Are you struggling trying to train the dog and take a video at the same time? The Pivo Pod is here to solve this problem with its new dog-tracking feature!
Pivo Pod’s Features
The Pivo Pod is here to simplify self-filming, empowering users to easily capture their moments, training sessions, or video content.
With an intuitive setup process in the mobile app, users can easily attach their smartphones, establish a Bluetooth connection, and let the Pivo Pod take charge.
The Pivo Pod sets offers six Speed Modes to adapt to various activities—from smooth and steady to fast movements. Its standout feature is the 360 Auto Tracking: powered by AI, it follows every step and keeps the subject in focus. The Auto Zoom function intelligently adjusts framing.
Controlling the Pivo Pod is easy with the Pivo Remote Control, allowing users to operate recording, rotation, zoom, and mode from up to 50 ft/15 m away. This added convenience streamlines the recording experience, giving users more freedom and flexibility to start the recording when they are ready and in position.
Compatible with any tripod, the Pivo Pod effortlessly screws onto the mount, streamlining the filming experience in seconds. Its compact and portable design allows users to take it on the go.
Equipped with built-in stabilizer legs and a convenient bubble level, the Pivo Pod guarantees steady and level shots, providing users with a reliable tool for creating professional-looking content.
Pivo Pod Review for Dog Training and Dog Sports
Since I train and record content myself 99% of the time, I was excited to test the Pivo Pod. Not needing to find a “cameramen” or trying to stay in the frame simplifies our processes! Being able to watch back and analyze our obedience training is very helpful to find ways to improve.
Setting everything up and using the app was very easy. The remote control is a neat addition, so I didn’t need to cut the beginning and end of each video while I was getting in position and walking back to stop the video. It works with iPhone 8 or above with iOS 13.0 or higher, Android phones from 2017, and later with Android version 9.0 or higher. The Pod’s battery is good for approximately 6 hours, but this varies by many factors.
Before starting the recording, you can choose the tracking mode (human (separate face and body mode), dog, horse) and set the tracking speed, autozoom, predictive follow and target exposure. They also offer a few presets based on the target type you choose. For dogs, the options are obedience, nose work, and dog tricks. You can also create your own preset and save that.
Starting the recording with the remote was always a smooth experience. The app counts down from 3 - which is indicated by three flashes from the camera’s flashlight so you see when the video starts from both sides of the phone. Stopping the recording was a bit of a hit-and-miss both with the remote and with the app, as the stop button sometimes disappears while recording and doesn’t immediately come back when touching the screen.
It also seems like the video automatically stops at 1 minute, which can be annoying if you want to record longer, but it also ensures that you don’t save a huge file if you forget to hit stop. I didn’t find info on this, but it cut off a few videos at 1 minute.
To show you how the Pivo Pod works, I recorded two videos and shared them on Instagram:
The first video had the auto zoom feature turned on. The auto zoom was a bit intense when doing tricks and obedience, and I didn’t find the continuous zooming useful.
The second video is a compilation of footage where I tested how well it can follow the dog - and finding the focus again after losing it. I also played around with walking out of the frame, and the focus stayed on Zulu - no hesitation there! I turned off the auto zoom here and used a faster tracking setting.
I played around with the presets and settings to see what works best but the faster speed was really jerky - moving left and right even when the dog was standing in place. The predictive follow works for things like heeling, and it seems to help the tracking in that case. However, when I changed directions, it kept overshooting and then losing the subject completely once we were out of frame.
Recording in landscape mode over portrait helps to balance out some of the issues as that leaves more room in front of and behind the subject, so the software has more time and buffer to recognize a sudden motion and follow it with less lag/overshooting.
The dog recognition itself works well, and it is a valuable tool when you want to record something while moving within a smaller area. However, it cannot follow faster actions and sudden changes of direction. I am unsure if the AI portion is just not there yet to handle these correctly or if the motor in the Pod cannot accommodate the change of direction and speed. As they recently introduced the dog tracking feature, I expect these to continue improving over time.
Review Summary
As you see from the linked videos, the software is not on the level of making a professional recording, but it is a reasonably priced option in this niche, providing a usable solution for staying in the frame. It couldn’t follow a running dog but was great at adjusting the frame in case of slower, smaller movements.
The dog tracking worked well, and the focus stayed on the dog even when I walked in and out of the frame next to her. I like that it is a packable solution and that you can easily set it up anywhere - no need to look for a good spot for the phone. The image recognition had no issues with finding the dog and staying locked on her unless she was in the distance, blending into the background.
It is an easy-to-use and intuitive app. You can set up the Pivo Pod with any tripods, and instead of recording with a phone, it can be used as a rotating neck for any camera under 2 lbs/1 kg with a 1/4’ thread attachment screw. If you need something more robust, the Pivo Max is designed to work with tablets and bigger cameras.
Where to buy?
You can Buy the Pivo Pod on their website and also find it on Amazon.
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