TrackIR - Is it worth it?

Grue · Post by **Grue** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:09 pm

For the record, I did try to search the forums on topics concerning TrackIR. I didn't find many results evening going back one year.

Here's my loaded question. TrackIR, is it worth it? I heard it described as going from dial up to DSL. You would never go back if you experienced it.

I'd like the community's thoughts.

Thank you.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:19 pm

I got mine around the same time I got Evochron Renegades, and I used it a short time before that with Falcon 4.0 AF. And I never stopped using it since! And now I will only look for games that supports Track IR. It is like you are really sitting in the Cockpit and looking around! If you go to Track IR's web site you can check out some awesome video clips of Track IR's 6DOF (six degrees of vission) implementations in some Games!;)
You can even make your own very cheap, there was a post on this Forum by Karin I believe how to make your own!;)

[Edited on 7-22-2009 by Maarschalk]

Accountant · Post by **Accountant** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:21 pm

I don't use/have TrackIR, but here is my opinion on it.

For the price, it is somewhat lacking. The only way I would be willing to pay that much for a TrackIR is if it came with goggles for the eyes, so that when I turn my head I don't have to look at the screen. Right now it seems....uncomfortable...to have to turn your head but still look at the monitor.

My $.02

-Accountant

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:23 pm

Originally posted by Accountant
My $.02

-Accountant

Is that including tax?
(Sry couldn't help it

)

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:24 pm

ROFL!:P:P:P^^^

wintermute · Post by **wintermute** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:33 pm

I built my own setup for about $40 that amounts to the same thing as track ir. Freetrack

Accountant · Post by **Accountant** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:15 pm

ROFL @ Verbosity

@Wintermute
That's interesting...thanks for the link. I wonder how feasible (and expensive) it would be to graft that system to a goggle-type viewing device.

-Accountant

Barreta · Post by **Barreta** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:56 pm

I have TrackIR4 and it was worth the cost to me because I have quite a few games it works in. Makes situational awareness much better and you never need to use padlock. Only thing is that on Vista64 I have to run all games with admin rights or else TrackIR does not work which is not really a good thing to do with MP games but is a low risk so no big deal.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:08 am

Originally posted by Eclipse
Has anyone tried the Vuzix AV230 XL+ with added head tracking?
(or their VR920?)

[Edited on 7-22-2009 by Eclipse]

Hey! Thanks for the "heads up" on that one!
I just put that in the list of things to buy soon.
I don't know when "soon" is going to get here,
but I hope it gets here "soon"!;)

Karin · Post by **Karin** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:37 pm

Yeah, as Maarshchalk and wintermute say, you can build your own TrackIR-like setup. It involves wiring up a simple circuit (no more complicated than one you'd have built in highschool) and some resourcefulness (finding parts). Freetrack is the best site for this.

I started using TrackIR/FreeTrack in Legends and have a really tough time playing without it now! For me, it really adds to the immersion since I'm primarily an explorer and I love glancing out the side window from time to time.

That said, you'll see in some vids of TrackIR that even though they can look all around them, most of the time they simply look straight ahead since that's where the action is. But it isn't really intrusive to use, so why not? Personally I wouldn't shell out money for the full TrackIR setup, but it was definitely worth it for me to build me own, costing about $35 in materials.

I made a video of using FreeTrack for a Legends cockpit that warsign designed, you can see it here. Notice during the fight scene I don't move my head too much, but the more I use it the more I learn to take advantage of it.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:36 pm

Originally posted by Eclipse
Has anyone tried the Vuzix AV230 XL+ with added head tracking?
(or their VR920?)

[Edited on 7-22-2009 by Eclipse]

This would be neat, but would you be able to see your controls like your keyboard an/or joystick throttle control etc.
so you can press the right buttons you need!

Spartan992 · Post by **Spartan992** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:41 pm

Originally posted by Eclipse
Has anyone tried the Vuzix AV230 XL+ with added head tracking?
(or their VR920?)

Plain awesomeness...
If you combine all their products (if you have 2.000$ to spare) the result should be unbelievable!!

DennyMala · Post by **DennyMala** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:14 am

Indeed. Turning the head while keeping the eyes on the monitor kinda foul all the layout. With those goggles you can get the real feeling.

Manboy no 5 · Post by **Manboy no 5** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:40 am

Turn the sensitivity up on the TrackIR and you can look all around with only a slight head movement -you won't end up looking side-on at the screen in other words. There's a customizable deadzone for when you need eyes forward.

It's really nice in EL, but it practically feels necessary in sims like IL-2 where you'd normally be messing around with keys for padlock, or snapping around with the hat. I suppose the targetting and radar makes looking around less necessary in EL, but I haven't tried dogfighting against a person yet, and it's definitely a fun and natural feeling enhancement.

edit:
I remember one time burning towards the port side of a capital ship, looking up to check on a missile chasing me, and looking back down and left to check my speed was OK. Feels good, man

[Edited on 7-9-2009 by Manboy no 5]

DennyMala · Post by **DennyMala** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 7:09 am

Well, that can definitely help, but having the visual turn a lot while turning the head a little can be confusion at the beginning. You have to train yourself alittle with that.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 12:25 pm

Yes, definetely, that is what I found^^^, but still worth it. You can always still build it yourself!;)

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:40 pm

I don't have TrackIR yet, but I still have plans on getting one soon. Having seen Karin's video was awesome....