Track IR

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Larry, many thanks for your views and suggestions, I had been looking at the TIR5 but that is just a little bit more than I would like to pay so opting for the version 4 - shouldn't think that there is too much difference between the two just as long as it gives a much better performance 'in cockpit' rather than using the hat or mouse function.

Fortunately our third bedroom has been converted into an office (otherwise known as a play room for me) and the sun does not reach into that area so will not suffer from daylight reflections on the monitor.

Looking at the prices for Track IR 4 it appears that it is much cheaper buying direct from Natural Point rather than from a 3rd party supplier, at $119.95 that should equate to roughly around £64 then add VAT + postage but still think it will be cheaper than other suppliers.......I think!!

Again Larry, many thanks for your views.

Regards
Nigel.

[Tako_Kichi]

Hi Larry, many thanks for your views and suggestions, I had been looking at the TIR5 but that is just a little bit more than I would like to pay so opting for the version 4 - shouldn't think that there is too much difference between the two just as long as it gives a much better performance 'in cockpit' rather than using the hat or mouse function.

TIR5 is about 25-35% larger in physical size but it's sensors are many times more sensitive than the ones in TIR4. I find TIR5 to be smoother and more 'refined' but that is not to say that TIR4 is no good. I used mine extensively for a number of years on a daily basis and only upgraded after it became 'blind in one eye'. I think one of the sensors had become 'weak' as it worked fine left to right but up/down would stick and stutter at times. Tech support at Natural Point were very helpful but had never come across the phenomenon before and were as stumped as I was.

Fortunately our third bedroom has been converted into an office (otherwise known as a play room for me) and the sun does not reach into that area so will not suffer from daylight reflections on the monitor.

It's not so much direct light shining onto the face of the unit that's the problem but intense light sources (direct or reflected) behind you that are in the unit's field of view which cause problems. I have a standard ceiling light that illuminates the entire room and shines on the face of the unit but as the unit is angled downwards slightly (to point at my head) the light-bulb itself is not seen by TIR5. I do however have a door with a glass panel several feet behind me and if someone opens/shuts that door then the light reflected in the glass will temporarily cause the view in FS to flicker.

Looking at the prices for Track IR 4 it appears that it is much cheaper buying direct from Natural Point rather than from a 3rd party supplier, at $119.95 that should equate to roughly around £64 then add VAT + postage but still think it will be cheaper than other suppliers.......I think!!

I bought both of my units on Ebay for a fraction of the cost asked by 'regular' outlets. They came from established Ebay 'stores' who specialized in PC 'virtual reality' accessories.

[Nigel H-J]

Larry, thanks for the reply, all this info is very much appreciated and especially your HU regarding E-Bay though I have never purchased from that site before, do you have a link to these 'Established E-Bay Stores' as apposed to private sellers?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards
Nigel.

[Tako_Kichi]

Unfortunately as I made my purchases more than 60 days ago my transaction records are no longer available on Ebay and so I cannot link directly to the place I got my last one from. I did search Ebay UK for you but only found one used one for sale. Here is a link for a search on the US based Ebay site.....

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories

As you can see there is a huge range of prices and not all places will ship overseas. My rule of thumb for making 'safe' purchases on Ebay is as follows:

1. I only use the 'Buy it now' option where you can buy an item directly without having to go through the bidding process like a regular auction.
2. Buy only from recognized Ebay 'stores' (identified by a symbol in the seller's information box in the right corner of the screen) where possible.
3. Check the seller's 'rating' and if less than 98% look at the feedback history to see if there is a pattern of complaints.
4. Check shipping costs and method (for me this is a big item as UPS and Fedex both charge extortionate Customs brokerage fees on items crossing into Canada whereas there is just a flat $5 rate if it is sent via the US Postal Service (US Mail)). I try to source items in Canada before going to the US Ebay site to avoid cross border issues.
5. If in any doubt ask the seller a question (links on all listings).

I have made many, many purchases on Ebay over at least 10 years and have never had an issue or complaint.

To avoid overseas shipping charges/import duty I would suggest you search on Ebay UK every couple of days or so as items come and go on a regular basis and keep in mind the points I outlined above.

Hope that helps.

[DaveB]

As a rule of thumb.. I'd not buy from overseas Nigel and by overseas I mean anywhere outside the EU. While there's nowt wrong with buying from the U.S. .. you can incur additional charges so what might look like a 'good buy' can turn horribly wrong. I know this through experience Those e3Dimensional glasses I mentioned.. the sting in the tail came later, after I'd sent the darned things back in the form of a VAT bill They were shipped by FedEx but that didn't matter.
The Yoke and Pedals I have came from FSPilotshop and seemed like a good idea at the time. The price was right, everything was right. However.. come delivery time.. I had a VAT and Royal Mail handling fee for both items. When all was said and done, they worked out maybe a couple of quid cheaper than if I'd have bought them from RC Simulations.. a UK based company which would have been the better option, especially if they'd have failed.
If you want piece of mind with your purchase.. get it from here. Search for the best price and go for that. You'll get what you asked for and there'll be no hidden charges. If it breaks.. you send it back to somewhere here.. not overseas. If you need telephone support, you get it here, not via an international call.
At the end of the day.. you can go and play your face to some bloke in a shop IN PERSON if the plot goes sour over here. The same can't be said if you buy something elsewhere

ATB

DaveB

[Tako_Kichi]

As a rule of thumb.. I'd not buy from overseas Nigel and by overseas I mean anywhere outside the EU. While there's nowt wrong with buying from the U.S. .. you can incur additional charges so what might look like a 'good buy' can turn horribly wrong. I know this through experience Those e3Dimensional glasses I mentioned.. the sting in the tail came later, after I'd sent the darned things back in the form of a VAT bill They were shipped by FedEx but that didn't matter.
The Yoke and Pedals I have came from FSPilotshop and seemed like a good idea at the time. The price was right, everything was right. However.. come delivery time.. I had a VAT and Royal Mail handling fee for both items. When all was said and done, they worked out maybe a couple of quid cheaper than if I'd have bought them from RC Simulations.. a UK based company which would have been the better option, especially if they'd have failed.
If you want piece of mind with your purchase.. get it from here. Search for the best price and go for that. You'll get what you asked for and there'll be no hidden charges. If it breaks.. you send it back to somewhere here.. not overseas. If you need telephone support, you get it here, not via an international call.
At the end of the day.. you can go and play your face to some bloke in a shop IN PERSON if the plot goes sour over here. The same can't be said if you buy something elsewhere

+1 on all the above from me too.

[Nigel H-J]

Larry, Dave, what can I say? absolutely bl**dy marvellous advice you both have given me, I am usually very cagey about where I buy from but having said that both of you have given me so much more safe buying info as it is not very often I have made purchases through the internet apart from using Flight 1 software and other well known payware flight sim stores.

After having read both of your posts I did a dry run purchase but did not use my full details i.e. address etc. My GOD the price went up and up, then when the item arrives it said that import duty or other taxes will be collected from buyer before goods are handed over from the delivery company!! Now that really put the price much higher than I originally thought or had worked out!!

Obviously there is a lesson to be learn't here.......before buying ask the experts!!

If I do go via E-Bay Larry I will certainly follow your advice on purchasing but I will also seriously consider RC Simulations as you have suggested Dave, rather pay that bit more for piece of mind knowing that I would be dealing locally instead of internationally with no guarrantee of a quick fix. Unfortunately and for some unknown reason RC Simulations is blocked on our work computers so will pop to the village library and have a browse, the name sounds very familiar, I am certain that I have bought something off them at one time!! but just can't remember what!!

Again, very many thanks for your time in hewlping me and giving first class advice.

Kind regards
Nigel.

[Ben_Brook]

Nigel,

I don't think I would play the FSX game again without TrackIR. Indispensible IMHO.
My trick for setting it up for a good all-round view of the cocpit and outside view is:
1. Start the game then press F12 as normal to centralise view.
2. Tilt head upwards 20-30 degrees then press F12 again - this gives an easy all-round view, even centre pedestal etc.

(Sorry to read that you can't look at the RC Sim site at work - maybe your boss could turn it on for you... )

Bye for now

[Nigel H-J]

Nigel,

I don't think I would play the FSX game again without TrackIR. Indispensible IMHO.
My trick for setting it up for a good all-round view of the cocpit and outside view is:
1. Start the game then press F12 as normal to centralise view.
2. Tilt head upwards 20-30 degrees then press F12 again - this gives an easy all-round view, even centre pedestal etc.

(Sorry to read that you can't look at the RC Sim site at work - maybe your boss could turn it on for you... )

Bye for now

Hi Ben, Many thanks for the HU, will remember that for when I do get it. As for asking the boss to turn it on for me unfortunately the IT Section will never agree on that!! I have to thank my lucky stars that no block is put on the C.B.F.S. site otherwise that would be just tooooo much.

Regards
Nigel.

[DarrenL]

I just ordered a TrackIR 5 today can't wait

I always use headphones when on my PC so as to not disturb anyone and so the Pro Clip will be fine on my headphones. And I'll not just be using it on FSX but Cliffs of Dover (when that's out), IL2 in the meantime, racing games such as rFactor, F1 2010, GPL, GTR2, GT Legends and many more. I might be reinstalling games just to try it out.

Got a good deal at the Flight Store, where I bought the VFR GenX pack.