OFFICER Labs Review: Trusted Technology Solutions' Smaller T500 Bodycam Packs Big Features
Testing the Trusted Technology Solutions T500 Body Worn Camera system found its compact design, intuitive Trusted Vault platform and easy-to-use docking station streamlined everyday. . .
Trusted Technology SolutionsThe Trusted Vault software allows for easy and intuitive management of video captured and uploaded by the T500 body-worn cameras. The T500 docking station, used to recharge the cameras and download videos from them, was quick and easy to set up. It only required a power source, space to place it and direct connection to the Internet. The cameras themselves only fit into the docking station one way, “snapping” in and showing indicator lights for charging status and connectivity to the docking station itself. For remote charging, there is also a USB fed power cable that the camera can be docked in, but note that this charging option does not allow for uploading videos to the Trusted Vault system. Trusted Technology SolutionsThe docking system for the Trusting Technology Solutions T500 Body Work Camera allows officers to recharge cameras and automatically upload videos through a direct internet connection. The test unit cameras we received came with three mounting options to include a MOLLE mount, a spring-loaded clip-on mount, and a magnetic mount. Between the three types of mounts, we were able to test the cameras on an external body armor carrier, a uniform shirt and a sweatshirt. For the sweatshirt we used the magnetic mount and it’s strong enough that when it connects outer plate to inner plate, you’ll feel it if you don’t get your fingers out of the way. It holds the camera securely and stays in place even during rigorous activity. Notably, the T500’s footprint is roughly a third smaller than any body worn camera currently sold to law enforcement—achieved without compromising battery life or video-storage capacity. The camera itself goes into the mount only one way and then is turned to lock in. If you view a given mount vertically, the camera would go into the top upside down and then be turned 180 degrees to be worn. If the mount is turned sideways, the camera would go in and be turned 90 degrees and still be locked in. © Endeavor Business MediaThe cameras activate with a single touch and have both audible and visual indicators when they are recording. Like most camera systems today, they are recording perpetually but only SAVE the video when activated by the necessary touch. Because the T500 is always recording, it needs no Bluetooth triggers—any missed event can be retrieved afterward through Vault Retrieve. It is also RF-Silent by design, emitting no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signal and so removing a wireless attack surface that could be hacked or used to track the wearer. The same touch stops the recording. A button on the T500 camera allow you to “run silent,” which disables the beep and LED indicators to indicate recording has started. Another button allows you to put the camera in privacy mode to completely prevent the camera from recording. The complete user guide for the camera, the Vault and the dockings station are linked on the Trusted Technology homepage athttps://trustedtechnology. ai/. Our test team was very impressed with the cameras and the ease of use for the Trusted Vault system. By stripping out unneeded RF hardware and shrinking the profile, Trusted Technology also holds cost to $50–$65 per camera per month including unlimited AWS video storage—roughly 40–55% below any other body worn camera vendor we know of serving law enforcement. We have no hesitation in awarding the T500 system the OFFICER Media Group “Tested / Field-Rated” Seal of Approval.