Track IR

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Chaps, just wondering if anyone can advise on Track IR. I have been saving my pennies for months now and very nearly ready to purchase one - not the new TrackIR 5 but the version 4. My question is what would be best, using the track clip pro i.e. the one that sits on a headset or buying the one that fits on the base ball cap. Think I would look pretty stupid wearing a base ball cap in front of the screen but if that gives a better overall experience then so be it. Does anyone have it and if so any advise would be appreciated.

http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/02- ... 4-PRO.html

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards
Nigel.

[DaveB]

Think I would look pretty stupid wearing a base ball cap in front of the screen

Yes.. that's how I felt and that's one reason why I got rid of mine The headset option wasn't an option when I got my TIR4.. it came with the baseball cap bit and that was your lot. I guess wearing the headset adaption is less obtrusive.. if you wear a headset while flying but I don't do that either. Given the options.. it all boils down to how ridiculous you want to look.. more ridiculous by wearing a baseball cap indoors or less ridiculous by wearing a headset and pretending you're listening to music

ATB

DaveB

[Nigel H-J]

Thanks Dave, that has really helped a lot. Now just got to decide on what to wear in order to look more stupid in front of the monitor.

Got it.............think I'll settle for this device.

http://loyalkng.com/wp-content/uploads/ ... -funny.jpg

Regards
Nigel.

[DaveB]

That's a fine looking headset and a fine looking head wearing it

Sri Nige.. I didn't mean to confuse or cloud the issue at all. I wouldn't BS you in anyway but that's how I honestly feel about TIR. Prior to this, my last 'toe dip' into the 21st century was E3Dimensional FS glasses. I didn't wear glasses at the time and felt a complete and utter prat sitting at the pc looking like an older Joe90 The b1oody things didn't work anyway and while the support team were exceptional (and they were too).. there was no indication that the 'buyer' would be nowt more than a paying beta tester which is what all early buyers were. TIR is a far more useable bit of kit and comes into it's own on models like single seater fighters where you can't see JS out front.. something I've always found handy If you're a fan of VC's.. then something like this far outweighs trying to find your way around using a POV hat switch on your joystick. They're NOT as real as it gets.. despite what you might have read and are no more 'real' than a 2D panel.. less so in some circumstances. Pilots do NOT spend all day moving their heads to see instruments.. they move their eyes instead.. as we all do. WIth a TIR, there is more 'head moving' because of the limited field of vision the VC view gives and this takes some getting used to. You could of course zoom out but the effect is similar to looking through a fisheye lens.. not quite like sitting in the back of a 747 and trying to fly it but you get where I'm coming from

If you really love VC's and hardly ever use 2D panels.. then I'd say go for it.. however ridiculous you might look (or think you look). If you only 'like' VC's and think a TIR might be a good idea.. I'm not so sure. If you only or mostly use 2D panels.. don't bother because the TIR only works in VC's.. in a 3D environment.

ATB

DaveB

[Nigel H-J]

No problems Dave, I must admit that I am one of those who are torn between 2D panels and VC mode, much prefer flying the BAC1-11 in VC but with the Trident I enjoy flying 2D Panel and VC Mode as well. I do have Active Camera and use the mouse to pan around the cockpit, a cheaper way than using Track IR but then it gets awkward when needing to flip a switch. apart from that one is using both hands all the time and I end up finishing with a cold cup of coffee!!

It may just be a fad that I am having at the moment but when using the hat switch to pan around it is far too jerky and using the mouse to pan around means that you still have to centre it after use back onto the main panel which means too much messing about!!

I may still go ahead and get it but just wonder whether or not it will be money well spent when flying pax aircraft?

Regards
confused.nigel.

[Effoh]

Hi Nigel ,

Two parts to my answer I'm afraid, one easy, one not so

Firstly, I always wear a headset to preserve domestic bliss as the sound of Avons/P&W radials at a level I consider 'comfortable' tends to invoke an adverse reaction from significant other/dogs/windows.

Having tried both methods, I would definitely recommend the Track Clip Pro. Its active LEDS are not as badly affected by errant light sources (reflections from windows, furniture etc) which seemed to make the hat clip less accurate in tracking. FYI, my monitor sits next to a window at 90 degrees to it - the hat clip struggled in strong sunlight, the Pro had no such issues.

As to it's worth - well..... Yes, it can help see those pesky switches which are hidden by yokes etc in the VC. It can make panning around 'easier', but needs practice to work out how much movement from you equates movement in the cockpit. I also found your head movements did not always directly correspond to what appeared on screen - eg, I occasionally found that a tilt of my head equated a swivel in the 'pit, but that may just have been my setup.

Another thing to consider is the the TIR will faithfully follow EVERY movement. So, you turn your head to pick up your coffee/sneeze/refer to checklists/look down at yoke to flip a switch etc etc, your sim head moves. If like me you have a chair with wheels on, any slight movement of that = movement in cockpit. Yes, you can switch TIR off/on and centre it easily enough with hot keys, but again, something to bear in mind, particularly on short finals!

Do I regret my purchase - no. Do I use TIR every time I fly - no. Is it handy in the landing pattern to keep an eye on the airfield - yes. Does it make flipping small switches in the cockpit easier - yes and no. Yes, it makes 'em easier to see/get to, no-if it's really small you really have to concentrate on holding still.

At the end of the day Nigel, if you fancy it, go for it, but as DaveB says, it is not the be all and end all.

Rgds,

Colin

[MALTBY D]

I'd say the clip pro (LEDs) is a must. A baseball cap is right out!
I got the old reflector widget with it too. I have tried it and the LED solution is much better.

I didn't want to use a proper headset or headphones either, so I pinched one of my wifes Alice bands instead! A nice black velvety number.
Clipped the gadget on the side and it's good for me.

Fortunately my PC was already in a perfect position to use one.
It may cause problems if there's a window behind, or any strong(ish) light source combined with motion.
There's a rarely used lamp behind me and if someone walks past when it's on that can throw the view into strange positions.
So that's something to be aware of.

The software is good and thankfully you can fine tune it to suit.
I toned the movement down a bit and put in a null zone on the head tilt because that particular movement made me feel sick.
My mouse has a clickable mouse wheel and the software hot-key assignment will let you put pause/un-pause on that. Easy to temporarily stop all motion if there's fiddly buttons to click, or if you want to check a chart on your desk etc.

I've had it 2 years now, still makes me a little queasy sometimes, but I always use it in a VC.

DM

[Chris Sykes]

Ive got the provisions for both, i only use however the cap, due to owning no headset. I find the cap works well in most instances but its one of those see what you like to use best!

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Colin Dave and Chris,

Thanks for sharing your in depth knowledge and use of Track IR, this has helped tremendously. Fortunately I use a headset as it guarantees a harmonious life with the wife. Tried a take-off with the 1-11 and Trident with full base applied once on speakers and what a result I got....... From the wife that is!!!

From what you all have written I will be taking the plunge in the next 4 weeks and buy one. Many thanks again.

Regards
Nigel.

[Tako_Kichi]

I have used a TIR4 for several years and currently have a TIR5 and couldn't fly without it now. To me it's second in importance after the joystick/yoke and for many years I didn't have 'proper' rudder pedals and used the pedals from my PC racing wheel instead. I had to make the choice at the time, 'proper' rudder pedals or TIR4 and I chose the latter and have never looked back, it was only this last summer that I finally got a set of Saitek rudder pedals.

I have only ever used the standard reflective clip on a golf visor (like a topless baseball cap) and the only minor issues have come from extraneous light sources in the background. When you get it take the time to read the instructions and set up the sensitivity correctly. It may take you several attempts to get it dialled in for your location/room reflections but the effort is worthwhile. When you are in the setup screens there is a 'camera view' mode which shows you what the camera is seeing and all you want to see in there are three green 'blobs' representing the reflectors (or the LEDs if using the track-clip pro). Any red areas are problematic light sources and need to be eliminated either by decreasing the sensitivity of the camera or better yet by eliminating the light's source or reflection.

I would also strongly suggest you assign two buttons on your controller for TIR operation. Use one to centre the view relative to your head position (you will use this A LOT until you get used to the unit and learn how to re-centre the view by giving your head a quick shake) and use the other to turn the TIR unit on/off. Sometimes, especially in the VC, you will want to disable the TIR unit while you mouse for a switch or control and it is much easier if the view is locked rather than moving around with your head motion. Once you have clicked the mouse-able area you can hit the 'TIR pause' button again and your normal head tracking will resume.