Comparing Tragopan Photography Blinds || V6, Monal, Grouse, Lagopus Chair Blind, Hokki Ground Blind

In this video I do a comparative walk through of 5 photography blinds from Tragopan talking about their features and the benefits of one blind over another for various field uses. Following that I discuss my own history with Tragopan and why using blinds is beneficial to both photographers and wildlife.
PROMO CODES for the Tragopan North American store photographyblinds.com
- Free Screen Door lens sleeve with purchase of Tragopan V6 = TRAG24
- 2 Free Screen Door Lens Sleeves with purchase of Monal V3 = MONA24
- Hokki Expansion Kit with purchase of Hokki V2 Ground Blind = HOKK24
PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO:
Tragopan V6: photographyblinds.com/collections/tragopan-v6/products/tragopan-photography-blind-v6
Monal V3: photographyblinds.com/collections/monal-v2/products/monal-photography-blind-v2
Grouse V+: photographyblinds.com/collections/grouse-v/products/grouse
Lagopus Chair Blind: photographyblinds.com/collections/lagopus-chair-blind
Hokki V3 Ground Blind: photographyblinds.com/collections/hokki-ground-blind/products/hokki-ground-blind
Koklass Chair: photographyblinds.com/collections/grouse-v/products/koklass-chair
TRAGOPAN'S NORTH AMERICAN STORE: photographyblinds.com
TRAGOPAN'S EUROPEAN STORE: tragopan-shop.com/
The practice of using photography blinds to photograph wildlife lessens our cumulative and individual impacts on wildlife and habitat and creates unique opportunities for photos!
Using blinds benefits wildlife in several obvious ways:
It eliminates the foot pursuit that can cause wildlife to flush, flee, or change their behavior.
It spreads photographers out, reducing impacts on habitat and popular locations.
Using blinds also benefits photographers:
It gets us closer to wildlife, more often, and without impact.
It opens up opportunities closer to home where animals may be less approachable.
It increases chances to photograph natural, undisturbed behavior.
It allows us to create unique images in new places, instead of creating the same images at the same places everyone else goes.

[@thewildsights]

I purchased the Grouse blind 4 years ago and it has been a game changer for getting close to wildlife, for capturing images and video, without disturbing their behavior. The most magical moments in nature I have experienced have been sitting in my blind before the sun comes up hearing and seeing wildlife waking up and the excitement of what I might capture with my camera.

[@GerritVyn]

This is so wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing!

[@jeffb.3052]

This is really helpful and I'm glad you went through the accessories

[@GerritVyn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@daleelliott5851]

Gerrit probably the best presentation of the blinds I have seen!! I have watch quite a few. I have the V6 and Grouse use both really! Thanks!!

[@GerritVyn]

Wow, thanks!

[@nigelroberson8911]

Great explanation of the Tragopan products. I have a Grouse and a Lagopus in the UK and am very happy with both. As an engineer and a photographer the thing that impresses me is the build quality and the attention to detail. Looking forward to seeing the guys from Tragopan at the UK Bird Fair later this year.

[@GerritVyn]

Thanks and be sure to say hello to Jonathan and team at the UK Birdfair!

[@Shutter_heart]

Great Information !! thank you for sharing.. im surely gonna buy V6 on my birthday :)

[@GerritVyn]

Good choice!

[@verlinhochstetler3390]

You've done a top-notch job in showing these blinds! Other You-tubers, take note.

[@GerritVyn]

Thank you!

[@wismokey]

Gerrit, thank you for this great explanation of these blinds. I have been looking at the Hokki for some time and have decided to buy one as soon as I can. I am retired so I have to find the money first. Many years ago I used a blind by LL Rue that was great but it faded and the material wore out so I tried hunting blinds and even building my own. Nothing worked. These are really well-designed for photography. I only wish the camo pattern was different. It is too dark and will blob up at a distance. I would likely throw a cover of some other pattern if needed.

[@GerritVyn]

Yes, it’s hard to create a pattern that works in all situations but Tragopan offers some cover materials for different habitats. Generally the color pattern doesn’t matter to the animals at all. It’s more to hide things better from people!

[@wismokey]

@@GerritVyn Studies have shown certain patterns like ASAT or Marine Digital camo is most effective in a variety of habitats.

[@TaraTanaka]

Thanks for the great review of all of these blinds. I am curious to hear if you think the movement of the lens is noticed by the birds. I've spent hundreds of hours shooting mostly video from large hunting blinds on the edge of our backyard cypress swamp. They are large enough that I can move back in the blind and the lens doesn't extend out the window opening. I wear all black, and have made a camo drape for my lens to hide the movement of my focusing hand. I like the large window opening so I can pan back and forth w/o having to cross any fabric or poles. The lens tunnel for the Tragopan looks like an interesting solution to allow you to keep hidden, but it's always seemed to me that even if you're out in the open, if you don't move, birds tend not to notice you. Do you find that birds are spooked by the movement? We have a lot of Wood Ducks here. I can't imagine them not flying if they were within 50' of the blind and the extended lens moved... Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[@GerritVyn]

As I’m sure you have experienced, different species have different levels of perception and vigilance. Birds like golden eagles and other raptors are hyper aware of every little movement. Others not at all! Generally, I find with most species that if I make slow gentle movements everything is fine. If I am working on a species that is difficult I’ll often put a 3D cover on my lens too so that there is always some movement where the lens is (the blowing 3D Camo). I find if there is consistent movement it desensitizes some species. In extreme cases where I have to set up a blind way in advance I will often hang a coffee can painted black in my window opening and let it dangle and blow over several days, again to desensitize.

[@TaraTanaka]

@@GerritVyn Great insights and ideas - thanks very much for sharing. I have never seen a 3D lens cover - I'll look into them. I love the black coffee can idea.

[@richardschmidtke6453]

Excellent video. I purchased the V6 and Hokki from you. Totally agree that there use opens up new and unique opportunities. Can I request that you do a video on the floating hide? Considering this one

[@GerritVyn]

Thanks, Richard! Yes, I’ll be getting the floating blind out soon as well!