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Every horse rider knows the struggles of getting a good riding video, as they often have to rely on friends and family to record which in return leads to shaky footage.
Fortunately, there are some amazing auto-follow camera mounts for equestrians that will give you top-quality videos of your riding.
So, how do tracking camera mounts work? A motion tracking device is worn by the rider which transmits the location of the rider to the camera mount.
Like a robotic cameraman, the mount automatically follows a device worn by the rider or the horse’s motion to create a steady video where the horse and rider are always in frame.
In addition, some work instead of automatically tracking the moving object in the frame. Most robotic mounts are compatible with all types of cameras, including phones, which is user-friendly to all those whose only camera is their phone.
Here are the 4 best motion tracking camera mounts reviewed:
Why Should I Invest in a Motion Tracking Camera Mount?
Robotic camera mounts are a great training tool for equestrians to use. They allow you to have quality footage of your ride without needing someone to record your lesson for you.
It allows you to easily watch you and your horse with your trainer after your lesson to analyze how your ride went.
What are there Benefits?
- Allows you to analyze you and your horse to help you make progress in your training.
- Does not require a person to hold while recording.
- You can record your ride so you can send it to your instructor for feedback.
- Allows you to get a better understanding of your instructor’s comments, as you can see for yourself what they were talking about.
- Can be used with cameras you already own.
4 Best Auto-Follow Camera Mounts
Pixem
The Pixem is an auto-tracking robot camera mount designed with equestrians in mind. Whether you are inside or outside, you can easily record your ride thanks to the simple setup.
To use the Pixem, all you need to do is set up the three beacons in your arena, wear the watch, hook up your camera and switch on to start recording.
It is compatible with smartphones and tablets, so you don’t need a professional camera to use. With the automatic zoom feature, you will always get the best angle of you and your horse.
Your videos can be live streamed to Facebook and Youtube, so you can share your ride with your friends and family. It also includes live lessons through tv.movensee.com so your instructor can give you feedback in real time through a headset as you ride.
Pros:
- Easy to set up with three beacons and a watch, which can be used indoors and outdoors.
- Compatible with smartphones and tablets and features auto-zoom.
- You can even download a free app to easily control everything, with live lessons available.
- Great for recording horseback riding, along with teaching in classrooms and other sports.
Cons:
- Does not include a tripod, which is sold separately.
Verdict
If it is in your budget, the Pixem is a great addition for any avid equestrian. Unlike other auto-follow systems, it can be used with smartphones and tablets which is not only easy, but also convenient. Every time you use it, you will get a smooth, steady video that guarantees to get the best angles as you record.
See the Pixem here on the Move N’ See website.
Pivo Pod
No need to ask your friend to record your lesson, as the Pivo Pod can do it much better. Compatible with smartphones, it is a convenient and affordable way to film your riding no matter the discipline.
The smart tracking auto-follow always keeps you in view, so you don’t have to worry about going out of frame thanks to the 360 degree rotation.
There are many great features included, from live streaming to video calls, as well as nine creative modes so you can have as much fun as you want. The smart capture feature even lets you take a photo by the snap of your fingers or the sound of your voice.
Once you connect your phone to Pivo Pod, simply download the app and go to the settings to turn on the horse feature. From there you can start your video from the phone or from a handy remote.
Pivo will then follow the motion of your horse as you ride, whether you are walking or cantering. Your trainer can even use the remote to zoom in to focus on different parts of you during your lesson.
Pros:
- Compatible with smartphones both indoors and outdoors.
- You do not need to wear a motion-tracking device for it to follow you.
- Includes a horse specific feature with 360-degree rotation.
- Can be used for other sports, cooking, and meetings, with several creative features.
Cons:
- Tripod is sold separately.
Verdict
The Pivo is a great affordable motion tracking camera mount that can be used with smartphones. It has several different features that allow your creative side to run wild. The 360 degree rotation is ideal for arenas, and there is no need to set up beacons or wear a tracker.
See the Pivo Pod on the Pivo website here.
Pixio
As an official supplier of FEI Dressage, the Pixio is at the top of its class. Just like its counterpart the Pixem, it is an advanced auto-follow robot cameraman that is a dream for equestrians.
The Pixio is designed to be used with any standard camera and camcorders to achieve professional quality auto-follow footage. A multi cable is included that can be used with most Sony cameras.
It is simple to set up and can be used in indoor or outdoor arenas, with the ability to automatically zoom while tracking.
Just like the Pixem, the set up includes three microbeacoms and a wristband for a simple set up auto-follow that always gets the best point of view. An app can easily be downloaded to your phone that can be used as a remote control and your video can easily be edited with any software.
For your convenience, you can live stream your riding lessons with the ability for your trainer to provide instant feedback of your ride.
Pros:
- Can be used with professional quality cameras and camcorders.
- The beacons and watch are easy to set up and can be used indoors and outdoors.
- A free app can be used as a remote control, with the ability for live streaming.
- Ideal for horseback riding, as well as teaching, cooking, and other sports.
Cons:
- The tripod is not included, so it needs to be purchased separate.
- If you are not using a Sony camera, you need to buy a separate cord.
Verdict
The Pixio is a wonderful tool for equestrians to use to improve their skills. If you can fit it into your budget, it is a wonderful option for getting professional-quality footage without hiring a videographer. It is a great option for all disciplines and is even used by professional riders.
See the Pixio here on the Move N’ See website.
Swivl C3
The Swivl works efficiently to track you via a smartphone, tablet, or camera. Whether for riding or teaching a clinic, it rotates automatically to guarantee the best shot.
The Swivl automatically tracks 360 degrees for an easy and effective recording system. The markers capture clear audio as well, which is helpful for listening to your instructors feedback while watching your lesson. Up to four markers can be used at once to capture audio.
It is used primarily for teaching in classrooms and holding meetings, but its abilities go further than that. The Swivl Cloud features unlimited storage for free which is great if you do a lot of recording. In order to use, an app needs to be installed to run the program.
Pros:
- Markers capture clear audio.
- Can be used for live streaming.
- Automatically tracks subjects with 360 degrees range.
- Unlimited storage.
Cons:
- Though it is great for teaching and clinics, its stronghold is not in capturing horseback riding.
- It is on the expensive side.
Verdict
The Swivl is at the top of the class when it comes to recording in teaching and clinics. Though it is not a good choice for horse riding or recording outdoors. It shines for its automatic tracking, unlimited storage, and top-quality audio.
Find the Swivl here on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we feel the best value options for outdoor sports (such as horse riding) is the Pivo (click here to see the Pivo) and the best high-end option is either the Pixio or Pixem.
If you’re wanting a robotic mount to track you indoors in the class, whilst making a tutorial video, or for YouTube video making, the Swivl C is the best.
FAQs
The best GoPro to use for horseback riding is the GoPro HERO7, as it is small, waterproof and can live stream video. It also features “HyperSmooth” image stabilization and 4K video for steady footage that is high quality. It can be attached to a helmet or chest mount.
The best auto-follow camera mount for horseback riding is the Pixio. It is used by many professional equestrian athletes both indoors and outdoors for capturing high-quality footage.
The Pivo Pod is the best budget-friendly auto-follow camera mount for horseback riding. At under $200, it does a great job capturing riding indoors and outdoors with a 360 degree rotation. In addition, it has lots of other fun features that are awesome for creative people.
Yes, auto-tracking camera mounts can be used for all riding disciplines, even jumping.
Yes, you can use auto-follow camera mounts at all gaits while riding. They are best for using at the walk, trot, and canter, as some of them may have a hard time keeping center at a gallop.