Tactacam Reveal X 2.0 Trail Camera

› The Tactacam Reveal looks like many other trail cameras, with an opening cover to access controls, and camera and flash lenses for day or night photo and film recording. There’s a strap to fasten it to a tree/post and a threaded mounting point for a tripod. It uses a standard SD card to store all recorded footage, but the newest attribute is the ability to broadcast via an included SIM card over the usual 4G network. It’s not the only camera to do this, but this increasingly common feature invites us into the realms of app usage. Some competitors are fiddly to use, but the Tactacam is straightforward. I’m glad to see programmers are beginning to prioritise simplicity, ensuring the tool serves its purpose effectively rather than becoming an amusement or hobby in itself.

Power up
The Tactacam will run from 16x AA batteries, although I was fortunate to be sent the proprietary lithium battery, as well as an SD card and a security box. The instructions are easy to follow, and with the SD and SIM cards installed, you can register with Tactacam and choose a one-off or monthly data plan suited to your needs.
The phone app can be customised to suit you, and it’s great to be able to control settings on the Tactacam itself, which may be many miles from your home. Most importantly, you can use the app to adjust day or night sensitivity settings, modify video length and quality, enable multi-shot capability, and tailor the camera to its specific scenario. This allows you to study the location and quarry habits without physically disturbing the animals or leaving your scent. I found motion sensitivity most useful, as being on a farm with vehicles and cows, I could easily switch the unit off when it was being overwhelmed by cattle invading a specific field. Data usage costs €6/£5 per 250 photos, and everything is stored on the SD card if you want to minimise transmitted data consumption.

Real world
The camera is weatherproof and seems durable, with a strong hinged cover and easily accessible control panel, but you will have to use the app for full control of all the features.
I like the fact that the app on my phone ties in with my Tactacam account on the web, so when I’m at my desk, I can see what’s going on in real-time. I can also keep track of the battery, which is charged via the supplied USB-C cable. After two weeks, 90% of the battery remained after capturing 246 day and night photos, with the latter using the onboard IR flash.

Conclusion
Tactacam offers a full range of accessories on their website, including the steel Reveal security box I purchased, which screws to a post and can be padlocked. With the optional solar panel, it could theoretically run indefinitely—a major benefit for distant stalking syndicate land. Overall, I’m impressed with its functionality, photo quality, remote control features, and excellent value for money.

Reviewer: Chris Parkin