TRACK IR IS Outdated

[ZQuickSilverZ]

Track IR is outdated. We have much better face tracking technology now being used on consoles. For instance they are doing amazing things with the MS Kinect. I for one would love to see the Wii mote (the motion sensing not the laser) incorporated into a device we can attach to our headphones. There is no way it could be worse than the WIRED, EASILY BROKEN TrackClip Pro.

 

I mean we have not seen any new tech from the TrackIR monopoly ($169.95 for 5 year old RETOOLED software, a camera with a filter on it, and a piece of easily broken plastic with 3 led lights......) since 2009.

 

TrackIR needs to step up their game or get out of the way for someone who will.

 

Anybody feel TrackIR or a competitor could do much better?

 

I certainly do.

Edited October 1, 2014 by ZQuickSilverZ

[Soulres]

Cause very few games need it. Arma,Il2 and DCS are the only ones that come to mind and sad to say they are mostly funded by Fans of the series. TrackIR is very outdated but it still works and is supported with updates and sometimes better hardware and for a market that is pretty dried up,that is amazing by far that the company even exists.

[karambiatos]

Cause very few games need it. Arma,Il2 and DCS are the only ones that come to mind and sad to say they are mostly funded by Fans of the series. TrackIR is very outdated but it still works and is supported with updates and sometimes better hardware and for a market that is pretty dried up,that is amazing by far that the company even exists.

It exists because they are pretty much the only ones that make cameras for professional motion capture

[Darkwolf]

Dream and economy are rarely the same.

 

TrackIR sells despite freetrack, and little game supporting it. Sooner or later, they will get throw out of the market by all the VR headset coming our way. It is likely they will keep milking the cow while they can and I don't see them changing that. I wouldn't, if I was them :P

[Wolf Rider]

until someone (incorrectly) decides that vr has a monopoly, then its the same ol' same ol' all over again...

 

(I never could understand a particular 3rd party file being held to ransom, in the name of free for all....)

[Abburo]

TrackIR has one big advantage that no other tracking device have: is a mature solution. It works without giving headackes to users... at all. I never encounter even the smallest issue with it. I own both 4 and 5 versions.

 

I do not call it outdated at all. The motion sensors, accelerometers and so on are less precise in gaming positioning then optical devices... this is a fact. Even the oculus rift will use an optical headtracking for recalibration.

 

The only negative think about TrackIR is its price. For some. But if you want a mature solution then those extra bucks pays their effort to give you that. More than that, you can always find a second hand product at half or less price... as I did :D

[Wolf Rider]

price? funnily enough, its at a price which has not changed in years, and I mean years...

 

happily, some would pay a grand for a vga, yet whinge about

[Sceptre]

I've used the same TrackIR for about 6 years and never had a problem with it.

[Python]

I do agree, I have a love hate relationship with my Trackir (5) and always have, it can be awkward and seems to have a personality of its own at times.... But I certainly wouldn't want to be without it.

[winz]

Dream and economy are rarely the same.

 

TrackIR sells despite freetrack, and little game supporting it. Sooner or later, they will get throw out of the market by all the VR headset coming our way. It is likely they will keep milking the cow while they can and I don't see them changing that. I wouldn't, if I was them :P

I don't think so. I see big difference between head tracking and VR. VR is impressive, but the device puts a big barrier between you and the real world. So accessing written notes, browsing/chating or in anyway interacting with the real world while playing is complicated. Also I don't see VR working with home-build cockpits. There will always be market for head tracking devices.

[Wolf Rider]

I don't think its a competition, as such... natural progression is more like what it is - evolution.

 

I saw similar VR headpieces years ago, it was similar to 640x480 very lumpy and blocky. Good to see VR about to come into its own

[Rhinox]

For those who have been using TrackIR for years without any problem:

 

Have you ever been using TrackIR with window behind you? Or sitting close next to someone else using TrackIR too? I did. And I experienced all sorts of false detections you can only imagine. Been using TrackIR for years, but sure not without problems, as all you lucky ones...

[siipperi]

Why would you use trackclip pro?

 

Only issues I have with TIR is really the fov. Sure you could tape wiimot on your head but I personally like what TIR offers. Its reliable. Next upgrade for me is however oculus rift.

[snuffles]

I think it's time the product evolved. Seriously, we've already discussed its' flaws. They just don't fix them...

[Milli]

........Been using TrackIR for years, but sure not without problems, as all you lucky ones...

 

No luck involved my end. I sit with a window behind me but I draw the blind down. Problem solved.

 

Wonderful piece of kit.

[Python]

Fitting a blackout blind did help a lot of my troubles to be fair. I also got the pro clip recently but have only used it for one quick session so can't say if it has helped much (it is certainly the cheapest feeling expensive piece of hardware I own!)

 

I would like to see more fov if nothing else from the next model. One of their customer service people told me not so long ago that they aren't planning another yet however. Maybe he just wasn't in the know though...

[sniperwolfpk5]

Did any body tried FacetrackNoIR with PointIR or FaceTracker protocol? I am using FaceTrackNoIR with Point tracker which is very good. I can't afford TrackIR. It is almost my one month salary and hobby of simulation is expensive.

[JayPee]

Either way all these commercial headtracking systems somehow involve a camera visually detecting either your head or anything mounted to it. The way I see it environmental lighting will always be a major factor of this design.

 

Why aren't we using motion detectors? Smartphones have it for what.. 6 years already? Given that a 8mm thick iPhone has one built in, you might as well put one in a device the size of a modern hearing aid. Combine it with bluetooth earplugs and you have a tiny headtracker with no wires and no interference from surrounding lights.

 

I really don't see why this isn't developed and in mass production already.. But then I wouldn't know where to start when I'd have to construct it myself so who am I to speak. :)

[GriffonBR]

I've used the same TrackIR for about 6 years and never had a problem with it.

 

+1, it´s a rock solid hardware, my only disagreement it's about the Track Clip Pro, it's too fragile and you have to handle it like a baby. I have my Trackir 5 since 2009.

 

You get what you paid for.

[G00dnight]

My TiR 3 is about 15 years old I have no problems with it. It does all i want, the software is fully updated and it is still supported, no other company comes close in the PC world for support of something this old. I use the Trackclip pro and have not broken it in about 5 years service, I have just bought a aluminium replacement off ebay but only because I wanted to fit it to my helmet ( no smutty remarks please).

so all in all massive value for money.

[rajdary]

Im a new user of Track IR (about a year and a half) and for me its been a fantastic experience, very good precision and fabulous inmersion. It doesnt matter how old it is, it simply works and doesnt give me any type of problems. Im sure there is always place for improvements but as it is it could probably be in the must have list of simmers for many years, specially pit builders.

[BIGNEWY]

Personal opinion,

I have never been a fan of TrackIR's Monopoly and business practices, that being said I could not fly without it, looking forward to consumer Oculus rift and ditching the trackIR

[zaelu]

I agree with BIGNEWY with the exception I use Freetrack :D

[KLR Rico]

^+1 on freetrack; if you have any complaints on the hardware you only get to blame yourself. :)

[Boberro]

I've been long user of Freetrack, then tried to use FaceTrack and others.

Finally bought TiR 5 as was tired of low FPS of Freetrack orFaceTrack (I have good camera anyway).

 

Difference is clearly - TIR annihilates any other solution I tried. It just works as it should - smooth, precisely and great.

 

I paid 100 EUR and if I had had the opportunity to spend this money again - I would have bought it.