Head Tracking Poll

[cj-ibbotson 77]

6 hours ago, Dominique_K said:

Using the thumb switch of my warthog  joystick which puts me in the ‘none’ category I suppose 😁.

I understand the angular rotation is not in a 1:1 ratio but I have always wondered how it feels like to rotate the physical head, say of 45° to the left, to bring your virtual head to a 120° left rotation, having your eyeballs all the way to the right corner to still grasp a clear view of your screen.

Maybe because I have a not so good eyesight. Too  cautious ? I may try the Tobii gizmo though with Amazon return policy.

When using a 48" oled gaming monitor my eyes are still looking straight at the screen even if my head is turned 30 to 45 degrees. A large screen is essential 

[Dominique_K 10,133]

13 minutes ago, cj-ibbotson said:

When using a 48" oled gaming monitor my eyes are still looking straight at the screen even if my head is turned 30 to 45 degrees. A large screen is essential 

Thanks, I thought that much but was not sure. 

[Malaromane 421]

24 minutes ago, cj-ibbotson said:

I often pause TrackIR using a mapped side button on my mouse. Never has my view reset to centre on pause. Used to be a setting on Chaseplane years ago to toggle this in P3D but not seen such an option on MSFS. Do you have an addon camera app like FS Realistic causing the TIR reset?

My statement was in reference to using Tobii in MSFS. That's precisely why I favour TrackIR in MSFS; I can pause the head tracking at what I'm looking at. When using Tobii in MSFS -- which depends on the settings directly in MSFS to configure -- the view resets back to the default forward view and I've not found any setting that prevents that. Whereas, in X-Plane 12 -- which uses settings built into Tobii Game Hub -- you can tick a box that keeps the view locked to what you were looking at when you paused head tracking.

[Farlis 2,280]

I use the only reasonable form of head tracking: VR

😉

[ryanbatc 12,820]

I like my Track IR5 also have had it for about a decade.

Recently got into VR too though.  There's good things and bath things about each.

If I had more clarity in my headset I'd give up TIR probably forever.  We're close but I think another gen or two of VR headsets should do it.

There is a downside of VR that's tough to get around....no charts in cockpit.  Some have it integrated but charts and a scratch pad would be awesome.

[Sonosusto 669]

Delan Clip. Works really well with MSFS, Elite Dangerous, American/Euro Truck Simulator, etc Attaches to headphones.

It uses a PS3 camera connected via USB. No fuss.

I can't/won't do VR. Too many controls/buttons in several different sims etc that it won't work for me. Having the Alpha/Bravo does a great deal of controls/buttons but some of my games/sims (Like Elite) don't have Virtual Cockpits per se. Then again, I use my T16000 combo for that.

[Simtech95382 24]

I have to add my two cents of using Grass Monkey Head tracker. It's very similar to the Devan Clip, but all of the components needed are in a kit for about 1/3 of the price of TIR. Great support as well. Works well not only with MSFS but with ETS and ATS as well. It's a very acceptable alternative, it's wireless and I use rechargeable batteries that last weeks between charging.

[mwilk 1,106]

So, on a lark I picked up the Tobii eye tracker. I've been using TrackIR for as long as I remember. My current unit is more than 10 years old. I've tried setting up the Tobii in MSFS using some of the recommendation on YouTube. One thing I've noticed is that there seems to be just a bit of a lag when panning. Another issue I have is even when my head is still it seems like the view has a tendency to drift which can make it difficult when programming the CDU or flipping switches. Do any of you have settings that you feel really work for you? Any help would be appreciated. 

[Malaromane 421]

On 3/14/2023 at 8:54 PM, ryanbatc said:

There is a downside of VR that's tough to get around....no charts in cockpit.  Some have it integrated but charts and a scratch pad would be awesome.

I agree with your stated shortcomings with IR. But if you have a Navigraph subscription, you can use their in-sim charts app in VR and it's relatively decent option.

Additionally, you might take a peek at Sky4Sim (they have a free version that you can take for a spin). You can supply .pdf charts and it has a notepad feature (along with many other features). I find the app indispensable for VR flying.

[ryanbatc 12,820]

2 hours ago, Malaromane said:

I agree with your stated shortcomings with IR. But if you have a Navigraph subscription, you can use their in-sim charts app in VR and it's relatively decent option.

Additionally, you might take a peek at Sky4Sim (they have a free version that you can take for a spin). You can supply .pdf charts and it has a notepad feature (along with many other features). I find the app indispensable for VR flying.

I wasnt aware of either of these.  I mean I'm aware if navigraph but you're saying their charts are visible while in VR?  That would be a huge plus.  I don't have a sub anymore because I fly mostly in USA and Canada.  But I'd consider re-upping for that.

[TomCYYZ 210]

12 hours ago, mwilk said:

So, on a lark I picked up the Tobii eye tracker. I've been using TrackIR for as long as I remember. My current unit is more than 10 years old. I've tried setting up the Tobii in MSFS using some of the recommendation on YouTube. One thing I've noticed is that there seems to be just a bit of a lag when panning. Another issue I have is even when my head is still it seems like the view has a tendency to drift which can make it difficult when programming the CDU or flipping switches. Do any of you have settings that you feel really work for you? Any help would be appreciated. 

When I first started using Tobii I found the drifting issue very annoying. It was because I had the "Eye vs Head Tracking Ratio" set below 1.00. I found that even a slight adjustment below that value (eg.   .98 or even .99) would cause my view to drift either left or right depending on where my eyes wandered. By setting it to 1.00 it in effect eliminates the drift when I move my eyes.

[petejohno1 63]

The Tobii is a generation above trackir. My trackir served me well for 20years but the Tobii is so much easier to use and adjust. No wires, and I can look 360 degrees without it losing focus. 

[darshonaut 237]

I use my old Microsoft Webcam plus AI Track plus Opentrack.

Works well enough for me and the software was free.

 

[orchestra_nl 925]

On 3/15/2023 at 1:54 AM, ryanbatc said:

There is a downside of VR that's tough to get around....no charts in cockpit.  Some have it integrated but charts and a scratch pad would be awesome.

I came across this video lately: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCnGwW_o2r0&t=488s

It demonstrates how reality and VR could be mixed in order to read charts or operate controllers.

[Malaromane 421]

14 hours ago, ryanbatc said:

I wasnt aware of either of these.  I mean I'm aware if navigraph but you're saying their charts are visible while in VR?  That would be a huge plus.  I don't have a sub anymore because I fly mostly in USA and Canada.  But I'd consider re-upping for that.

Navigraph released a Charts app that runs directly in MSFS and is accessible via the MSFS menu bar. It works in both 2D and 3D mode. I pop the Charts window open and position it on the passenger seat. Works well for me.