The photometric period and variability of the cataclysmic variable V849 Herculis (PG 1633+115)

► The cataclysmic variable V849 Her has a photometric period of 3.394±0.072h. ► The spectra and absolute magnitude show that V849 Her is a nova-like variable. ► The observed low states may recur quasi-periodically over 12.5days. We report time-resolved photometry of the cataclysmic variable V849 Her, and measure a period of 0.1414±0.0030days (3.394±0.072h). We also present photometry taken over several weeks in 2010 and 2011, as well as light curves from 1995 to 2011 by the American Association of Variable Star Observers. The spectra, absolute magnitude derived from infrared magnitudes, and variability all suggest that V849 Her is a nova-like variable. The shallow (0.5-magnitude) low states we observe resemble the erratic low states of the VY Sculptoris stars, although they may recur quasi-periodically over an average cycle of 12.462±0.074days.