Interested in a Pivo Pod?

A few different friends, acquaintances, and even complete strangers have been asking me about Pivo. What is it? How does it work? What do I need if I want to get one? Even though I have written about my Pivo experiences quite a few times, my set up has changed a lot in just the past year. So ... here goes.

Photo is from Pivo's website.

First, what exactly is a Pivo Pod?
​Basically, it's a small, rechargeable device that pairs via Bluetooth to a smart phone. It rotates the phone when recording video or using the Meet option for Zoom-like calls so that it both tracks your horse and zooms in and out as needed. 

This is what I bought directly from Pivo.

Which Pivo Pod do I need, and what accessories should I get?
I have the Pivo Silver which has since been renamed Pivo Pod Active. While Pivo offers a bunch of different accessories, I bought the basic package which has served me perfectly. If you intend to use it for recording your riding, get the Pivo Pod Active as it has faster tracking than the Pivo Pod Lite. Depending on your situation, you'll probably discover that you need a few more things. Here is my current pile of accessories along with links for where to buy them.

My accessories include:

• iPhone 12 Pro - check with Pivo to see if your cell phone is compatible
• Pivo Pod Active Equestrian Edition Basic
• UBeesize 12 Inch Flexible Cell Phone Tripod Stand Holder
• Powerbeats High-Performance Wireless Earbuds - for virtual lessons
• Solar Power Bank (black and orange) - similar to this one
• Cell Phone Cooler - powered by the power bank and a complete life saver
• Foam twist tie (blue) to attach the power bank to the fence - similar to this one
• Lightening Cable - to connect the phone to the power bank
• Tempered Glass Screen Protector - to protect the phone while in the Smart Mount
• Cinch backpack to store everything
• Shade box to aid in cooling phone (directions in tomorrow's post)

One of my biggest issues with the Pivo Pod while doing virtual lessons is that it causes my phone to get really hot. Last year, I used a box to shade my Pivo, but once I switched from the Pivo Play app to the Pivo+ app for virtual lessons, the amount my phone heated up exceeded the cooling that my box could offer. I covered the box in a mylar thermal blanket which helped through most of the summer. Then, our temperatures skyrocketed, and even that wasn't enough. Thanks to my friend Wendy, I discovered a cell phone cooler which is primarily used by video gamers. So far, used in conjunction with my box, I haven't had any more overheating, and it is as hot as it ever gets here.

New box at work.

How does Pivo Work?
Pivo has three apps - all of which are free to download. Pivo Play is used for recording, and Pivo Cast is used for virtual lessons. It is my understanding that Pivo is pulling support for Pivo Cast, and maybe even Pivo Play as well, in exchange for Pivo+ which does what both the other apps do, but all in one app. Anticipating that support for the other apps will soon disappear, I made the switch to Pivo+ which is now the only app I use.

Pivo has a fantastic Facebook page, and the customer support has been great. It's not a complicated device to operate, but it does have limitations. If you choose to purchase one, remember that you are getting the cheapest AI device out there which means it's not a twenty-second century robot. Its brain is pretty tiny, but it tries its best to follow you. Setting yourself up for success requires some strategic planning on your part.

First of all, it doesn't track YOU; it tracks moving rectangles. Horses are more or less moving rectangles with legs. Pivo cannot tell the difference between your horse and another horse in the ring, so be prepared to ride by yourself for best results. If Pivo spots a better rectangle, say another horse or a product banner with nice contrast, it's going to ditch you in favor of the best rectangle it can find. Riding a dark horse in dark lighting makes it hard for Pivo to differentiate between your horse and the dirt. If your horse is the same color as your footing, Pivo can't "see" your horse.

There are things you can do to help Pivo's vision. Put a white pad and leg boots on a dark horse. Use a black pad and leg boots on a light horse. Wear clothing that contrast with your horse's coat or tack. Remove horse-sized rectangles from your riding area. To set Pivo up for success, your horse, the footing, and the surrounding objects and vegetation need to provide contrast.

This is what Pivo sees.

In my experience, Pivo works best FOR ME set up at A or C (and even E/B). My horse is not reliable enough for Pivo to be set up on a tripod at X. Out of sheer buttholeness, Izzy would either aim for the tripod or flick a hoof that direction to see if he could topple Pivo. Other riders have great success with Pivo situated in the center of the ring, but not me. My Pivo is set up at A, mounted to the top rail with the bendy legs of my flexible tripod.

Just waiting for my phone.

How do I use Pivo to record?
When I record a ride, usually on Sundays, this is my set up process:

• Close all apps
• For iPhone, turn on Focus Mode (do not disturb)
• Use the front camera - NOT the selfie camera
• Turn Pivo on
• Open Pivo+ on the phone
• Click the + button to connect the phone to Pivo
• Swipe to "Video" 
• Make sure the Horse mode is selected. You can also select face, body, or dog (beta version)
• Landscape Mode is required
• Press the red button to record

Something important to note: you must lead or ride your horse past Pivo to be sure it is tracking you. Give it a moment to lock on. It is also worth noting that Pivo will occasionally lose you, especially if you ride straight toward or away from it. Basically, any time your horse is no longer a wide rectangle, Pivo will "unzoom" and look around for you. When I know Pivo has lost me - he'll be looking the other way, I just ride across his vision, stopping if necessary until I can see him following me again. Truthfully, Pivo likes Izzy, so he doesn't lose us too often, but when he does, he finds us again pretty easily.

As we ride past, Pivo is about to lose us unless he rotates quickly.

How do I use Pivo for virtual Lessons?
First, talk to your trainer, he or she might already have some experience doing virtual training. Second, your trainer has to use Chrome as the web browser. Whoever is watching you also needs a device; whether it is a smart phone, tablet, or computer doesn't really matter, but the larger the screen, the easier it is for him or her to see you. Even when you do everything right, there will still be days where things go haywire. Ask me how I know.

To do my virtual lessons with Sean Cunningham, owner and trainer at STC Dressage, this is what we do.

• Both rider and trainer need huge amounts of data. You need a truly unlimited data plan or WiFi - which neither Sean nor I have at our respective barns. If only ...
• Close all apps on your phone
• For iPhone, turn on Focus Mode (do not disturb)
• Connect the Blue Tooth ear buds
• Use the regular camera - NOT the selfie camera
• Turn Pivo on
• Open Pivo+ on the phone
• Click the + button to connect the phone to Pivo
• Swipe to "Meet" 
• Make sure the Horse mode is selected. You can also select face, body, or dog (beta version)
• Landscape Mode is required
• Select the Guest Control button at the bottom; the default mode is to give the Guest control. This allows your trainer to rotate Pivo to find you or to Zoom. When the trainer takes control however, Pivo does not track nor zoom automatically until the trainer gives up control.
• Select the invite icon (it's a person with a + symbol)
• Select a contact, or type in the trainer's name
• Click the open circle to checkmark the recipient
• Click Start Meet
• An invitation email will be sent
• Your trainer will need to open the email and "allow" the microphone and camera to work

That's it. Before I ever took Pivo to the barn, I practiced in the living room. I sent myself the link and played around with Guest Control, starting and stopping a Meet. I also practiced just straight up recording a ride and locating the video on Pivo. I changed my settings so that my videos automatically go to my phone instead being stored on Pivo. I found it was a lot easier to play around with Pivo at home without a big brown head butting in to see what I was doing. Many riders have posted sad videos of their horses chomping on Pivo or their cell phones.

How do I keep all of that stuff stored and charged?
One last bit of advice ... Doing virtual lessons requires a lot of cables and pieces of "things." I keep everything stored in its own little bag. Pivo came with a mini case which inspired my other storage solutions. My ear buds live in a cushioned zippered bag, and my cooling device lives in a hard sided case that once held a no longer used piece of technology. Everything else is big enough to be dropped into my backpack.

Underneath my desk, I keep a dedicated surge protector for my laptop and Pivo gadgets. Every Friday night, since I have lessons on Saturday mornings, everything gets plugged in to charge overnight. Having a spot for each device ensures that nothing doesn't get charged for my weekly lesson. In the morning, I grab everything, stuff it into its storage container, throw it in my backpack, and away I go. Frankly, it is a lot of work, but I now have the system down pat. Usually. A week or two I forgot my phone and had to race back home to get it.

If you're thinking about a Pivo, you probably already have a need for it. If you join the Facebook group, remember that people who aren't having problems rarely post their success. You will see far more Pivo sucks! posts because not all riders are willing to investigate or do their homework. Ask questions, and if you do, you will get Pivo to work reliably for you. In just two years, Pivo has paid for itself more times than I can count. What I save in fuel costs and wear and tear on my truck has enabled me to take weekly lessons from a trainer who lives nearly three hours away.

In tomorrow's post, my "Heatshield" box.