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TrackIR 5 - taking the plunge!

Featured Replies

So I'm finally taking the plunge into this thing, but I thought it would be good idea if I'd make a thread to ask some questions, and people can tell me what I need to know.
 

1. I am using a headset, do you recommend the TrackClip Pro? What are its advantages/disadvantages?
2. Is there a loss of framerate at all in FSX when using TrackIR?
3. TrackIR movements can be displayed at 120 FPS according to the manufacturer. Isn't that dependant on the game as well? So for example I get 5 FPS and move my head, and the motion will be 5 FPS as well or will it be 120 FPS?
4. Anything else I need to know?

Arjen Vandervelde

I think you'll like it. It takes a little getting used to, but after 5 minutes it you will wonder how you ever did without it.

I have not noticed any loss of framerate.

 

Not sure about your framerate question, but I would assume their 120fps refers to the Track IR camera...Nothing to do with game framerates. Think of it as the "samples" per second Track IR is going to triangulate your head position.

 

Have fun with it.

Hiya Arjen

 

I use TrackIR, but am still a bit new to it, but what I can tell you is, I use the track clip pro, and boy is it fragile...

My first one broke really easily, so my second one, I set its position, then superglued it in place with a LOT of superglue, then wrapped the arm in heavy duty duct tape to re-enforce it severely.

 

If you do get the track clip pro, make sure you strengthen the heck out of it..

 

Frame rates, I havent seen any loss in frame rates when using it at all... As far as I can tell, its simply an alternative input method to tell FSX where to look, same as your hat switch, only more fluid and of course, following your head. You will need 3 buttons spare to use it for "Centre / Pause / Precision"

Richard...
Amateur Pilot and UK Web Hosting Guru 🙂

No loss of framerate, but it is a separate process that has to run alongside fsx.  On a past processor I found it useful to bump the process priority to one above FSX, because it could stutter, but I no longer need to do this.  Make sure you have it plugged into a powered hub.  If you have a headset, you might as well go with the active IR of the TrackClip Pro, but I don't find it all that necessary.  I got best results from the regular hat clip by bending the middle prong a little bit forward, but that will depend on your geometry.  Now my question to you--what took you so long?

So I'm finally taking the plunge into this thing, but I thought it would be good idea if I'd make a thread to ask some questions, and people can tell me what I need to know.

 

1. I am using a headset, do you recommend the TrackClip Pro? What are its advantages/disadvantages?

2. Is there a loss of framerate at all in FSX when using TrackIR?

3. TrackIR movements can be displayed at 120 FPS according to the manufacturer. Isn't that dependant on the game as well? So for example I get 5 FPS and move my head, and the motion will be 5 FPS as well or will it be 120 FPS?

4. Anything else I need to know?

 

Arjen

 

I have the TrackIR 5 with the TrackClip Pro (TC Pro), and like it was mentioned above, it's pretty fragile.  Lucky me, I haven't broken it....yet.  I use the TC Pro only when I have my headset on, and flying online.  Most of my flying is off line, so I fly with my hat clip.  I have a flimsy hat so my headset can set on my head with no "headaches", if I wanted to fly without the TC Pro.

 

1.  I recommend the TrackClip Pro.  Like mentioned, the disadvantage is it's fragile, and may break. 

2.  No loss of framerates at all with my system.

3.  Have not researched, nor experimented.  So basically....I don't know

4.  I think it's a very good investment for your FSX experiences.

 

I also use EZDOK and have no problems as it's fully compatible.

 

Rod

Rod Beck

Personally I just wear my headset over my hat when I use TrackIR. Gets the job done, and I can't say it's any less comfortable.

Definitely get TrackClipPro and especially if you have a window where light may come in. The clip uses its own light source, so it is much smoother with its operation and is less effected by light.

Like it has been said, it is stupidly fragile, so, although my first one lasted for a couple of years, the new one that I bought to replace it, broke after a few months. I don't even know what I did to break it because I'm always very careful. Anyway, I was able to fix and reinforce it with a little duct tape and it's fine now.

I would not fly without it now.  I keep an extra TrackClip still in the box, just in case.

Robert Yunque

PilotEdge Ratings =   CAT-11 (2016-09-13)  I-11 (2016-10-23)  V-3 (2016-08-01)

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Well I've just taken the plunge also Arjen and ordered TrackIR 5 today.

 

I tried the free facetracknoir which uses a webcam to track your face. It's got real potential but it's no there yet. It feels too imprecise and was very difficult to get the settings correct.

 

As for wearing a hat/headset, I saw elsewhere that someone else had a novel ide for if you don't wear a headset and don't want to wear a hat,  you can get one of those brown/black plastic hairbands that women wear and attach the track clip pro to that. I may give it a try when mine arrives. Apparently it doesn't make you look feminine! :lol:

-Anthony Young-

 

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." - Leonardo da Vinci

Guys

I am considering buying Trackir in a few weeks. I have Facetracknoir and Freetrack which I use for FSX, but I find them way too responsive and unreliable. Could someone who has tried these and has Trackir please give a quick comparision. What I really want to know is Trackir really worth the money considering there are free alternatives on the market.

 

Many thanks

John.

Could someone who has tried these and has Trackir please give a quick comparision

 

Should hopefully receive mine in the mail today, so if I have time tonight to play around I'll try and give a quick comparison tomorrow.

-Anthony Young-

 

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." - Leonardo da Vinci

I have been using TrackIR for years. First TrackIR4 and now TrackIR 5. In the beginning I used the Track Clip Pro and it does the job but IMHO no better than the metal clip that goes on a baseball cap. Granted if you don't have a light controlled environment you might need the Track clip pro but don't forget it is not Wireless! and I cannot stand cables hanging out of my head. TrackIR5 is a noticeable improvement over TrackIR4 for me. I highly recommend it. It does take a little getting accustomed too but once you brain gets used to it you will love it! My tip is not to forget to use precision mode - F7 or click on it in the GUI (bottom right) it smooths out jerky movement beautifully! :biggrin:

 

 


My tip is not to forget to use precision mode - F7 or click on it in the GUI (bottom right) it smooths out jerky movement beautifully!

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep that in mind.

-Anthony Young-

 

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." - Leonardo da Vinci

Profiles are freely available via the Natural Point website. I use the one called 'Seth' that replaced the last one I used 'Optimized flight'. I use the vector clip with Trackir 4..

Dave Taylor gb.png

 

 

 

Hi Folks!

Wonder how I did before without it...

I use the TrackIRv5 with the TrackClipPro (for the headset) and keep the TrackClip (for the hat/cap) in stock, just in case...

TrackClipPro is really fragile. I don't know how, but I "managed" to brake it at the two joints for the IR diods holder. So it might be a good idea to "fix it" prior to use. I used a tiny strip of adhesive tape for the lower joint and put a LEGO brick (the smallest one, round style) into the gap behind the upper joint...

If I would ever loose my TrackIR, I would definitely buy me a new one, as it is really big fun and extremely useful.

I use it in conjunction with Nvidia 3D vision2 technique and their dedicated goggles. That combination makes a lot of sense as it perfectly contributes to immersion. It is like a 3D turbo switch...

On my laptop I have to run 1280x720 "only" mode (on a 27" Asus 120Hz monitor), which may not be enough for the high resolution freaks, but by moving your head inside the cockpit towards the instruments it is possible to read everything, e.g. the speed limits below the gear lever on the 737 panel...

Also a bit off topic: When the Oculus Rift 3D-goggles (as I heard) comes out to be "head orientation tracking only", TrackIR still might come into play for "head position tracking" which is actually mandatory for 3D space exploration...

 

Always happy landings,

Claus

Claus KUEPPER

I use the clip on a baseball hat.  It was an instant addiction!

LUIS LINARES

Processor: Intel Core i9 6700K 9900K (5.0 GHz Turbo) Eight Core; CPU Cooling: NXXT Kraken X62 280mm CPU Liquid Cooler; System Memory: 64GB Corsair DDR4 SDRAM @ 3200 MHz, RGB; Graphics Processor: 11GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, GDDR6, Primary Drive: 2TB Samsung 850 Pro Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

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