Capture lightning. Reliably.
Bolt Hunter is the camera lightning trigger built for storm chasers. It adapts in real time and fires your camera at the exact moment of a strike—so you don’t miss the shot.
Predict. Adapt. Trigger.
Bolt Hunter pairs Automatic Gain Control (AGC) with manual sensitivity. It adapts to ambient light automatically—and still lets experts dial things in when they want. The result: consistent, accurate captures through changing conditions, without babysitting the camera.
🎚️ Manual Control: Sensitivity levels on demand.
🔋 Reliable Power: Rechargeable LiPo—no more dead 9V.
⚡ AI Adaptation: AGC continuously matches changing light.
Why most triggers miss
Lightning is brief and unpredictable. Ambient light changes minute by minute. Traditional triggers either fire too often (false triggers) or not at all (missed strikes). Many rely on 9V batteries that are dead when you need them—or force you to babysit sensitivity knobs in dangerous conditions.
Missed peaks from slow trigger pipelines
Constant manual re-tuning at dusk/daylight shifts
Unclear battery state + dead 9V mid-storm
How it works
Built for the milliseconds that matter.
Detect
High-speed sensor pipeline identifies true lightning pulses.
Adapt
AGC tunes detection gain to match ambient light in real time.
Trigger
Your camera fires at the right pulse window for usable frames.
Why it’s different
Field-ready features built by storm chasers, for storm chasers.
Dual Sensitivity System
AGC + manual sensitivity is a unique combination among camera lightning triggers—automation when you want it, control when you need it.
Standard Shutter Cables
No proprietary traps. Use standard cables you can replace anywhere.
No App Dependence
Clear on-device modes. No menus buried in a phone while the storm moves.
Field-Ready Power
Rechargeable LiPo with smart management—avoid the classic dead-9V problem.
Modes
Ready for the chase.
Lightning Mode
Set it and chase. AGC adapts while you focus on composition and safety.
Night Mode
Optimized for long exposures. Hold bulb open, close on strike or time—tuned gain levels for low-light lightning.
Intervalometer
Built-in timelapse control when lightning is sparse or for storm build-ups.
Safer, Simpler Chasing
Keep yourself and your gear safe.
Bolt Hunter reduces the need to hover at the camera in dangerous conditions. With adaptive detection and clear modes, you can work from a safer position—and still get the shot.
Camera Compatibility & Cables
Works with the gear you already own.
Bolt Hunter uses standard camera shutter cables—easy to find, cheap to replace. Choose your camera model at checkout to get the right cord.
Rechargeable LiPo. Clear status. Long sessions.
Power You Can Trust
Unlike 9V triggers that die without warning, Bolt Hunter’s LiPo power is rechargeable and managed for field reliability—so it’s ready when the storm is.
How Bolt Hunter compares
There are several solid camera lightning trigger* options on the market. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Here are the facts, and where we believe Bolt Hunter shines.
Steppingstone “Lightning Trigger LT-IV”
Strong detection reputation
Proprietary swapped-wire cables
9V battery; no meaningful sensitivity control
MK Controls “Lightning Bug / Plus”
Standard cables
Sensitivity knob requires constant re-tuning as light changes
9V battery with typical dead/unclear status issues
MIOPS Smart series
Multi-function, app-driven
Lightning detection not specialized; settings buried in app
Uses LiPo (power is fine; performance is the bottleneck)
Bolt Hunter
Standard cables
AGC + manual sensitivity (unique combo)
No app dependence; clear on-device modes
LiPo power with reliable management
*Names on this page are used to describe competing products; Lightning Trigger® is a registered trademark of its owner. We refer to Bolt Hunter as a camera lightning trigger.
Field-tested with storm chasers
Developed with a research-first approach: measuring real lightning events, studying optical characteristics, and tuning algorithms on live storms.
“User testimonial goes here talking about using Bolt Hunter in the field, as well as showing several pictures taken with it.”
- Customer Name
“User testimonial goes here talking about using Bolt Hunter in the field, as well as showing several pictures taken with it.”
- Customer Name
“User testimonial goes here talking about using Bolt Hunter in the field, as well as showing several pictures taken with it.”
- Customer Name
Built on science, not gimmicks
The research behind Bolt Hunter
Data-driven algorithms shaped by real storm measurements
Designed for fast pulse windows and ambient adaptation
False-trigger reduction without missing the strike
Pricing and Early Access
Be first in the field. Limited early units are available for the 2025 season. Join for launch pricing and cable selection for your camera.
Bolt Hunter FAQ
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Bolt Hunter is a camera lightning trigger (not affiliated with Lightning Trigger®).
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No. Bolt Hunter uses clear on-device modes—fast in the field.
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Yes—select the standard shutter cable for your camera at checkout.
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Rechargeable LiPo with managed power. No more surprise dead 9Vs.
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Yes. AGC adapts automatically, and you can still set manual levels.
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