Trackir

[gimpyguy]

Please, refrain from comments like 'the greatest thing since sliced bread' or 'I can't stop smiling'. This thread is only about problems, and solutions.

Firstly some information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AO0F5sLdVM What is TRACKIR ?

http://trackir.info/instruction.htm How do I setup TRACKIR ?

Cost around $130 US, reason I say around, is if you wish to look around, I believe you can score a $10 Discount . . Ordering through SOH

You might be interested to know, in the past, it was more expensive. Some folks (myself included) paid $180

[von Baur]

Haven't looked, but you can probably find some good prices on TIR3 w/Vector rigs on ebay from people moving on to TIR4. The only significant difference between the two is that TIR4 has a slightly wider field of view, which translates into a larger box for your head movement. But I'm still running quite nicely on The TIR3/Vector setup I've had for the past three years and, like gimpy, spent $180 on. And you can get a larger "box" with TIR3 by mounting the camera a foot or two farther back, instead of sticking it right on your monitor.


More to come.

[Crozbone]

:mixedsmi: Ordered mine yesterday. Can't wait!

Crozbone

[Cameljockey]

Resistance is futile....

[von Baur]

I promised more. Here it is...some of my personal experience. Bear in mind that I use Track IR3 Pro with the Vector clip and I'm not a regular frequenter of the TIR forum (haven't been there in ages, in fact), so some of this may have been overcome with TIR4.


One of the problems that have been encountered with Track IR, particularly the Vector clip, is that the reflectors sometimes aren't up to the task. They curve slightly side to side to accomodate the different angles offered to the camera as the user turns his/her head, but they do not at all up and down. This leads to occassionally having it lock in the straight up or straight down view requiring a reset, not what you want to have to do in the middle of a dogfight or maneuvering close to the ground. Another is that eyeglasses can interfere with the operation by reflecting enough of the signal to confuse the device (kind of like chaff). What I've done to overcome these is both simple and inexpensive. In fact the whole thing can cost less than five dollars and take less than an hour. (I apologize for the pictures' being out of focus. Not much of a shutterbug.)

First you need to get some small styrofoam balls.

These can be picked up at hobby or craft stores or even in the craft section of many department stores. I used 1 1/2 inch diameter and wouldn't recommend going any smaller. You could go larger if you like, but I doubt it would be necessary.

Next, cut three if them into discs about 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick.

Be sure to cut them out of the center of the ball, not near the ends.

Then cut strips of reflective tape (available in many locations...I got mine in the local WalMart automotive department) as wide as the thickness of the discs and long enough to go about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way around them.

Apply the strips to the discs.

The reflective tape is adhesive-backed, but it won't stick well to the styrofoam for very long. The dark dots on either side of the tape are straight pins I've stuck through to help hold the tape in place.

Press the discs down onto the reflectors on the Vector clip.

The metal will slide right into the styrofoam with no problem and without damaging the original reflective material. If you don't wiggle it as you put it on it will hold tightly enough without any glue or tape. I've been using this for well over a year now, and I haven't had to replace a single disc or had it come apart in the middle of a game.

The effect is dramatic. The image your unit sees is about four times as large as the standard clip and with a vertical curve as well as a greater arc on the horizontal curve they stay nearly that large until you're looking well past the edges of your monitor (unless you're using a 60" tv as your monitor...then you're on your own). This maintains a solid 'contact' with the unit, all but eliminating the dreaded "stare at the chair" (only time I get that now is when I have to look down at my keyboard for something) and allows you to decrease the sensitivity which reduces the interference.

[gimpyguy]

Trackir is a bit of a vampyre, in that it strongly dislikes bright lights, especially sunlight. That includes reflected light, so if you're folically challenged (Bald), cover that chrome dome, it has been known to cause problems.

If you're starting using Trackir, you'll feel abit woosie, not to worry, it happens to everyone, you'll quickly become used to it. But I'd advise in the beginning you keep a pail handy, just in case.
There was a guy who bought Trackir , for use in Phase 1. He had flown every sim since CFS1, he used Trackir and lost his lunch all over his keyboard. Turns out he would get violently airsick, Who Knew ??? The following day he took out an Ebay Ad.

People have actually asked here, where they can buy Dramimine wholesale, so there must be a need.
I've heard of many temporary cures, from pills to wristbands. I'd say see an MD, if so afflicted.
Then use Trackir

One common problem the beginner complains of, is their inability to get the exact sight alignment, to head position, during a dogfight.

Just get it close, and hit the (F12) Key. The sights will center themselves to match Your Head Position. Beginners will get real familure with F12

PS . . It's always good to F12 it when the mission starts

[Henry]

Some great points!
my putor room is covered on 3 sides with windows
always annoys me
H

[Fortiesboy]

I have had trackir since trackir 1, way back. It is the best flight sim kit you can get after a good joystick.


1. Trackir should not cause any loss of FPS . It never has on my computers.
But you can allow it to. What i mean here is that it depends on how you run things.
When you intend to fly, before starting the sim, you start trackir. A splash scren comes up on the monitor. If you now leave it there and start your sim, there is a chance of loss of FPS. However, if having started trackir you minimize the trackir splash screen, and then start the sim, there should be no loss. In fact, in the settings of trackir, you can programme it always to run minimized. But I do it manually.
2.
A tip on flying it- You may wonder how much to move your head to get a particular amount of movement of trackir? Don't approach it like that. Use your imagination and really think you are in a cockpit. When looking ahead, pick something on the ground to look at ; or pick a direction, e.g 10 oclock , or 3 o'clock. And then, as if you were really in a cockpit, just look at that point or object. You'll find it is so realistic and natural, you won't be worrying about how far your head has moved.
Then gradually make the arc- of- looking,wider - until you can see 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock and even 6 o'clock.
Try all these first attempts in freeflight- (or FSX) - It will soon come naturally and then - ENJOY

[CaptainScott]

My earlier thread on the subject has a lot of very useful tips as to how to set up TrackIR...highly recommended reading for those who have just procured it.

[Olham54]

Hey, vonBaur
What the heck is that thing you show in the pics above? Do I have to put it on my head, fixed with gaffer tape? (lol)
No, seriously, I don't know what that is. From the pics I've seen from TrackIR, it rather looked different - perhaps you can explain to a non-TIR-addict.
By the way - yesterday, I destroyed 6 (in words: six!) planes in a single flight with my Albatros D II, using just the HUD on the stick (all settings on highest reality, except mixture).
Perhaps you or Gimpy could answer one particular question: when I want to check my 6 (using TrackIR), how can I turn my view round any further than the edge of the screen - as I still have to see, what is shown? How could TrackIR know, how far around I want to look? If I want to look to my left, I move my face to the left edge, I assume, but if I want to look further to my left rear view? Would be nice, guys, as I may try it too, after all...
Olham

PS: Ooops; sorry, seems, FORTIESBOY just explained it.

[gimpyguy]

Funny thing, when I wish to check my six, a 15 Degree turn to my right will yield as well a sight as if I had turned 180 Degrees. Yet a 15 Degree turn to my left, only yields one side of my rudder and one elevator

Never found it troublesome, sooo I never looked into it. Only an observation

[B Bandy RFC]

Sorry, but I am unfamiliar with the finer details of editing within OFF, and just received OFF2 via the sticky thread (a gracious thank you!).
[After a frustrating afternoon of looking for that bloody DLL file, I finally got it working late last night, and had a blast downing a DIII, then got hit in the oil pan from ground AA, staggered over the lines, and while in view of an aerodrome, the engine sputtered and died and had to make an emerg landing between the crumps! Amazing!!! But I'm off topic....]

I have TIR4, and know how to edit cockpit.ini's from "other" sims to increase/decrease the view angle (ie: to allow a full check-six) but am not sure whether that amount of freedom to edit various ini's is available in OFF.

I feel like an owl being able to see every portion of the tail right now, from elevator tip to tip (in the SE5 last night). I'd prefer only to see one half, then have to look over the other shoulder to see behind the other half. It's just more, well, "natural". Know what I mean?

EDIT: I'm not saying any sim is better than the other, just strengths and weaknesses, that's all. So trust me, I've heard a lot of great things about this one, and that's why I'm here...

[Polovski]

Gimpy
If it's TIR 3 you need to make sure the sensor is bang in the middle AND also aligned pointing exactly at your bonce, if you use the reflectors on the hat.
If its TIR4 you need to put the reflector 2 or 3 inches left of centre.

[von Baur]

Hey, vonBaur
What the heck is that thing you show in the pics above? Do I have to put it on my head, fixed with gaffer tape? (lol)

I assume you mean the final picture. That's the Vector clip. What you can't see is two backward-facing tabs, one under each of the bottom two styrofoam discs. You place the clip on the bill of a cap or visor and the tabs slip under the bill to hold it in place. There's a thread on the TIR forum in which some users talk about sewing or gluing the clip to the cap to keep it from slipping, but I've never had that problem. There is a much smaller clip available now that fastens to a headphone.

The original Track IR (and through TIR3 Pro, which I have) used a single refector. Unfortunately if you shifted in your seat and your head moved a little the unit saw that as you turning your head and would react accordingly. This also precluded TIR from shifting your point of view (that is, leaning over the side of your aircraft, or moving your head to see around the nose or over or under the top wing). The three reflectors on different planes allows the unit to accurately calculate the position and angle of your head, thus providing even more realistic view control and giving you those options. Go here, http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/, and click on the videos/demos link for a demonstration.

[Olham54]

Here's an adress I just found - they sell TrackIR for 124,95 Euro; metal clip included (no cap).
Must admit, I'm thinking of getting it - everybody seems so enthusiastic.

http://shop.rightthing.nl/index.php?...FQFbtAodByb6Cg

[Snoopy22]

I was thinking about getting this, but had a quick question for those who could help. Do you have to sit right infront of the monitor looking straight at it? I tend to sit kind of sideways to my desk so I can kick my feet up. Would I still be able to some how position it so that this would work?

[Olham54]

Not sure, but that's rather the position for games like "Tropical Island" really...

[gimpyguy]

I was thinking about getting this, but had a quick question for those who could help. Do you have to sit right infront of the monitor looking straight at it? I tend to sit kind of sideways to my desk so I can kick my feet up. Would I still be able to some how position it so that this would work?

Suggest you drop a line to Natural Point, they could offer an answer

[von Baur]

I take a similar position when I'm surfing the internet, Snoopy. But I have to say your question is a little strange. I mean, when you're doing something that requires your full attention, like a flight simulator (especially one in which you're dogfighting) why would you want to have your head facing anywhere except directly at the monitor?? But to each his own, I suppose.

To directly answer your question, though, the key is to have your head facing the camera not necessarily facing your monitor. So if you want to be angled somewhat just make sure you place the camera directly in front of your head.

[SirMike1983]

I got one awhile back. I had to go pick the girlfriend up and, well, I decided to just leave my TrackIr hat on. You get lots of looks with that three prong reflective clip on the "Flight Sim Pro Shop" hat. I did find the thing somewhat jerky though.

I'm going to try that hatclip mod when I get P3 and TrackIR going together. It should help smooth out the play and also look darn good trucking down the road in my VW. I can rotate the hat in with my fedora and the Devo Energy Dome.

[Carnivore]

You can build one.
http://free-track.net/

[tomj421]

NaturalPoint TrackIR
Users Manual

6. Tips and Tricks

6.1 Gaming Environment
The TrackIR is designed to work in a wide variety of conditions, and the current generation of TrackIR hardware is more robust and reliable than ever before. There are, however, a number of things that you can do to optimize the TrackIR’s performance:

Distance between the TrackIR and the user :
The optimum distance between the user and the TrackIR in Dot tracking mode is 18-24 inches, in Vector tracking mode the optimum distance is 24-36 inches. Using the TrackIR within these ranges will achieve the best balance between range of motion and tracking precision. We recommend having no more than 4 feet between the reflective target and the front of the TrackIR.

Lighting :
We recommend turning off or dimming lights in the room and removing any highly reflective materials that are directly in the view of the TrackIR’s camera. You can easily check what the TrackIR’s camera is seeing by opening the Tracking Window in the TrackIR software, for details please see Section 5.5.5

6.2 Reflective material
The TrackIR ships with a reflective clip called the TrackClip which is designed to be placed on a hat, or a headset.

Here are a few tips from the pros:

• Make sure the clip is perfectly center on the brim of the hat.
• The greater the distance between the reflective clip and the center of rotation (in most cases the center of your head) the more accurate and sensitive the TrackIR will be.

Additional dots, TrackHats and raw Reflective Material can from our web site at www.trackir.com 3.5 Desktop, flatpanel and laptop hardware placement
Setting up the TrackIR unit on either a desktop or laptop is quick and easy.

3.5.1 CRT Placement
Set the TrackIR on top of your monitor and point the unit towards your head or face .

[FenrisWlf]

Hi all,

I just ordered Track IR 4 and was sitting here pondering my receiver placement, the thing is I am not sure I can sit it on top of my monitor as it is a 47" HD screen so setting the thing on top would put it a good 12" over the top of my head. I had a though of perhaps using a mic stand behind my chair and setting it on that and flip my cap around backwards, as I will be using the bill clip method. I wonder though if the light from the monitor will bother the receiver. Should be limited though as my head should block most of it. This only works though if the software supports a reversed axis setup.

I would appreciate any thoughts or tips from the experts.

Thanks.

[catch22]

You should be right FenrisWlf. Sit it atop your monitor and swivel it down toward your face when you set it up. 12" shouldn't make a big difference although WF2 may need a cigarette afterwards.

I's suggest your alternative method is fraught with danger.

[gimpyguy]

Hi all,
I just ordered Track IR 4 and was sitting here pondering my receiver placement, the thing is I am not sure I can sit it on top of my monitor as it is a 47" HD screen so setting the thing on top would put it a good 12" over the top of my head. I had a though of perhaps using a mic stand behind my chair and setting it on that and flip my cap around backwards, as I will be using the bill clip method. I wonder though if the light from the monitor will bother the receiver. Should be limited though as my head should block most of it. This only works though if the software supports a reversed axis setup.
I would appreciate any thoughts or tips from the experts.
Thanks.

Firstly I got a better reponse ( less jaggies - grey sawtooth on rapid head movement) when I place the camera 5" left of center, than all the way over on the corner, 22" LCD

You'll find ( if you look close ) the camera itself, is joined to the 3 legged base by a tiny ball and socket deal. Which means it CAN be tilted downwards towards your hat. However the wire itself exits the rear of the camera forcing an upwards or straight ahead position. While the reflectors are a good 12" below.

I would try to take the weight of the wire off the camera itself, by putting a loop in the wire, alas it doesn't have enough wire. So an extension cable is in order, it's a USB, it ain't magic. But in the Cable Department, I'd go with a BELKIN or some other brand name, rather than a cheapo made in China. Also go as short as possible, which is probably 6 foot.

It also might require some USB swaping. As you have primary and secondary USB's. Normally the stronger ( voltage wise ) are off your motherboard, the secondaries are in the case

Sounds like a lot of trouble, but Not many 47" LCD's out there