Track IR

[The Fugitive]

Well I finally bit the bullet and bought one. I have gone through everything I can find on the boards and have a number of profiles saved from them. I also have Mace's write-up. So far I haven't had any "feeling sick" issues and I find flying with Track IR far superior to using the hat switch for the views. I've been flying cartoon planes for over 10 years and have a very fast thumb  but it just seems so much smoother and natural to just move your head a bit. Not to mention when you pull into a black out and are down to a hole about the size of a quarter it is very easy to move the bogie your following into the center of the screen and keep an eye on him.

I have two things I'd like to ask and see if anyone has an answer for them.

1. with the 6 view I have to lean forward a bit and to one side and turn my head a bit to see a decent 6 view. Is this about right and am I on the right track setting this view up?

2. My Tracker camera stays plugged in. Even with out the TrackIR software loaded I have a blue light that flashes on for a second every 5 or 6 seconds. Is this normal?

Thanks for any help!

[gpwurzel]

Fugi,

6 view, I have to do the same

Blue light, mine does that too, so should be fine

Wurzel

[TinmanX]

The 6 view problem is solvable by disabling the axis which controls side to side head movement (not tilting or turning). Once this is turned off, 6 view reverts to saved head position.

[PFactorDave]

Fugitive,

I bought a TrackIR5 over a year ago.  I struggled and struggled with the 6 view.  So much so I gave up on it for awhile.  Just recently, I decided to give it another go.  What I finally found that helped my 6 view...  I raised my monitor about 6 inches, thus raising the TrackIR camera.  Ever since I did that, the 6 view is sooooo much better.  You might try it and see if it helps.

If you find a profile that you like, I would be interested in getting a copy.  Now that I have the 6 view problem solved, I need to get everything else working smoothly.  Finding a good profile is the next step.

[SIK1]

Joe, I have to look around the tail (lean left, or right), but I don't have to lean forward.
My camera is plugged directly into my comp so I can't say about the blue light.

 

[ImADot]

Leaning a little forward and then leaning to the side and looking back seems a natural way to look back around a headrest, doesn't it?

The blue blinky light is normal, just to let you know the unit is powered. The top light comes on when the TIR software is loaded, and the blue light comes on when a TIR-enabled app is running and detected.

[PFactorDave]

Leaning a little forward and then leaning to the side and looking back seems a natural way to look back around a headrest, doesn't it?

I used to have to lean forward or backward to look around the seat, until I raised the monitor (and the camera).  Now I just lean left or right and get a nice view around the seat back.

[james]

Put a little dead band in the center of all axis except the Z axis. This will keep you from straining your neck while keeping your shot straight. If you keep it on aggressive it'll frustrate you. Put a view center button on your stick. In the track ir software slave the same button in the hot keys side of your profile.

[Nr_RaVeN]

Well I finally bit the bullet and bought one. I have gone through everything I can find on the boards and have a number of profiles saved from them. I also have Mace's write-up. So far I haven't had any "feeling sick" issues and I find flying with Track IR far superior to using the hat switch for the views. I've been flying cartoon planes for over 10 years and have a very fast thumb  but it just seems so much smoother and natural to just move your head a bit. Not to mention when you pull into a black out and are down to a hole about the size of a quarter it is very easy to move the bogie your following into the center of the screen and keep an eye on him.

I have two things I'd like to ask and see if anyone has an answer for them.

1. with the 6 view I have to lean forward a bit and to one side and turn my head a bit to see a decent 6 view. Is this about right and am I on the right track setting this view up?

2. My Tracker camera stays plugged in. Even with out the TrackIR software loaded I have a blue light that flashes on for a second every 5 or 6 seconds. Is this normal?

Thanks for any help!

Congrats Good move

1. with the 6 view I have to lean forward a bit and to one side and turn my head a bit to see a decent 6 view. Is this about right and am I on the right track setting this view up?

A. yes

2. My Tracker camera stays plugged in. Even with out the TrackIR software loaded I have a blue light that flashes on for a second every 5 or 6 seconds. Is this normal?

Depends on your version make sure to install the most resent version that's the most important thing. as long as its tracking smoothly you should be all set

[The Fugitive]

Thanks everyone, at least I know I'm on the right "track" 

oh and Mr Raven, I don't get down to the Cape often, but next time I do we'll have to have a beer or two <S>

[Mace2004]

I have one comment about the recommendation to disable the side-side axis and that's don't.  You'll lose the ability to slide side to side when looking forward.  Moving side to side lets you look around canopy bows and, in many airplanes, right down the side of the nose to set up high-angle crossing and large-lead shots. It's a big advantage when using TIR.

For the six view, the first thing to do is make sure that your camera is set so that larger head movements don't go outside the camera's field of view.  Once you're sure that's correct I've found that what works best for me is to lean a little bit forward and down when I hit the "center" button.  Then, when I relax to a normal sitting position, my "in game head" is towards the back of the cockpit and a bit higher than normal giving a good overall view.  When I turn around to check six this moves my head toward the front of the cockpit and away from the headrest giving a better six view.  If you just center in your normal position you'll usually just see your headrest when you check six.  I've never tried PFactorDave's idea but it certainly sounds like it's worth a try.

Also, some aircraft are just flat out difficult to work with using TIR.  This includes the F4U and early model 109F and G2.  These have shields that extend over the normal seated position and it's very hard to find a good position where it doesn't block your TIR view.  You can still use TIR in those planes but it takes lots of practice.

[The Fugitive]

I have one comment about the recommendation to disable the side-side axis and that's don't.  You'll lose the ability to slide side to side when looking forward.  Moving side to side lets you look around canopy bows and, in many airplanes, right down the side of the nose to set up high-angle crossing and large-lead shots. It's a big advantage when using TIR.

I noticed that fairly soon. One of the profiles I found had the side to side disabled and it really hinder looking around. The profile I'm using now I have only the "tilt left and right" disabled. I felt like I was all over the place with it on, so I turned it off and it seems much smoother.

For the six view, the first thing to do is make sure that your camera is set so that larger head movements don't go outside the camera's field of view.  Once you're sure that's correct I've found that what works best for me is to lean a little bit forward and down when I hit the "center" button.  Then, when I relax to a normal sitting position, my "in game head" is towards the back of the cockpit and a bit higher than normal giving a good overall view.  When I turn around to check six this moves my head toward the front of the cockpit and away from the headrest giving a better six view.  If you just center in your normal position you'll usually just see your headrest when you check six.  I've never tried PFactorDave's idea but it certainly sounds like it's worth a try.

I did read that in your PDF, and find it does help. Daves idea I think I may already have set up. I have a 22 inch monitor that sits on a 2.5 inch high shelf. I use to get neck pain from looking "down" at my monitor. This sets it at almost eye level at the center of the screen. My camera is on the top of the monitor about even with the top of my head. I use the pro clip and so far haven't had any loss of connection between the two. I seems to work well.

Also, some aircraft are just flat out difficult to work with using TIR.  This includes the F4U and early model 109F and G2.  These have shields that extend over the normal seated position and it's very hard to find a good position where it doesn't block your TIR view.  You can still use TIR in those planes but it takes lots of practice.

Understood. I spent a number of flight in LAs just because the views are so wide open just to get use to moving around for the views instead of flexing my thumb.

Thanks again.

[Nr_RaVeN]

Thanks everyone, at least I know I'm on the right "track" 

oh and Mr Raven, I don't get down to the Cape often, but next time I do we'll have to have a beer or two <S>

Any time   

[Wiley]

The corsairs can be tricky to get six view in.  I like to set my head high in most planes to help with deflection shots.  This has an added benefit in the corsair of putting your view higher out the back.  To move youir head, hit f9 to turn off tir temporarily.  PgUp moves your head up, f10 to save the position.  Now your 'neutral' position is higher. Hit g9 again to turn tie on again.   I also recommend not disabling the y axis.  To check six I just slide my head to the side and turn to look back.

I'll also say what I always say to new TIR guys.  Take the time to get it exactly how you want it.  If you are fighting it it will frustrate you endlessly.  If you get it right, it is the best thing in the game.

Wiley.

[CAP1]

Well I finally bit the bullet and bought one. I have gone through everything I can find on the boards and have a number of profiles saved from them. I also have Mace's write-up. So far I haven't had any "feeling sick" issues and I find flying with Track IR far superior to using the hat switch for the views. I've been flying cartoon planes for over 10 years and have a very fast thumb  but it just seems so much smoother and natural to just move your head a bit. Not to mention when you pull into a black out and are down to a hole about the size of a quarter it is very easy to move the bogie your following into the center of the screen and keep an eye on him.

I have two things I'd like to ask and see if anyone has an answer for them.

1. with the 6 view I have to lean forward a bit and to one side and turn my head a bit to see a decent 6 view. Is this about right and am I on the right track setting this view up?

2. My Tracker camera stays plugged in. Even with out the TrackIR software loaded I have a blue light that flashes on for a second every 5 or 6 seconds. Is this normal?

Thanks for any help!

 what you described, is what i have to do to look my six. i'd been going to the hat switch on the merge though, as i never got it right.....and i've been on once in the last 4 or so months.