A bowhunter or archer accomplishes his goal on the ground with extraordinary gear, expertise, and consistent passion.
If a person gets an opportunity to record those shots and to relive those moments later, it will be no less than a godsend. Thus, we have reviewed some excellent cameras that can be mounted on bows, guns, and rifles, so you can share your favorite shots with others and flaunt your skills.
Also, learn some tips and hacks to buy the right product and mount it on the bow correctly.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Bow Mounted Cameras
- OUR TOP PICK: iON CamoCam 1026
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: GoPro HERO8
- EDITOR'S PICK: Tactacam Solo Hunter Package
Comparison of the Best Bow Mounted Cameras
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Best Budget Option  |
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What is a Bow Mounted Camera?
It's a camera that clamps on the bow by the support of a holder or a mount. With a high-quality lens, it captures all the activities occurring on the site. Upon mounting it on the bow or firearm, you can film, save images and videos of the shots, and watch them whenever you wish.
It is powered by lithium rechargeable batteries that perform excellently for two to three hours on a single charge.
What Makes a Camera Great for Bow Hunting?
Mounting a camera on the bow can do wonders for a shooter. Here’s what makes bow-mounted cameras ideal for bow hunting:
Vast Memory
Cameras support expansive SD cards; some even provide cloud storage to record as many videos as you wish. Therefore, you don't have to worry about storing capacity and can carry on capturing shot after shot on longer trips.
High-Resolution Lens
It is the lens resolution that enables cameras to yield exceptionally crystal-clear images and videos. With such lenses, you can capture detailed footage at high resolution and view it later so you can judge exactly what you need to change to become better.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Most bow-mounted cameras offer wireless connectivity in the form of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In either form, this feature acts as a great way of sharing, transferring, and uploading data to friends, family, and social networking sites.
Even some Wi-Fi-supported models allow live streaming of the video or the actions captured in real-time.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
Memory: The amount of digital memory either onboard, via SD card, or Cloud storage for images and videos. This is measured in gigabytes (GB) or megabytes (MB)
Resolution(Video/Still Image MP): The quality of the images is called resolution. Video is usually measured in pixels (p) while still images are listed in megapixels (MP). The number refers to how many pixels are captured.
Connectivity Options (WiFi/Bluetooth/Cell Signal): Cameras can connect to the internet in several ways to store or share images and video. Some bow cameras are equipped with one or more of these connectivity options.
Dimensions(L x W x H): The actual dimensions of the camera.
Weight: The weight of a camera is important since it attaches to a bow, making it heavier.
Battery Life: This is how long, on average, the battery will typically last before needing to be replaced/recharged.
Max Zoom: This number tells you the degree to which the field of view can be enlarged to make an image larger and appear.
Review of the Best Bow Mounted Cameras
Among all the bow-mounted cameras introduced on the market, it is somewhat tricky to trust any product since not all of them work as promised. Therefore, we suggest you look at our picks and consider their features and drawbacks if you wish to invest in the right model.
Best Overall:
iON CamoCam 1026
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
All the buyers seemed satisfied with the sharpness and resolution of this camera. They got super crisp videos and pictures every time they used it. Due to the loose bracket, many people had to fix the orientation of the camera intermittently. The camouflaged exterior also gained much appreciation from users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product not only records your archery session but also allows you to transfer the filmed videos to your smartphones or tablets on the go. For this, it features Wi-Fi PODZ connectivity and an iON app that encourages the users to share every fun moment with their loved ones.
The unit is manufactured with unmatched intelligence. While the interior involves features to capture videos brilliantly, the outer surface is also exceptional. The camouflage shell ensures the camera does not appear prominent or notable out in the wild.
Also, the shell is waterproof and all-weather-safe. Therefore, the camera will be suitable for rigorous outdoor usage.
Bottom Line
Since it is equipped with a 14 MP lens, this camera by iON can capture videos at a 1080p resolution. You can save these videos on cloud storage with ten GB space. Moreover, it is Wi-Fi-enabled, along with a camouflage-printed exterior that is ideal for hunting purposes.
Product Specs
Memory:
10GB Cloud storage
Resolution:
Video 1080p /Still Image 14MP
Connectivity Options:
Dimensions:
Wi-Fi
5.52 x 8.51 x 3.19"
Weight:
1.3 lbs
Battery Life:
2.5 hours
Max Zoom:
4.6x
Best for the Money:
GoPro HERO8
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many people say that this unit has many features that cater to a vlogger's or a documentary director's requirements. Some customers were disappointed by the battery life, but the ease of use and recharging overcame this issue. People were impressed by its overall performance. On the whole, it shoots astounding videos that can also be shared on multiple social media platforms.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The camera is compatible with the GoPro app, which offers more than just sharing, transferring, and uploading the content. It supports live streaming so you can share live moments from the field directly on social media sites.
The TimeWarp feature provides a range of time adjustment options to record at different speeds and frame rates too. The camera has a built-in stabilizer that has three levels: low, mid, and high. These levels guarantee distortion-free results.
People can crop or select the desired part from the recording to save or share. The recorder keeps on recording the video for another 1.5 seconds after the stop button is pressed. This is to ensure that no detail is missed, and the video cuts smoothly.
Bottom Line
Make the most out of this unit by GoPro that lets you connect with your social media via live session. You can save HD footage and minimize jerks in your videos with the outstanding stabilizer.
Product Specs
Memory:
SD up to 256GB
Resolution:
Video 4K UHD 2160p /Still Image 12MP
Connectivity Options:
Dimensions:
Bluetooth
1.14 x 1.89 x 2.6"
Weight:
0.275 lbs
Battery Life:
50 mins
Max Zoom:
1x
Editor's Pick:
Tactacam Solo Hunter Package
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Several buyers used this unit in low or dim light conditions. They report that the camera produces great-quality videos in such difficult situations. Another thing that caught the attention of the buyers was the audio recording quality. They reported that they used this equipment in different weather conditions, and it did not disappoint them even once.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We think that this Tactacam camera has a rather outstanding and impressive construction quality. It has a light sensor that instantly adjusts the light and brightness level according to the surroundings' brightness. This feature makes this unit useful for shooting videos in different light environments.
It records footage in 1080p HD resolution at 30fps. As a result, it promises ultra-clear and aberration-free videos. All the recorded content can be shared with your friends and family via the Tactacam app, which is quite easy to operate. Besides capturing footage, it also records audio to make the videos realistic.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, this camera is weather-safe and ready to survive harsh weather conditions. Besides, the picture quality is excellent, which adds great value to your money. With its sturdy construction, the diverse functionality, and high-quality audio recording, this unit is surely one of the best.
Product Specs
Memory:
SD card
Resolution:
Video 1080p /Still Image 14MP
Connectivity Options:
Dimensions:
Wi-Fi, USB
9 x 6.5 x 5"
Weight:
1.3 lbs
Battery Life:
2.5 hours
Max Zoom:
3x
4. Tactacam 4.0 4335023957
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers were happy with this camcorder. They reported many benefits of buying this product, including the awe-inspiring video quality. Moreover, people were really happy to have numerous components or accessories along with the camera that also did not cost extra. The slo-mo mode was loved by the pros or people who needed to share their videos on social media, and they loved it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
With a high-quality lens, the camera enables the user to zoom in and enjoy a 5x magnified view of the subject. It provides three unique recording modes, 2.7K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps and 720 at 120fps. The different frame rates allow versatility in video shooting, making this a worthy investment.
The light sensor technology incorporated in this camera maintains the quality and clarity of the images in bright, as well as lowly lit conditions. The camcorder not only captures HD videos but also records the audio using a 360-degree microphone. Most importantly, the camera is backed by a generous one-year warranty.
Bottom Line
The 5x zoom-enabled HD lens in this unit leaves the user with high-quality videos. The Tactacam app gives the user complete access to view and shares the content via the Wi-Fi feature. It is easy-to-use and will work the best for beginners, as well as pro-level shooters and bowhunters.
Product Specs
Memory:
Micro SD card up to 64 GB
Resolution:
Video 720p, 2.7k HD
Connectivity Options:
Dimensions:
Wi-Fi
9.2 x 6.5 x 5.1
Weight:
1 lb
Battery Life:
2-2.5 hours
Max Zoom:
5x
Best Bow Mounted Video Camera:
Tactacam 5.0 Hunting Action Camera
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers were particularly happy with the advanced remote synchronization that allowed them to use the camera from a distance as well. Apart from this, they loved the other built-in features like time-lapse recording, which they used for creating aesthetic videos and content.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Using this Tactacam unit is a piece of cake. It has an advanced yet user-friendly manual mode where all the settings are under your control. Besides this, it also comes with a remote that can instruct the camera to act accordingly. The green LED on the remote shows the recording status.
A sensor in this unit powers off the functions in three minutes after it detects zero activity. So, if you forget to turn off the unit, its sensor will do it for you and save the battery. By connecting the camera with the mobile app, you can manage, preview, download, and delete saved data and even enjoy live streaming.
Bottom Line
Overall, this camera is great for intermediate-level videographers who want to shoot out in the wild. Bowhunters will like to equip this lightweight camcorder on the bow and make their hunting excursions more thrilling and unforgettable.
Product Specs
Memory:
SD up to 64GB
Resolution:
Video 720p 4k
Connectivity Options:
Dimensions:
USB
9 x 4 x 6
Weight:
1.25 lbs
Battery Life:
2.5 hours
Max Zoom:
8x
How to Choose a Bow Mounted Camera
Buying a bow-mounted camera is not as simple as you imagine. Some aspects hold critical importance and greatly impact the overall performance of the user. If you are new to bow-mounted cameras, you need to take great care of these fundamental aspects.
Dimensions
Since the camera is supposed to be fixed on the bow, the dimensions and style should precisely fit the bow. It should also not add much more weight to your bow and makes the whole experience inconvenient.
Output Resolution
Never compromise on the quality of the videos and pictures the camera takes. Poor resolution ruins the footage and can be a huge waste of money. It is not difficult to find high-quality video cameras in a good price range with advanced technology. You should prefer cameras that can capture 1080p or 720p resolution videos.
Zooming Ability
If you intend to hunt deer, elk, or any game that needs you to make a target from a long distance, you should go for cameras that come with higher magnification power. This will allow you to get a clearer image with more details.
Weatherproof Coverage
The camera's exterior should withstand heat, dust particles, and water droplets, and it should resist corrosion. Thus, before selecting a camera, make sure it can be used in any weather and that it comes with a longer lifespan.
Bow Mounted Camera Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Success
You purchased a quality camera for the bow, but are you sure this is enough to attain the desired result?
The way you mount it on the bow and use it also matters and influences the unit's performance. Following are some tips and tricks that can double the fun and make handling such cameras easier.
Battery Life
Before getting started, check the battery status, and make sure it is fully charged to shoot your whole hunting trip conveniently. With little charging, a camera can stop anywhere in the middle of the recording, which can be irritating and a lot of hassle too.
Mount it in a User-Friendly Position
Don't mount the camera in a difficult-to-access location. You must be able to reach the buttons and all the functions easily. We recommend assessing your camera and the bow's design to see where the unit will fit better. Using the user manual or watching tutorials might also help choose a good mounting position.
Keep it Close to the Bow
Leave a narrow, parallel gap between the bow and the camera. The closer you align it to the bow, the more precisely it shoots the video.
Employ a Shock-Absorbing Stabilizer
First, a camera should have the ability to dampen shocks and record less jumpy videos. This stabilizer feature usually comes built-in with most good-quality cameras. Still, if it undergoes shock and jerks due to the bow's impact, buy a stabilizer separately and use that.
iON CamoCam 1026
How to Mount a Tactacam Camera to Your Bow
Mounting a camera on your bow is very easy. Below are some steps to fix or mount a Tactacam camera along with a stabilizer on the bow. All you need to have is an Allen wrench for this task.
- First, using the wrench, remove the thumb screw attaching the camcorder with the stabilizer, and set the two items apart.
- Locate the stabilizer on the bow, facing the screw downward.
- Tighten the bolts of the stabilizer.
- Place the camera inside the stabilizer.
- Tip: Keep the buttons accessible through the openings.
- Once the camera's orientation is done, insert the thumbscrew, and tighten it as well.
- Test the camera before using it.
Attaching a camera hardly takes any time. For more assistance, refer to the video below:
Conclusion
Bow-mounted cameras are integrated with advanced light sensors and Wi-Fi technologies that increase the productivity of a hunter or archer immensely. Hence, you can film the video at any hour of the day and share it with others. Our detailed reviews of the best products available on the market should help you choose the most suitable one for yourselves.
People Also Ask
Beginners may find it hard to understand bow-mounted cameras, their working, and other technicalities.
If you want to get more information and have more queries about these cameras, go through this section that might give you the answers.
How Does a Bow Mounted Camera Work?
Both bow-mounted cameras and normal cameras work in the same manner, and only have a slight difference in the design. Compared to the ones that mount on a bow or any archery equipment, normal cameras are hand-held.
Bow-mounted cameras have buttons for powering the device and turning on/off the recording. Mostly, they are shock-proof to prevent the impact of recoil. Shock-resistance is uncommon in ordinary cameras.
What is a Stabilizer Mount?
A stabilizer mount is like a holder used to hold down the camera and diminish the impact of a gun or bow shots. It keeps the camera in place and prevents jerks from occurring in the images or videos.
How Much Does a Bow Mounted Camera Cost?
The price of a bow-mounted camera starts from $200 and goes higher as the number of features and construction quality increases. High-end models cost around $500.
How Much Weight Does a Camera Add to Your Bow?
These units can weigh anywhere from one to two pounds. If you use a stabilizer, it will increase the load on the bow. Therefore, it's better to opt for lightweight cameras that preferably have built-in stabilizers.
Are Bow Mounted Cameras Waterproof?
It depends on the construction of the camera. Some units are fully waterproof and can be submerged in water. But there are water-resistant models, meaning they sustain only a certain limit of humidity or moisture.
