Which TrackIR should I buy?

[OnlyforDCS]

Im going to order TrackIR today, so I was wondering which bundle I should be getting? Is there a difference and why is the price range so large??

 

Here is the link to Naturalpoints EU site:

 

http://www.trackir.eu/shop/trackir-5/?XTCsid=meref5hlrpmpb87lmqd75h8lq6&listing_sort=price_desc&listing_count=8

 

So what should I get, the Basic set? Omni? Gamer? What is the difference?

 

Thanks for all the help.

[OnlyforDCS]

Oh yes, if anyone else knows a good online shop (in the EU) which has a better deal that would be very helpful! Thanks again!

[golani79]

I got me the gamer set from the exact same shop - was the best offer which I was able to get in my region.

 

 

• The gamer set not only includes the vector clip but also the track clip pro - therefore the difference in the price.
  
• The Omsi set only includes the vector clip and you do get an omnibus sim on top of that.
  
• The basic only includes the IR camera as far as I know - but you need a tracker if you don´t already have one (vector clip / track clip).
  

 

So personally I think the best package is the gamer set as it also includes the track clip pro and in my opinion you get the most out of it for your money.

Edited November 6, 2014 by golani79

[OnlyforDCS]

Thanks for the reply Golani.

 

Well the gamer set is hugely expensive. The basic set contains something called TrackClip. Would that be sufficient to use it?

 

What is the difference between that and the track clip PRO?

[tommytank]

I use the trackclip only, although I bought a proclip. Only issue I've found is it not working well in bright sunlight; I just close the curtains, and don't know if the proclip solves this.

Proclip is wired/USB

[golani79]

Thanks for the reply Golani.

 

Well the gamer set is hugely expensive. The basic set contains something called TrackClip. Would that be sufficient to use it?

 

What is the difference between that and the track clip PRO?

 

 

Ah, sorry - got the content of the basic wrong.

 

Well, I think it might be a bit subjective on which tracker you prefer.

I for myself already wear a headset and so I´m able to easy attach the track clip on it where I would need to wear a hat for mounting the vector clip.

 

Maybe this link will help - there you´ll find a few different opinions on track clip pro / vector clip:

https://forums.naturalpoint.com/viewtopic.php?p=41038

[OnlyforDCS]

Well I chose the basic pack. Unfortunately the damn site wont let charge my credit card. Always brings up an error even though everything is triple checked. (Damn American Express, nothing but problems)

 

Oh well, might as well try and create a PayPal account today and try that. Thanks for all the help guys.

[47driver]

Don't buy the track clip pro. Its poorly built garbage and not worth the extra cost.

[Mrgud]

Don't buy the track clip pro. Its poorly built garbage and not worth the extra cost.

 

I have to disagree. I heard lot of stories about people breaking the track clip pro, but in all cases they are to blame. It is fragile, that for sure, but I use mine for few years now, haven't sat down on it so it's just like new. And I think that it's far better than mirrored track clip. I use both variants, and there is quite a big difference.

 

OnlyforDCS - if you can, buy the gamers set (with both variants). I would recommend used one if you can find it to save some money.

 

Or if you buy only camera, make yourself track clip pro with IR diodes as for Free Track. You will be satisfied with the result.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Mrgud

[blkspade]

I use the trackclip only, although I bought a proclip. Only issue I've found is it not working well in bright sunlight; I just close the curtains, and don't know if the proclip solves this.

Proclip is wired/USB

 

Sun light > than all other sources of light.

[Rogue Trooper]

yep sat on my proclip, but luckily I was able to repair it.

The pro clip is very accurate with head movement, which may or may not be important if you just want to look around.... But if you want to slave the Kamov's cannon to the helmet mounted HMS sight, then yeah, pro clip is great.

[47driver]

I have to disagree. I heard lot of stories about people breaking the track clip pro, but in all cases they are to blame. It is fragile, that for sure, but I use mine for few years now, haven't sat down on it so it's just like new. And I think that it's far better than mirrored track clip. I use both variants, and there is quite a big difference.

 

OnlyforDCS - if you can, buy the gamers set (with both variants). I would recommend used one if you can find it to save some money.

 

Or if you buy only camera, make yourself track clip pro with IR diodes as for Free Track. You will be satisfied with the result.

 

My proclip came apart on its own, despite me being very careful with it. I was not to blame. It is VERY poorly made for what they charge for it. There are numerous posts on the web by frustrated consumers, attesting to its poor quality.

 

For cheaper than the extra price of the proclip, one would be far better off in the end building a 3 point led setup themselves to use with freetrack. Despite being slightly outdated, it still works much better and uses the trackir camera at 120+ FPS through the Optitrack SDK.

Edited November 7, 2014 by 47driver

[Gisen]

Hopefully I'm not too late. . Don't waste your money on trackir, save up for oculus rift instead and use opentrack or freetrack in the meantime. They are just as good as trackir when set up correctly and a tiny fraction of the cost. plus you aren't supporting an anti competitive monopolistic company :smilewink:

[cichlidfan]

They are just as good as trackir when set up correctly and a tiny fraction of the cost...

 

Plus you get the benefit of a new hobby. Head tracking tweaking. ;)

[47driver]

plus you aren't supporting an anti competitive monopolistic company :smilewink:

 

I debated mentioning that myself. So many people love trackir products. You can try and convince them until you're blue in the face, but until they've actually tried a freetrack setup, they will never know how much of an improvement it is over the overpriced naturalpoint junk.

Edited November 9, 2014 by 47driver

[Mrgud]

I agree with you guys about Free Track. I started my tracking with it few years ago but when DCS came out, there was some problems with compatibility, and with new updates my tracking has stopped working so I decided to buy Track IR just to make sure it will constantly work with DCS.

[Hadwell]

I tried to use freetrack for years, went out and bought some super wide field IR leds, took the IR filter out of my camera, and put some visible light blocking plastic (Can use a couple layers of floppy disk) so that the camera only sees IR light, but the trackIR software is SOOOOO much more intuitive and just downright more professional, and for that matter, just works.

 

you can say blah blah trackIR costs too much blah blah, but the amount of time you'll spend messing around with freetrack just to get a less than half, or if your really lucky, nearly half working setup (compared to what you basically get out of the box with trackIR) you coulda got a job and bought 2 trackIRs....

 

and yeah, the track clip pro is really fragile, i ended up covering mine in krazyglue to stop it from breaking any more, but i think it should be included with every trackIR, and just forgo the reflective tape...

Edited November 9, 2014 by Hadwell

[KLR Rico]

I've had good luck with the free solutions (freetrack and the like), but I guess I'm a DIY kind of guy with more time than money. :)

[47driver]

I tried to use freetrack for years, went out and bought some super wide field IR leds, took the IR filter out of my camera, and put some visible light blocking plastic (Can use a couple layers of floppy disk) so that the camera only sees IR light, but the trackIR software is SOOOOO much more intuitive and just downright more professional, and for that matter, just works.

 

you can say blah blah trackIR costs too much blah blah, but the amount of time you'll spend messing around with freetrack just to get a less than half, or if your really lucky, nearly half working setup (compared to what you basically get out of the box with trackIR) you coulda got a job and bought 2 trackIRs....

 

and yeah, the track clip pro is really fragile, i ended up covering mine in krazyglue to stop it from breaking any more, but i think it should be included with every trackIR, and just forgo the reflective tape...

 

Trying to mod a webcam to use with Freetrack is NOT the way to go. Doing it that way is a resource hog and will also not track at near the speed or resolution of an IR camera. Thats why YOU had issues & poor results. It has nothing to do with luck.

 

Honestly, I find the freetrack software to be more "professional". Far more control over the input settings and ambient IR light level adjustments. Its not a quick out of the box setup, but once setup properly it doesnt need to be touched again.

 

Its nice being able to just put a hat on & flick a switch and recenter as opposed to having to sit with a flimsy track clip pro with a wire from my head to a USB port and having to wear headphones any time I want to use it. I've used both products extensively and in the end, Freetrack simply wins hands down. The frustration and inconvenience I encountered using trackir is actually what drove me to using Freetrack in the first place.

 

Freetrack still works fine with the latest DCS, as well as any other 64 bit program once you add the proper files, which can be found online.

Edited November 10, 2014 by 47driver

[OnlyforDCS]

Thanks for all the warning guys, I have to say that I did try the facetrackNOIR option and even managed to get it to work with DCS but it was a little bit laggy and nonresponsive. I understand that freetrack is better and close to the level of TrackIR but TBH I just want something that is easy to setup and easy to use. Yeah it costs money, and yeah Oculus is incoming. However based on what Ive seen of the different Rifts I seriously doubt the resolution will be there with CV1 (at least for easy and clear flying with DCS)

[OnlyforDCS]

Trying to mod a webcam to use with Freetrack is NOT the way to go. Doing it that way is a resource hog and will also not track at near the speed or resolution of an IR camera. Thats why YOU had issues & poor results. It has nothing to do with luck.

 

Honestly, I find the freetrack software to be more "professional". Far more control over the input settings and ambient IR light level adjustments. Its not a quick out of the box setup, but once setup properly it doesnt need to be touched again.

 

Its nice being able to just put a hat on & flick a switch and recenter as opposed to having to sit with a flimsy track clip pro with a wire from my head to a USB port and having to wear headphones any time I want to use it. I've used both products extensively and in the end, Freetrack simply wins hands down. The frustration and inconvenience I encountered using trackir is actually what drove me to using Freetrack in the first place.

 

Freetrack still works fine with the latest DCS, as well as any other 64 bit program once you add the proper files, which can be found online.

 

Does freetrack work with the TrackIR hardware?

[G00dnight]

I use Track IR it's so nice to be able to just put on a hat and flick a switch to recenter as opposed to having to spend hours setting up freetrack or similar. no joke 47driver its what i do.

[Gisen]

Freetrack will work with any 3 point device you just need to tell it the orientation and dimensions.

It really is not difficult to setup although it could be confusing.

I have reinstalled and set it up after a reformat from scratch several times and each time it takes minutes not hours.

Set size of led cap or clip

Tweak curves and sensitivity as you do with a joystick

Job done

[Zarni]

Oh yes, if anyone else knows a good online shop (in the EU) which has a better deal that would be very helpful! Thanks again!

Simw.com

 

Maybe this come little bit too late for you... :music_whistling:

[47driver]

Does freetrack work with the TrackIR hardware?

 

Yes. Works amazingly well. Thats why I suggested OP not buy the proclip but just the trackir camera and then use the trackir camera with the freetrack program with a 3 point led and optitrack drivers.