Tactacam Reveal Ultra First Look: New Features, Specs & Early Impressions

We’ve only had the Tactacam Reveal Ultra for a few weeks, so this isn’t one of our usual deep-dive reviews. But since a lot of you have been asking about it, we wanted to give you the key features, share some first impressions, and help you decide if it’s worth checking out this season.

Let’s dive right into the good stuff.

What’s New on the Tactacam Reveal Ultra?

Tactacam made several significant upgrades for the Ultra, and here’s what stands out:

Dual Flash: Low-Glow & No-Glow

The Ultra now gives you the option to choose between low-glow and no-glow flash.

That means you can set it up to avoid spooking deer or other wildlife with any visible flash when it takes a photo at night. It’s also great if you’re using the camera for security because it makes it much harder for people to detect.

Active GPS Tracking

Active GPS Tracking is one of the most interesting new features. While lots of cameras have GPS so you can find them when powered on, the Reveal Ultra has a backup GPS battery.

This feature allows it to send a location even when the camera’s off or loses power. If someone steals it, you’re not stuck waiting for it to come back on — you can track it down.

Tactacam’s site says it can last for “weeks,” while another source says “up to 72 hours.” In our early testing, the results have been mixed:

• It didn’t send alerts every time the camera moved to different locations.
• When it did, it was several hours later — not the immediate ping we expected.
• You’ll see in the app if Active GPS is active, and you can track it on a map, but it doesn’t always show the live location. Instead, it shows the last known spot and a line to the new one — but it can take a while to update.
• According to Tactacam, the Reveal Ultra should send updates every 6 hours.

Pro Tip: If you’re not getting alerts, make sure to go into your account settings and turn on Active GPS alerts. That’s what finally got the alerts working for us.

Live Video Streaming

Live Video is the feature I’m most excited about. Yep — live streaming video and audio straight to your phone.

You can check the area around your stand before walking in, or if you get a photo alert, you can jump into the action and see what’s going on in real-time.

So far, it’s not the fastest process, and it might take a couple of tries to connect. Also, it costs an extra $6 per month, so keep that in mind.

New Camo Pattern

Tactacam updated the camo pattern to help break up the camera’s outline against a tree, making it even harder for wildlife — or trespassers — to spot.

Key Features That Carried Over

Not everything’s new, but it’s worth pointing out some of the solid features we’ve always liked on Tactacam cameras:

• High-quality photos and video. The images in the app are compressed for fast viewing, but you can request HD versions (for an extra fee) that look noticeably better.
• Sub-0.5-second trigger speed for photos. We tested it by running past the camera, and it did well — though we noticed it needs motion toward the middle of the frame, especially at longer distances, to trigger consistently.
• The LCD screen facilitates more straightforward setup and camera aiming, eliminating the need for guesswork.

• WiFi live view setup to check your camera angle in real-time through the app.
• It runs on 12 AA batteries (lithium recommended).
  • You can also connect a 12V battery or Tactacam’s rechargeable lithium cartridge.
  • New this year is a folding solar panel and battery belt accessory — we haven’t tested those yet, but they look promising.
• Waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof. Just make sure you seat the antenna properly and clean the seal before closing the door.
• Mounting options include an included strap or threaded ports for tree mounts and stakes.
• 16GB internal memory, so it’ll still capture photos even if you forget your SD card. (Not that we've ever done that!)
• Integrated SIM card that automatically connects to the strongest LTE network in your area.

Reveal Ultra Specs

FeatureSpec

Photo Resolution              24MP (HD download optional)

Video Resolution              1080p

Flash Type                        Selectable Low-Glow or No-Glow

Flash Range                      Up to 96 ft

Trigger Speed (photo)     Sub 0.5 sec

Detection Range              Up to 100 ft

Memory                            16GB internal + SD slot (up to 32GB)

Battery                              12 AA or external 12V/lithium

Live Video                         Yes (extra $6/month)

GPS                                    Active GPS with a backup battery

Price                                  MSRP $199

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Q: What sets this camera apart from their other cellular trail cameras?

A: The answer to that seems to be in the new features. If you really want the live view feature so you can be there even if you're not or you are planning to hang it in a spot you'd worry about a thief, this camera could have the exact new features you want. And don't forget the "No Glow" feature that eliminates any kind of flash for night pictures.

Q: Is the Live View feature easy to use?

A: Yes, but it does cost an extra $6 / month and seems to require good cell service on both ends for it to actually work. If your hunting area has sketchy cell service, the live view feature may not work well for you. Other than that, open the app, click on the Live View and let it connect! Then you can sit back in your recliner with some popcorn and watch the action.

Final Thoughts

The Tactacam Reveal Ultra brings some genuinely cool new features to the table — especially live video streaming and Active GPS tracking.

That said, some of those features (like GPS alerts) weren’t quite as reliable or fast as we hoped in our early testing. And while it’s not the cheapest option out there, it is one of the most feature-packed trail cameras available right now.

We’ll keep testing it in the field this season and report back with a full review later.

Stay tuned — we’ve got more trail cam reviews and a big cellular camera comparison video coming soon!

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