Tactacam Reveal X 3.0 vs Pro 3.0 vs Ultra: which Reveal for which tree

Spec sheet, side by side

What's the same: "sub-1/2 s trigger," 4K/2.5K photo modes, 1080p video, 12 AA, DC 12V input, LTE with major networks, built-in GPS, one-year warranty from activation, and the same Reveal plans. What Tactacam doesn't publish for any of them: a measured trigger, a recovery time, or LED count. That leaves flash type, range and features as the entire decision.

Flash: 96 ft low-glow vs 80 ft no-glow vs both

Tactacam's numbers, from its product pages: X 3.0 low-glow to 96 ft; Pro 3.0 no-glow to 80 ft; Ultra selectable, 96 ft on low-glow and 80 ft on no-glow. That's the cleanest demonstration on this site of what invisibility costs: 16 feet, inside one brand's own line. Tactacam's comparison post adds that the Pro 3.0 has "shorter battery life than X 3.0 depending on settings," because a no-glow array pulls harder, and describes the X 3.0's battery life as "excellent."

Screen, video, storage, GPS

• Screen. Pro 3.0 and Ultra have a 2-inch LCD with live aiming; the X 3.0 has none and aims via Wi-Fi in the app. With a screen you can set and aim without a phone.
• Video. Per Tactacam's comparison, the X 3.0 has "no on demand video - although video can be requested"; the Pro 3.0 has on-demand, audio-enabled video; the Ultra adds live video streaming. All three shoot 1080p clips at 10, 15 or 30 seconds.
• Storage. X 3.0 and Pro 3.0 use an SD card. The Ultra has 16GB internal storage with an optional SD slot.
• GPS. All three have built-in GPS for the map. The Ultra's "GPS battery back-up" keeps sending coordinates for weeks after power loss and alerts you if the camera moves more than half a mile, per Tactacam. That is the single feature that justifies the Ultra on a set that gets visited by other people; the rest is in how to keep a camera from being stolen.

The plan is identical

Every Reveal uses the same tiers: Starter $5/mo or $55/yr (250 photos), Intermediate $8/mo or $85/yr (500), Pro $13/mo or $120/yr (unlimited), additional cameras at $5 / $7.50 / $12 per month respectively, and the Xtra add-on at $4/$7/$9 per month for one, two, or three-plus cameras on the account. Xtra is what unlocks unlimited HD photo and video requests, on-demand and TactaColor, so a Pro 3.0 or Ultra owner who wants the on-demand video those cameras advertise should plan on Xtra. Details and worked totals: Tactacam Reveal plans explained.

Which Reveal for which tree

• Feeder or scrape on private ground, long deployment: X 3.0.
• Public land crossing, pressured bucks: Pro 3.0.
• Gate, driveway, cabin, or any set where theft is plausible: Ultra.
• Mixed sets, one model: Ultra in whichever flash mode each tree needs.
• Three or more cameras: any of them; the account-wide Xtra add-on is the reason to stay inside one brand.

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