• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Thinking About Self-Filming

MN_Bowhunter4

MN_Bowhunter4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2018
Messages
992
Location
Minnesota Metro
As the title says, I'm thinking about getting into self filming, just for personal use and enjoyment. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money, and my search has led me to Tactacam Solo Hunter. I've read a number of threads here about action cameras and it seems like this one will work for what I'm looking to do without breaking the bank. I'm thinking the head mount might be the best bet as the stabilizer mounted seems to vibrate and then lose the animal at the shot.

I'd love to hear some pros/cons to this setup and see some of your Tactacam shot videos!
 
Also interested in any similar setup pros/cons and videos. I'm in the <$200 price range, which is what initially attracted me to tactacam in the first place.
 
I tried a DIY phone bracket attached to the stabilizer and came to the same conclusion about bad shot footage due to vibration and what happens to the bow in your hand after the shot. During my tests, the target was not in the video more than it was. A head strap seems like it would be way better but would also take some practice to get it pointing in the right direction.

I was thinking more of a go pro type action camera though. Going with an older model would get you under $200.

Here is a Comparison article I came across: https://www.ammoatlas.com/which-gopro-is-best-for-hunting/

There were just a couple tactacams for sale in the classifieds here over the past week. What features sold you on the tactacam?
 
I just started a budget set up myself. Mine is unique cause I’m the tech coordinator at a school and our sports upgraded to streaming games on iPads rather than the camcorder. So we had a few camcorders laying around so I bought one. My hunting buddy is also the maintenance director so with our recent down time bought some 3/4” aluminum and we put together a camera arm. It still needs the finishing touches but is simple and light.

Now for budget without my luck here is a camcorder(similar specs to my $30 score) and the camera arm. Plenty good for your own enjoyment. Mostly my reason to do it was to share hunts with my boys.


Sony HDR-CX440 Handycam - 8GB Wi-Fi 60p HD Camcorder (Renewed) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0153I3S3Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_E86NEbWRT3CHN


Muddy Basic Camera Arm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WOLNVKO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ub7NEbJ0A8WED


Also, with the tactacams and gopros they do have a fish eye lens style and no zoom. Which makes the deer look 100 yards away rather than 20. I think the 5.0 tactacam has fixed that though.

Here is my deal. Like I said some work still on the arm.

7b687372f3b09475a2f0f29f3cfa1d93.jpg
 
ofor said:
There were just a couple tactacams for sale in the classifieds here over the past week. What features sold you on the tactacam?
Click to expand...
Mostly price, but also ease of use. I liked the idea of it being a one button operation. One thing I will not do if I end up filming is sacrifice a shot for the camera. Tactacam seems like it requires less movement.

Thanks for the article. I’ll take a look!
 
Thanks @Aaronpaul14! That’s a heck of a deal you got on your setup! My initial thoughts are that a camera on an arm like yours would be too much movement in the moment for me. What has been your experience with that?

I’ve read that the tactacam I’m looking at (the solo hunter) does not have the fish eye lena but I’ll have to do some more comparative research. Appreciate it.
 
MN_Bowhunter4 said:
Thanks @Aaronpaul14! That’s a heck of a deal you got on your setup! My initial thoughts are that a camera on an arm like yours would be too much movement in the moment for me. What has been your experience with that?

I’ve read that the tactacam I’m looking at (the solo hunter) does not have the fish eye lena but I’ll have to do some more comparative research. Appreciate it.
Click to expand...

I had missed the solo hunter specs I guess. That one seems to fit the bill pretty good. I might have to add that one too! I haven’t hunted with mine yet so I cannot attest to how much of a pain of lining up the camera and taking the shot.

I tried the phone mount on my bow like [mention]ofor [/mention] last year but that was a complete flop. Too hard to keep the bow stable to see the arrow hit.

Maybe the head mount will work out. I just look around making sure the other deer are not looking at me to draw and get blown. Idk how the video would look.

I’m going to use it for the hopes of getting it on film but will never pass a deer up because the camera wasn’t right.
 
I’m currently in this same search process and recently bought a Tactacam solo. Thinking about adding a head mounted cam as well and was leaning toward a hero session cam since it was smaller.

I just had my first turkey hunt trying to film a little with my phone. Added a shotgun mic to it for better audio too. Wasn’t able to shoot a bird yet with it, but found that the audio (birds Gobbling around 75 yards) was far superior with the mic setup in comparison to the Tactacam.

The phone setup was ok for turkeys, but not great. IMO, you might as well get an actual camera out there if you’re considering using your phone. The phone might be near impossible to work in a saddle setup without a camera arm. So at that point, you might as well get an actual camera.

My search continues for a simple, quality video setup, without a larger camera and camera arm.
 
Here's a video that I filmed last turkey season with the Tactacam 4.0. I wasn't overly impressed with the quality, and decided it was more of a headache than it was worth.


I picked up a cheap Canon Vixia HF-R800 for self filming deer and did that a few times last season. This camera (about the same cost) was WAY better in terms of quality, but my discipline in carrying and filming was lacking. I also haven't found a good way to film without it being in the way when tower blind hunting as we have some smaller towers on my lease that can get crowded pretty quick with a kid, rifle, and camera gear.
 
Has anyone tried to DIY a more stable shock absorbing mount for a bow for the Tactacam? I have one coming and will play with trying to make something better. Sounds like head mounts the best tho.
 
Shane6491 said:
Has anyone tried to DIY a more stable shock absorbing mount for a bow for the Tactacam? I have one coming and will play with trying to make something better. Sounds like head mounts the best tho.
Click to expand...
I honestly was just thinking about this. Not sure what to do to make it more shock absorbing, but interested in seeing what you find.
 
Shane6491 said:
I just picked up the one that was on classifieds will keep updating on here if i find any ways to help shock on bow mount.
Click to expand...
Appreciate that. I'm still leaning towards one for the price and simplicity but do appreciate all the comments in regards to other's setup. I have been keeping an eye on all the suggested cameras folks are talking about and that's been helpful. I won't be buying until at least I return to work so I've got some time to keep researching.
 
Titanium archery products booster. Brother and law just sent me this. Almost eliminated all shock when mounted to bow going to try one out. For the Tactacam


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I swear this place is going to either get me a divorce or bankrupt lol. I was just thinking this morning I think I am pretty set up for next hunting season... and now I am thinking I should add a solo hunter and the booster to my bow!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top