The Cuddesare expensive that's for sure. I think if you have a bait pile or mineral lick where yournot going to worry about trigger speed, then there are many options outside of the Cudde. Even more if you dont care about the flash going off. You have a ton of options. Last if you dont have to worry about public land or heavily hunted private land and someone stealing your camera then your options are huge. (that flash going off is going to draw another hunters or passer-by attention imo)

Personally, I paid the extra money for the cuddeback because:

1. Most of my spots are public; or moderately to heavilyhunted private;loggers andother hunters etc will and do walk through the areas. The cuddeback IR I bought is dead silent and makes NOFLASH...it very difficult to detect by a passer by. I also reallycamo mine up in brush when setting it up. My #1 concern was getting a camera stolen.

2. 2nd, the trigger speed is amazing with my cuddeback. Most of my set ups are on trails, not at bait or mineral licks. I have to get a picture right now when the critter walks by. Most likely he/she won't be standing still. So far this camera gets those up close quick photos. The night time IR images have been more than satisfactory.

3. After using mine, I am very happy. It was a hard pill for me to swallow in regards to $when I bought them but I am very happy now with the results for my situation.

I'd way out your options and consider the different scenarios you have to deal with and go from there. Good luck.