Last Updated on March 16, 2022
The latest gear to help equestrians train are tracking cameras, of which there are several options, such as the Pixio vs Soloshot. The Soloshot is one of the early entries into this type of video. The Pixio is another, possibly better option, but each has its own pros and cons.
Hopefully, in this article, you will learn about each camera so you can choose the one that is most suitable for your needs. Before you know it, your riding will have the chance to improve even more with careful video evaluation.
Soloshots
The Soloshot3 motion tracking camera comes in two models, the Optic25 and the Optic65. The Optic65 has more features but also a bigger price tag. Let’s take a look at these two cameras and what they can do for you.
Optic25
The Optic25 has a 25x optical zoom. The brand says that the camera is suitable for shooting at distances of up to 600 feet. It can record in 1080p60. You can also Livestream with this camera.
The camera unit is easy to move, as it compact and lightweight. It weighs only 219 grams and measures 2.7 L x 3.5 H x 2.6 W in inches. You can capture still images with 12MP resolution.
SOLOSHOT3 + OpticX Camera (Optic25)
Optic65
The Optic65 is the next step up from the Optic25. It has a 65x optical zoom, which is great if you want to video over 600 feet. You can video in higher quality than Optic25 with its 4K option.
Like the Optic25, you can also live stream with this model. The 65x optical zoom can take in shots of up to 2,000 feet, which is pretty impressive.
What is great about the Soloshot is that it’s an all-in-one unit, unlike other options on the market, the requires you to add your own camera. Both models come with the camera, base, tag, armband, tripod tool, USB charging cable, and a guide. The only thing you will need to buy is a MicroSD card.
Despite all of its great features, the Soloshot is one major downside. This camera will only work outside. This means when riding in an indoor arena, you will have to find another solution. It also means those who must ride inside during the winter months won’t get as much value about the Soloshot.
Pixio
The Pixio is one of the two Move ‘N See auto-follow camera models. The other model is the Pixem. Features of both models are the same but suit different types of camera devices.
Pixios are designed for third-party cameras and are suitable for major brands, such as Sony and Canon. Whereas, a Pixem is suitable for smartphones and tablets. Both models can video up to 330 feet.
Move N See Pixio Robot Cameraman
The Pixio is a tracking robot and does not come with its own camera. To work, the person who requires a video will wear the tag on their arm or wrist. The Pixio will then detect this and follow you.
Once on, tracking and zooming are automatic. The unit also comes with three micro beacons that you place around the arena. It comes with the necessary batteries and chargers, but you will need to purchase a tripod to hold the Pixio separately.
Pixio Vs Soloshot
Before deciding which tracking robot you want, take a look at where and when you will want to video. If indoor video is non-negotiable, then that rules out the Soloshot straightaway. Price-wise, the Pixio is cheaper, but it doesn’t come with its own camera.
If you want to video your riding in a large arena, the Pixio might not stand up to the job with a max distance of 330 feet. If you think you will need to video in large spaces frequently, the Optic65’s 2,000 feet limit is possibly a better option for you.
Quick Pixio Vs Soloshot Pros and Cons
For easy reference, here are the pros and cons of each tracking device.
Price
- Pixo starts at $799
- Soloshot starts at $999
Video Distance
- Pixio 330 feet
- Soloshot 600 to 2,000 feet
Video Locations
- Pixio indoor and outdoor
- Soloshot outdoor only
Camera
- Pixo requires a third party camera and will not work well without the beacons
- Solotshot is an all in one unit
Live Streaming
- Both the Pixio and Soloshot can live stream
Conclusion
Owning an auto-tracking robot will help transform your riding. You can video all of your rides to review later and share them with your trainer when they can’t watch you in person. We like both the Soloshot and the Pixio.
However, after weighing up both the pros and cons of each, we lean towards the Pixio despite its shorter distance coverage. The reason is its ability to video indoors. For a rider, the lack of indoor video can mean several months where you can not use video review to improve your riding.
How do you video yourself to ride a horse?
There are different ways to record yourself while riding a horse. The easiest is to use your phone. Simply propping up your phone is the most affordable way of filming your riding adventures. New smartphones have in general pretty good cameras that will serve this purpose just fine. You can improve the quality of your videos by using tripod.
Another option is to use an action camera. You can attach it to your riding helmet on even on your horse’s tack, depending what angles you want to catch and what you want to have in focus. When you are riding with a helmet mounted camera, you will have a wider view and better focus. The main disadvantage of this method is that you cannot record yourself and your horse together.
The best and unfortunately the most expensive way is to invest in a motion tracking camera. They are very expensive but they are capable of capturing your riding experience in a cinematic way.
How does Soloshot work?
Soloshot camera automatically tracks the subject or subjects wearing the wristband, keeps them in frame and captures the action for up to 4 hours without the need for recharging. The sensor is designed with a long-range focus and wide field of view to allow you to capture subjects from far away and also to give you a high quality image in low light conditions. It reaches a distance of approx. 600 meters. It is fully waterproof. The built-in microphone allows you to record your voice and the music you play using the Soloshot app on your smartphone. This means that you can listen to what you recorded and adjust it in real time.
It’s so easy to use, just put on the band, take a picture, press the button and get the shot. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to get the best shot.
What is a Pixio?
PIXIO and PIXEM are the world’s smallest auto-follow cameras, for both indoors and outdoors use, with a range of 100m, a fully automatic zoom and an unrivaled accuracy.
They are the only auto-follow cameras that use the Pixo technology which allows them to automatically adjust their focus and zoom, to create a professional-looking image without any intervention from the user. They come with a unique combination of features that enable them to capture high-quality images, whether you’re shooting in the wild or in your home. They have a wide-angle lens, a large sensor, a large flash unit, an autofocus sensor, an automatic tracking system, an LED light source and a high-resolution, optical viewfinder.
Whats the difference between a Pixio and Pixem?
PIXIO is connected to your camera via cable. PIXEM connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth and is operated through a free app. What differentiates PIXEM from its competition is that it comes with an adapter for Smartphone and Tablet so you can use it almost anywhere.
What are the benefits of using PIXEM? You can control your camera and monitor the images on your smartphone or tablet. You can take pictures, shoot video, take photos, record audio and transfer files. You can also remotely view images and video on your smartphone or tablet while you are on vacation or out for a business trip. You can use the free PIXEM app to change settings, switch modes, review images, and more. The app also has a built-in video player so you can watch live videos taken with your camera.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.