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Anyone using TrackIR?

M

Marcdaddy

2[H]4U
Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
3,636
Hi guys I have a dedicated racing setup and just got into flight sims/combat, I've seen some videos of TrackIR and it's supported in some of the games I play. First off is it fun to use or more of a gimmick? where is the best place to buy one? I've seen Star Citizen supports this but it seems to also support Oculus Rift do I'm on the fence.
 
TrackIR is really cool, but I don't use it for race sims. I think it's much better for flight sims or space sims. It's definitely not a gimmick but it does take some getting used to, and honestly it's a bit archaic these days when a simple gyro (i.e. what Occulus uses to track head movement) could do the same thing much easier.

NaturalPoint (creators of TrackIR) should make a gyro-based product that integrates with their existing software...
 
It looks amazing. I wish I could afford one. It certainly makes looking around easier.

It does have some advantages over the Oculus Rift (not that I have used it) in that you can use your normal monitor, there is less hardware on your face, and you get a better view of your controls. <--- Useful when switching between a HOTAS, mouse, MFDs or other input devices.

You tell me if this looks easier, more realistic and less cumbersome than using a mouse or hat switch to quickly look around whilst flying and using weapons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLTWZoKSwvs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11euVA-tGTQ

Now watch my video (skip to around 4:30 for looking around):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf6eN7MY8iw

What looks smoother? Often times I can't look around because my thumb is occupied with hitting buttons. And when I can it looks jittery and unnatural.
 
I bought one pretty much exclusively for playing ArmA, and I love it. I bought mine from a user on [H] on FS/FT.

It's really great in flight sims, too.

It's not a gimmick at all, as on these games situational awareness is key. Only problem is, you are paying $100+ for something that only works on a handful of titles.
 
I haven't flight simmed in a while, but my TrackIR 4 is just ready and waiting for Star Citizen. When I get around to picking up some of the DCS titles, TIR will be a must.

I will never fly virtually without it.
 
MavericK96 said:
I bought one pretty much exclusively for playing ArmA, and I love it. I bought mine from a user on [H] on FS/FT.

It's really great in flight sims, too.

It's not a gimmick at all, as on these games situational awareness is key. Only problem is, you are paying $100+ for something that only works on a handful of titles.
Click to expand...

Same here, I bought it pretty much exclusively for Arms/DayZ (and potentially Star Citizen) and it's pretty great when I actually get to use it.

I discovered earlier that it was compatible with the original Insurgency mod, but I can't find any info on whether the new standalone game supports it. Would love to be able to use it for INS.
 
Guys thanks for all the info! I just bought one from Amazon, using it with Arma might be pretty cool.
 
I utilize an open source alternative called FreeTrack to play DCS:World, ARMA, and a few other titles. I don't ever want to play a sim without it--the tactical awareness it provides vastly improves gameplay and immersion. Does require a little DIY but compared to the crazy price of TrackIR...yes please!
 
I've tried some of the cheaper alternatives, and they really don't hold a candle to TrackIR. The main issue being that most webcams that you would use for them don't have the framerate to give you smooth motion, whereas the TrackIR polls at like 120 FPS.
 
I hate it when flight/space sims don't support head tracking. I keep moving my head out of habit but the screen won't follow. Anyone else have this issue with TIR?
 
MavericK96 said:
I've tried some of the cheaper alternatives, and they really don't hold a candle to TrackIR. The main issue being that most webcams that you would use for them don't have the framerate to give you smooth motion, whereas the TrackIR polls at like 120 FPS.
Click to expand...

Performance depends a lot on the physical point-model setup. My best results were with a 3d printed frame matching their recommended specs. I've tried everything from 30 to 120 FPS, it makes zero difference. You probably needed to tune your movement curves to find that golden spot. I spent $20 on my setup and it works just as well as the $150 model (granted, I spent a fair amount of time calibrating).
 
Crispy002 said:
Performance depends a lot on the physical point-model setup. My best results were with a 3d printed frame matching their recommended specs. I've tried everything from 30 to 120 FPS, it makes zero difference. You probably needed to tune your movement curves to find that golden spot. I spent $20 on my setup and it works just as well as the $150 model (granted, I spent a fair amount of time calibrating).
Click to expand...

So you have used TrackIR as a comparison? I ask because I have tried FreeTrack on a 30 FPS webcam and it was NOT the same experience at all. I have heard of people using the PS Eye camera (which I believe is capable of 120 FPS) with some success, but for the most part I was not impressed with free options.

You can also just buy the TrackIR TrackClip Pro and use that with a FreeTrack setup as well.
 
Once you get used to a TrackIR in flight sims, you will never fly without. It's damn good.
 
Yippee38 said:
Once you get used to a TrackIR in flight sims, you will never fly without. It's damn good.
Click to expand...

Definitely. And it has to be said that the TrackIR software and game support is extremely good. It's got a clean interface and allows you to tweak basically everything, including very detailed (even asymmetrical, if you so choose) adjustment of curves. Plus just about every game that has anything to do with driving, flying, or any type of vehicle simulation supports it.
 
Yippee38 said:
Once you get used to a TrackIR in flight sims, you will never fly without. It's damn good.
Click to expand...

Agreed. In FSX, it makes a huge difference. From looking out the windows, to getting a good view of the gauges, it's a great accessory.
 
As far as the best place to buy one, take your pick. Every single place I've seen it for sale have all been $149.99. I've never seen this item with a reduced sale price, even during the holidays.
It's been the same price for the last few years.
 
It's an extremely niche item. I think I got mine lightly used on FS/FT for $125 or so, with the TrackClip Pro and whatnot. Definitely a lot of money, but if you play certain games it is extremely worth it. It's the same with flight sim gear, as well...$100+ for each little piece of the rig, but if you are really into that genre then it is worth it.

Plus, if you go to resell a TrackIR I imagine you can get almost what you bought it for, as long as it's in good shape.

I just wish more FPS games used it. Sadly, without free head movement (which most games don't have) it doesn't really do much for you there.
 
FYI, All the DCS modules are on sale on Steam right now. DCS: World is free as always, of course.

Black Shark 1/2: $5 / $10
A-10C: $10
P-51: $13.50
UH-1 Huey: $30
 
Do you guys/gals use it with a single monitor or with 3, or something? Is it better to have multiple monitors or will it work okay with one? Thanks!
 
I've always used it with one monitor. The beauty of it is that you can adjust the rotation so you turn your head just as much as you want. Keep in mind that the sensors are basically on the front of your head, so if you turn your head too much, the TrackIR sender will not see it.

It does take some time to get used to the rate of movement. Once get it though, you get it. It becomes a very natural feeling interface. You do not have to think about it.

If you've every tried to use hat switches to keep an eye on a bad guy, you will appreciate TrackIR. In fact, one of my long-time flight sim buddies just got one and he's been raving about it since.

FWIW, I've got a TrackIR 3 Pro, and it's great. I have no need to upgrade to the 4 or 5. I've also heard that the clip is fragile. I don't have the clip, I've got the hat doohikie. It's kind of a T shaped thing that clips on the bill of a hat. It works great. Also, you want to be sure that you don't have any bright light sources behind your head when you use it (like a candle, or window with open drapes). The sensor will pick that up and won't track properly.
 
TexasAg05 said:
FYI, All the DCS modules are on sale on Steam right now. DCS: World is free as always, of course.

Black Shark 1/2: $5 / $10
A-10C: $10
P-51: $13.50
UH-1 Huey: $30
Click to expand...

Make sure to get Flaming Cliffs 3. 6 DoF cockpits for all planes eventually, and F-15C/Su-27 AFM coming soon.

Snoflo said:
Do you guys/gals use it with a single monitor or with 3, or something? Is it better to have multiple monitors or will it work okay with one? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Track IR predates common multi monitor setups by a number of years. Of course it works fine with single monitors.
 
It doesn't really have any dependence on the monitor, anyway, AFAIK...I would think it would work fine on multi-monitor.
 
Thanks very much for the info (especially for that great explanation, Yippee). I'll probably get one after I see how I get on with a CH Flightstick (I haven't 'simmed' in years).
 
Anyone have experience with building their own TrackIR-like clone? I have a PS3 Eye and tried using the FreeTrackNoIR with face-tracking, and it felt like I had Parkinson's -- constantly twitching and jumping around. I've wondered if there'd be any hope of getting the face-tracking stable enough, or if I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and make a tri-LED headgear.

Curious about anyone else's experiences in this (i.e., TrackIR "clones").

Oh, and also -- anyone have a copy of FC3 they're looking to sell, by chance? :) I'm kicking myself I missed the sale just a week ago. $15! :/
 
I use it for DCS a10, assetto corsa, and arma 3, it's hard to play without it once you've tried it but I'll probably sell it once the rift comes out.
 
I can't game without mine. Been using it for 2 years in arma2 and arma3.
 
I had a TrackIR 2 when that version came out. I could never get it setup to my liking. It was great for racing games because I could lock the movement down to 30-45 degrees left and right. But In flight sims it was just too wild to control, especially to 'check my six', and it never felt comfortable to turn my head away from the screen, but yet keep my eyes on the screen. I also tend to be move a lot when I'm sitting at the computer and the TrackIR would just snap a view to the pilots crotch any time I moved or coughed. At the time you could either set it up for minimal head movement and high sensitivity (very twitchy with minor movements), or high head movement and low sensitivity (which basically means you will not see the screen when you turn your head).

I think in the future a Rift type device would be a better way to go. It would be double the cost for the setup, but at least you would be facing the screen when you turned.
 
I honestly haven't found the fact that I have to turn my head an issue with TrackIR. If you set it up correctly, you should not be turning your head so far that you can't see the screen anymore, but you also don't want 1:1 head movement, obviously. So really the key to this is tweaking the acceleration curves so that the further you turn your head, the more acceleration the in-game turning has. I also personally use a small deadzone so that I'm not twitching all over the place when I'm looking forward.

As far as moving around...yeah, if you move your head around weird or something obviously it's going to translate to in-game, but if you're doing that with your head you're probably not looking at the screen so much at that moment anyway. Again, part of the key to this is setting up a deadzone you are comfortable with.

I think the way I have it set up for ArmA 2/3 is that I turn my head about 45 degrees at the most in any direction and I'm turned 180 degrees (or as close as the game will come to that) in-game.

It does take some getting used to, but I can't imagine playing ArmA without it now.
 
Yeah, the biggest problem was looking backward in the aircraft. If you keep it forward facing like in a racing game or arma I think it's a pretty ingenious piece of kit.
 
I use it in War Thunder with a triple monitor setup. Its freaking awesome. I've tried it in DayZ too for a bit and I like it there too. Takes hitting the c button out of the equation to look around, and with triple screen you don't have to move your head that much and can see completely behind you (in War Thunder)
 
I love TrackIR. I wish more games were compatible, arguably any FPS could benefit from it.
 
43st said:
Yeah, the biggest problem was looking backward in the aircraft. If you keep it forward facing like in a racing game or arma I think it's a pretty ingenious piece of kit.
Click to expand...

Well that's what I'm saying...if you set it up right you can have a maximum of 45-degree head turn equate to a full backwards look in a plane. I've set it up that way in ArmA for flying and it works great.

It definitely does take some tweaking and getting used to. I didn't like the default profiles at all, and I think everyone is going to be different in that regard.
 
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