Bullseye AmmoCam Long Range Edition Review
By Clint Bryant
In the shooting world, the idea of staging some sort of camera at a target's location and then being able to view an image of the target from the shooter's position is not a new one. A handful of companies market target cameras to this end, some that are even capable of transmitting over extreme distances. It's easy for many of these setups to become cumbersome when dealing with all the wiring, cameras, batteries, stands, screens, transmitters and receivers.
Bullseye Camera Systems takes a leap forward with the AmmoCam Long Range Edition by providing a target camera system that is very compact and easy to use yet still able to transmit up to a mile. Furthermore, Bullseye offers the AmmoCam in a package that is priced to beat similar offerings by the competition.
Hardware
The AmmoCam derives its name from the packaging containing the camera and transmitter. The AmmoCam is encased in an MTM Case-Gard ammo box. The target camera is mounted inside the box with the lens protruding slightly through the side. The box also neatly houses the battery pack, charger, collapsible stand and transmitter unit. A custom cut foam block holds all of the contents securely inside the ammo box and provides easy access to switches and plugs. The AmmoCam's ammo box and its contents weigh in at just over 5 pounds.
Bullseye AmmoCam package
The base station receiver unit comes in a separate zippered semi-hard case and weighs a mere 2 pounds. Again, a custom cut piece of foam holds the base station's receiver, battery and charger securely in place. Battery life is advertised as 5-6 hours of run time in between charges. I probably only ever tried pushing the 4 hour mark, but never had a problem with power or charging. The whole package even comes pre-charged and ready for action!
Bullseye also includes laminated cards that clearly lay out step by step instructions on how to get started. Even the technology-impaired can manage without too much difficulty.
Software
Getting started is easy. Bullseye's free Target Manager app and software can be found on the Google Play App Store for Android devices, on the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads, and on Bullseye's website for Windows-based PC's. I have an Android phone, an iPad and a Windows PC, so I decided to try all three downloads. Ten minutes later I had downloaded all three and had installed them on their respective devices.
My 3 platforms - Android, iPad, PC
The trickiest part is connecting your device to the AmmoCam's Wi-Fi network. After turning on both the AmmoCam and the base station, the two devices begin to emit their own wireless signal. The AmmoCam's Wi-Fi signal will show up as an easy to recognize network connection on your device's Wi-Fi or network settings. For example, my AmmoCam's Wi-Fi signal appeared on my devices under the name BullseyeCam 106940. Make sure that your device's Wi-Fi is turned on, then connect your device to the AmmoCam's Wi-Fi network. Once you are connected you can open and use the Bullseye Target Manager app or program.
By Clint Bryant
In the shooting world, the idea of staging some sort of camera at a target's location and then being able to view an image of the target from the shooter's position is not a new one. A handful of companies market target cameras to this end, some that are even capable of transmitting over extreme distances. It's easy for many of these setups to become cumbersome when dealing with all the wiring, cameras, batteries, stands, screens, transmitters and receivers.
Bullseye Camera Systems takes a leap forward with the AmmoCam Long Range Edition by providing a target camera system that is very compact and easy to use yet still able to transmit up to a mile. Furthermore, Bullseye offers the AmmoCam in a package that is priced to beat similar offerings by the competition.
Hardware
The AmmoCam derives its name from the packaging containing the camera and transmitter. The AmmoCam is encased in an MTM Case-Gard ammo box. The target camera is mounted inside the box with the lens protruding slightly through the side. The box also neatly houses the battery pack, charger, collapsible stand and transmitter unit. A custom cut foam block holds all of the contents securely inside the ammo box and provides easy access to switches and plugs. The AmmoCam's ammo box and its contents weigh in at just over 5 pounds.
Bullseye AmmoCam package
The base station receiver unit comes in a separate zippered semi-hard case and weighs a mere 2 pounds. Again, a custom cut piece of foam holds the base station's receiver, battery and charger securely in place. Battery life is advertised as 5-6 hours of run time in between charges. I probably only ever tried pushing the 4 hour mark, but never had a problem with power or charging. The whole package even comes pre-charged and ready for action!
Bullseye also includes laminated cards that clearly lay out step by step instructions on how to get started. Even the technology-impaired can manage without too much difficulty.
The Bullseye AmmoCam Long Range Edition is available at The Long Range Hunting Store - HERE.
Software
Getting started is easy. Bullseye's free Target Manager app and software can be found on the Google Play App Store for Android devices, on the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads, and on Bullseye's website for Windows-based PC's. I have an Android phone, an iPad and a Windows PC, so I decided to try all three downloads. Ten minutes later I had downloaded all three and had installed them on their respective devices.
My 3 platforms - Android, iPad, PC
The trickiest part is connecting your device to the AmmoCam's Wi-Fi network. After turning on both the AmmoCam and the base station, the two devices begin to emit their own wireless signal. The AmmoCam's Wi-Fi signal will show up as an easy to recognize network connection on your device's Wi-Fi or network settings. For example, my AmmoCam's Wi-Fi signal appeared on my devices under the name BullseyeCam 106940. Make sure that your device's Wi-Fi is turned on, then connect your device to the AmmoCam's Wi-Fi network. Once you are connected you can open and use the Bullseye Target Manager app or program.
Bullseye AmmoCam Long Range Edition Review
In the Field
Now the fun part -- trigger time. I tested out the AmmoCam shooting everything from rimfires, varmint cartridges and competition rounds to magnum hunting cartridges. I used the AmmoCam on both paper and steel targets ranging in distance from 50 yards all the way to a mile (1,760 yards). T
he experience of using the AmmoCam while shooting a steel gong at 1 mile was the most impressive. I could watch through my riflescope as the bullet impacted the gong, but the AmmoCam gave precise and immediate feedback as to exactly where my shots were landing. This was very handy as the gong was already riddled with impacts and I didn't put on a new coat of paint before I started shooting. In short, the AmmoCam worked excellent.
AmmoCam set up on 1 mile gong
Setup is easy. First, take the AmmoCam, base station and your viewing device to the target location with you, then turn them all on and set up the camera. Make sure to use your viewing device to double check that the camera is indeed pointed correctly at the target.
I made the mistake once of assuming that I had the camera pointed correctly at the target without checking for sure on my device before going back to my shooting bench. I had to make another run out to the target because it turned out I didn't have the camera aimed properly and could only see half of the target on the screen. It pays to check first. Finally, take the base station and your viewing device back to your rifle and start shooting.
AmmoCam view on iPad of 1 mile gong
Essentially, this is how the AmmoCam works: After firing a shot you press the Show Shot button on your screen. This will take a screenshot or photo of what the camera sees. The Target Manager software then flips back and forth between this photo and the one just prior to it so that any new additions or differences (bullet holes) will appear to blink or flash on the screen. This makes your hits on target very easy to see. Then fire another shot, press the Show Shot button and repeat. At any time during your shooting session you can go back and select previous thumbnails to review your shot progression. As advertised, this "flashing shot" feature works with shotguns and even bow and arrow.
View from 1 mile gong
One thing to consider when shooting at hard surfaces like steel plates is to make sure that the AmmoCam is well away from the target so that it doesn't catch any shrapnel. Then there is the definite worry that a stray bullet might decide to steer off course and add a few ventilation holes to the otherwise airtight AmmoCam. But don't worry. Bullseye offers a protection plan that covers both situations.
Now the fun part -- trigger time. I tested out the AmmoCam shooting everything from rimfires, varmint cartridges and competition rounds to magnum hunting cartridges. I used the AmmoCam on both paper and steel targets ranging in distance from 50 yards all the way to a mile (1,760 yards). T
he experience of using the AmmoCam while shooting a steel gong at 1 mile was the most impressive. I could watch through my riflescope as the bullet impacted the gong, but the AmmoCam gave precise and immediate feedback as to exactly where my shots were landing. This was very handy as the gong was already riddled with impacts and I didn't put on a new coat of paint before I started shooting. In short, the AmmoCam worked excellent.
AmmoCam set up on 1 mile gong
Setup is easy. First, take the AmmoCam, base station and your viewing device to the target location with you, then turn them all on and set up the camera. Make sure to use your viewing device to double check that the camera is indeed pointed correctly at the target.
I made the mistake once of assuming that I had the camera pointed correctly at the target without checking for sure on my device before going back to my shooting bench. I had to make another run out to the target because it turned out I didn't have the camera aimed properly and could only see half of the target on the screen. It pays to check first. Finally, take the base station and your viewing device back to your rifle and start shooting.
AmmoCam view on iPad of 1 mile gong
Essentially, this is how the AmmoCam works: After firing a shot you press the Show Shot button on your screen. This will take a screenshot or photo of what the camera sees. The Target Manager software then flips back and forth between this photo and the one just prior to it so that any new additions or differences (bullet holes) will appear to blink or flash on the screen. This makes your hits on target very easy to see. Then fire another shot, press the Show Shot button and repeat. At any time during your shooting session you can go back and select previous thumbnails to review your shot progression. As advertised, this "flashing shot" feature works with shotguns and even bow and arrow.
View from 1 mile gong
One thing to consider when shooting at hard surfaces like steel plates is to make sure that the AmmoCam is well away from the target so that it doesn't catch any shrapnel. Then there is the definite worry that a stray bullet might decide to steer off course and add a few ventilation holes to the otherwise airtight AmmoCam. But don't worry. Bullseye offers a protection plan that covers both situations.
Bullseye AmmoCam Long Range Edition Review
Observations
It should be noted that the software versions for the three different platforms that I utilized (Android, iPad and PC) are not all created equal. The Windows PC version contains by far the greatest amount of tools and user inputs. With the PC version, you can mark shots with numbers and colors and track shooting sessions by load, rifle, shooter, distance to target and by location. This can all be saved for reference or viewing later.
Target Manager - PC screenshot
The iPad and Android versions are a good step down from the PC version. With my iPad I could save the thumbnails of my shots to my photo album for later viewing, but I could not add any information or edit the thumbnails as I could on the PC. As a side note, I personally preferred using my iPad the best. It was more compact and less cumbersome than a laptop in the field while still offering a larger screen than my phone. The anticipated software upgrade for the iPad platform would make it the all-around champ in my opinion.
My Android phone interface was simpler still. I could review my shots while in the Target Manager app, but could not save them to my phone. Taking a screen shot would be one solution but I still couldn't input additional information as with the PC version.
I asked Nick Skrepetos of Bullseye about the differences in features between the three software versions, and he confirmed that he plans to upgrade the Apple version and then possibly the Android version to the current level of the PC version of the software. In fact, the upgrade for Apple devices will probably be available free of charge from Bullseye before this article is printed.
Nick Skrepetos:
Long Range Hunting Store.
Clint Bryant was born and raised in Southwest Wyoming where he now resides with his wife and two young boys. Aside from God and family, hunting and shooting have always played an important role in his life. His passion is long range shooting and anything related, from helping in his dad's custom rifle shop, to hunting and reloading or just trigger time at the range.
It should be noted that the software versions for the three different platforms that I utilized (Android, iPad and PC) are not all created equal. The Windows PC version contains by far the greatest amount of tools and user inputs. With the PC version, you can mark shots with numbers and colors and track shooting sessions by load, rifle, shooter, distance to target and by location. This can all be saved for reference or viewing later.
Target Manager - PC screenshot
The iPad and Android versions are a good step down from the PC version. With my iPad I could save the thumbnails of my shots to my photo album for later viewing, but I could not add any information or edit the thumbnails as I could on the PC. As a side note, I personally preferred using my iPad the best. It was more compact and less cumbersome than a laptop in the field while still offering a larger screen than my phone. The anticipated software upgrade for the iPad platform would make it the all-around champ in my opinion.
My Android phone interface was simpler still. I could review my shots while in the Target Manager app, but could not save them to my phone. Taking a screen shot would be one solution but I still couldn't input additional information as with the PC version.
I asked Nick Skrepetos of Bullseye about the differences in features between the three software versions, and he confirmed that he plans to upgrade the Apple version and then possibly the Android version to the current level of the PC version of the software. In fact, the upgrade for Apple devices will probably be available free of charge from Bullseye before this article is printed.
Nick Skrepetos:
Long Range Hunting Store.
Clint Bryant was born and raised in Southwest Wyoming where he now resides with his wife and two young boys. Aside from God and family, hunting and shooting have always played an important role in his life. His passion is long range shooting and anything related, from helping in his dad's custom rifle shop, to hunting and reloading or just trigger time at the range.
