Insane Archery Camera Mount

[MoodusHunter]

Insane Archery Camera Mount Review
http://www.insanearchery.com/
By: Fran Nicklous

While doing research on the internet to determine the best and most cost effective way to attempt to video tape my hunting trips, I stumbled upon this camera mount by Insane Archery. I decided to contact the company to determine if they would be willing to send me a camera mount to review for CTHuntingnShooting.com. After several emails back and forth, I found out that the owner/creator, Brian Piltz, has lived in CT in the past and was recently here for the start of the archery season! He told me that a mount was on its way for review and I was already getting anxious waiting for its arrival.

Time for some specs on the mount, coming in at a very light 2.8 ounces and being smaller then a dollar bill in physical size this mount can literally attach to anywhere on the bow with very little effort (see attached instructions). The unit is made from glass filled epoxy and feels durable enough to withstand the abuse of the woods. The unit comes with an arm that pivots to 5 positions enabling the mount to be used by right and left handed shooters. The standard mounting position is by using the bolt for the stabilizer to hold the mount; this is where I mounted mine for testing. But the unit can be connected to the bow through any of the cutouts by using a small bolt and nut (not provided) or even to the sight housing. The unit contains a tripod mount to attach a camera that is able to be slid up and down the arm approximately 5”. For those that shoot a crossbow this unit can also connect to most crossbows on the market.

When I received the package, two days later (way quicker then I expected), I was dumbfounded at how small and light the box was. I ripped the box open like a kid on Christmas and immediately went to my garage to attempt to attach the mount to my bow. And by attempt, what I mean is decide on where to attach the mount to. There are literally more ways to attach this mount then I could even think of. I decided to mount using my stabilizer bolt (see attached picture).

I decided the optimal location was to be straight out over the stabilizer but after shooting several shots with my point and shoot HP camera (2005) I decided that the camera was not good enough for video taping shots beyond 15 yards and the sound quality was very poor. So, having a Canon DVD camcorder I decided to try it out. The camcorder is heavier and taller. The later of which forced me to swivel the mount off to the left side at a 45 degree angle. I thought that placing the camera off to the right made more sense but I found that I could actually adjust the zoom or hit the record button at full draw if I placed it to the left.

Having my camera location selected it was now time to shoot with accuracy in mind not just making videos. The first thing I noticed is the extra weight wanting to pull the bow to the left. This was seen while shooting and having arrows consistent hit left of target by 1-2”. I adjusted my sights to accommodate this outcome and began shooting again. The extra weight is a concern but weight on a bow actually helps you to stabilize and make minor movements while trying to locate your target. Having the camera on the bow I don’t have to worry about aiming a camera then aiming my bow, I do both at the same time with little physical movement. The final thing that I felt was a great side effect of shooting with the camera is that I was forcing myself to hold my shot longer in order to capture the arrow striking my target.

I had proposed 4 recommendations to Brian Piltz for possible improvements for the mount. The following are the recommendations as well as his responses:

1) Supply several rubber washers in order to mount cameras that do not contain as deep of a tripod hole as needed (my Canon DVD camcorder needed two washers that I picked up at the local hardware store for $0.30 a piece). Having several cameras in the house only one needed the addition of the washers to function but it turned out that was the best camera for video taping.
Response:
“I have neoprene washers that I used in the early stages of development because I got an unacceptable amount of shock when I released my arrow. When I modified the material I used for the Swing Arm (from plastic to G-10 Glass Epoxy) I noticed a dramatic decrease in the shock... so I stopped using neoprene washers.”

“I personally don't even use a neoprene washer any more... I found that if you have the camera attached very tight to the swing arm, it works as good or better than with neoprene. Just make sure the camera is attached tightly to the swing arm.”

2) This is closely related to the first, I would like to see that the mount come with a thin (1/16”-1/8”) neoprene sheet glued to the top of the mount. This may eliminate the need for the rubber washers but more then that it helps in reducing noise and vibration and at the same time increasing the friction that helps keep the camera shooting the proper direction.
Response:
“This is a really good idea and one I thought would work great, but throughout the trial it only caused problems.”

“I also looked at using a piece of 1/8" die cut neoprene but in testing it caused some problems. In the slotted area on the swing arm the distance between the slot and the side is thin (1/4" or less) so when you put a camera on it and tried to move the camera, even just a smidge, it would roll up the neoprene. I loved the way it looked and the concept was good but it just wasn't practical. It's much more practical to use a neoprene washer. The reason I don't include one is because throughout my field testing (over 50 units in the field, for 6 mo)... not one person said they needed it. As a matter of fact, I've only had one person mention it over the past year. As a business, the last thing I want to do is add parts that will increase the overall cost - only to have the parts not used.”

3) The third recommendation is related to shooting without a camera installed. I would highly recommend that the mount comes with a nut that can be installed to prevent the tripod mount bolt from being loose and rattling around when a camera is not being used. This would mean I wouldn’t have to remove the mount when I do not wish to shoot with a camera. Again, a quick trip to the hardware store and $0.50 later I solved this problem.
Response:
“How ironic... in the early days I used to ship it with a wing nut but I found that the added weight cost more than the wing nut!! I even looked into getting light weight plastic ones. I'll look into that again. For the record, I have two mounts on my bow and when they don't have a camera attached, I have wing nut on them.”

4) The final recommendation is more of something that could be included in the setup directions. I have my camera off to one side at a 45 degree angle and thus had to determine the best angle/location to attach the camera. Once I found the optimum location and angle, I had no way of marking where the location was. Most people, I would believe to, want to protect their cameras as best they could and thus would not carry their bow in the dark into the woods with the camera attached. I ended up taking a white permanent marker and scribing a line on the camera mount along the camera’s edge to mark where I wanted to mount the camera for up to 30 yard shots.
Response:
“This is a great idea. I usually move the mount(s) all over my bow so it might not work for me. Once I put it on my bow and get the camera in just the right spot on the mount, I crank it down very snug and then I put the swing arm straight forward position and place it in my travel case with the camera still on it. Then when I pull it out to hunt, all I have to do is pull the swing arm into position and turn on the camera... I'm ready to go!”


I’m waiting for the opportunity to upload a video of a shot on a deer and I now bring my camera mount every time I enter the woods. I have videoed several target shots in the yard to date but will wait until the DVD is filled before uploading.

In conclusion this is a fantastic product for the price and for anyone that ever wanted to video some of their own bow hunts this product makes it is easy for you to do so. I have complete praise for Insane Archery in their design and their communication with me as a customer.

[MoodusHunter]

Trying to keep this on top for a little while.

[Andy]

I made this post a sticky so it wont get buried