When an updated version of a great product is announced you immediately have the anticipation of what has changed or improved. Like when a sequel to a great movie from the past is about to debut. Will it be as great as the original? But as you know, there is always the possibility of disappointment.
Tactacam introduced the Original Reveal bt Tactacam (now referred to as Gen1) in 2020. The popular camera was flying off the shelves and by midyear, it was very difficult to find one. This was due in part because of the feature-rich price tag of around 100 bucks. This price tag enabled many of the budget limited hunters to experience the advantages of a cellular trail camera.
Rumors began flying in late 2020 that there would be a new version of the camera coming out in May 2021 called the Reveal X. It was foretold that the new camera would be loaded with updated features and come in with a retail price of around $120.00. May rolled around and sure enough, the Reveal X made its debut and began flying off the shelf much like the original Reveal. I was fortunate to order two of the cameras the first week and immediately set one up to see how it compared to its predecessor.
Tactacam Reveal Cellular Trail Camera
The Tactacam Reveal is available in two cellular networks: Verizon and AT&T, with data plans, starting as low as $4 per month. This cellular trail camera is powered by 12 AA batteries and capable of taking 24 MP images. This is the hottest trail camera on the market right!
Retail: $119.99
- AT&T and Verizion models
- 24MP / 12MP / 8MP Photos
- Sub 1/2s Trigger Speeds
- Adjustable Night Illumination at 96+ft
- Detect animals at 96+ft
- One year warranty
What’s the Difference between the Reveal X and the Original Reveal by Tactacam?
The biggest feature you will notice right out of the box is that the Reveal X does not have a built-in display. How strange to omit one of the biggest features, which is great for setting up the camera. Tactacam’s answer is an integrated wifi module that connects to your cell phone through the Reveal mobile application available through Google Play or Apple Store. Tactacam was thinking out of the box on the omitted display because everyone carries around a larger screen in their pocket called a cellular phone. This modification probably saved them money but it makes perfect sense now that I’ve utilized it.
All camera settings can initially be set up with the app through the wifi connection at your hunt site but then controlled remotely through the app with a cellular connection. The one feature that stands out through the wifi connection is previewing the capture area of the camera. Now all the guesswork is gone as you can immediately adjust the camera to exactly where you want to capture a picture or video.
The camera does have a “quick glance” user interface through LED lights accessed behind the cover. It is activated by initially turning the camera to the SETUP position. There are five LEDs, moving from left to right which indicates the status of different functions within the camera.
- Device status – solid green indicates the camera is working properly.
- SD Card Indicator – Green shows a valid SD Card, Red shows no card or an invalid card. A Class 10 card with either 16 or 32 GB is recommended.
- Wifi Status – Blue blinking light indicates the Wifi is not connected, Solid Blue connected. The wifi requires a password which is displayed on the inside of the front cover: Reveal2021
- Battery Level – one to four lights shows the status of the batteries. I recommend Lithium.
- 4G Signal – Four green bars in an increasing pattern indicate the signal strength. A single red bar on the shortest bar indicates no signal/connection
How to Set Up the Reveal X by Tactacam
Initially, setting up the Reveal X by Tactacam for the first time was a little strange. However, within a couple of minutes, I had camera number one setup and operational. Honestly, it is simple once you get the hang of it.
First, you need to register the camera for service, which is quickly accomplished by opening the Reveal app on your phone and then scanning the barcode on the interior door. You should receive a message within a couple of minutes verifying the registration.
Now you are ready for the setup of your camera in the field. This step is a big difference between the Reveal and Reveal X models. On the older model, you would turn the main switch to set up and go through the menu displayed on the screen. As mentioned earlier, with the Reveal X there is no screen so you will utilize the Reveal App and wifi on your phone for setup. Start by moving the switch on the Reveal X from off to the setup selection. Open the wifi connection on your phone and find the corresponding Reveal SSID and connect using the password Reveal2021. To verify connection the wifi LED will change from blinking to solid. Open your account on the app and now you will see the Reveal X camera.
The next step was well thought out, an industry first, and helps you determine the detection zone of your camera. Open the camera connection on your phone to display the detection zone preview live on your camera. There is a red line running through the middle indicating the optimal detection area where the camera is pointing. Adjust the image to your satisfaction by centering the red line. To review what a picture will look like when transmitted to the App push the Test button and a photo will immediately be sent to your phone. Continue to adjust the settings on the camera or move the switch to the On position and the camera is operational.
Features of the Reveal X by Tactacam
Pictures are color during the day and black and white at night. For a camera, with a 120-dollar retail price tag, the pictures are superb and rival some cameras I own costing two to three times as much. Photos are stamped with the battery level, moon phase, temperature in F and C, the date, and time. When accessing through the app on your phone pictures also include an easy-to-read overview in white lettering showing the date and time, property location as well as camera name. For night pictures there are two settings that help in capturing better pictures. Night mode utilizes three settings, Max range compensates for the darkness and offers better night vision IR flash range, Balance is the amount of flash with the range of the animal, and Min Blur cuts down on blur of the nighttime picture through exposure. Flash power can also be set to High or Low. If your camera is further away from a trail or where deer most often show up then the high setting is best. If the camera is set up closer to a trail a low setting will aid in eliminating wash out.
When a picture is captured if you have alerts set up on your phone it’s like being a kid on Christmas morning with each picture. The picture being received is not a full HD picture but only a detailed thumbnail image. HD Photos can be sent, but are only supported in limited locations. If the camera is set to video, like the photo, only a thumbnail photo is sent. It will require a trip to the camera location to retrieve the video via the SD Card.
Image Resolution:
The Reveal X allows for photo or video selection. Photo image sizes are 8, 12, and 16 megapixels with a default of 8. In comparison, the original Reveal supported 8, 12, and 24 megapixels. Interesting as to why the downgrade is the highest picture size? After running both cameras for a couple of months, I see no advantage in the quality of thumbnail pictures I received on my phone. Both cameras do an adequate job. Speaking of pictures there is an additional feature on the Reveal X, called Check-In Picture. The camera always will check in once a day to indicate it is working. With this feature activated, when the camera checks in it will verify it is working by sending a picture.
Video Quality:
For video, the Reveal X allows for FHD-1080P, HD720, or WVGA. The higher the resolution the less video an SD Card can capture. The video length can be set from 5 to 59 seconds. Photos as noted earlier can be captured in 8, 12, and 16 megapixels. Up to three images can be captured per detection and the interval between multi-shot can be set from 0, 1, or 2 seconds.
How is the Battery Life on the Reveal X by Tactacam?
The Reveal X requires 12 batteries, just like the Reveal but with one major advantage. The battery compartment is separate and ejects out the bottom of the camera for easier access and changeability. The Reveal X is rated at 3500 pictures on alkaline batteries, 4000 pictures on lithium. I prefer lithium and only run Energizers, which have served me well on several camera manufacturers over the years. The new design also allows for a smaller latch/door on the Reveal X. The nice feature about the new latch is it includes a loop for a locking cable where the original Reveal did not. The old model could be locked to a tree using a locking cable through the back but still allowed the door to be accessed and theft of the SD Card.
The Reveal X does have the option of being powered from an external power source. The 12V input can be from an external battery source or solar panel. In very remote areas I prefer to use a solar panel with an integrated 12-volt power source then I do not have to worry about changing batteries.
Other Notable Features:
Viewing photos:
You’ll need to remove the SD card from the Reveal X to review photos. In order to save cost and provide a better product for the money, they removed the large LCD screen from the original Reveal. I think this was a smart move and it’s a feature that isn’t as practical as many trail camera companies would have you believe.
Multi-Shot:
Multi-Shot can capture up to 5 photos when the sensor is tripped, but only the second picture is sent to your phone. The others are captured on the SD Card.
DelayTimer:
The delay is the actual time between photographs when the sensor detects motion. The setting can be as little as five seconds up to 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
Work Timer:
When the work timer is activated the camera will only take pictures between a start and end time. For example, if you use the Reveal X as a security camera and only want the camera operational during the nighttime. It’s also good if you don’t care what walks by your camera at night. I’ve heard of people using this feature when running cellular cameras over a feeder.
Motion Sensitivity:
The sensitivity detection is adjustable from 1 to 9 with a default of 7. The manual states a range of 96 plus feet and I am pushing that distance with one of my cameras set up next to an elevated dry creekbank crossing. I placed the camera in this position and maxed the sensitivity to get a good understanding of which trail they are frequenting. Now the original Reveal has three settings, High, Medium, and Low. Which camera performs better? I had both set up on the same tree and the results were very similar for both cameras. I rotated the cameras with the lower one being about three feet high and the other just above it, allowing for antenna clearance. What was interesting is that whatever camera was higher on the tree seemed to be more sensitive. There is a difference in where the IR detection sensor is located on the two cameras. The IR sensor on the X is located above the camera lens, where on the original it was located about an inch below the lens.
Trigger Speed:
The trigger speed is ½ second and is more than adequate on most of my pictures. It captures the subject within the middle third of the frame in most circumstances. I have captured pictures of running deer, but usually only the back half. I will stress that there are a lot of variables that contribute to the equation, but for the most part, 90 plus percent of pictures are captured within the viewing frame. The trigger speed is the same as the original Reveal and there is no significant difference in capture times.
Phone Interface:
The easy-to-use Android interface on my phone allows me to make changes to the camera at a moment’s notice. With a few clicks on the menu, I can instantly review each of the camera’s specific details such as battery level, Cellular Signal Strength, SD Card status, and even temperature. Any changes that are made to the settings on the camera are delivered within a 24-hour timeframe. The reason for this is the camera will check in for updates once in a 24-hour period if no motion or pictures are captured.
Cameras are set up individually and the pictures can be placed in their own folders. For example, I have three cameras, each identified by name with their own folder. When accessed from my phone I can look at the picture of each camera individually via their folder or view all pictures at one time, scrolling through the sequence they were taken.
The great feature of the interface is that you will receive a notification on your phone when a picture is captured and delivered. Any setting that I can set on the camera manually can be set from the phone interface as well. I can also email or text individual pictures to family or friends.
Mounting can be accomplished by utilizing the included cinch strap or by the two tripod mounting options located on the bottom or back of the unit. It was nice to see the multiple tripod mounting options as I use a small screw in tripod mount for locating high in trees.
PROS:
CONS:
Which Cellular Providers Work w/ the Reveal by Tactacam?
Verizon and AT&T are the two providers which the Reveal X 4G supports. I chose Verizon since I am familiar with its coverage areas. Two of my hunting areas are remote and both have no issues transmitting pictures. I have an older Reveal and Reveal X in the same location and the antenna signal is identical from both. The Reveal X has a solid cutout antenna with a textured pattern compared to the smooth design of the Reveal. The other difference in antenna design is the Reveal connects on the top of the case and the Reveal X out the side.
The Cellular plan is billed through Tactacam and is dependent on the number of pictures per month per camera. There are three plans available and the billing cycle can either be yearling or monthly. The yearly plans are billed upfront, and depending on the plan chosen can save you from approximately 8 to 12 percent. Here is a breakdown of each plan and the cost.
- Pro Plan: Unlimited pictures per month, $120 yearly, or $13 billed monthly for the initial camera. If you add additional cameras each camera is $96 dollars yearly or $12 dollars monthly.
- Intermediate plan: 500 photos per camera per month. $85 yearly or $8 monthly. Each additional camera is $75 yearly or $7.50 dollar monthly.
- Starter Plan: 250 photos per camera per month. $55 yearly or $5 monthly. There is no discount for additional cameras.
- Monthly plans can be stopped/paused at any time.
Tactacam Reveal Cellular Trail Camera Summary
So, what are my final thoughts about the Reveal X? When I first set it up, I didn’t think it was very easy compared to the original model. But now that I had a chance to play and set up several cameras, I believe Tactacam was thinking out of the box as I noted earlier. The Reveal X does not have a screen, but it isn’t really needed because you can link to it at any time with the app through your cell phone to make changes or view pictures. Does the less image quality of 16 vs 24 megapixels make a difference? Not really because most of the pictures that I review are always on my phone and are sent at a reduced resolution. I can request HD pictures sent to my phone, with additional charges, but I do not really feel it is necessary.
In conclusion, I really like the new features of the Reveal X, the new quick setup and visualization through wifi, a much better battery compartment design with easy access, lockable cable design which also deters removing the SD Card and is slightly smaller in size. I believe others must feel the same way because the new Reveal X, like its predecessor, has become hard to find! But wait, I have been informed that later this year Tactacam will be releasing the Reveal SK with dual antenna, blackout flash, and GPS tracking.
https://www.huntinggeardeals.com/tactacam-reveal-sk-cellular-trail-camera-review/
Ready to buy? Finding the Tactacam Reveal X Cellular Trail Camera in stock won’t be easy but we are constantly scouring the web in search of the best in-stock price. Click here to find it!
David Conrad is an outdoor enthusiast with over 35 years of outdoor and hunting experience. He has a passion for bowhunting that he enjoys to share with family and friends. To him bowhunting is a 365 day adventure.
Thanks to David Conrad for writing this unpaid gear review. Hunting Gear Deals is funded by affiliate commissions. We may receive a small commission when you buy from our partners using the links provided. There is no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting us by using our links when making your purchases.
