track ir

[Lusche]

Lusche

Sorry for so many questions just looking for some answers before spending my money.  What about the clip that goes on the headset.  In you opinion will it fit on any headset and is it comfortable to use.

Thanks,

No such thing as too many questions on the Help & Training forum

I do not use that clip. I have the hat reflectors. Quite comfortable for me as I do not use a headset most of the time.

[Jayhawk]

Be aware sunlight can have an adverse effects on TrackIR.  The window in this room isn't too bad at it's angle, but there is mirror in the hallway that reflects a window from the living room and it completely messes with my trackIR so I have to keep my door closed.  So just be aware, but it's easy to work around... unless your girlfriend keeps forgetting to close the d#$% door! 

[PJ_Godzilla]

Be aware sunlight can have an adverse effects on TrackIR.  The window in this room isn't too bad at it's angle, but there is mirror in the hallway that reflects a window from the living room and it completely messes with my trackIR so I have to keep my door closed.  So just be aware, but it's easy to work around... unless your girlfriend keeps forgetting to close the d#$% door! 

It's easy to check ,though, because Trackir software offers a window that shows the light signal received by the sensor. I play in a room I refinished myself that has 3 banks of lights. I turn off all but the bank behind the sensor and get a clean signal picture. The caveat's a good one, though... fail to eliminate confounding light sources and get unpredictable results...

[humble]

Anyone use FreeTrack?  Any comparison with TrackIR?

I built out a free track rig a few years ago including modifying the webcam etc. It's a fun project but its not really equivalent to trackir (at least not then). If you already have a webcam to butcher then its just $10 at radio shack and a bit of time. Add in a webcam and your at $40+ and I think thats marginal vs getting a trackir4 http://global.ebay.com/TrackIR_4PRO_-_Barely_Used_Everything_Included/250634348581/item

Here's a few pics of my free track hat...

[TWC_Jaxx]

Lusche

Sorry for so many questions just looking for some answers before spending my money.  What about the clip that goes on the headset.  In you opinion will it fit on any headset and is it comfortable to use.

Thanks,

I have the clip and really dont notice the weight difference.  I do have a fairly heavy headset, though.  when I first got it, I hooked it up to a tiny one-sided phone headset that I have at work.  It fit fine and I was able to do some testing. 

I like the clip, but be aware that it adds one more wire to the mix.  It has a Y USB plug so you can plug the camera and the clip into the same USB port. 

Im hooked now, btw.   

[PJ_Godzilla]

I have the clip and really dont notice the weight difference.  I do have a fairly heavy headset, though.  when I first got it, I hooked it up to a tiny one-sided phone headset that I have at work.  It fit fine and I was able to do some testing. 

I like the clip, but be aware that it adds one more wire to the mix.  It has a Y USB plug so you can plug the camera and the clip into the same USB port. 

Im hooked now, btw.   

My clip is a simple metal visor clip with 3 reflectors - no wires required. It is nearly weightless and fits onto any hat bill. Which version of Trackir do you have?

[TWC_Jaxx]

My clip is a simple metal visor clip with 3 reflectors - no wires required. It is nearly weightless and fits onto any hat bill. Which version of Trackir do you have?

Sorry, should have been more specific.  I have the track clip pro with version 5.  Never used the visor clip but almost everyone I know that has used it says it works great.  No extra wires sounds like a nice thing too.

 

[Tigger29]

I have TIR4 with the clip thingy for my headset.  Yeah the wire is a little bit annoying, but not really so bad, especially considering that I already have a wire for my headset.  My headset had a couple of small velcro strips glued to its wire in various places (I'm assuming for just this kind of thing) so I have the two wires attached to each other.. no big deal.

Even so, it would be quite easy to snip that wire and install 5v worth of batteries in place... 4 1.2v AA or AAA rechargeable batteries would probably do the trick as well... if you didn't want the wires... also I got the hat thingy also but haven't used it.. I never could wear a hat as I find them uncomfortable.  Motorcycle helmet... well it's uncomfortable as well but I don't have much choice there LOL.

As for aiming... yes I have two buttons programmed on my joystick... CENTER and ON/OFF.  I also don't bother with the precision setting.  I also have a little bit of deadband programmed into the center of my view, so if I'm looking straight ahead, the first 1/2 inch or so of head movement doesn't 'register' to make aiming easier.  I do however, often turn off TIR altogether when GVing, bombing (doesn't work with outside view anyway), and flying a plane without a reflective gunsite (like the IL2), but the immersion factor in fighters is GREATLY INCREASED.

[TWC_Jaxx]

When I switched to TIR i found that I had a few extra buttons so I programmed the Precision button to my joystick.  I dont use it often, but it is nice when you're setting up for a high-speed, diving  pass on either bombers or an unsuspecting fighter that is target fixated on your wingman..  

EDIT:  you have to remember to toggle it back off though.. 

[Ardy123]

I just got track IR. Man, I have found it hard to fly with.. I guess I'm still getting used to it. Here are my initial observations.
1) SA for the front half of vision improved.
2) SA for rear vision has decreased. (Its hard to see).
3) It interpolates the virtual head views between my pre-saved views and that can get disorienting because they are not smooth transitions.
4) I have a tendency to not pull as aggressively and miss judge how much of a turn I need to do.. aka I end up overshooting all the time
5) once the plane starts stalling, its very hard to control if you not looking out the front view....

I'm sure these issues will go away once I get used to it.... Have others experienced these challenges?

[Lusche]

2) SA for rear vision has decreased. (Its hard to see).

You probably have your center too close to the headrest.

3) It interpolates the virtual head views between my pre-saved views and that can get disorienting because they are not smooth transitions.

This is puzzling me a bit, What "pre-saved views"?
Sounds you are using TrackIR in a very awkward way, almost as a "hat button" replacement. All movement should be completely seamless, similar to mouse view

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYPGdyz0Lws

[Ardy123]

yeah, it allows for smooth head movements based off of the pre-set position, but it kinda snaps to the pre-saved head movements. I noticed that if I have x-y-z checked for the full 6 degrees of motion instead of them off, I can move my head like the vid you posted but then I can't aim at all and the piper is never centered.


example, I look to the back left, I see the pre-saved view. From there I can move my head around that position and it will be smooth but at some point it will snap to either the saved back head position or the saved left position.


how do I change the 'center'?

[TWC_Jaxx]

Sounds like you need to work on the profile a bit.  You also may be experiencing some issues with turning your head so far that it looses contact with the sensor.  That happened to me all the time for the first few days.

There is a great profile on the forums (somewhere) that I downloaded then tweaked a bit.  I had TONS of trouble with TrackIR when I first got it a few weeks ago, but now its like second nature. 

Here are some of the things that I found:

- Make sure your use the Center function often when first learning.  It will get you back to the forward default view no matter your head position.
- Set the "Z" axis very "fast" but with a little bigger deadzone than the others.  This helped me lean forward just a bit when looking back to get that nice full rear view
- Set the Yaw axis very fast too and set a limit to 180 degrees.  That way a small snap of the neck will get you full 180 rear view and peg it against the limit for a nice steady picture.
- When either climbing out, searching for cons, or on the way to the fight I like to lean forward as far as i can towards the monitor and hit the center button.  Then when I lean back to my natural sitting position my views are great on all sides and to the rear.  Then when you get ready to fight, hit center again and get back in the cockpit.

I'm still tweaking things here and there, but maybe some of this info will help.  Definitely give it some time. 

[maddafinga]

yeah, it allows for smooth head movements based off of the pre-set position, but it kinda snaps to the pre-saved head movements. I noticed that if I have x-y-z checked for the full 6 degrees of motion instead of them off, I can move my head like the vid you posted but then I can't aim at all and the piper is never centered.


example, I look to the back left, I see the pre-saved view. From there I can move my head around that position and it will be smooth but at some point it will snap to either the saved back head position or the saved left position.


how do I change the 'center'?

Sounds like you just need to keep doing more tweaking man.  I also turned off the roll axis, it seems to help with the overall stability of the views for me, the roll just sort of got in the way.  If it is doing any snapping at all, you're probably turning  your head too far so that  the TIR can't read one of the leds would be my guess.  I never have a snap at all, it just moves as I move my head around. 

As far as being centered, you can sort of get a center point by creating yourself a teeny little deadband on the profile curves, and that will help.  Basically though, the center point is not nearly as important for you now as it had been before.  It'll take a little time to adjust, but you'll get it quicker than you think.  My gunnery took a hit initially, but then bounced back well.  I just had to relearn how to shoot based on where the nose of my plane was rather than by focusing on the gunsight.  It was a bit of an adjustment, but totally doable. 

You can adjust the center by pausing the TIR then moving your head position like you would have normally, as if you didn't have the TIR at all.  Usually you'll want to raise the head and move forward somewhat, then just save that head position.  Unpause the TIR and viola, new center point for your head position.  You can get 6 views just as well as with hat switch views this way. I find that to get a really good view I usually have to turn my head and lean a little to that side.  You'll get the hang of that before you know it.

[Wraith_TMS]

yeah, it allows for smooth head movements based off of the pre-set position, but it kinda snaps to the pre-saved head movements. I noticed that if I have x-y-z checked for the full 6 degrees of motion instead of them off, I can move my head like the vid you posted but then I can't aim at all and the piper is never centered.

example, I look to the back left, I see the pre-saved view. From there I can move my head around that position and it will be smooth but at some point it will snap to either the saved back head position or the saved left position.

how do I change the 'center'?

Just chiming in with some encouragement and to reinforce the "continue tweaking" suggestions the other guys have posted, Ardy.  It really is a question of finding "juuuuussst" the right settings for your particular taste.  It's a very personal thing, and I'll bet no two pilot's settings profiles are the same.

The quick snap phenomena you mentioned was something I had going on as well.  I use FreeTrack, but the tweaking process is nearly identical and the number of settings variables are similar too.  I finally twiddled enough with the settings and proper head center position and so on to get much smoother transitions as I pan my view from the front to the rear.  I was also able to get the virtual head centered in such a way that I can mimic natural movements that relate to their counterparts in the game.  For example, I can lean and look back, and in the game, that's mimicked so that I get near perfect six views looking over or around the turtle-backs or headrests of the plane.  Or I'll lean in and over, and look over the side of the plane straight down the fuselage.  Even Corsairs and high-backed planes like the Typh are easy to look around in now.

So don't give up on it, Ardy.  It just takes time to dial it the settings that will give you those smooth transitions.  It literally took me months, because I would get close, keep the settings a while, then fiddle some more when I realized it wasn't just right.  Now I'm very happy with how it works for me.

FWIW,