ShotKam News

UPDATE

Step 1: How to Get Started With Your ShotKam

In this video, you will learn about the parts of the ShotKam, how to mount it correctly, how to change your settings, and how the ShotKam records.   Frequently Asked Questions:   1) How can I ensure that the ShotKam is mounted onto my barrel correctly? You can ensure that the ShotKam is mounted correctly by checking for two things. First, check that the ridges on the bracket pad fit into the grooves in the ShotKam (for a visual, please skip to minute 1:10 of the video above). Secondly, the USB port should be closest to your barrel. This simply means that the USB port (next to the control button on the ShotKam) should be directly underneath your barrel.  2) How often should I take my ShotKam off my barrel? The brackets of the ShotKam have rubber pads on the inside to prevent any barrel damage, but we do suggest taking the camera off regularly for cleaning. A quick wipe with a soft cloth will ensure that no moisture gets trapped in between the ShotKam and your barrel. 3) Does my reticle need to be re-aligned every time I re-mount the ShotKam? If you are using your ShotKam on the same type of shotgun and mounting your ShotKam the same distance back from the muzzle, then you will not need to re-align your reticle. If you use a mixture of types (semi-auto, pump), then the reticle will need to be realigned for each shotgun (and the "gun type" setting will have to be changed accordingly in the ShotKam app). So for instance, if the ShotKam is placed 8 inches back (from the muzzle) on the barrel of a 12 Ga break-action, then you can move it to any other 12 Ga break-action, just place it 8 inches from the muzzle end of that gun as well. 4) What is the difference between "Normal Shooting Mode" and "WiFi Mode"? Which should I use? This is a great question. "Normal Shooting Mode" is what you will use while you are recording videos during your round. One quick click (then let go) of the control button will put your ShotKam into "Normal Shooting Mode". You can confirm by checking the LED lights - you should only see one green LED. In "Normal Shooting Mode", your ShotKam will typically go into "Sleep Mode" after 20 seconds to conserve battery. You will see one slow blinking green LED light when the ShotKam is in Sleep Mode. You can close your action or bump your stock to waken the ShotKam, and the green LED light will go from blinking to solid when it is awakened. "WiFi Mode" will only be used when you are aligning your reticle, changing your settings, or watching your videos on your mobile device (smart phone or tablet). To put the ShotKam into "WiFi Mode", hold the control button down for 3-5 seconds, then let go. You should see one yellow LED light, and one green LED light as well. You are now able to connect to your mobile device. Contact us: Email: support@shotkam.com Phone: (855) 473 - 5227

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UPDATE

Step 2: How to Use the Mobile App

One of our most frequently asked questions is "Can I use the ShotKam if I am shooting somewhere that has no WiFi or bluetooth?" The answer is yes, absolutely. The ShotKam has its own internal WiFi antenna, so you do not need to have any other source of WiFi, cellular data, or bluetooth. In the video below, we'll explain how the ShotKam's WiFi works, how to connect it to your mobile device, and how to change your settings and watch your videos within the ShotKam app. Frequently Asked Questions:   1) I can't get the ShotKam's WiFi to appear on my phone's WiFi options, what should I do? First, please ensure that your ShotKam is in WiFi mode. Please hold the control button down for 3-5 seconds, then let go. You should see one green and one yellow LED light, confirming that the ShotKam's WiFi has been activated.  Note: if you only see one green LED light, then please turn the ShotKam OFF (one quick click of the control button then let go), then try again. Please ensure you see the yellow and green LED light sequence before trying to connect your mobile device.    2) My ShotKam's WiFi keeps dropping the connection in the middle of watching my videos. What should I do? If you've just arrived back from shooting a few rounds at the range, then the ShotKam's battery is likely needing a charge. The main reason for WiFi connection dropping is that the ShotKam does not have enough battery to hold the connection. Please make sure that you are not too far away from the ShotKam (the WiFi range is 10 feet/3 meters), and this will ensure that your mobile device has got the strongest possible connection to your ShotKam.    3) Can I put the ShotKam into WiFi mode and have someone standing behind me, watching the live stream on my mobile device?  While the answer to this question is "yes, it is possible", it is not recommended. The ShotKam uses such a high data rate when in WiFi mode, that the live stream video will have a significant lag and look pixellated. Most devices will not be able to handle the ShotKam's live stream, and the video quality will be noticeably decreased. We suggest always shooting in "Normal Shooting Mode", which is one quick click of the control button, then let go. To confirm that your ShotKam is in Normal Shooting Mode, please confirm that you only see one green LED light.    4) So in what instances should I use the WiFi? The ShotKam's WiFi will only be used when aligning your reticle, changing your settings, or watching videos on a mobile device.    Contact us: Email: support@shotkam.com Phone: (855) 473 - 5227

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UPDATE

Step 3: Watching Your Videos on a Computer

These tutorials will show you how to watch your ShotKam videos on a computer using a third party media player called VLC. Once you've recorded a round or two and are ready to watch and study your ShotKam videos, this is how we suggest you do so. Note that there are separate tutorials for Mac computers and PC's, so be sure that you choose the correct video, thank you. Frequently Asked Questions:    1) VLC is freezing on my computer, what should I do? For Windows PC:  We have found a new alternative to VLC Media Player called "Potplayer." It is a completely free media player that allows frame-by-frame viewing by pressing “F” (next frame) and “D” (previous frame). Please follow the steps below to install this video player onto your Windows computer:  1. Install Potplayer from the following link: https://daumpotplayer.com 2. In the middle of the screen there are two options to click, choose the 64-bit download. It will now begin downloading in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen.3. Once completed, click the download. You will be asked if English is your language, click Continue.4. Follow the prompts: Accept, Continue, and Next. There may be a few loading bars that quickly go away. Once you get to the page with a yellow sidebar which reads "Complete Install Potplayer," it will prompt you to hit "Close."5. The installer will load for about 1 minute. Once completed, it will ask you to accept the terms and continue through some more prompts. The final page will ask you to click "Install."6. Potplayer will then automatically open on your desktop for you to use. Save it to your Taskbar (icons at the bottom of your computer screen) by right clicking on the Potplayer icon and selecting "Pin to Taskbar."How to play your ShotKam videos with Potplayer:1. Plug ShotKam into your computer.2. Open Potplayer. If you cannot find it, type "Potplayer" into the search bar on the bottom left hand corner of your screen (Windows icon).3. Once Potplayer is open, clicked on the three dashed horizontal lines on the bottom right corner of the window.4. The window should then extend to the right where you can now see two tabs.5. Open the tab called "This PC." Next, click on SHOTKAM, and then the ShotKam folder.6. Click on a dated folder, then hit Ctrl + A on your computer. This will highlight all of your videos. Click Open.7. Use the "F" key (next frame), "D" key (backwards a frame), and the spacebar to pause/play your videos. If any of the previous 7 steps are confusing, then simply locate your videos within File Explorer (yellow folder), then right click on your mouse and choose "Open with: Potplayer." Your videos will now begin playing.   For Apple Computers:  We have found a new alternative to VLC Media Player called "Elmedia Player." It is a completely free media player that allows frame-by-frame viewing by pressing the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard. Please follow the steps below to install this video player onto your Mac computer: 1. Go to Elmedia Player's website here: mac.eltima.com/elmediaplayer.html?utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=media-player 2. Select "Download" (blue button)3. At the top right corner of your browser window, click on the grey down arrow to see your recent downloads.4. Double click on "elmediaplayer.dmg"5. Drag the Elmedia icon (triangles) over to the Applications Folder. This is to permanently save the video player to your Mac computer.6. Your Applications will automatically open, then double click the new Elmedia Player icon.7. Find the Elmedia Player icon (two triangles) in the Doc of your computer (bottom of your computer screen), then hold down the Control key and click the icon. Next, select Options > Keep in DockTo play your videos with Elmedia:1. Click on "File" in the top left (next to the Apple icon and Elmedia Player text)2. Click "Open" > Select ShotKam in the left column > SHOTKAM > Dated folders > Select your videos3. Now click "Open"4. Once videos are playing, use the spacebar on your keyboard to pause/play. Use the arrows on your keyboard to go frame-by-frame forwards and backwards.   Contact us: Email: support@shotkam.com Phone: (855) 473 - 5227

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UPDATE

Step 4: How to Improve Using Your ShotKam Videos

You've learned how to use your ShotKam, and now it's time to learn how to improve your shooting by studying your ShotKam videos. When watching your ShotKam videos, there are a few easy ways to identify why you missed (or how you hit) your target. Please watch the video below for more information. Using the frame-by-frame feature on VLC media player (or any media player of your choice), you are able to look for mistakes such as canting your gun, aiming, lifting your head, having too much lead, and more.    Frequently Asked Questions: 1) My ShotKam videos look slanted. What does this mean? First, check that your ShotKam is mounted correctly, parallel with your barrel. If the ShotKam is mounted correctly and you're still seeing slanted videos, then this may indicate that you've got a canted mount. To learn how to correct this, please see minute 7 of the above video.   2) Should I study my videos on my phone, or use a computer? You're able to study your videos on either your mobile device on your computer, but to study the video in depth, we do suggest using your computer. You'll be able to work with a bigger screen, and easily go frame-by-frame to identify mistakes.  3) Is my computer compatible with the ShotKam? All computers that are Windows 8 and later are compatible, as are all Apple computers. If you have a Windows 7 PC, then some operating systems do not recognize the ShotKam device once it has been plugged in. The ShotKam comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, so if you noticed that your computer does not recognize the device, please return it for a full refund.  4) How can I see the pellets? If you shoot against a blue sky (contrasting background to the black pellets), then you can see the pellets and wad for about 3-4 frames. This is more of a "fun" factor rather than a helpful factor. Once the pellets go out about 10 yards, then they are too small to be seen on video. The size of the pellet is smaller than a pixel at that point. With this said, we emphasize to always study your ShotKam videos before the shot is taken. We hope our tutorial videos have been of assistance in the first few weeks of having your ShotKam. If used correctly, the ShotKam will be the tool you need to improve your shooting technique and increase your scores quickly. Contact us: Email: support@shotkam.comPhone: (855) 473 - 5227

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