Tactacam Reveal Pro 3.0: Field Testing One of the Hottest New Trail Cameras on the Market

Tactacam is launching its new Reveal X 3.0 and Professional 3.0 cameras at this time and the whitetail searching world must be thrilled.

I believe the Reveal Pro 3.0 hits the candy spot of efficiency, customizability, and ease-of-use completely. I’ve had the chance to check the brand new digicam for a couple of week previous to the launch, and thus far the digicam has lived as much as its large guarantees. The Reveal X 3.0 (the not Professional model) has most of the similar new upgrades however is available in at a decrease price. I’ll spotlight the specs of each under. However since I’ve solely subject examined the Professional model, I’ll deal with that digicam. 

• GPS enabled
• Works on all main mobile networks
• Inner 8GB reminiscence (no want for SD card)
• Pre-installed SIM card
• On-Demand video 
• Stay aiming through app
• 2-inch LCD display
• 80-foot marketed flash vary
• 5-shot picture burst mode
• 1080P Video
• No-glow IR
• 1 12 months guarantee
• Value: $155 (plans begin at $5 per 30 days)

See It

• GPS enabled
• Works on all main mobile networks
• Inner 8GB reminiscence (no want for SD card)
• Pre-installed SIM card
• Stay aiming through app
• 96-foot marketed flash vary
• 3-shot picture burst mode
• 1080P Video
• No-glow IR
• Value: $125 (plans begin at $5 per 30 days)

On the subject of cellular trail cameras, extra isn’t all the time higher. Positive we wish options and choices to set the path digicam to excellent settings for particular conditions, however the digicam should even be straightforward to make use of, the associated app must intuitive, and the bundle must be comparatively reasonably priced (as a result of severe path cam customers are going to have a number of within the subject always). It’s with this in thoughts that I pried open the containers of the brand new Reveal Professional 3.0 cameras a couple of week in the past.

What’s New In regards to the Reveal Professional 3.0

Tactacam Reveal continues to be comparatively new to the path digicam market, however they’ve made a major affect. The corporate is understood for dependable, high-performance cameras that produce glorious picture high quality, in truth, they gained our 2023 trail camera test. Nevertheless up till this level, different cell digicam corporations (particularly Moultrie) supplied extra superior options. The brand new Professional 3.0 brings Reveal as much as the leading edge.

Works With All Mobile Networks

First, the brand new Reveal now routinely connects to the strongest mobile community out there. As a substitute of getting to pick out Verizon or AT&T throughout setup, the digicam scans for the strongest community and connects to it a number of moments after you flip it on. 

Inner Reminiscence and SIM Card

One other notable improve is the digicam has onboard 8 GB of reminiscence and a pre-installed SIM card. This implies you don’t must mess with SD playing cards, nevertheless you may select to make use of a card for those who like (there’s nonetheless a slot for one). With the inner SIM card, the digicam will replace its firmware by the mobile community. 

On-Demand Video

The sexiest improve for this digicam is the addition of on-demand video. Within the Reveal app you choose your digicam after which hit “request on demand video.” The digicam then data a 15-second video and sends it again to your gallery. It is a cool characteristic for a pair causes. First, for those who discover a photograph alert from a digicam, and uncover that the alert was triggered by a shooter buck, you may request a video from the digicam and probably seize further video of the buck. This may work if the digicam was on a meals supply {that a} buck may hold round in for some time. One other helpful utility can be to pre-check entry to face websites. Say, for instance, you needed to do a day hunt over a meals plot or subject edge, however didn’t need to danger bumping deer in the course of the stroll in. Assuming you had your cameras positioned correctly, you can request video from the cameras across the space to make sure that the sector or plot was away from deer.

To make use of on demand video, you need to add the “XTRA” plan within the app for an extra $9 per 30 days. You could even have your digicam set on “pic + video” mode and have your settings examine programmed to “instantaneous” mode. It’s value noting that this drains battery life quicker. 

Antenna Design

The outdated Reveal cameras had an antenna that caught out from the physique and people outdated antennas had the potential to get snapped off whereas rocking round in a backpack. The brand new antenna folds tight in opposition to the digicam physique and is held in place by a rubber clip. It is a small however considerate improve that public land hunters who pack in gear removed from the parking zone will definitely recognize. 

Testing the Reveal Professional 3.0 

I examined the brand new Reveal Professional 3.0 simply how we take a look at all path cameras. First I loaded it up with batteries and related it to my Reveal app. This was extremely straightforward and intuitive. Merely flip the digicam on, scan the QR code on the within of the door, identify the cam, add a location, and the digicam does the remaining. 

Walkthrough Take a look at

Then I set the Divulge to its quickest taking pictures mode and highest sensitivity. From there I performed a easy stroll by take a look at. 

Markers had been positioned at 10 ft, 60 ft, and 110 ft. I walked previous the digicam (left to proper after which proper to left) at a medium tempo at every given distance. I then repeated the walkthrough take a look at at evening. The take a look at is supposed to measure the digicam’s detection vary, set off pace, shutter pace, and flash vary. To assist consider picture high quality, I positioned a 3D archery goal at about 10 yards. After the take a look at, I seemed for clean pictures, failures to set off, blurry photos, and total picture high quality. 

I’m glad to report that the Reveal Professional 3.0 did fairly nicely — this was to be anticipated as Tactacam upgraded the picture sensor in its new cam. It captured me in any respect ranges and had just one missed seize. I’ve achieved this similar take a look at on quite a lot of cameras for the final two years and that is above-average efficiency. The place the Reveal 3.0 actually shines is daytime picture high quality. To my eye, this digicam produces the sharpest, clearest, and most vibrant photos of any in the marketplace. At 110 ft (36 yards) the digicam captured me close to the center of the body with no blur. 

Nighttime pictures are good too, however not distinctive. That’s a operate of the no-glow design. You’ll be able to see within the picture under that at 60 ft the item (on this case me) is beginning to lose element.

The digicam did fireplace at 110 ft at evening (past its marketed vary), however I used to be misplaced in shadow. The tradeoff is that the digicam creates an imperceptible flash at evening, in comparison with low-glow cameras which generate a boring crimson flash when firing at evening.

Nonetheless, if lengthy vary evening pictures are essential to you, then I recommend going with the low-glow Reveal X 3.0 digicam as a substitute, because it has an extended flash vary.

Subject Efficiency

After the walkthrough take a look at, I arrange the digicam on my searching lease in Wisconsin. Utilizing a path cam stand, I aimed it at a subject edge that had loads of contemporary deer tracks after per week of rain. Immediately I began getting pictures. One factor I recognize about Reveal cameras is that they ship photos in a short time to the app (when in “instantaneous” mode”). That is good for setting cameras, so you realize precisely what your digicam is capturing and that it’s working correctly. Later, I sometimes set cameras to ship pictures as soon as per day with a view to protect battery life. 

Simply as in my walkthrough take a look at, the Reveal Professional 3.0 captured glorious daytime photos and high quality nighttime photos. 

One week of run time shouldn’t be sufficient to evaluate reliability, however I do count on this digicam to work with out hassle this season and for seasons to return. I’ve run gen 1 and gen 2 Reveal cameras and have had solely minor reliability points through the years. That’s noteworthy. Some cell cams (even the costly ones) have didn’t operate after a single season within the subject.  

One quibble I did have with the Reveal Professional 3.0 is that the on demand video characteristic was a bit delayed in sending the video to the app. It took about six minutes from the request to the time the video was viewable within the app, even with three bars of service. So sure, it’s video on demand, however you’ll must train some persistence when utilizing it. 

What the Reveal Professional 3.0 Does Finest

This digicam is straightforward to make use of, dependable, and it delivers glorious pictures and video. It now has cutting-edge options that make it stand out available in the market. I believe most remarkably, Reveal has been in a position to make these upgrades with out rising the worth from the outdated fashions. These are among the many greatest offers within the path cam market.

The place the Reveal Professional 3.0 Can Enhance

There are different cameras out there that produce higher nighttime photos at lengthy vary.  However for those who hold cameras on scrapes or deer trails, this will likely be a non-factor. For those who largely place cameras round fields and care about lengthy vary evening pictures, then contemplate the Reveal X 3.0 with its low-glow IR.

Learn Subsequent: Where to Mount a Trail Camera

Remaining Ideas on the Tactacam Reveal Professional 3.0 

I believe that Tactacam will promote a boatload of those cameras. Proper now they’re doing restricted drops on their web site, and there’s some availability with on-line retailers like Bass Pro. Hopefully there’s constant availability because the season progresses. I’m going to maintain operating my Professional 3.0 cameras by the summer time and fall and I’ll replace this story and our evaluation of the best trail cams after these cameras (and the opposite new digicam fashions) have had adequate time within the subject. In any case, solely time will inform if any given path digicam can ship on its reliability and sturdiness guarantees.