3 Best Auto Tracking Cameras for Horse Riding
Every horse rider knows how difficult it can be to get a good riding video without specialized equipment. More often than not, one would have to rely on the assistance of friends and family. But even then, you can still end up having extremely shaky footage — leaving you with no choice but to do retakes for hours on end.
Thankfully, as cameras continue to advance with technology, auto-follow models that can just simply be mounted onto a fence, or any similar surface, are now widely available. The only thing left for equestrians to do is to mount the camera and wear a motion tracking device that will automatically transmit their location to the camera for it to track.
With auto tracking cameras, it will not only be easy to shoot riding videos — you will also have the opportunity to record training sessions, gather your riding videos, see your progress, and even hold live online lessons with your instructor.
That said, here are some of the best auto tracking cameras that you can invest in to capture quality horse riding sessions:
PIXIO
Also known as Move ‘N See, Pixio is both an indoor and an outdoor auto-follow camera manufactured in the UK. What sets Pixio apart is the fact that it is the first ever auto tracking camera that has a library of resources. In addition to the integrated library, those who decide to choose Pixio can also access live lessons and coaching packages for a subscription charge. Since Pixio utilizes three beacons, it can cover the entire arena you will be using.
Its tracking and zoom are fully automatic, and when used with the free app, can also facilitate livestreaming. To make the most out of your Pixio camera, it would be a good idea to also buy Pixem. Pixem is an automatic tracking camera mount that is specifically designed for use with an existing smartphone and tablet. Pixio and Pixem are both endorsed by Grand Prix rider Suzie Halle, and are considered as the official partner of US Equestrian.
As one of the first motion tracking cameras ever released, Soloshot is hailed as the go-to device for most riders. The latest iteration of Soloshot, Soloshot3 with Optic65 camera, boasts a lot of features that certainly live up to the name its predecessors have established. These impeccable features include a tracking range of up to 2000 feet, automatic pan, tilt, zoom, and focus, and UHD 4K resolution at 30 fps.
Soloshot3 also brandishes reliable GPS sensors, which are naturally battery-draining. However, by using net ties to fulfill PCB requirements instead of the usual schematic-only wiring, its engineers were able to come up with a device that doesn’t drain the battery’s power too quickly. Plus, this pin-to-pad connectivity helps remove latency between all of Soloshot’s components. Since this camera has built-in Wi-Fi, users are able to livestream using the Soloshot app. They can also edit their footage through the Soloshot editing software that’s embedded into the camera’s program.
MEVO
If you are looking for a portable horse riding camera, Mevo would be the perfect one for you. It is only 2.5 inches high and can therefore fit to arenas at different venues. It also has a small camera that has a 150-degree lens capable of covering a big enough area.
Since Mevo is mainly designed for livestreaming and editing, it can also assist equestrians who would like to maximize their impact on social media. There is a live edit feature that can be used to edit out unwanted footage right from the get-go. The only problem is its petite size entails limited battery life. However, this problem can be easily solved by getting an extra battery pack.
Pixio, Soloshot, and Mevo are some of the best cameras you can use to shoot top-notch horse riding videos. When combined with other technologies, these cameras can also be utilized to create safer and smarter barns for your beloved horse.