I bought a Moultrie ReAction camera (Link to Moultrie’s Official product page) to try out and possibly add it to my video arsenal. This 720p HD camera can be mounted in various ways and with a retail price of around $150 is very affordable for any hunter.
It runs off 2 AA batteries and can take up to a 16 Gb SD card. I used an 8 Gb SD card and it says on it’s display that it can record up to 2 1/2 hours of high definition video. It also records sounds and takes still 5 Mb photos. It has a 1.5″ LCD display where you can watch the videos back or if you dare, you can watch it LIVE while you video. I have found that the digital 8X zooms is useless due to how bad the pixels deform while using it. You can see this in one of my test video clips compiled below.
As mentioned before, there are various ways to mount and use the ReAction camera. It comes with a clip that will fix to your hat as shown below. Now to use this, you really have to practice, due to the fact that you might think you are filming in front of you while actually you are filming lower – sometimes your feet. You really have to have your hat pointed in an upward position. You can see this in one of the video clips compiled below.
It also comes with a mounting bracket that allows you to mount it to the rail of a tree stand or something like that. You can then film out in front of you or you can make the ReAction a point of view (POV) camera. I have examples of these options in the video clip below. Since I used a good quality camera to film my hunts, I have been using the ReAction as a POV camera to film me while I am filming the hunt. I really liked this use and this is most likely how I am going to use it.
The other option is to free hand the camera. This works good, but as mentioned before, the 1.5″ LCD display can be challenging to see and once again you have to practice to get the shots you are wanting.
Now I was really disappointed in low light conditions, such as the last 15 minutes during the evening and first 15 minutes in the morning. Then I remembered that this was a $150 camera and that it did not have the technology needed to illuminate those kinds of shots and I quickly got over it. Now, I have 2 videos to demonstrate this condition in the test compilation video below.
Another reason I bought this camera was so that my Dad and 11 year old son can take it with them when they hunt. The idea that they can capture their hunt with an inexpensive camera was very appealing to me. I will have to get my Dad and son to practice, but whatever they video will be worth it. Stay tuned for these videos from them. It should be interesting.
Two of my hunting buddies also bought bought these ReAction cameras and they were nice enough to let me use some of their videos in this test demonstration video. So watch the video below to see all of these examples that I have talked about.
I recommend this camera to any hunter who wants to record that hunting moment. You have to practice with it and for the price and quality of video, can you afford not to buy one and throw it in your bag? Take it hunting and share your adventure with family and friends.