Reviews Triggercam 2.1: It Won’t Win You an Oscar, But It Could Make You a Better Shooter David Lane March 4, 2026 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. The development of the Triggercam started over a decade ago in South Africa and, based on all indications, was initially meant to serve as a means for South African guides and professional hunters to record hunts for clients. Over the past few years, creator Eyecam Technologies has refined the unit into the Triggercam 2.1 and, in doing so, caught the attention of not only hunters worldwide, but also precision shooters, professional coaches, and instructors. What originated as an accessory to capture a moment afield — to record a memory that will live forever — has grown into what is considered an essential tool for any shooter serious about becoming better. Much like how an NFL coaching staff reviews footage to pinpoint areas in which the team can improve, individual shooters and instructors and coaches alike can watch — thanks to the Triggercam 2.1 — via either live streaming or recorded footage and then determine categories in which a shooter can make corrections. Yes, the Triggercam 2.1 has also become a favorite peripheral for content creators as well. Professional competitive shooter, former Marine sniper, and instructor Phillip Velayo has made great use of the Triggercam 2.1 on all his channels and during his classes. He’s even taken it along on NRL Hunt matches and shares footage to inform, instruct, and entertain. But at the $620 to $650 price tag, does the Triggercam 2.1 deserve a spot on your gear bench or on your eyepiece? Let’s break down the pros and cons. MidwayUSA$650 HOW THE TRIGGERCAM 2.1 WORKS The Triggercam 2.1 is a small recording device that slides onto the rear of one’s riflescope (at the eyepiece) and can capture 4K video, photos, as well as audio. All media is saved on an included and installed 32GB microSD card. (To transfer to a computer, it will likely be necessary to pick up a microSD-to-standard-SD card or a microSD card reader). Through the glass of the Triggercam 2.1 one can still view the target through the riflescope, though, when installed, the Triggercam 2.1 will slightly affect eye relief and the overall sense of the eyebox itself. A sub-$100 15.6-inch monitor, $20 kid’s tablet charger, and the correct connecting cords make for a major upgrade for viewing the Triggercam 2.1, versus using just the phone app (available only on a phone). It records via a prism inside the unit that splits incoming light between the image seen to the shooter and what is transmitted to the recording sensor. Their website states it will fit scope eyepieces from 32mm to 48mm, though the box only contains sleeves for 40mm to 47mm eyepieces. It appears it’s possible to order custom sleeves for eyepieces smaller than 40mm and to just not use a sleeve if needing to secure to a 48mm eyepiece (larger than 48mm does not seem like an option). Installation is simple. Find the correct sleeve (there should be an approximate 2mm gap when the sleeve goes on the scope). Slide on the sleeve. Slide on the Triggercam. Tighten the screw via the included tool. It does help to have the Triggercam live streaming to a monitor or phone while tightening it down, as it may be necessary to rotate the camera until the horizontal crosshairs appear horizontal on the camera. The Triggercam 2.1 can emit a Wi-Fi signal to which a phone can connect and live-stream footage. The Triggercam 2.1 app is available only for phones. (You cannot access from an iPad, for example.) From the phone app, a user can control the Triggercam 2.1 itself — activate record, take photos, even review footage directly after capturing (which can be a benefit for hunting guides or hunters themselves when trying to determine if a hunter hit an animal or experienced a clean miss). Atop the Triggercam are two button-shaped covers, which can be unscrewed to access the focus dial and, via the other slot, both a micro-HDMI and USB-C port. An included universal tool can be used to unscrew the caps, as well as tighten the Triggercam onto the scope. Included instructions further detail how to operate the Triggercam. It’s possible to record or take a photo without any connected device using the two buttons on the left side of the Triggercam. Different color lights indicate what mode is currently ready (green for photo, blue for video) and, when activated, blinking lights will confirm if the Triggercam is currently capturing media. The Triggercam 2.1 does also record surrounding audio — so voice, working a bolt, the shot itself, etc. FOCUSING FOR BETTER IMAGE QUALITY Phil Velayo has a great YouTube tutorial video on this. Basically, best practices include placing crosshairs on your farthest target, adjusting parallax for that distance, and turning the focus dial as needed on the Triggercam 2.1 for the best picture. Then, go to your closest target or a target at 100 yards, again adjust parallax for distance and again tune the focus dial on the TriggerCam 2.1. Shown here is a completely unedited image of a target at 140 yards seen at 20x-zoom via a Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56 FFP. It may be necessary to work between the two targets to get the best focus, but once the focus dial is set (assuming parallax was also correctly adjusted when focusing), the Triggercam 2.1 focus dial shouldn’t require much more tweaking for the day. Note: Focus with a cold bore. Any sort of mirage from the barrel or suppressor will distort the Triggercam 2.1 image. Tip: It can be helpful to adjust the focus based on a blade of grass versus a flat steel target. Think picking out the hair to shoot on big game. Adjusting focus based on grass textures seemed more effective than a steel or paper target. With all that said, the video and photo quality captured by the Triggercam 2.1 — regardless of the quality of the scope upon which it sits — is just not incredible, or 1:1 quality compared to the riflescope glass itself. For testing, we were running a Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56 FFP — great glass. Despite focusing the Triggercam 2.1 to the best of our abilities, what came from the camera was simply just not comparable to what our eyes were seeing — even at higher frame rates or higher-resolution settings. That makes sense, as the internal prism means that light entering the scope is split two ways as it exits — both your eye and the camera are receiving half each. An OMNI micro-HDMI (M) to HDMI (F) connected to an HDMI (M) and finally plugged into a KYY 15.6-inch monitor via its mini-HDMI slot allowed for viewing the Triggercam 2.1 directly on the monitor. (For a power source, it’s possible to plug in a USB-C to either an outlet, generator, or portable tablet charger or similar.) In defense of subpar image quality, it is necessary to point out high-end scopes have several pieces of high-end glass structured throughout the tube — all of which help contribute to the crystal-clear clarity a shooter sees. For high-end cameras, there may be two dozen or more pieces of quality glass lined up from front to back. One cannot expect a device such as this — due to structure, size, and price point — to match the framework and end result of high-end optics. Truth be told, poor image quality is our only knock on this product, and it’s a very minor note in our eyes, as this detail never once detracted from our overall satisfaction with the Triggercam 2.1. HOW IT WORKS UNDER RECOIL We tested with cartridges from 5.56 NATO to 45-70 GOVT with zero issues. Flawless footage exists from shooters using larger calibers, including the 338 Lapua. There are some reports floating around that cartridges such the 338 Lapua can create issues, but others argue that this is more due to muzzle blast from large-bore rifles tipped with a brake. Nevertheless, Triggercam’s support has a reputation for being very responsive and helpful should an issue ever arise. BATTERY LIFE AND CHARGING Manufacturer details indicate a fully charged battery will last for 2.5 hours. We suspect the Triggercam 2.1 can run for longer if the primary use is to live stream versus record. Still, from our testing, if the Triggercam 2.1’s main purpose serves to capture content, it appeared a shooter would run out of memory on the included 32GB microSD card before the battery gave out. Said differently: If managed properly, meaning turning it off when not recording, a fully charged Triggercam 2.1 will easily last for the entirety of a range trip or a full-day match. It takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to fully charge a dead battery. HARDWIRE CONNECTION Different monitors can be particular about what input will work and broadcast Triggercam 2.1 footage directly to the screen. For example, we have friends with monitors that will work when connected via the USB-C to the Triggercam 2.1 and an HDMI to the monitor. For the cheap Amazon KYY monitor used here, to get it to work we needed to use the Triggercam 2.1’s micro-HDMI and the mini HDMI input on the monitor. It may be necessary, if hoping to connect directly to a monitor, to try different cords and hardwire connections before settling on one setup. Keep that Best Buy receipt to return what doesn’t work. None of this is the Triggercam 2.1’s fault, but rather limitations due to different monitors. The Triggercam 2.1 will only stream footage to an actual monitor or TV. It is not possible, as near as we can tell, to hook up to a computer or tablet. No, a monitor is not essential, as a phone with the installed app will broadcast footage via a Wi-Fi connection. THE TRIGGERCAM 2.1 APP This can be clunky. While connecting via Wi-Fi is a straightforward process, it may require a couple attempts, perhaps manually forgetting the network then reacquiring. The Triggercam 2.1 and the app may lose connection despite an active Wi-Fi connection, but that was generally fixed by closing out the app and restarting. This became a minor inconvenience from time to time but did not affect overall functionality or footage when connected. A larger screen helps dial in the focus ring on the Triggercam itself, but can potentially serve as a distraction when seen in the periphery while attempting to align sights through the scope. The app is only for phones (no iPad or tablet compatibility) and is required to access settings on the Triggercam 2.1 itself and to reformat the SD card, for example. Having the app open is not essential for capturing content. VARIED USES We ourselves at RECOIL have used the Triggercam 2.1 for many purposes — everything from capturing footage on safari hunts to nitpicking our own precision-shooting techniques. At under 400 yards (what is considered ethical hunting distance), video turns out well, footage of game is clear and does a great job of telling a hunt’s story. At farther distance, perhaps out to 1,000 yards and beyond, yes, the quality of footage may be lacking, but it still serves a purpose. It is true: Most serious precision shooters have zero issues hitting targets at 1,200 yards, but should that serve as the litmus test? Sometimes Triggercam footage can reveal something as simple as a bipod needing to be adjusted for an overall better shooting foundation. When reviewing Triggercam 2.1 footage, a shooter may recognize areas in which he or she can improve. Perhaps one can see how the recoil moves after the trigger break or how a more solid foundation could assist with quicker follow-up shots. Or perhaps a shooter may recognize how he or she could learn to run the bolt smoother to stay on target longer. For the same reason those NFL coaches review footage of a win, a victory — a hit at 1,200 yards — is not the one defining factor when it comes to success. The question will always be: “How can we get one step closer to perfection?” Other professionals have found more ways the Triggercam 2.1 can help benefit their work. Blake Williams, founder of Reloadingallday, an online resource where he educates reloaders and shooters through technical content and classes, uses the Triggercam 2.1 for his own content creation, self-coaching, and working with new shooters. “Another benefit is being able to teach new shooters in live time what holdovers are,” he said, “how reticles work, what wobble zone is, and what good follow-through looks like.” The setup of monitor, hardwire connections, a portable charger, a tripod — all these items are an upgrade, but not essential, as one can simply use the phone app to control and monitor the Triggercam 2.1. Josh Cluff, vice president of sales and marketing for H-S Precision, is the lead instructor at Paul Nelson Farm in Gettysburg, South Dakota, as well at the Harteis Ranch in Stonewall, Colorado. “The triggercam is a great instructional resource but I use it a little differently, as I use the Triggercam connected to the big screen TV for everyone to view at the same time,” he said. “We can see the reticle clearly and discuss the measurements of that particular reticle while actually looking at the reticle. I will point to each hashmark on the reticle to ensure that everyone understands the value of each mark. “When it comes to wind calls, I will provide a wind call, and the shooter will move the rifle until the reticle lines up with that call. The Triggercam allows everyone to see if the shooter has moved the reticle to the correct location and in the center of the target. Oftentimes, new shooters will focus on the horizontal (wind call) correction and be slightly off center in their vertical correction. The Triggercam allows us to correct that in real-time.” The perfect shot comes down to more than a perfect trigger pull. The Triggercam 2.1 — whether via a hardwire connection or through the phone app — will help reveal areas in which every shooter can improve. FINAL SUMMARY Is the Triggercam 2.1 just a range toy and is it worth the money? That depends on the person asking, but we must say that while it’s fun to use — to relive a shot or a hunt, show footage to friends and family — the Triggercam 2.1 can also be an invaluable tool for any shooter looking to improve. MidwayUSA$650 Questions or comments? Reach out to the author on Instagram at @OutsideTheSkillet. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. 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