Or I could add another 150 bucks to the principal on my mortgage! :( Anyway I was looking at the TIR 4 bundle with the clip. How well does the TIR mount to your LCD monitor? Mine has a really thick bezel, probably 2.5 inches at least....Also does anyone use TIR without the clip for the headset? How well do the little reflectors work that you stick on a ballcap? Oh, one more thing I thought of is lighting. I use CFL in the office, would that mess up the IR sensors?I do want pedals but I only really want the pedals from that upcoming Logitech G940 package, and I don't know if they'll sell them separately from the throttle/stick combo

Mine looks like it measure 2 1/4" at the widest setting.

I use a piece of duct tape to secure the TIR head. It's spot sources of light that tend to confuse the TIR more than diffuse light, unless you have a klieg lamp inside your room. Spot reflections from windows, direct sun, eyeglasses, and halogen standing lamps of the sort that you are not supposed to buy anymore are usually the worst offenders. You can filter most of that out with the software. If not, you can put something up to block spot sources of light that shine directly on the sensor. The reflectors and the sensor are designed to work in concert. While the sensor will pick up other spot sources of light, the reflectors are by far the most consistent source, or at least they should be. That's how the software filter works: it looks for the three most constant sources in a line or a triangle. The only way that you could use the TrackIR without the clip is to get the ClipPro. Otherwise it doesn't recognize the source. I guess you could force the TIR into "spot" mode, but then you'd lose the six degrees of movement, and you'd have to glue a foil dot onto your forehead. It's unimaginably stupid to walk out of the house should you forget about that dot. Jeff ShylukSenior Staff ReviewerAVSIM

The only way that you could use the TrackIR without the clip is to get the ClipPro. Otherwise it doesn't recognize the source. I guess you could force the TIR into "spot" mode, but then you'd lose the six degrees of movement, and you'd have to glue a foil dot onto your forehead. It's unimaginably stupid to walk out of the house should you forget about that dot. Jeff ShylukSenior Staff ReviewerAVSIM

I'm a little confused. The TIR 4 comes with this thing that clips on the brow of a baseball/golf cap. It works GREAT. Then there's an option that clips on the mic, that's the "Clip", it uses active light sources. I don't have it, but I have read many people say it works well. But I wonder why to spend the extra money.The only time I've had a problem with light sources was when there was a window directly behind me. Windows to the side are rarely a problem, only if you've got the sun low on the horizon beaming straight in.The attachment on the bottom of the TIR works on ANY monitor.

I have some leftover bday money and I bought a Saitek keyboard with backlighting so I can finally fly at night. Right now I have an older CH throttle and a MS FFB2 joystick with twist as rudder. I can't get both but I would like opinions on Track IR (probably version 4 with track clip) OR a good set of pedals, maybe saitek or CH, but I noticed logitech had some really nice looking ones too.

It's up to you but flying without pedals is so far from RLW so If you want the most realistic flight experience on your PC you should go for the rudders first because without it's not even close to the real deal ;-) despite the great track IR features.

It's up to you but flying without pedals is so far from RLW so If you want the most realistic flight experience on your PC you should go for the rudders first because without it's not even close to the real deal ;-) despite the great track IR features.

I highly disagree. I HATE not being able to turn my head and look as I'm flying. Not that I don't like having rudder pedals. But it is MUCH more important to me to be able to simulate the way I look around.As I noted above, an X-Box controller works great for giving you active rudder pedals until you're able to get your own.

I highly disagree. I HATE not being able to turn my head and look as I'm flying. Not that I don't like having rudder pedals. But it is MUCH more important to me to be able to simulate the way I look around.As I noted above, an X-Box controller works great for giving you active rudder pedals until you're able to get your own.

You can't do landings properly without a rudder let alone turns, taxi on the ground or use brakes in a realistic fashion.You can still looks side to side with panning. It is nicer with tracker ir but rudders would be most important to simming if you are looking for reality.I spent the xtra money for the clip cause I don't like wearing hats.

I guess I've just become too accustomed to my X-Box controller. With it I've got full rudder control and brakes and everything. (It's great when you're traveling too, fits a lot better in your seat when you're using your laptop on the plane, and easier to carry around, too).

Oh, one more thing I thought of is lighting. I use CFL in the office, would that mess up the IR sensors?

Anyone have an answer for this one?Also, I DO have rudder, its just in the form of twist on my joystick, so I can have differential braking, just not with toe brakes

The only thing I find that messes with TIR's tracking is if you have a very strong source of light off to one side. I tend to use TIR next to a window which is close to the side of me. Iif it is a bright sunny day, I have to close the curtain to stop the sunlight messing with the tracking, but since that only happens in very strong light, it's not a major inconvenience. I've not really had any issues with artificial lights (that's with TIR 4 and the Hat clip sensor).Al

I have some leftover bday money and I bought a Saitek keyboard with backlighting so I can finally fly at night. Right now I have an older CH throttle and a MS FFB2 joystick with twist as rudder. I can't get both but I would like opinions on Track IR (probably version 4 with track clip) OR a good set of pedals, maybe saitek or CH, but I noticed logitech had some really nice looking ones too.

TrackIR 5

Anyone have an answer for this one?

" It's spot sources of light that tend to confuse the TIR more than diffuse light, unless you have a klieg lamp inside your room. Spot reflections from windows, direct sun, eyeglasses, and halogen standing lamps of the sort that you are not supposed to buy anymore are usually the worst offenders. You can filter most of that out with the software. If not, you can put something up to block spot sources of light that shine directly on the sensor. "That's what I wrote in answer to your question. Is your CFL a spot source of light? Yes or no? In another thread, I suggest that you go out and read the AVSIM Reviews for the TrackIR product line. I cannot encourage you any more than I will right now to do so! A lot of time and effort went into those Reviews, and reading them would answer so many of your questions!Jeff ShylukSenior Staff ReviewerAVSIM

Well I still haven't decided lolI read the TrackIR review, and read through that Free Track manual - one needs to put a lot of time into that hehe, probably would cost 20 bucks or so to makeAnd I was really thinking it would be nice to have rudders but honestly I'm not satisfied with the variety. CH has been around for a long time but I tried a pair at a friends house and I did not like how they felt at all. I have not seen those Saitek ones (except in pictures) and they look sorta hokey lol. Maybe once the Logitech G940 comes out we can get pedals separate.150 bucks for TIR 4 pro150 bucks for rudder pedals heheAhhh decisions!!!

Well I still haven't decided lolI read the TrackIR review, and read through that Free Track manual - one needs to put a lot of time into that hehe, probably would cost 20 bucks or so to makeAnd I was really thinking it would be nice to have rudders but honestly I'm not satisfied with the variety. CH has been around for a long time but I tried a pair at a friends house and I did not like how they felt at all. I have not seen those Saitek ones (except in pictures) and they look sorta hokey lol. Maybe once the Logitech G940 comes out we can get pedals separate.150 bucks for TIR 4 pro150 bucks for rudder pedals heheAhhh decisions!!!

Where do you live? I've seen TIR4Pro for 99, I think on the TIR site. Check Amazon, too.

thats with the clip too, I dont want to wear a hat while simming , it may be more like 135 excluding shipping for the clip pro and TIR 4

Go for the rudder pedals. Makes flying a lot more realistic. TrackIR adds to the eye candy, but rudder pedals adds to the realism.