Hands-free filming with SOLOSHOT
The SOLOSHOT takes the place of having someone hold the camera to record your fun. Once you set it up, it is like having an extra friend along to do all the filming for you. SOLOSHOT has a filming range of up to 2,000 feet and can capture footage at up to 140mph. It has a full 360° panning and a maximum pan speed of 40° per second. The battery that powers the SOLOSHOT is rechargeable and can last up to five hours.
When you are ready to use it, simply attach your camera to the base, extend the tripod, and push the power button on the SOLOSHOT. The base will hold any camcorder or camera up to five pounds that mounts to a standard tripod. You manually set tilt and zoom appropriately on set up and from there SOLOSHOT will take over.
Once you have powered on, hit record, pair your armband with the SOLOSHOT, and you are ready to go. It will follow the armband seamlessly, never missing a shot. You can have more than one SOLOSHOT near each other, as well, because each base will only follow the transmitter that it is paired to.
Hot features
The SOLOSHOT transmitter is super waterproof (in both fresh and salt water), shockproof, and comfortable. It was designed with surfers in mind. And the tripod can extend from two feet to over five. And SOLOSHOT also shines a super bright LED in the direction your camera is pointing so you know that it is working.
SOLOSHOT is ideal for motorsports, snow sports, water sports, land sports, equestrian activities, and novices who do not want to be behind the camera all the time.
Included is the SOLOSHOT base, transmitter, armband, five foot collapsible tripod, travel bag, wall charger, and armband float.
Pros and cons
Call me pessimistic, but at $479, I want a little added security that my tripod is not going to walk away with someone else that notices how super cool it is. SOLOSHOT does offer “security features,” in that your camera can be tethered to the tripod, much as you would chain your bike up at school, but not much else. Note: the hole is there for you to connect your camera to the tripod, but you need to make sure your camera has a way to be tethered.
Also, “The tripod can also be locked to nearby fixed objects (such as a large pieces of driftwood, lifeguard stand, park bench… so be creative!).” After reading some reviews, is not a good description of how any of this prevents someone from cutting your cable and taking your camera and SOLOSHOT with them (granted, I know they would have to bring cutters with them, but with today’s technology shouldn’t there be a GPS chip in it?).
Additionally, while the SOLOSHOT is waterproof, sandproof, and basically environment proof, your (likely expensive) camera is left out in the elements, while you are engaging in activities. So, you might want to think about a cover or case for your camera if you are going to walk off and leave it in the elements, because, if you are holding your camera in your hands, you typically shield it from splashes and gusts of wind, but if you are not right by it, it is exposed. Just a few things to think about, but the idea of not needing a cameraman is extremely useful in many scenarios and could be a lot of fun.
Jennifer Walpole is a Senior Staff Writer at The American Genius and holds a Master's degree in English from the University of Oklahoma. She is a science fiction fanatic and enjoys writing way more than she should. She dreams of being a screenwriter and seeing her work on the big screen in Hollywood one day.