When I first started hunting, I really wished that I had a way to record my hunts. Obviously, I knew that there were bow hunting cameras available on the market, but I didn’t want to make the wrong choice. There were so many factors to consider such as camera quality, durability, battery life, and more.
For anyone that’s ever gone bowhunting, it’s obvious that a bow mounted camera is an amazing asset to have in your arsenal. By investing in a bow hunting camera, you’ll have footage that you can watch and learn from for years to come. This footage is also from your own unique perspective, making it that much more special.
Through extensive research and trials, I’ve compiled a list of the best bow hunting cameras on the market:
3 Best Bow Hunting Cameras This Year
So you may be wondering what sets these cameras apart. I’ve tried my best to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each one so that you can make an informed decision based on your needs. I’ll walk you through what you need to know.
1. Tactacam 5.0 Hunting Camera
Price: $$
Weight: 1 lb
Pros:
- image stabilization prevents shaky videos
- easy-to-use design makes it pleasant to use
- slim profile that won’t bother you when hunting
- can use phone as remote for camera
- long battery life for sustained performance
Cons:
- doesn’t have a screen
What Makes This Camera Great?
The Tactacam 5.0 Hunting Camera is one of the most popular hunting cameras on the market. It offers a great quality video with image stabilization. You don’t have to worry about shaky videos every time you take a shot. This camera also has a slim profile that won’t block your view when hunting. Because it doesn’t have a screen, the technology is super people friendly. It will only take a few minutes to understand how the camera works.
A cool feature of this camera is that it will power off after 3 minutes if you stop using it. This is great especially if you are hunting in a secluded location with minimal access to electricity.
Another big plus is that the camera comes with an app. This app allows you to connect the Tactacam 5.0 to your smartphone and use it as a remote. This feature is great because you won’t have to fumble around your bow every time you want to make a change to the shooting settings.
Bottom Line
The Tactacam 5.0 is one of the best bow mounted cameras that I have tried. After continued use, the camera has held up to bumps and still works amazingly. The 4k quality on this camera is also exceptional. The imagery is crisp and pleasant to look at.
I also love how easy it is to use this camera. All I have to do to start it is push the remote button and the Tactacam 5.0 immediately turns on and starts recording. It has a little green light on the remote that turns on when filming. You can also see how long you’ve been recording on the remote display. To stop filming, all I have to do is push the remote’s power button.
The only downside that I found to this camera is the price. It’s one of the pricer options on this list, but I truly believe that it is worth it. This camera is specifically designed for hunters, so it offers convenience and practically that isn’t offered with many cheaper cameras. From experience, I know that this is a great quality camera that is made to last.
2. Akaso EK7000 Camera
Price: $
Weight: 12 oz
Pros:
- image stabilization prevents shaky videos
- great price that won’t bust your wallet
- durable and doesn’t break easily
- comes with wireless remote control
- WiFi connectivity makes it easy to transfer footage
Cons:
- doesn’t come with bow mount
What Makes This Camera Great?
The Akaso EK7000 Hunting Camera is the perfect camera for hunters on a budget. This camera offers exceptional 4k video at a fraction of the cost of traditional hunting cameras. It does have image stabilization, so you don’t have to worry about shaky videos every time you fire a shot. Because it’s designed for action, it can withstand a few bumps and drops.
Unlike the first camera, the Akaso EK7000 does have a screen that allows you to see what you’re filming. You don’t have to worry about carrying around extra technology, like your phone, to control it. Another big plus is that the camera has WiFi connectivity, so it’s super easy to transfer footage. You don’t have to worry about a bunch of cables. The Akaso EK7000 also comes with a wireless wrist remote that allows you to take photos and start or stop recording.
Another perk is that the Akaso EK7000 comes with 2 rechargeable batteries that can each record for up to 90 minutes.
Bottom Line
The Akaso EK7000 is a great bow mounted camera. The 4k resolution and image stabilization are great for the price. This camera has a waterproof casing and compact design that makes it very versatile. Since it’s so small, you can take it to the beach or on a hike without looking out of place. This camera is designed for action, so it will surely last a long time.
From my testing, I found the wireless wrist remote fairly easy to use and convenient. I liked that I didn’t need a giant set up to take pictures or record videos. I also appreciated the fact that it came with extra batteries since this makes for a more pleasant hunting experience.
The only downside that I found about this camera is that it doesn’t come with a bow mount. Therefore, you’ll have to get a separate one. Regardless, I would not let this stop you from getting this camera. Because this camera is at such a low price, it gives you room to invest in extra equipment without breaking the bank. Plus, mounts are fairly inexpensive. Overall, I would recommend this camera.
3. GoPro HERO7 Camera
Price: $$
Weight: 4.2 oz
Pros:
- image stabilization prevents shaky videos
- durable and doesn’t break easily
- lightweight, so it won’t add much weight to your bow
- small, compact design
- can use your phone as remote
Cons:
- short battery life
- doesn’t come with a mount
What Makes This Camera Great?
The GoPro HERO7 is a popular option for many hunters because of its versatility. This camera offers exceptional 4k video with high-quality image stabilization. You won’t have to worry about shaky videos every time you fire a shot. Like the second camera on this list, this is also an action camera. This makes it perfect for withstanding the trials and tribulations of a normal hunting experience. You don’t have to worry about it getting a few bumps here and there or getting wet. There’s a reason that GoPro is a name brand.
Another great feature of this camera is that it has a screen, so you’ll be able to see what you’re shooting with clarity. You don’t have to worry about carrying more technology than you need. A specific plus to buying from the GoPro brand is that it’s very versatile. You’ll be able to use the camera for more than just hunting. You can mount it on your chest or head. You can put it on a tripod.
This camera also has WiFi connectivity. This makes it super easy to transfer footage, so don’t have to worry about a lot of cables.
Bottom Line
The GoPro HERO7 offers great quality at a reasonable price. While shooting, I was quite impressed with the image stabilization technology, especially the HyperSmooth setting. Even while running down a rough, bumpy trail, the footage was surprisingly smooth.
Something else that I loved is that the camera itself is waterproof. You don’t need to buy an extra casing, which actually makes it perfect if you want as little equipment as possible. I submerged the camera in water and it was perfectly fine. Another plus is its small, lightweight. This camera was by far the lightest on this list. In fact, I barely noticed the extra weight while shooting.
Unfortunately, I did notice that this camera did have relatively short battery life. However, that’s nothing that can’t be fixed with extra batteries. Another downside that I found to the GoPro HERO7 is that it doesn’t come with a bow mount, so you’ll need to buy one separately. I recommend this one from Amazon. Regardless, I still believe that this is an amazing camera.
What Is A Bow Hunting Camera?
Bow hunting cameras are specifically designed to be mounted on top of your bow. They record the hunt from your perspective.
Not all cameras are created equal, with some having more features than others. Bow hunting cameras also come in many different styles depending on the company that manufactures them. It is important to look at your options to find the camera that best suits your needs.
Ideally, bow mounted cameras should be waterproof. This will prevent them from getting damaged if you are hunting in inclement weather such as rain or snow. Bow hunting cameras should also be compact and small enough to fit on a compound bow. They should also be fairly lightweight. A camera that is too heavy can slow a hunter down and make for an unpleasant hunting experience.
Luckily, in recent years, cameras have really risen in quality, with more features than ever before. Therefore, you’re going to have a lot of amazing options to choose from, which I will discuss later in this article.
What Is The Difference Between Bow Hunting And Trail Cameras?
A bow hunting camera is fairly different from a trail camera. Bow hunting cameras are mounted on top of your bow. They record continuously from your perspective. Trail cameras, on the other hand, are mounted on trees or posts. They have motion detection technology that usually only starts recording when the sensors detect possible game.
What Factors Did I Consider In This Review?
I consider a lot of factors when making product reviews because I want to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. I’ve tried all of these cameras out myself and I’ve put them through extensive research and trials.
Here’s what I tested in order to find the best bow hunting camera.
- Price
- Durability (waterproof, weather)
- Reliability (battery life)
- Ease-of-use (transfer footage)
- Weight
The first factor that I considered when looking at cameras was the price. You should note that there is usually a tradeoff between quality and price. Ideally, you don’t want something cheaply made because this will be reflected in the product’s performance.
When using cheaper cameras, you run the risk of buying a camera that may be prone to breakage. You could get a camera made from low-quality materials or one that doesn’t live up to its promised performance. Therefore, make sure to invest in high-quality, durable materials that are known to withstand the test of time.
Naturally, no one wants to overpay for something that they can get for a cheaper price. Because of this, I’ve tried to find the best cameras that offer exceptional performance at an economical price tag.
The next factors that I looked at were durability and reliability. The best bow mounted cameras are resilient to the normal hits and bumps that one may experience while hunting. They are also usually waterproof to protect against inclement weather.
Great bow hunting cameras have clear imaging and high-quality video. They won’t break down on you. Furthermore, their systems are easy to learn and understand. I also look at how easy it is to transfer information. WiFi is the most convenient method for transferring videos, so cameras with WiFi capabilities are ideal.
I also looked at the battery life of the camera. Knowing the many hunters go out into the wilderness, far from electricity, it’s important to get a camera that can last at least 4 hours without a charge.
