I have it but don't use it much. All that bobbing about makes me feel sick.

 

The key is to get the proper profile. I almost returned mine within the first week of ownership. The default ones are terrible and also made me sick. Then I found "Seth - Flight" profile on their forums... I couldn't fly a small plane without it now.

how many FSX users actually visit FSX-forums.

Ha ha ha ha, surely the answer to that can only be 100%

 

I dont have TrackIR yet, but am kinda hovering over the buy it button on Amazon... Very tempted, puely because the hat-switch looking around is a pain in the &@($* to get centred again, and it makes such big movements.. Incredibly akward using a hat switch just to keep looking down at the instruments then try to flip back up and end up looking at the ceiling.

Track IR, photo scenery, PA-28, FSX and the virtual cockpit - makes for a very similar experience to my real world VFR GA flying. I couldn't fly a sim without it.

 

It was pretty much install and go for me over 4 years ago and I've never looked back (well unless I wanted to in the sim!).

Would anyone who had TrackIR4 and then upgraded to TrackIR5 (Referring to the actual hardware, not just the software) care to comment on whether the differences were worth it or what differences you noticed?

 

I've had the TrackIR4 unit (using it with the TrackIR5 software) for years and I love it and it certainly gets its use between FSX and combat sims. I've been considering upgrading to TrackIR5 but just can't seem to decide whether I'd see a significant enough difference from TrackIR4 or not.

 

I'd have to agree with ryanbatcund above, he had recommended that "Seth - Flight" profile to me in another thread and its working out great.

 

I'd also have to agree with those that consider the TrackIR to be part of their "standard" flight sim gear. Yoke or Stick, throttle, pedals, and for me - TrackIR rates right up there with those. Now I'm just hoping that maybe someday Force Feedback makes some great strides in hardware, software, and implementation by vendors as well. It would be really nice if someday they could actually code for the correct feedback from an aircraft. It would be great if you could feel your pedals stiffen at speed, and then have the travel get long and mushy when you're slow on final with a boot full of rudder for the crosswind. Maybe someday force feedback will rate up there with TrackIR too.

If you enjoy flying in a bush environment I believe TrackIR is indispensable. I have used TrackIR for years now and wouldn't consider being without it. As a matter of fact, here is my formula for a truly wonderful GA bush experience:

 

Hardware up to the task (to include multi-monitors & Nvidia's Surround mode)

Orbx scenery and airports

OpusFSX

TrackIR5

MCE

Plan G

a few of your favorite GA a/c with good STOL characteristics and an even disposition.

 

For me, it doesn't get any better!

I suspect your webcam-based set up is not as sensitive as TrackIR. TrackIR works smoothly and accurately with the tiny head movements that you automatically make any time you look towards the edges of any 19"+ monitor. I tried a webcam solution before Track IR and it required excessive "deliberate" head movement that was uncomfortable. Track IR is so much more natural.

 

Cheers

Clark

 

Yes, it's not precise as Track IR, but you can adjust various filters in the freetrack software to have a precise and smooth motion.

First thing that bothers me is that I can't click on some switch in VC pretty fast as I do with EZCA. It takes A LOT of time to get used to head movements, to be in position to look at overhead panel in one simple head move without corrections, and in the next second to click on a switch without moving your head, pretty annoying, and in the same time I feel like an idiot with those funny head moves and head freezes lol.

Second, when I want tolook at the side windows in VC (90 deegres look), I will rotate my head for 10-20 deegres, that's ok. But it's quite awkward feel when you must keep your eyes on the same spot while rotating your head. With triple monitor setup that is not an issue I guess.

I have it but don't use it much. All that bobbing about makes me feel sick.

 

This is true for me as well. I get queasy using it. I have tried getting used to it, though, but, I have trouble clicking buttons when they're moving around. I also run into the situation where I have to keep resetting the head angle by moving my head up and down. I quit using it altogether when I got EZDoc (though I did try again for a while). I don't see myself using it going forward.

Yep, mapping EZCA VC views on my flightstick is much better than Track IR or Freetrack. I can switch views very fast, and no problems of view correction.

click on a switch without moving your head

 

Agreed. I assigned an extra button on my mouse to freeze/unfreeze TrackIR so I don't have to chase a moving target when I'm clicking on the virtual cockpit. Problem solved!

 

But it's quite awkward feel when you must keep your eyes on the same spot while rotating your head. With triple monitor setup that is not an issue I guess.

 

I don't have a triple monitor, just a 21" screen.

 

I found that turning up the ratio of camera-to-head rotation makes that "sideways looking" go away. My eyes stay fixed straight ahead in my head while I turn my head slightly to make the camera rotate to things just off screen and I see them as they come on to the screen. My eyes don't really turn off to the side since the high rotation magnification means my face never turns that much to make the camera move. The only time I feel my eyes really rotating off-center is when I need to look over my virtual shoulder, ie, the very end limits of rotation.

 

Of course, this only works if the tech is smooth enough and has appropriate center-zone damping to allow a stable presentation even when the camera gains are set very high to rotate a lot given a tiny head movement. TrackIR 5's high resolution IR sensor and high albedo reflector targets provide this. Their curve software is very customizable too.

 

Anyway, I'm not arguing with you or saying you shouldn't feel uncomfortable. I'm just sharing how I was able to address those issues to my satisfaction.

 

Clark

I had TrackIR, but found myself using EZDOK more than it. So I sold the TrackIR. I just found myself peering less and less in the VC.

As I did t have it, I thought it a pointless purchase. I couldn't see myself wearing a cap indoors.

 

As I have a three monitor set up my thumb was starting to tire. There had to be a better way I thought.

 

The order was placed. Now I wear a cap mostly or headphones and my thumb is very very happy.

Own it.. love it, but seldom use it. Why?

 

I wear progressive lens. I found the lack of focused peripheral vision a real pain. The same was true when I could afford to fly real world. The solution then was to use a pair of lined-bifocal glasses with distance and reading ranges.

 

The path to happiness with Track IR might be a pair of single vision glasses, with the focal length set to monitor distance. I just haven't bought them yet.

 

Ernie

Agreed. I assigned an extra button on my mouse to freeze/unfreeze TrackIR so I don't have to chase a moving target when I'm clicking on the virtual cockpit. Problem solved!

 

 

 

I don't have a triple monitor, just a 21" screen.

 

I found that turning up the ratio of camera-to-head rotation makes that "sideways looking" go away. My eyes stay fixed straight ahead in my head while I turn my head slightly to make the camera rotate to things just off screen and I see them as they come on to the screen. My eyes don't really turn off to the side since the high rotation magnification means my face never turns that much to make the camera move. The only time I feel my eyes really rotating off-center is when I need to look over my virtual shoulder, ie, the very end limits of rotation.

 

Of course, this only works if the tech is smooth enough and has appropriate center-zone damping to allow a stable presentation even when the camera gains are set very high to rotate a lot given a tiny head movement. TrackIR 5's high resolution IR sensor and high albedo reflector targets provide this. Their curve software is very customizable too.

 

Anyway, I'm not arguing with you or saying you shouldn't feel uncomfortable. I'm just sharing how I was able to address those issues to my satisfaction.

 

Clark

 

I agree with all that you said. The problem with freetrack is low res. sensor from my entry level webcam, capturing at 320x240. I'm using smoothing options that comes with FT software, but then the huge lag is visible after change of view. I'm also using view deadzone, it is a must.

But still I don't think that freetrack will give me a advantage, neither in freedom of view or with clicking on switches.

I mapped all my views in EZCA on my flightstick buttons (main, sideviews, overhead panel, pedestal...) so I can look through side window and then click on a switch on overhead panel in 2 seconds. That is very important in some emergency situations imho.

Agreed. I assigned an extra button on my mouse to freeze/unfreeze TrackIR so I don't have to chase a moving target when I'm clicking on the virtual cockpit. Problem solved!

 

Thats a great idea Clark. I never thought of adding the "pause" command to the mouse. I'm going to try that tonight.

No. Both absolutely unrealistic and a prison.

 

+1000000000

 

I actually tried it twice and HATED it.... The way you stare at your screen and turn your head is so blatantly unrealistic that it is just disgusting.