This is a discontinued camera
Tactacam Reveal SK Trail Camera | Dual Model SIM (activate for AT&T or Verizon) Review
New Model Coming Soon!
The Tactacam Reveal SK has a dual modem that enables the camera to work on both AT&T and Verizon Towers. It also has a built-in solar panel to harvest the sun and extend the rechargeable battery pack that comes with the camera. The camera put up solid performance in all the different categories but certainly doesn't stand out in any one spot. Overall, this is a solid camera for an affordable price. - TCP Staff
Model #TA-TC-SK | Tactacam Reveal SK Owner's Manual
Trailcampro Comprehensive Score:
79/100
Tactacam Reveal SK Trail Camera Review
Pros
- Efficient battery consumption and the solar will only increase the battery life you see listed here
- Fast setup process
- Dual Modem SIM | Activate for AT&T or Verizon networks
Cons
- Average detection circuit
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Photo resolution: 24 mpxl (interpolated)
Flash Type: No Glow IR
Daytime photos look really good. They have good color and clarity. They don't do anything to really stand out but they are solid and definitely do the trick. The night photos aren't the clearest but are within the spectrum of what you should expect from a no glow cellular trail camera. Again, they don't stand out, but they do stop motion and give a good view of anything in front of the camera. If you are on the hunt for more Tactacam cameras, check out our collection of Tactacam trail cameras for sale.
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Night IR Blur Test The equipment for the test consists of a target moving along a track from left to right at a constant speed controlled by a stepper motor and a sensor to trigger the capture of a picture near the center of the field of view of a trail camera. The target is moving at 1.25 feet per second and is 10 feet from the camera at the center of field of view. The test is conducted in a dark room. Two pictures are taken, one with the target not moving and one with the target in motion. A visual comparison can now be made of the two pictures. All settings that affect the quality of night photos will be tested. |
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Balance No Motion |
Balance W/ Motion |
Max Range No Motion |
Max Range W/ Motion |
Min. Blur No Motion |
Min. Blur W/ Motion |
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What if you purchase from us and aren't happy with the image quality?
This is a common question and we have a very simple solution. Call, email, or chat with us and we can take a look at the images and offer suggestions or immediately tell if something is wrong with the camera. If so, we will warranty the camera for you (with the free 2-Year warranty you receive from us) or return the camera for a full refund (within 90 days of purchase). You have control of the process, remember, we work for you.
Megapixel Ratings:
In the past, many people get confused with the megapixel rating trail camera manufacturers advertise. Companies inflate the mpxl rating to attract eyes to their products. They do this through interpolation, which digitally adds megapixels to a photo without actually improving the picture.
The best way to judge picture quality is to look at actual pictures. You will notice this the most when you zoom in on a full-size image that a camera has taken. The details of the photo will appear hazy or even digitized. This is normal, and to be expected.
Picture & Video Resting Power (on): 1.76 mW
Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption: 32.4 Ws | 40.7 Ws
If this camera were to take 15 day and 15 night pictures every 24 hour period, it would last 3.7 months in the field on the rechargeable battery pack (5219 mAh capacity). Now, this won't be completely accurate because our calculations can't take into account the solar charge that the battery pack would receive from the solar panel mounted on the camera. It is impossible to account for that as there are a hundred variables that could significantly alter it. However, you at least know what a full charge to the battery pack would provide.
Everything considered, this is an efficient cellular trail camera.
Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.56 s. | 29.9 s.
Detection Range & Angle: 80 ft. @ 35.1° detection angle (49.3° field of view)
The trigger speed is very average but the recovery time is quite fast for a cellular trail camera. Keep in mind, recovery time can vary significantly based on the quality of your reception. Detection range is very solid at 80 feet. The detection angle is quite narrower than the field of view. The one upside to that is there should be very few false triggers. Overall, this is a decent detection circuit but certainly not top-notch.
Dimensions: 8.5" x 6" x 3.75"
Battery Type: Comes with a rechargeable battery pack (5219 mAh capacity)
External Battery Jack: 12-volt* (see notes below)
SD Card Size: Up to 32GB
Case Design
The Reveal X stands out as a slightly larger than average cell camera but has a very clever design. The obvious elephant in the room is the solar panel on top of the camera. Tactacam has a slick design for the solar panel being removeable, just in case you want to use it without the panel. This is the first time we have seen this and think it is a smart design.
The latch is large and opens and closes easily. There is a threaded slot on the bottom and back of the camera for a Slate River Mount and a Python Lock bracket on the back of the camera. There is not internal setup screen, so expect to do the setup on the app on your phone.
The camera has a removeable 5-volt solar panel that charges the rechargeable internal battery pack that slides in and out of the camera. The Reveal SK also has a 12-volt external battery jack that will take some explaining. If you plug in an external 5-volt solar charger to this jack, it will continue to charge the internal batteries. If you plug in an external 12-volt solar panel to the battery jack, it will NOT charge the internal batteries. This means, if you use a 12-volt solar panel on the outside of the camera it will need its own 12-volt battery to supply the camera with power.
Camera Setup
With no internal screen, camera setup is primarily done from the Tactacam smartphone app. We found this process to be simple and fast.
- Select the sim card you want to use (ATT or Verizon) and insert it, batteries and sd card into the camera
- Download the Tactacam Reveal app to your phone and create an account.
- Scan the QR code found inside the camera with your phone. Activate the camera in the app.
- Turn the camera to setup. Push and hold the test button while switching the camera to "on." Hold the test button for 5 seconds. This formats the sd card to the camera.
- Wait a little bit, then turn the camera off and back on. Once the camera connects, it will start communicating with the app.
Durability
We have no current concerns about durability but will keep this Tactacam Reveal SK trail camera review updated and things change.
Keep in mind, our 2-year warranty program is your free insurance program in case something goes wrong with a camera you purchase from us. This warranty protects you from any manufacturing defect the camera might experience for two years.
Since 2005, our mission has to been to provide consumers with unbeatable value, advice you can trust, and customer service that exceeds expectations. There are plenty of places you can choose to do business with, if we are lucky enough to earn your support, we promise to give you our undivided attention. Trailcampro has grown each year not only by relying on your happiness but on the assumption that if we blow you away with customer service, you will brag about us to your friends (have you seen our referral/reward program?).
As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to call, email or chat with us. We look forward to helping you find your next trail camera!
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FAQ's: Trail Camera
Q: Will this trail camera trigger on small animals (birds, rodents, etc.)?
A: Trail cameras detect on a combination of heat and movement, so, yes, small mammals will trigger the camera. However, if you are going after smaller warm-blooded mammals, we recommend getting the camera closer to your target. For best performance, place the camera in an area that would enable picture detection from 3 - 20 ft.
Q: Can animals see the infrared flash on this camera?
A: This is somewhat controversial. Humans can't see the flash as the nanometer spectrum is above what the human eye can detect. It's also much harder for an animal to see, but that could depend on the species of animal as different species see in different light spectrums.
Q: Where can I purchase this camera?
A: From us! We hope to woo you with our incredible charm, two-year warranty, 90-day returns, free continental U.S. shipping, and technical expertise.
Seriously, though, we know you have plenty of options of where to spend your hard-earned money. The internet can be the wild, wild, west of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you choose to do business with us, we will go out of our way to make sure you are happy with the camera you select and the service we provide you.
We are passionate about testing and reviewing trail cameras, but most importantly, we are passionate about treating our customers the right way. We do things differently from what you have come to expect from other internet retailers and we hope you give us the opportunity to prove that to you.
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