone Control
Centered-Subject Setting
Zone Control
Wide-Angle Setting

Step 1: Getting Familiar With the
Cuddeback® IR Camera
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with Cuddeback
®
IR
camera parts.
Motion-
Heat
Sensor
M
H
S
Front Back
Back
Test
LED
SD
Card
Socket
Mount
Bracket
Strap
Slots
LCD
Screen
Rotary
Knob
A/B
Buttons
User
Interface
LED
Camera
Lens
User Interface
Door
Battery Door
Infrared
LEDs
Back
Top
3

Step 2: Installing Batteries and SD Card
1. Turn the rotary knob to the OFF position.
2. Open latch to the battery compartment door.
Install 8 AA alkaline or 8 AA lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries will
provide longer battery life
and better night IR images. Make sure to observe
correct polarity. Close the door and secure latch.
3. A series of numbers display. These are the
Cuddeback
®
IR camera’s hardware and software
version numbers.
4. Wait until the LCD display goes blank and the
green and red LEDs are off.
5. Install your SD card. Be sure to observe the correct
polarity, with clipped corner on the card to the right.
Bottom View Top View
Battery Install SD Card Install
4

Step 3: Setting Up the Cuddeback®IR
1. Turn the rotary knob to Time position,
press A and B to set. Time is AM/PM format.
2. Turn the rotary knob to Date position,
press A and B to set.
3. Turn the rotary knob to Year position,
press A and B to set.
4.
Later you will read “Step 8 – Using More Features”
for information on the MENU positions.
Step 4: Attaching Cuddeback®IR to a Tree
1. We recommend you first try your Cuddeback
®
IR
camera at home.
2. For optimum detection of deer and similar-size
animals, we
recommend mounting Cuddeback
®
IR
about
30 to 36 inches off the ground, roughly
waist high.
3. For best image quality, install
Cuddeback
®
IR
about 10 to 15 feet from where animals are expected
.
Note that detection distance varies greatly with air
temperature, animal size and the speed the animal
is moving.
5

4. Cuddeback
®
IR features our
Genius Mounting System.
This system allows you to
attach the bracket to a tree
or pole and then slide
Cuddeback®IR on and off
the bracket as needed.
5. Once the bracket is
attached to the tree,
slide
Cuddeback
®
IR
onto the bracket.
6.
It’s best to remove any vegetation or other obstructions
from
Cuddeback
®
IR’s field-of-view that may
interfere with the Cuddeback®IR sensor.
7. Aim/align Cuddeback
®
IR to make sure it’s
pointed where you expect the animals to be. Aim
Cuddeback
®
IR level with the ground to maximize
detection range and performance. You can use the
Cuddeback
®
IR test feature (Step 5) to help
you determine the detection area.
8. Cuddeback
®
has optional mounting methods available,
such as tilt-brackets, bear-resistant boxes and
mounting posts. See your retailer or visit
www.cuddeback.com for details.
6

Step 5: Checking the Cuddeback®IR
Detection Zone
1. Turn the rotary knob to the Test position. Close the
cover and tighten the thumb screw. Put Cuddeback
®
IR
back onto the tree bracket. (Note: For a more
convenient method to enable test mode, see “Step 7 –
Checking Cuddeback
®
IR Display Information”).
2. Walk back and forth in front of Cuddeback
®
IR . The
red LED will illuminate when
Cuddeback
®
IR ’s
sensor has detected you. Using this method you can
accurately position your Cuddeback
®
as desired.
Step 6: Arming the Cuddeback®IR
You can program the Cuddeback
®
IR to record still images,
or still images AND videos. Turn the rotary knob to either
the Video Off setting or the Video On setting as desired.
The settings represent the amount of time Cuddeback
®
IR
will wait before it is armed and ready to take another
image. This delay time prevents multiple images of the
same animal. Here is our recommendation for the various
Armed settings:
a. Under 30 seconds – game trails
b. 1 and 3 minutes – scrapes, food plots or feeders
When first armed,
Cuddeback
®
IR will display the
indicated delay for 5 seconds and then begin counting
down from 30 to 0. When the counter reaches 0,
Cuddeback
®
IR will arm and be ready to record images.
When Cuddeback®IR detects a subject and takes a
7

picture, a “worm” will be displayed and the LED will
flash red and green – do not remove the SD card until the
LED is OFF. After the image is saved to the SD card, the
LCD will display the delay setting and begin counting
down. Once the counter reaches 0,
Cuddeback
®
IR is
armed and ready to record the next picture.
Step 7: Checking Cuddeback
®IR Display
Information
When you need to check for information such as battery
level or the number of images on the SD card,
it is not
necessary to turn the
rotary knob. Instead, press the A or
B button to temporarily
suspend Armed mode. Each time
you press the A or B button, new information will be
displayed in this sequence:
1. Images on SD card. Note the ARMED, DWELL,
and IMAGES icons are displayed.
2. Free Space on SD card in MB. Note that ARMED
and DWELL icons are displayed.
3. Battery Level as a percentage. For example,
bt:99 means there is 99% battery power left.
4. Time
5. Date
6. Year
7.
Test indicates Cuddeback
®
IR is in Test mode and will
illuminate the red Test LED when activity is sensed.
8. Pressing A or B again will arm the camera and
the current delay setting will be displayed.
8

You can leave Cuddeback®IR in any of the states 1
through 7 and Cuddeback®IR will automatically re-arm
in about five minutes. This allows you to close the cover
and leave the area without triggering an image.
Step 8: Using More Features
Menu Position
Turn the rotary knob to the MENU position to perform
various activities. Press A to advance to the next menu
item; press B to activate the displayed menu action.
1. Battery Level – The battery level is displayed in the
format bt:99, which is a percentage of remaining
battery power. Press the A button to advance to the
next menu item.
2. CLr (Clear SD card) – This menu allows you to
clear all images and content on the SD card. Press
and hold B to clear
the card. The worm will appear
and the LEDs will flash RED.
When finished, the
LCD will display the amount of space on the SD
card in MBs. Press A to advance to the next menu item.
3. Pic – Lets you take a test picture. Press B to take
a picture. Press A to advance to the next menu item.
4. LEd – This menu allows you to test Cuddeback®IR
LEDs and measure the battery strength. Press B to
test Cuddeback®IR infrared LEDs. The LEDs will
be driven from 33% minimum power to 99%
maximum power. The test will stop at 99% or when
the batteries do not have sufficient power to drive
the LEDs. If the batteries are depleted, FAIL will be
9

displayed. If the reading is below 99% you may
want to change the batteries to maximize the
illumination range.
5. StAt (Statistical Data) – Press B to display Activation
Date, Armed Days and Image Counter. Activation
Date is the first day you used the camera. Armed
Days is how many days the camera has been used.
Image Counter is the total number of images taken
with the camera.
6. LOAd – Lets you to install new firmware. We may
update the
Cuddeback
®
IR firmware to improve its
performance. If a firmware update is required you
will need to download a firmware file from our
website. Instructions will be provided with the firmware.
Please see www.cuddeback.com for details. We
recommend you check our website for updates at
the beginning of your scouting season.
7. Firmware Version – A four-digit number will be
displayed, such as 0200. This is the firmware version.
Turn the rotary knob to a new setting or press A to
return to the battery level display.
10

No Card Mode – Using Cuddeback®IR Without
an SD Card
When Cuddeback®IR is used without an SD card, images
are stored in Cuddeback®IR internal image memory.
Cuddeback®IR features an internal memory of about
120 MB. This will allow storage of up to 120 images.
Images can be transferred from internal memory to an
SD card.
Transfer to SD card: If you use Cuddeback®IR without
an SD card, follow these steps to transfer the images
from the internal memory to an SD card.
1. If Cuddeback®IR is not armed, turn the rotary knob
to any of the Armed positions.
2.
If Cuddeback®IR is armed, press A to display the
number of
images in internal memory.
3. Insert your SD card into Cuddeback®IR.
4. Press A. The amount of free space on the SD card
will be displayed.
5. Press B to initiate the transfer. Images saved in
internal memory will be copied to the SD card.
The LCD will display the worm on the left and the
percentage of files copied on the right. Please wait
while images are being copied.
6. When the time is displayed, the transfer is complete
and all the images on the internal memory
have been
erased.
7.
To stop the transfer before it has finished, press and
hold B.
11

Battery Life and Battery Low Warning
Battery life in Cuddeback®IR will vary depending upon
battery quality, ambient temperature, the number of images
taken, how long Cuddeback®IR
has been operating and
other factors. The battery life you get may be more or
less than these numbers, depending on the circumstances.
Cuddeback
®
IR – 5,000 images or 6 months, depending
on usage.
Note that using video mode greatly reduces battery life.
Replace Cuddeback®IR batteries in the following
scenarios:
1. The BLOW icon appears on the LCD.
2. When batteries are below 10% the battery level will
flash until you press the A or B key to continue.
3.
When Cuddeback®IR does not appear to operate
correctly.
In some cases the batteries may be too low
to turn on the LCD or BLOW icon.
Battery Squeeze
Cuddeback®IR
will attempt to use every amount of
power from the batteries.
Cuddeback®IR will alter its
performance to prevent
erroneous operation when battery
voltage is very low. Battery Squeeze is enabled when
battery voltage is 25% or less. Battery Squeeze will disable
videos and extend the camera delay to 1 minute at night
and 15 seconds for day. This allows the batteries to
recover and will extend operating time.
12

Viewing Images
You will need an external viewing device or computer to
view images. First, remove the SD card from the camera.
Make sure to remove the SD card only when the worm is
not visible. Here is a list of some viewing options.
1. You can view the images with an optional viewer
or a point-and-shoot camera that is able to read
Cuddeback®IR
’s images (Note: Not all SD-based
cameras
can view Cuddeback®IR’s images.
Please test any camera before purchasing).
2. Replace the SD card with a fresh SD card and take
the
original SD card with you to view on your PC
or other device.
3. Cuddeback’s CuddeView®viewer will allow you to
view the images, copy the images to a second SD
card and erase the images from the SD card. You
can then put the original SD card back into any
Cuddeback® camera. CuddeView®allows you to
transfer images from multiple cameras to a single
SD card. Go to www.cuddeback.com for
more
information on CuddeView
®
. (Note: CuddeView
®
may not be able to copy all the images taken in
Guard Duty mode. If you are using Guard Duty,
we recommend you view the images on a computer.)
13

Additional Topics
Mounting
Genius mount is more versatile than the traditional
strapping of the camera to a tree. Using a strap or
screws, the Genius mount
easily and quickly attaches
to and removes from a tree without altering the
camera aim and alignment.
14

Strap Use and Assembly
For secure strapping, follow the steps below:
15
Step 1 – Route strap through bracket.
Step 2 – Insert strap through buckle as shown. Note the hook is
facing out.
Step 3 – Loop strap
and insert through
buckle as shown.
Step 5 – Li tab
to loosen strap.
L
i ta
b
Step 4 – Pull tight.