Author Topic: TrackerIR3 Pro Anyone using it? (Read 909 times)

Traveler · « **on:** March 04, 2005, 10:33:59 AM »

Is anyone using the TrackerIR3 from NaturalPoint. What do you think of it, does it work as you expected?

Zaphod · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2005, 10:53:47 AM »

There are a few who are using it. I just got mine the other day (Tue this week) with vector enhancement. It is taking quite a bit of getting used to...I turn it off to shoot for the most part actually.

Some folks who have it have said that it tends make them a bit motion sick at first but they soon get over that issue....I didn't have a problem with motion sickness.

It takes a bit of messing with it to get it set up just the right way (height and distance from sensor). I haven't quite got mine just right yet.

Film viewer doesn't show your Track views as far as I can tell....or I haven't figured out how to do it yet.

Many who have it say it increases SA noticably....for me it reduces it.

My biggest issue is that I have used a hat switch on a joystick since 1992 and it's very difficult to create the muscle memory required to effectively use the track system while ignoring the auto-commands from my brain to move the hat to look around. It is also difficult for me to know where the view is pointed in relation to where my plane is in a 3D space (this is not an issue with hat switches)

In short I *think* that I can learn to use it but so far it's been more difficult to use than a regular hat switch. I am not however totally sold on it....and have considered just selling it to someone with a more open mind lol.

Zaphod

Ohio43 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2005, 12:02:36 PM »

If you do a search for other threads about Track IR..there are some that are loaded with opinions about this device

Traveler · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2005, 12:21:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ohio43
If you do a search for other threads about Track IR..there are some that are loaded with opinions about this device

ZAPHOD, thanks for your informative response. Ohio43, I did that orininally and received no results from the search.

Eagler · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2005, 12:35:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Traveler
ZAPHOD, thanks for your informative response. Ohio43, I did that orininally and received no results from the search.

search TrackIR

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2005, 02:37:34 PM »

I dont get how it's useful.. How do you get a back view? Won't you need to turn away from the monitor?

Balsy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2005, 07:09:37 PM »

Zaphod...

Hang in there buddy. I had a hard time for same reason you did. The best thing to do, I found, is lighten up on your AH time, only hit it sporadically, and not like you used too. This "time" allows for an adjustment, and you can enjoy the benefits of Tir vector breifly, without getting so frustrated you want to switch back to hat views to get some kills

>

Now I couldnt think of using hat views, flying is MUCH more natural, the only part thats hard is gunnery... and well... thats always been hard.

What I found interesting was taht with hat views "set", I had actually learned to fly the airplane well in any one view, because I "knew" the angle I was looking out of the cockpit.. now with that angle changing, I had to "relearn" to fly the airplane into the views instead of "from " them.

(disclaimer... half a bottle of cabernet down my hole if this doesnt make any sense).

Balsy

Zaphod · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2005, 07:38:44 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Balsy
Zaphod...

Hang in there buddy. I had a hard time for same reason you did. The best thing to do, I found, is lighten up on your AH time, only hit it sporadically, and not like you used too. This "time" allows for an adjustment, and you can enjoy the benefits of Tir vector breifly, without getting so frustrated you want to switch back to hat views to get some kills >

Now I couldnt think of using hat views, flying is MUCH more natural, the only part thats hard is gunnery... and well... thats always been hard.

What I found interesting was taht with hat views "set", I had actually learned to fly the airplane well in any one view, because I "knew" the angle I was looking out of the cockpit.. now with that angle changing, I had to "relearn" to fly the airplane into the views instead of "from " them.

(disclaimer... half a bottle of cabernet down my hole if this doesnt make any sense).

Balsy

Makes complete sense....no booze....now I'm scared lol. I'll keep working at it. It sure can be frustrating not to hit those shots you figure you shoulda or lose yourself, the nme and the ground until one or both of ya find it the hard way lol.

Zaphod

Zaphod · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2005, 07:42:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Siaf__csf
I dont get how it's useful.. How do you get a back view? Won't you need to turn away from the monitor?

Actually how your head movement relates to ingame views is adjustable. It winds up (on mine) so that only about 30 degrees of deflection (side to side, up/down, zoom, pitch etc) gives you a full 180 deg.s of movement. It just confuses me when trying to keep track of where the plane is in a 3D space.

I think Balsy hit it right on the head....as far as flying the plane to the view and visa-versa.

Zaphod

QQSaint · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2005, 04:37:07 AM »

http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144817

Take a look.

Curval · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2005, 08:46:26 AM »

I have the TIR Pro. It is sitting in a box which is collecting dust.

Could not get used to it.

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2005, 09:14:11 AM »

So that's why it's confusing - the screen movement doesn't go naturally with the head. I imagined there must be this kind of problem.

The true track-ir would require a wearable 3D-display now that would rock.

With the price of tft coming down we might actually be able to get something with a reasonable price.

Starbird · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2005, 09:36:13 AM »

With the tir its a lot easier for me to track people, and move the plane as I need to while keeping them in sight. I can keep guys in sight all the time while doing close scissor type moves. If he goes below my wing, I can just move my head to where I expect him to come back up. It works great for me, after about a week of motion sickness.

I still end up getting shot down most of the time, but at least I know where the shot is coming from.

MOSQ · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2005, 12:28:31 PM »

I've had my TIR3 Pro w/Vector Enhance for 10 days. The jury is still out for me. I keep thinking I'll get used to it.

When I'm just flying around in a low threat environment, it's really cool. I imagine for MS Flight Simulator it would be totally immersive.

But as soon as an enemy con gets close, I have to switch back to my hat switches. I'm just not effective in combat with my TIR3Pro.

Balsy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2005, 07:02:48 AM »

Mosq,

If you can... try to remember when you switched from Keypad views to HatSwitch....It doesnt come all at once. My best advice is to play LESS AH... actually take some time off, then come back and only play with Tir until you start to get frustrated. Then stop playing a few days and come back...

Trying to play as much as you did with Hat Switches is too frustrating and you wont enjoy the benefits of vector. Try flying until you have a "OH!!!" experience with vector.. then turn off AH. That way you'll look forward to coming back to it.

For SA now it is completely "normal" for me.. but I went through a month where it was exactly how you described... great for one on ones.. but terrible for me in a furball. It'll come.

Now after about 3 months of sporadic play for me...(work has interfered with my "real job") the only thing left for me to figure out is gunnery with vector...

Keep it up...there is light at the end of the vector tunnel.

Balsy