When it comes to motion tracking cameras for horse riding, Soloshot isn’t the only (video) game in town.
Soloshot was one of the first motion tracking cameras on the scene, and they promised riders the world. Did they deliver? Not so much. Customer service issues, unreliable products, massive production delays, and not actually letting riders record indoors (UGH!) have understandably sent equestrians hunting for alternatives.
As equestrians, we want to auto-record our rides reliably — inside and outside. It’s crucial that the technology investment is worth it, otherwise our money could be spent on our horses rather than a second motion tracking camera! We looked at the pros and cons of five Soloshot alternatives, including frontrunner Pixio.
| Brand | Indoor/Outdoor | Camera Range | Ease of Use | Accessories |
| Pixio / Pixem | Both | 330 feet | Setup required | Included |
| Swivl | Both, but designed for indoor | 32 feet | Requires multiple cameras | Not included |
| GoPro (with Blink) | Both | 30 feet | Technical to create motion tracking | Not included |
| Mevo | Both | Works best at close range | Straightforward | Not included |
Never miss a moment with our 8 Best Horse Cameras (Action, Helmet, Trailer, Barn, Drone).
An Overview: Motion Tracking Cameras for Horse Riding
Motion tracking cameras are different from helmet cams. A motion tracking camera is set up alongside or in the center of your arena, and videos your ride so you see the entire horse and rider.
You can use a motion tracking camera when you’re riding alone, there is no need for a second person to operate the camera.
Equestrians aren’t the only ones who love motion tracking cameras either. They are popular with a variety of sports, from BMX to dog agility.
Videos taken with your motion tracking camera can have many uses, including:
- Critiquing your ride to analyze areas where you need to improve.
- Sending video to your trainer or a friend for a virtual lesson.
- Recording a clinic so you can review your ride and the clinician’s instructions multiple times.
- Diagnosing movement issues in your horse or position issues in yourself.
- Vlogging on YouTube or sharing videos with friends.
Auto Follow Cameras Like Soloshot… But Better
Pixio or Pixem
*Best Auto Tracking Camera for Sports*
Click to see it on Amazon
Pixio is the official auto-follow supplier of FEI
PROS:
- The first auto-follow camera on the market with a library of resources to help you get started.
- 330-foot range, and the zoom is fully automatic.
- Both Pixio and Pixem have live streaming capability.
CONS:
- Requires sensors to be positioned around the arena.
- Many riders struggle with setup at first. Pamfou-Dressage shows you how to set up and use the Pixio in this video.
Note: There are also videos on the Pixio YouTube Channel that show everything from equestrian sports footage to setup tutorials to live streaming on Facebook.
Click to explore Pixio motion tracking cameras and accessories
Swivl C Series Robot
Click to see it on Amazon
It’s also been used in sports, dance, and horseback riding. The secondary marker (i.e. sensor) is helpful for equestrians to improve tracking.
PROS:
- Multi-camera options are available, and the product is designed to work with several units.
- Markers capture audio in addition to video.
- Swivl has a 360-degree rotation, and the tilt range is 25 degrees.
CONS:
- Accessories, such as a base and cloud software, are purchased separately. (You must use the cloud with the multi-camera option.)
- One camera only has a range of 32-feet, so multiple cameras are required for equestrians.
Read customer reviews on Amazon
GoPro
Click to see it on Amazon
PROS:
- Battery life is extended with Blink and BlinkX.
- You can program in your shooting time.
- Several camera options are available, all with a variety of features.
Credit: Johanna & Bunny
CONS:
- Accessories are needed for motion tracking, including the tripod mount, and Blink or BlinkX.
- Motion tracking isn’t what the GoPro was originally designed to do.
See customer reviews on Amazon
Mevo
Click to see it on Amazon
The technology allows you to live stream or save the video.
Mevo has a 150-degree lens, taking in a wide swath of your arena. When you use it for your ride, you enable the “Live Follow” feature so it can track your movement.
PROS:
- The Mevo is only 2.5 inches tall, making it easy to take anywhere, and fit into a safe spot along the arena.
- The lens on this camera is powerful, and collects stunning footage of your ride.
- Use the live edit feature to eliminate an untimely buck or other video segment of your ride.
CONS:
- This camera is designed to be placed closer to the subject vs. at the other end of an arena (ex: it’s better for vlogging than recording a cross country course).
- Battery life on the basic models is only one hour. You can purchase the Mevo Boost for an extra 10 hours of battery life.
- Mevo was designed for live streaming and editing. You may be paying for features that you will never use.
- Accessories, such as a tripod, need to be purchased separately.
See customer reviews on Amazon
Never miss a moment with our 8 Best Horse Cameras (Action, Helmet, Trailer, Barn, Drone).
If you’re not quite ready to switch…
Staying with the same brand is often easier than learning an entirely new piece of technology. So, even if you’re generally frustrated with Soloshot, you may find the Soloshot3 worth a try.
Click to see it on Amazon
This is the third generation of the Soloshot motion tracking camera, and improvement have been made each time.
Elisa Wallace, an equestrian vlogger and eventer, discusses her use of the Soloshot3:
PROS:
- 360-degree rotation and 60-degree vertical tilt. Can track at up to 2000-feet away.
- All accessories, except for the Micro SD card, are included.
- The quality of the footage is much higher with the Optic65 camera.
CONS:
- It can only be used OUTDOORS. Soloshot says that an indoor accessory will be “coming soon.” But, that announcement has been posted for quite some time.
- Some users have had trouble with intermittent tracking after the first few sessions.
- Battery can die quickly if you don’t power the camera down after charging.
See customer reviews on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Soloshot work? (in theory)
Soloshot tracks you as you ride, creating a video without a second person serving as a cameraman. The wearable tag allows the camera to track you during your ride. The camera adjusts, pans, and zooms as needed.
Q: What are the biggest Soloshot competitors?
A few competitors have entered the market, including Pixio/Pixem from the United Kingdom, Swivl, Mevo, as well as add-ons for GoPro that transform it into a motion tracking device.
Q: Soloshot vs. Swivl: Which is better for riders?
Swivl was designed for the classroom, but is also used by equestrians and other sports. Swivl works inside and outside, as opposed to Soloshot, which doesn’t have indoor capability yet.
Q: Soloshot vs. Pixio: Which is better for riders?
If you ride outdoors year-round, a) we’re envious and b) you may be fine with Soloshot’s outdoor focus. But, if you’re like most of us and sometimes ride indoors, go with Pixio.
Q: What’s the best auto tracking camera mount?
None of the options are perfect. If you’re looking for a good motion tracking camera mount, though, you won’t go wrong starting with Pixem.
Q: Soloshot vs. GoPro: Which is better for riders?
We recommend the Soloshot as long as you’re filming outdoors. GoPro was built for adventure sports, but the motion tracking features still need improvements.
Q: Soloshot vs. Mevo: Which is better for riders?
Mevo offers a ton of features that most equestrians won’t require. However, you may find that these features let you up your social media game. Professional equestrians could find these features vital.
It’s also small and lightweight, and the video quality is first-class. Unfortunately, it was also designed for close range, so using it for some equestrian sports could be challenging.
Q: What’s the best Swivl alternative?
If you’re not a fan of Swivl, give Pixio a try. You only need a single camera (vs. multiple), but you can still video inside and out.
Be prepared for a bit more setup to get things running smoothly, but it’ll be worth it.
Q: What’s the best Pixio alternative?
If you’re not a fan of Pixio, you may want to try the Soloshot3. Just remember that it can only track motion outdoors.
Q: Why film yourself horse riding?
Filming yourself can be a great way to see all the things your trainer keeps getting after you about (or help you improve on your own if you can’t afford lessons). Seeing your horse move and feeling him move are often two very different experiences.
Filming is a great way to help a nervous rider who feels her horse is too fast. Seeing a video often shows the horse’s gaits are just big or lofty and that he’s actually moving slowly. Your trainer will likely be more than happy to film you, if you ask. Don’t have a trainer? Have a filming day with your friends.
Q: Is the Soloshot waterproof?
The SOLOSHOT is a handy tool for equestrians who want to record themselves riding, but don’t have a friend who can help out.
This camera can automatically track action, so you and your horse are always in frame.
The tag you wear (which is how the camera tracks you) is both waterproof and shock-resistant. Unfortunately, the camera itself is not waterproof. You can purchase a separate weather protector, however, which will help safeguard the camera in light weather conditions.
Q: Where can I see Pixem robot cameraman reviews?
You can see customer reviews of the Pixem device on the manufacturer’s website here.
Never miss a moment with our 8 Best Horse Cameras (Action, Helmet, Trailer, Barn, Drone).
Lights, Camera, Ride!
Equestrians and other outdoor enthusiasts have several options for recording rides. We expect that more companies will be producing motion tracking cameras, and the list of high-quality options and available features will continue expanding.
A few companies we’re watching include Jigabot, Flimbo, and Sincrocam. In the meantime, the motion tracking camera you choose will depend on the goals you have for the device.
P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
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