SCHATECH Floating Hide - Floating Camouflage Hide (Schatech Camo)

SCHATECH Floating Hide, floating hide for nature photography at the highest level

Right in the middle of the reeds, almost silent in the water, the camera just a few centimetres above the surface – that’s exactly what the SCHATECH Floating Hide, floating hide in Schatech Camo, is made for. Compact enough to comfortably carry it to the lake or into the moor, yet stable and well thought out so you can fully concentrate on your wildlife and nature shots.

Note in advance: This floating hide is shipped exclusively within Europe.

As small as possible, as big as necessary – a well-designed floating hide

We’ll say it openly: the SCHATECH Floating Hide is not an overloaded toy, but a very deliberately designed complete solution with integrated cover. Everything you need for a serious floating hide is already built in. No unnecessary frills, but with many small details that suddenly become extremely important out on the water.

You get a compact, robust system that allows you an extremely low camera position while blending you inconspicuously into the surroundings with the Schatech Camo camouflage pattern. For waterfowl, waders, beavers, great crested grebes and all those shy subjects that usually disappear at the slightest movement.

Easy to transport, compact packed size for on the go

On paper it sounds almost unspectacular, but out in the field it makes all the difference: the floating hide weighs about 14.5 kg and has a packed size of around 880 x 660 x 350 mm. For you this means: you can easily stow it in the boot, estate car or even a larger van without having to be a Tetris pro.

Thanks to its compact design, the Floating Hide can be carried easily by one person, and over short distances even across rough terrain, meadows or a narrow path to the shore. It remains manageable even if you’re also carrying a backpack, tripod head, telephoto lens and clothing. We’d say: exactly the size that still makes you want to head out, instead of being annoyed already while packing.

Quick setup, from car to water in just a few minutes

When the light is good, you don’t want to spend half an hour tinkering. The SCHATECH Floating Hide is designed so that you can set it up quickly and easily. The key components interlock logically, without complicated special parts or fiddly small pieces that disappear in the grass.

You mount the cover, position the tripod head in the integrated mount, secure your equipment and can basically head straight into the water. After a short familiarisation period, setup becomes almost automatic. Many users report that after just a few outings they’ve internalised the process so well that they hardly have to think about it.

Ergonomic neoprene armrests for relaxed working

Anyone who has photographed in the water for a longer time knows how quickly arms and shoulders can tire. This is exactly where the ergonomically shaped neoprene armrests come in. They provide a pleasantly soft yet stable support surface on which you can rest your forearms and keep the camera steady.

The neoprene adapts slightly, doesn’t feel uncomfortably cold even at cooler temperatures, and significantly reduces pressure points. This allows you to work in a focused way for longer periods without everything hurting after 20 minutes. Especially with long focal lengths and heavier camera systems, this is a real advantage.

Recessed 3/8″ tripod head mount for an extremely low camera position

A core element of this floating hide is the stable, recessed 3/8″ standard tripod head mount. It is integrated into the hull in such a way that your camera can be positioned extremely low – perfect for those characteristic ground-level perspectives just above the water surface.

You can use your preferred tripod head with a 3/8″ thread, such as a gimbal or ball head, and secure it firmly in the Floating Hide. The recessed design keeps the centre of gravity low, which has a positive effect on stability and balance in the water. Especially in waves or wind you’ll notice how valuable this well-thought-out construction is.

Sturdy handles for precise steering and comfortable carrying

The Floating Hide is not just a floating platform, but also your “vehicle” in the water. To allow you to manoeuvre it in a controlled way, sturdy handles are integrated that serve both for precise steering and for carrying.

In the water, you can use the handles to move forward slowly, correct sideways, or discreetly change position without making hectic movements. On land, the handles help you reposition, carry and load it. The construction is designed for load, so you can rely on these handles even with your equipment mounted.

High-quality aluminium hinges and NIRO stainless-steel latches with safety catch

On a floating hide, the joints and hinges are real stress points. That’s why the SCHATECH Floating Hide uses robust aluminium hinges designed for frequent opening and closing. They ensure reliable, smooth guidance of the moving parts.

The NIRO stainless-steel latches with safety catch give you additional confidence when everything is closed and secured. These latches are corrosion-resistant and designed for use in damp environments. The safety catch prevents accidental opening when you’re on the water or transporting the system.

Self-erecting aluminium frame for the cover

The cover is supported by a light yet stable aluminium frame. This frame is designed to essentially erect itself. You don’t have to experiment for long; you simply guide the elements into the correct position and the system sets itself up.

Aluminium offers a good balance between weight and stability. It is insensitive to moisture and remains reliable even after many uses. The self-erecting principle saves you time and nerves, especially when you’re standing by the water in the early morning half-light.

Drink bottle holder – small detail, big comfort

It sounds minor, but in practice it’s surprisingly important: the integrated drink bottle holder. If you’re spending several hours in the hide, you don’t want to keep going back to shore just to get a drink. With the holder, your bottle is stored securely and within easy reach.

This lets you focus better on the scene in front of you without moving your gear or yourself unnecessarily. Especially on warm days or during longer sessions, this is a detail you’ll quickly come to appreciate.

Flexible attachment options on all sides

All around the Floating Hide you’ll find sturdy attachment points – on each side, at the front and at the back. These points are intended for securing accessories, attaching lines or adding extra equipment, depending on how you work.

For example, you can easily secure the hide against drifting, attach an additional stuff sack or add more camouflage material. The attachment points distributed all around give you plenty of freedom to adapt the setup to your habits and to the particular body of water.

Cover made of high-strength Cordura 1000D with Schatech Camo camouflage pattern

The cover is made of high-strength Cordura 1000D fabric with a Schatech Camo camouflage print. Cordura 1000D is known for its high abrasion resistance and robustness, which is a real advantage when in contact with reeds, branches or rough shore areas.

The camouflage pattern is designed to break up your outline in typical Central European water and shoreline landscapes. This makes you much less noticeable to birds and other animals. The cover can be easily removed, as it is attached with press studs and hook-and-loop fasteners. This allows you to clean, replace or adjust it without lengthy disassembly.

Black inner coating for maximum inconspicuousness

The inside of the cover is coated black. There is a simple but effective reason for this: as little light as possible should be reflected inside so that you are not perceived from the outside as a bright surface.

The dark inner coating reduces reflections and helps your silhouette inside to dissolve better. At the same time, the interior feels pleasantly neutral, without disturbing colour casts, which is perceived as comfortable during longer sessions.

Practical storage pockets for accessories

Inside the floating hide you’ll find storage pockets for accessories. These pockets are ideal for safely stowing smaller items such as memory cards, batteries, remote releases, cloths or even a smartphone.

This prevents accessories from lying around loose inside or ending up in the water if something tips over. Everything has its place, is quickly accessible, and you keep an overview even in hectic moments.

YKK zipper operable from inside and outside

Access to the interior of the cover is via a high-quality YKK zipper. YKK stands for durable, reliable zippers that run smoothly even with frequent use. You can operate the zipper from both inside and outside.

This gives you flexibility when getting in and out, as well as when partially opening it if, for example, you need a bit more air or visibility without lifting the entire cover. Being able to operate it from both sides is particularly practical when you’re already in the water and want to make a quick adjustment.

Robust polyethylene, seamlessly moulded for toughest use

The hull of the SCHATECH Floating Hide is made of approximately 5 mm thick polyethylene that is seamlessly moulded. This design makes the hide particularly resistant to impacts, abrasion and contact with sharp or pointed objects in the water.

Whether branches, stones, shells or hidden obstacles – the material is designed for heavy use. The seamless construction reduces potential weak points and ensures a long service life. Especially if you’re regularly out on different waters, this robustness is an important safety factor.

Load capacity and buoyancy – safe on the water with your gear

The floating hide offers a load capacity of about 160 kg when your legs are in the water. Buoyancy is around 110 kg. This provides sufficient reserve to safely support camera gear, cover and the load of your upper body.

These values are chosen so that you can move in the Floating Hide in a stable and controlled manner without constantly feeling you’re at the limit of what’s possible. You can concentrate on your subjects while the system provides a reliable platform.

Made in Austria – quality from European production

The SCHATECH Floating Hide is manufactured in Austria. This means short supply routes, high production quality and manufacturing that is tailored to the needs of European nature photographers.

Many design details reflect practical experience and feedback from the field. The result is a floating hide that not only looks good on paper, but above all plays to its strengths out in the field – at the lake, in the moor or in shallow water.

Complete solution for ambitious nature and bird photography on the water

All in all, with the SCHATECH Floating Hide, floating hide (Schatech Camo), you get a very well-thought-out complete solution: integrated cover, stable camera position, ergonomic armrests, robust materials and many small comfort details such as drink bottle holder, storage pockets and all-round attachment options.

If you want to seriously expand your nature and bird photography on the water and value a compact yet professional system, this Floating Hide is an extremely interesting option. It combines practicality, stability and camouflage in a package that is deliberately kept as small as possible and as large as necessary.