TrackIR still worthwhile?

[Conure]

Hello all,

 

I've been away using XP10 for civil sim stuff for years and wanted to come back to DCS. I know there's a lot of cool VR stuff now but it's a little out of my price range right now. Is the TrackIR 5 still a good option, or should I wait for VR?

 

Thanks

[QuiGon]

If you don't have VR, then TrackIR is more then worth it. I would say it is absolutely necessary to fly DCS.

[Quax456]

Hello all,

 

I've been away using XP10 for civil sim stuff for years and wanted to come back to DCS. I know there's a lot of cool VR stuff now but it's a little out of my price range right now. Is the TrackIR 5 still a good option, or should I wait for VR?

 

Thanks

 

You are always good with TrackIR. Many of us still using it due to the same reason or maybe they like their setup with more than 1 Monitor more?! :D

 

You won't be better with VR. Only the immersion will be bigger.

 

Greetz

 

EDIT: Damn, Quigon snipped me :D

[Napa]

Still using TrackIR 4 here and its more than good.

[Fig]

TrackIR is all worth it in my opinion. If you have the budget (and system power) for VR, then by all means get VR.

 

But TrackIR is the cheaper option, and for me, it's very immersive as it is, and I'm sticking with TrackIR for the long run.

[Lenux]

You are always good with TrackIR. Many of us still using it due to the same reason or maybe they like their setup with more than 1 Monitor more?! :D

 

You won't be better with VR. Only the immersion will be bigger.

 

Greetz

 

EDIT: Damn, Quigon snipped me :D

Only the immersion will be better with VR???

why that?

[Quax456]

Only the immersion will be better with VR???

why that?

 

I would say due to the 3D effects?

[javelina1]

absolutely essential. I wouldn't fly any sim without it. Definitely adds to the immersion.

[Wrecking Crew]

What javelina1 said.

[Lenux]

I wouldn't say OR is better than TrackIR

[Quax456]

The question wasn't what is better!

 

It's the simple question will it be good enough to fly with trackir?

 

Answer: YES!

[SharpeXB]

I would not hold off from Track IR due to VR. Head tracking is essential for these sims and VR is not quite ready yet for a quality experience.

[Marky3254]

Even if I had the money I would not buy TrackIR because I think NaturalPoint is talking the **** charging £180 (basic) for not very much is verging on profiteering.

 

USB Head Tracker Tracking Pro Clip £17

Sony Playstation 3 Eyetoy Camera £6

CL Eye Platform Driver £2

FaceTrackNoIR V200 £0

A bit of time scooping out the IR filter £0

 

Total £25

Edited September 5, 2016 by Marky3254
'Cause I changed something...

[Xavven]

TrackIR is not just worth it, it is a complete game changer.

 

As for VR, two people I know have already returned theirs after a couple months due to motion sickness. Not saying that will happen to everyone, it's just not for everyone apparently.

[SharpeXB]

Even if I had the money I would not buy TrackIR because I think NaturalPoint is talking the **** charging £170.

 

USB Head Tracker Tracking Pro Clip £17

Sony Playstation 3 Eyetoy Camera £6

CL Eye Platform Driver £2

FaceTrackNoIR V200 £0

A bit of time scooping out the IR filter £0

 

Total £25

It's a reasonable price for an excellent product. You can't expect all consumer electronics to be that cheap. Just because you can home rig something for £25 doesn't mean the commercial product is overpriced. There's more that goes into a device than it's raw materials. And the software used by the home brews is probably pirated from NP. That's why it's given away free and not sold. Otherwise they'd get sued.

The equivalent US price for a Track IR 5 is £112, and no taxes added either. So by comparison such things are much cheaper here.

NaturalPoint is a good company, they make a medical head tracker and other devices besides gaming headsets. They actually replaced my camera for free even though it was out of warranty. I wouldn't characterize them as a thoughtlessly greedy company.

[Marky3254]

"It's a reasonable price for an excellent product." No it isn't, it's a rip off made by a greedy company. Nearly £200 for flimsy IR tech like TrackIR, reasonable price, yeah right...

 

"And the software used by the home brews is probably pirated from NP. That's why it's given away free and not sold. Otherwise they'd get sued." Evidence?

Edited September 5, 2016 by Marky3254

[SharpeXB]

"And the software used by the home brews is probably pirated from NP. That's why it's given away free and not sold. Otherwise they'd get sued." Evidence?

If they put money into developing the software then they'd sell it like any reasonable business would.

 

Nearly £200 for flimsy IR tech like TrackIR, reasonable price, yeah right...

Did you make your own joystick or graphics card for free? just curious...

[Marky3254]

Did you make your own joystick or graphics card for free? just curious...

 

My MSI NVIDIA Gtx 960 2 GB cost £15 less than TrackIR 5 Basic, that's exactly what I'm talking about...

[SharpeXB]

My MSI NVIDIA Gtx 960 2 GB cost £15 less than TrackIR 5 Basic, that's exactly what I'm talking about...

Track IR is not really an "expensive" device. It might seem so in the UK or other countries due tariffs, taxes and the average wage compared to the US. But here $149 is not expensive for a device like that.

Here a GTX 960 is more expensive ($189 vs $149). People in different countries do pay exorbitant prices for the Track IR. But that's something to blame on their government, not NaturalPoint.

Edited September 5, 2016 by SharpeXB

[Mango]

I paid good money for Track IR and I would do it again. For me it's as essential as a joystick. It's well made, no hassle, and feels so natural you don't even think about it while you're using it.

[Fakum]

I cant imagine flying anything in DCS without TrackIR once you have it. Also, I don't get the whole VR approach anyway. Yeah, I bet it looks cool, but for myself, I am not only looking at the cockpit, I have stuff on my desk (including Helios) I reference real quick while flying, whether it is 9 line notes, allied frequencies. Ordinance and threat information sheets etc,, heck even referencing my HOTAS commands on a cheat sheet at times of rust. How can you do all that if you have goggles on?

[hansangb]

Even if I had the money I would not buy TrackIR because I think NaturalPoint is talking the **** charging £180 (basic) for not very much is verging on profiteering.

 

USB Head Tracker Tracking Pro Clip £17

Sony Playstation 3 Eyetoy Camera £6

CL Eye Platform Driver £2

FaceTrackNoIR V200 £0

A bit of time scooping out the IR filter £0

 

Total £25

 

 

So let the market decide. *IF* TrackIR is pure crap, no one would have bought it at the asking price, right? They are getting left behind because of VR so the market will force correction. And why *SHOULDN'T* they make as much as possible? I mean I never get that attitude. If you boss gave you a raise, would you turn around and say "oh no.....it's way too much. Please take 50% back..."

 

 

TrackIR is not just worth it, it is a complete game changer.

 

As for VR, two people I know have already returned theirs after a couple months due to motion sickness. Not saying that will happen to everyone, it's just not for everyone apparently.

 

If the system is not up to spec and beyond, you will ralph. But if the system is good enough, it's quite smooth. As much as TrackIR was a game changer, VR is 10x more of a game changer. You just can't even begin to describe the immersion factor.

Edited September 6, 2016 by hansangb
added asking price

[hansangb]

I cant imagine flying anything in DCS without TrackIR once you have it. Also, I don't get the whole VR approach anyway. Yeah, I bet it looks cool, but for myself, I am not only looking at the cockpit, I have stuff on my desk (including Helios) I reference real quick while flying, whether it is 9 line notes, allied frequencies. Ordinance and threat information sheets etc,, heck even referencing my HOTAS commands on a cheat sheet at times of rust. How can you do all that if you have goggles on?

 

You can look at it just fine. Through the bridge of the nose. I use my MFDs and am building switch boxes for VR use.

 

oh, and it doesn't look cool. It just looks like real life. You have to check six by looking all the way back. You have to strain your neck to keep eye contact on the target as you swoop past it. But it is ....glorious.

[Davewave]

Just got my TrackIR 5 with pro clip. Turns you from an amateur into a pro

[Davewave]

Also my two cents on VR. Problem with VR is that you are totally reliant on the 3D cockpit and because you can't see your hands it makes using physical controllers harder. I prefer the tactile approach as its faster, more accurate and you can still use TrackIR to look around or multi monitor.