TrakIR 5 Fun

[bustr]

So for the last 10 years I have been using a TrackIR 3D Pro in the game. Mid Dec 2013 it finally died. I replaced it with a TrackIR 5. Then the fun began. TR5 has better resolution and is much more sensitive than TR3. And almost made me think I had a defective unit.

I kept getting random screen movement blips, or at the absolute wrong moment, TR5 would decide to show me a different view than where I was looking, even holding me there. That's the chits when you've saddled up at 200, pull the trigger and get your 6-view. I thought I was getting strange cross over signaling from my CH products or my Saitek rudder pedals.

As a result of finally solving this problem, I've solved a host of minor USB issues I never realized I've had over the years. I now have 3 external powered HUBs to support USB 1.01, 1.10 and 2.0. After changing TrackIR software versions several times to no avail, I mapped my USB bus and devices thinking I was having bus or device type conflicts causing the errant view signals. Getting my USB house in order this way removed the micro blips form my Variance and Delay line.

So what ultimately caused these errant view switches and screen blips?

Under the Camera tab in the TR5 software is the slider for "Light Filter Threshold". It has values between 30 and 253. By default it was around 120. I had to finally set it to 30 to get the camera to stop responding to my glasses lenses, glasses wire frame, buttons on my shirt, finger nails, possibly my shiny nose. Like I said at the beginning of this post, TR5 is one sensitive device.

Now if I can figure out how to modify my 6-axis profile to make turning my head back to either side, also perform the slight shift out at the same time to look around the head rest as a single motion. That's asking a lot from TR5, and so for now I still use 2-axis mode so I inherit the hps file F10 saved view positions and the 6 views from there. In the heat of a fight I keep forgetting to shift slightly left or right as I turn my head to see back. And 2-axis mode is the only way to have good enough views to furball with an IL2 and aim with the drawing on the fixed windscreen.

I hope Hitech keeps the function which allows hps file view inheritance from 2-axis mode with future game releases.

[Drano]

I had the same problem with my glasses reflecting back to the camera. I fixed it by making my own active IR LED ball cap using an old cell phone charger for a power supply and some Radio Shack parts. I like behind the neck headsets so the pro clip wasn't gonna work for me. Problem solved.

[realgood]

 Mind did this to so I downloading ver.5.2.0 from there wed site problem solved  hope this helps

[bustr]

I had to role back to 5.13 which eased the problem down a lot. 5.2's drivers are better and allowed too much sensitivity in the process. I was having problems with the sensitivity getting a handle on the real problem. This post was simply a documentation of the process and it's twists.

Eventually I will try 5.2 again now that everything is under control. TR5 is one sensitive device.

Most of the time with computers, the problems become bigger than they really are to solve, while you troubleshoot to the solution which is often mind numbingly simple when you look back on it. Like the IE fix for a blank start screen because you need to check or uncheck the graphics rendering source box. Many people have pulled their hair out over that one before finding the simple fix.

When I had 5.2 installed I noticed it had a better direct control of the FoV than 5.13. I want to try that out again now that I can control for the errant input sources.

[Bino]

I found that using the Track Clip Pro with the LEDs - rather than the regular Track Clip with the reflectors - fixed any issues with ghost images.

YMMV

[realgood]

 I do use the LED setup    if this helps

[Drano]

I found that using the Track Clip Pro with the LEDs - rather than the regular Track Clip with the reflectors - fixed any issues with ghost images.

YMMV

And it would. Reason being that when you're using the hat clip TIR is in passive mode. It shines IR light at you from LEDs in the camera which is looking for the IR light coming back from the reflectors. When in pro clip mode it's in active mode. The lights on the camera are shut off and it sees the lights coming directly from the LEDs on the clip. As there's no light coming out from the camera there's nothing to reflect back. That is unless you have something else in the room that might be reflecting IR light from some other source like the sun.

I didn't have a pro clip and like behind the neck headsets so that wasn't gonna work for me, so I made the LED ball cap. I can't just switch it to pro clip mode because it's looking for a different pattern and that'll send your views all screwey too. I still had problems with the camera's LEDs shining light on my glasses that reflected back. So, I made a mask out of painter's tape that has a 5/8" hole which effectively blocks the camera's LEDs but still gives it full field of view. It works like a pro clip but it's in cap clip mode. More than one way to skin a cat.

[realgood]

 I do use the Pro Clip setup with the camera/   not the hat clip but I do have one but not try to use it  

[texasfighter]

Ok, just received the Track Clip Pro but am having problems getting it to work correctly. I can move my head to the right and it will track well out to 180 degrees. However, if I turn my head to the left, it will only track to about 90 degrees and then it does not want to go further.

I don't know if this is because of the position of the camera on top of my monitor or because the software is not calibrated right. I have the curve (green line) on the right side (which controls my look left) pulled up pretty high.... about 30 or so. It helped some but not near enough. How do I fix this so I can look left back to 180 degrees ... check my 6 in other words.

[Drano]

Ok, just received the Track Clip Pro but am having problems getting it to work correctly. I can move my head to the right and it will track well out to 180 degrees. However, if I turn my head to the left, it will only track to about 90 degrees and then it does not want to go further.

I don't know if this is because of the position of the camera on top of my monitor or because the software is not calibrated right. I have the curve (green line) on the right side (which controls my look left) pulled up pretty high.... about 30 or so. It helped some but not near enough. How do I fix this so I can look left back to 180 degrees ... check my 6 in other words.

Two things come to mind. For the track clip to work properly you should offset your camera's position to the side of your head so that it's centered on the clip and not your nose. That could affect one side being less effective than the other. Secondly, check your profile and make sure you have "mirror" checked on the Yaw curve. That way you'll be set up to turn the same in both directions for the same ammount of head turn in both directions.

For some planes like the 38 I fly most you will have to lean forward a little bit before turning in order to see straight back. If you try to just turn your head you'll have your face in front of the armour plate--it just dominates your view. Leaning forward brings your head position closer to the front of the cockpit so it's farther away from the armour plate making it easier to see around. Give that a shot.

[realgood]

 Is a track5 if so go to tri5 screen there view your settings -then aces high -smooth- look screen f12 to center head you will need to reset room talk to f11 if not you will not have  :confused:room talk if not you just keep resetting tri5 center the head all time  you will have to play around with the head set a litte be sure you have the right download from there web site ver 5.2 works great for me but this is the time I try to help someone else hope this you  

[Bino]

...
I didn't have a pro clip and like behind the neck headsets so that wasn't gonna work for me, so I made the LED ball cap. I can't just switch it to pro clip mode because it's looking for a different pattern and that'll send your views all screwey too. I still had problems with the camera's LEDs shining light on my glasses that reflected back. So, I made a mask out of painter's tape that has a 5/8" hole which effectively blocks the camera's LEDs but still gives it full field of view. It works like a pro clip but it's in cap clip mode. More than one way to skin a cat.

Very clever: tell the software you are using the simple clip with just reflectors, mask the active LEDs in the camera unit, then use active LEDs in a clip configuration that mimics the reflectors.  Nice.   

I have my TrackClip Pro attached to the left side of my over-the-head headset rig, per the "normal" TrackIR setup.

Just curious: what's the advantage of a "behind the neck headset"?

[Drano]

Very clever: tell the software you are using the simple clip with just reflectors, mask the active LEDs in the camera unit, then use active LEDs in a clip configuration that mimics the reflectors.  Nice.   

That's exactly what I did. A fun little project.

curious: what's the advantage of a "behind the neck headset"?

None. It's just a personal preference.

[texasfighter]

I still don't have TrackIR 5 working well enough to use in the MA. I have a problem with TrackIR going back to the default profile every time I go into AH. Of course I can change the default profile to match the custom one I made for my new Clip Pro. I'd rather not. Is there something I'm not doing that causes TrackIR 5 to go back to default everytime?

I think I have my custom profile where I want it but cant test it out in AH because of the default reset problem.
Thanks again for all the help!
Tex78

[Brooke]

I had to finally set it to 30 to get the camera to stop responding to my glasses lenses, glasses wire frame, buttons on my shirt, finger nails, possibly my shiny nose.

Corrected for accuracy for Bustr:

I had to finally set it to 30 to get the camera to stop responding to my gleaming eagle-like eyes and brilliant white teeth.