ShotKam News

Bobby Guy — Goose Hunting with ShotKam

Shop Camera Now > We’ve recently had the opportunity to partner with hunting pro and YouTube star, Bobby Guy. In this video, Bobby takes the ShotKam out for the first time on a goose hunt.  Hunting Facts:  A ghillie suit is a type of camouflage clothing designed to resemble a background environment such as foliage, snow, or sand. It is usually a net or cloth garment covered in loose strips of burlap, cloth, or twine, sometimes made to look like leaves and twigs, and decorated with scraps of foliage from the area. Geese don’t see color the way we do. They see red, green, yellow, and blue more vibrantly as a result of their retinas. They also have an extra set of cones, which allows them to see UV radiation. Geese are extremely sensitive to light and glares, so hunters should keep their guns down until ready to shoot. Hunting with the ShotKam:  The ShotKam Camera is 100% weatherproof when the rear cap is ON. It is fine in rain/hunting scenarios, but it is not submersible, so it is not for underwater sports. The removable rear cap can be taken off for charging, then screwed on before shooting in order to protect the USB port from water damage.  The ShotKam automatically comes with a 12 Gauge Quick Release Bracket. We do have sub gauges if needed (20 Ga, 28 Ga, .410, 12 Ga SxS).  Battery life: the ShotKam will last 4-5 hours when hunting.  The ShotKam’s unique light-balancing technology will automatically adjust to varying light conditions, whether indoor or outdoor. The field-of-view is optimized for targets ranging from 5 to 100 yards and is effectively 4x magnified. The zoom cannot be adjusted, so targets beyond 100 yards will look small (equivalent to what they look like with the naked eye). More hunting videos filmed with the ShotKam can be found here.  Follow Bobby on Social Media:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bobby_guy_films/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BobbyguyFilms/ Bobby’s Gear: Franchi Affinity 12 gauge 3 inch shells Modified choke (temporary) - https://www.choketube.com/choke-tube-product-details-R.php?Winchester-Choke-Tubes&mf=9 Muck Boots - https://www.muckbootcompany.com/products/mens-arctic-sport-tall-boots?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Ljov5Lt6AIVk4zICh24EgP6EAAYAiAAEgKAOPD_BwE Sitka Gear - https://www.sitkagear.com/products/dakota-hoody/waterfowl-marsh Under Armor Thermal - https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/search?q=Under+Armour+UA+Men+ColdGear+Infrared+Thermo+Crew+Shirt Thermasole Sole Inserts - https://www.thewarmingstore.com/thermacell-heated-insoles.html Hot Hands - https://hothands.com Wiley X Glasses - https://www.wileyx.com         Shop Camera Now >  

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Shooting Tips from the Pros - Episode 1

In our first episode of Shooting Tips from the Pros, Emily interviews professional trapshooter, Kayle Browning.  In this episode, Kayle answers our customer's most frequently asked questions about trapshooting. What is the difference between American trap, Bunker trap, and International trap? K: "Bunker" trap is a nickname for International trap, so those are the same thing. In Bunker trap, there is an underground bunker with 15 different machines, and the angles are a lot harder (compared to American trap). The targets can variate 45 degrees left or right, and can go up to 3 meters high. In American trap, there is only one machine that isolates, and the height of the targets are the same.  The targets in American trap come out at about 42 MPH, but in Bunker trap, can be about 68 MPH (depending on where you are).  Do you clearly see the target from the beginning of the trap house to where you broke the clay? Kayle uses her ShotKam video to explain her focal point, hold point, and to analyze one of her shots.  By watching Kayle's ShotKam video, we see that once the target comes out of the trap house, her gun (represented by the ShotKam's reticle) does not move. When the target gets above the gun barrel, her eyes go to the target, but the target is not yet clear. As soon as Kayle feels like she's got a clear visual connection, then she'll start her gun moving straight to the target. (See 3:39 in the video to hear the full explanation from Kayle.) Do you prefer fixed or interchangeable chokes? What is your favorite choke size? K: When shooting competitively, I like to use a sporting barrel, as it allows me to interchange my chokes. I use Improved Modified on the bottom for my first shot, then a Full Choke on my top barrel. When hunting, I like to use fixed barrels, particularly the Parcours from Krieghoff. I like to use the Parcours when shooting Sporting Clays and FITASC as well.  What are the best ways to practice at home? K: If you've got a trap machine at home, then that is a great option. If you don't, then there are a few drills you can do at home to practice. You can practice your gun mount in a mirror so you can watch yourself. For example, if you are canting your gun when mounting it, then you will be able to catch this when watching yourself in a mirror. Then, there is the indoor eye drill. You can put different "targets" up on a wall, and mount your gun. When you call "pull", move your eyes to the target first, then move your gun.  The last way (and my favorite) I'd recommend is if you've got a ShotKam - video analysis at home is a great way to "practice". Watch your videos and analyze yourself. Did I make a good move? Did my eyes lead first? The ShotKam is a great way to diagnose yourself while you're at home. To Learn More About Kayle: Visit Kayle's website here: https://www.kaylebrowning.com/ Subscribe to her podcast "Beyond the Podium" (with David Radulovich, World Champion) here: http://beyondthepodiumpodcast.com/ For Apple devices, subscribe to "Beyond the Podium" on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-podium/id1508428247     Shop The ShotKam Camera Now >

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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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