Rewatch Your Ride
Remember those blurry, shaky videos your dad used to take of you clearing a 4-foot fence or trying to master the half-pass? Half the time, the horse isn’t even in shot, and when it is, it’s so out of focus you can barely make out the breed, let alone analyze its performance. Auto-follow cameras promise to up your video game regardless of your skill set.
An auto-follow camera can track and record every step of your training ride, monitor your performance at a competition, and provide high-quality footage of you and your horse’s progress that you can share with your trainer.
Source: Canva
Why Video Your Ride?
Videoing your ride enables you to track your progress, analyze your posture, identify problem areas, and address those persistent issues that prevent you and your horse from achieving your dreams.
Analyze Performance
Watching a video of yourself and your horse gives you insights into your riding and how you’re communicating with your horse.
Video can help you identify areas that need improvement and aspects of your riding that are progressing well.
You can also analyze your horse’s movements and identify any inconsistencies that might indicate injury.
Furthermore, it’s easy to share your footage with your veterinarian or physiotherapist if you do suspect an injury.
Virtual Lessons
You can use an auto-follow camera to record your training sessions and share them with your trainer so they can give you tips and insights based on your recording.
Both SOLOSHOT and Pixio also offer live streaming options that allow your trainer to watch you ride virtually and offer real-time feedback.
Social Media Sharing
Who doesn’t love showing off their horse-riding progress on social media. What better way to do it than to share high-quality video footage of your achievements?
You could even start a vlog channel and share your equestrian journey with the world.
Product Considerations
An auto-follow camera can transform your riding experience, but not if the set-up process is so complicated that you spend all your time fiddling with cameras, tripods, and sensors and have none left for your actual training.
Ease of use isn’t the only aspect to consider when shopping for an auto-follow camera. Price will inevitably influence your decision, as will image quality and the product’s versatility and compatibility.
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Image Quality
The new SOLOSHOT3+’s image quality is much improved compared to earlier models. You can now get sports 4k video footage with improved sharpening, white balance and 65x optical zoom.
To get the same image quality with the Move N See Pixio, you’ll need a good-quality camera, like the pre-configured SONY CX450.
You may need to play around with the settings to find the optimal combination of quality and compatibility, especially if you want to share your videos with a trainer or post them online.
Product Cost
The Move N See Pixio robot cameraman is an investment (over $1,000). You might be able to find a better deal if you shop around a bit (Amazon had a special offer at the time of writing).
It’s worth bearing in mind that this doesn’t include the camera or the tripod.
The SOLOSHOT3+ costs a little more but includes both the lens and tripod, making its even higher price tag a little more reasonable.
Product Compatibility
While the Move n See Pixio is compatible with any camera that weighs less than 2.5 kg, it works most effectively with Sony and Canon cameras, especially if you want to utilize its automatic zoom and remote control features.
*2.5 kg –> 5.5 lbs
The SOLOSHOT3+’s compatibility is more limited as it can only be used with either the Optic25 or Optic65 cameras.
Product Versatility
The latest SOLOSHOT3+ is the first model capable of filming indoors as well as out, but to do so, you’ll need to attach the Indoor Accessory to the top of the camera.
The Pixio is more versatile as it can record indoors or outdoors without any attachments or adjustments.
With the SOLOSHOT3+, you can film multiple tags simultaneously, live stream footage to your trainer, and receive real-time feedback via your smartphone.
The Pixio also offers a live-streaming function with feedback available, but can only track a single user.
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| SOLOSHOT | Pixio | |
| Price Point | $$$$$ | $$$$ |
| Ease of Use | Setting up and calibrating the system is time-consuming while downloading footage to your computer or uploading online requires some technological know-how. | May require additional technical steps to complete the initial configuration. Setup is complicated and technical support is limited. |
| Accessories Included? | Yes, it comes with a camera, tripod, GPS tag, armband with clip, tripod tool, and mini USB charging cable. | While neither the tripod nor camera are included, the Pixio does come with the watch, three micro-beacons and tripods, batteries and chargers, and the cable for the camera control. |
| Battery Life | Up to 4 hours | Up to 4 hours for the watch, but only 3 for the micro-beacons |
| Waterproof? | Yes | No |
SOLOSHOT Summary
SOLOSHOT is an auto-follow camera system that consists of a motorized base with a camera and a wearable tag worn by the subject.
The tag emits a signal that the camera uses to track the subject’s movements. As the subject moves, the camera autonomously adjusts its orientation, pans, and zooms to keep the subject in the frame, creating dynamic and engaging video footage.
Click to see it at Amazon
- Auto tracking
- Auto zoom and focus
- High-quality image
- Live stream
- Long battery life
- Waterproof
- Up to 2,000-foot range
Notable Drawbacks
Calibrating the tag and base set takes time and patience. You’ll need to walk around to check that the camera is tracking you correctly and, if not, you’ll need to recalibrate.
The camera and tag don’t communicate clearly if there’s anything above them, which means you need to be careful about where you mount the camera.
If the battery dies while the zoom is out, you’ll need to recharge it before you can withdraw the lens and cover it with a lens cap.
Where to buy: Amazon
Pixio Summary
With a range of 3 to 330 feet, the Pixio system can film your training sessions indoors or out.
The camera support communicates wirelessly with the rider’s watch, using its signal to track your every movement. It automatically pans, tilts, and zooms, and operates silently, so you integrate an external microphone for virtual training sessions.
Click to see it at Amazon
- Auto tracking
- Remote control
- Auto zoom and focus
- High-quality image
- Live stream
- Long battery life
- Up to 330-foot range
Notable Drawbacks
Setting up the Move n See Pixio system requires patience and technological know-how. It doesn’t always place the horse and rider in the center of the screen, and although you can monitor the camera and beacons from your smartphone, you won’t be able to see a video display of the picture.
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: Canva
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you use SOLOSHOT indoors?
The new SOLOSHOT3+ can be used with an indoor accessory that adapts it for indoor use.
Q: Is SOLOSHOT 3 waterproof?
Although the tag is waterproof and shock resistant, you’ll need the Soloshot3 Outdoor Weather Protector if you want to use the camera in bad weather.
Q: What is comparable to Mevo?
Both the SOLOSHOT and Pixio are comparable with the Mevo action camera but produce better quality footage.
Q: How does SOLOSHOT work?
SOLOSHOT captures your movement while you’re riding, generating a video without requiring a second person to act as a cameraman. The wearable tag enables the camera to follow your motion throughout your ride, seamlessly adjusting, panning, and zooming as necessary.
Q: How long does SOLOSHOT battery last?
Up to 4 hours.
Q: How do I live stream with SOLOSHOT?
To live stream with SOLOSHOT, you need a Wi-Fi or Hotspot connection with a minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps. Connect your base set to the SOLOSHOT network by selecting GO LIVE from the action sheet. While the live stream is active, LIVE will be highlighted in red on the track app interface.
Q: What are some SOLOSHOT competitors?
SOLOSHOT’s biggest competitors include Pixio, Mevo, and GoPro. Find out more about these products and how they compare to the SOLOSHOT in our article on 5 SOLOSHOT Alternatives to Record Your Ride (Inside & Out).
Q: What cameras are compatible with Pixio?
You can mount almost any camera on the Pixio, but only supported makes, like Sony and Canon, will give you access to the full range of features.
Q: What is the difference between Pixio and Pixem?
Pixio is a mount that automatically controls your camera, while Pixem works with your existing smartphone or tablet.
Parting Thoughts
Both SOLOSHOT and Pixio can automatically film your training sessions and competitions, but setting them up might test your patience and eat into your riding time.
The latest SOLOSHOT3+ resolves many of the issues users experienced with earlier models, making it more versatile and user-friendly than the Pixio.
Both products require significant investment, in terms of both time and money, but are worth it if you want to make use of virtual training facilities, analyze your riding, and keep tabs on your horse’s progress.
PS: Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
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- Equine Coaching On Demand (Ride IQ Horse Riding App Review)
- Equus Note: Digital Equestrian Diary (App Review)
- Pivo Horse Tracking on a Budget
