Track IR and Freetrack

[darrenl]

I hear lots of great things about Track IR, but does anyone here use FreeTrack with BS at all? If so, what are your thoughts on FreeTrack? I have no problems getting Track IR, I just don't want to spend money if I don't have too :smilewink:

[Boulund]

I currently use a modest FreeTrack setup with three leds built onto a regular cap and a cheap webcam. Works very well for be, but as far as I've read it seems TrackIR is definitely superior in every aspect.

But hey, I play BS for fun, and building "your own" headtracking unit sure was fun =)

[sobek]

I use it too with a cheap microsoft vx1000 cam and have to say it works flawless. If you are willing to invest 60 bucks for a wiimote you can boost the responsiveness even more and from what i heard this combination should be about on par with TrackIR, only more than 100 bucks cheaper.

[CyBerkut]

I currently use FreeTrack. I am considering the purchase of TrackIR, and I'll elaborate for you here, as it may be helpful to you.

 

If you are a Do It Yourself kind of guy, FreeTrack can get the job done for you. You will be trading time and effort (to learn the ins and outs, and then make the stuff work) for the dollars you save by not buying a TrackIR. Only you can decide what you value more. If you do a search of these forums, you will also see folks make some strong points about supporting Natural Point (the makers of TIR) to help keep that sort of innovation going, etc.

 

If you buy a TrackIR4 and a TrackClip Pro, you will have USB powered devices and software that should pretty much *just work* right out of the box. That is no minor consideration.

 

With FreeTrack, you are going to need to come up with devices, and make them work. Many use a webcam, and then modify it as needed... which usually means removing the InfraRed filter, and installing a visible light filter (exposed film negative, or some floppy diskette media, for instance). With a webcam, you will typically see much lower frames per second of tracking, and it typically puts a performance hit upon your computer/game, since the CPU is doing a lot of processing of the camera's output. [The TrackIR does not impose a heavy processing load upon your CPU].

 

Alternatively, some of us use a Wiimote, as it has an IR camera built into it, and it does the bulk of the processing internally. It's load upon the CPU is probably close to that of the TrackIR (ie. minimal to none). The downsides of using a Wiimote are: 1. It is a Bluetooth connection. 2. It is battery powered.

 

On the Bluetooth, the Wiimote is not a 'standard' device, and a bit of google searching will show you that not every Bluetooth stack will work with it. If you already have Bluetooth, you may find that you need to spend money on a new Bluetooth stack (software), such as BlueSoleil, in order to get the Wiimote working with FreeTrack. Furthermore, if you are like me, the extra steps of starting up the Bluetooth connection and then FreeTrack, before you even get to BlackShark (or whatever game/sim), gets old.

 

As for the battery power, that can be remedied. You can either use rechargables, buy a Wiimote charger set (another form of rechargables), or get an adapter that runs off of a wall wart.

 

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Then you get to the 'point model'. You can build your own, and make it battery powered, (or if you are brave, make it USB powered). Alternatively, you can buy a TrackClip Pro. The problem, apparently, with a Track Clip Pro for Wiimote/FreeTrack users is that a Wiimote works best with 950 nm IR LEDS, and the TrackClip Pro LEDS are running at some other wavelength. My FreeTrack works, but it has not been as smooth as the various head tracking videos you find on Youtube.

 

-------------------------

 

[Opinion mode on] To answer your question... You don't have to buy a Track IR, as FreeTrack can get you there... but you will be happier *sooner* if you buy the TrackIR. Less muss, less fuss, and it is the head tracking standard that gets supported by game/sim authors more than any other. [Opinion mode off]

 

As to how much a FreeTrack setup can save you, it depends upon what you already have, how handy you are, and what performance level you find acceptable.

 

If you already have a suitable webcam that you can dedicate to the task, and some dead remotes laying around to scrounge IR LEDs out of (You'll want three), you can coble something up for very little additional immediate cost. Most likely, the head tracking frames per second will not be as high as the TIR's is. You may also be going through periodic battery changes unless you make your point model USB powered.

 

If you want a head tracking FPS closer to what the TIR gets, then you are looking at using a Wiimote with the attendant Bluetooth rigamrole. Then you have even more battery changes, or the cost of a charger or wall wart powered battery substitute. If you don't already have the Bluetooth and a Bluetooth stack that will work with the Wiimote, then that is another potential expense.

 

Best Regards,

[pitbull]

I use FT with a Wiimote. Since I already own a Wii console beforehand, it cost me around 25 $ worth of material, that's including a soldering iron. Parts to build this is really cheap, and it's a pretty cool project to do. I'm extremely happy with the setup, works perfect for me. My flymate has a real TIR4, and for all I can say, I don't think there is that much diffrence in performance between the two. Like I said, my setup works flawlesly.... sure worth a try!

[darrenl]

Extremely helpful answers...thanks all.

[WynnTTr]

Isn't freetrack only 3DOF and trackir the full 6?

[skypirate]

Go for TIR4 Pro w Clip.... Yes cost bucks but works flawless out of the box and has full support on BS (together with many other games and sims)...

 

I just got mine recently and after some short period of trimming and getting used to the head moves I would say I'm pretty dam happy boy...

 

Now I consider even playing IL2 since I can track where the bad guy's gone with ease

[815TooCooL]

Now I consider even playing IL2 since I can track where the bad guy's gone with ease

 

Don't miss Unified MOD installer 1.1 at AAA with full 6-dof support.

It's a whole new game it's almost keeping me away from BS for now.

Two great sims at the moment and I don't have infinite time.

Quite happy moment for a simmer.

[skypirate]

Unified MOD installer 1.1 at AAA

 

I'll check it out bud!.. Thanks a million

[pitbull]

Isn't freetrack only 3DOF and trackir the full 6?

 

 

NO. FT is 6DOF.

[CAT_101st]

here is a video of FT 2.2 in the russan verson on BS

 

[CyBerkut]

Isn't freetrack only 3DOF and trackir the full 6?

 

FreeTrack does 6DOF. In DCS:BS, only 3DOF for FreeTrack is included by default (in the English version). However, a work around to gain the full 6DOF for FT in DCS:BS was devised. I don't remember off the top of my head whether it was in these forums, or over on FreeTrack's (The latter, I think), but it definitely works.

[Sharkster64]

Anybody here tried Cachya. It utilizes your webcam as well and it works absolutely awesome. I have just started using it and it works just as good as the other brands at a fraction of the cost. It is 6DOF and as long as you have a webcam and an extra $14.00 to spend on the program, that is all you are going to spend. I was sceptical about it at first but was truly amazed at how smooth and flawless it runs. You will need to use it in a darker room however, but it does work awesome. It is really easy to set up and there is no fiddling with led lights and such. Just check it out for yourself at http://www.cachya.com/esight/overview.php

[zaelu]

I use freetrack for DCS and I'm very happy with it. And as it was said... is full 6DoF.

[Tehrawk]

Anybody here tried Cachya. It utilizes your webcam as well and it works absolutely awesome. I have just started using it and it works just as good as the other brands at a fraction of the cost. It is 6DOF and as long as you have a webcam and an extra $14.00 to spend on the program, that is all you are going to spend. I was sceptical about it at first but was truly amazed at how smooth and flawless it runs. You will need to use it in a darker room however, but it does work awesome. It is really easy to set up and there is no fiddling with led lights and such. Just check it out for yourself at http://www.cachya.com/esight/overview.php

 

FreeTrack will work in a similar way. For free. You can use reflective dots instead of LED's. Can you get 6DOF to work with Cachya in BS?

[CyBerkut]

What Frames Per Second (FPS) do you get with Cachya?

 

It will undoubtedly vary from webcam to webcam, but what amount of CPU load are you seeing associated with the use of the webcam for this?

[CAT_101st]

Free track works fine for me no need to check out the other.

[Sharkster64]

FreeTrack will work in a similar way. For free. You can use reflective dots instead of LED's. Can you get 6DOF to work with Cachya in BS?

Yes I can get 6DOF in Cachya. I get around 20 fps with cachya, it runs really smooth. The game still runs around 26 fps for me, which is what i was getting before. All you do is print out a template that they have on their site on regular white printer paper and tape it to a hat. Run the software and that is it. Just check out the website at http://www.cachya.com/esight/overview.php

 

It takes a couple hours to get it tweaked and set up up the way you want on bs, but well worth the price.

Edited February 20, 2009 by Sharkster64

[Sharkster64]

FreeTrack does 6DOF. In DCS:BS, only 3DOF for FreeTrack is included by default (in the English version). However, a work around to gain the full 6DOF for FT in DCS:BS was devised. I don't remember off the top of my head whether it was in these forums, or over on FreeTrack's (The latter, I think), but it definitely works.

Cachya doesnt need no work around to get 6DOF to work right away. It works straight out of the box, flawlessly. You can try their trial version which only enables one axis, and if you like it, it costs $14.00 to purchase the registered version which enables the 6DOF. I was skeptical at first but was exstatic when it worked so well. I get all the same movement you see on all the Black shark videos utilizing Track IR and just as smooth.

[igormk]

Hi!

I know that this is old topic, but as I started to use FreeTrack recently I was wondering if we can exchange some experiences.

As you all pointed, it was great satisfaction to build it and then to see it works fine. But still after couple of weeks of use, I can’t say that I’m used to it. It goes with 27fps, so I’m satisfied with smoothness it produce, but despite that, every time I use it more than half hour I get all sweat and finally pain in my neck. Not to mention that I get disorientated very easy, and I can’t fly precisely as with using hat. Flying close formation and NOE is out of question. Also I’m not effective when using S-8 or gun when flying with FreeTrack since I have big problems with aiming.

I was experimenting with the settings, but that also didn’t get bigger results. It is just doing opposite it should – making me tired and ineffective when flying with it. If you want I can send you track file and my FreeTrack profile to see how it looks like. I’m still blaming it on my FreeTrack settings.

Since I see that some of you are very happy with its performance, would you share your profile/settings with me? Maybe that will help.

Or it’s maybe just me and many years of experience with the hat.

Thanks!

[barra733]

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

 

I feel as if I need to add my comments here as I've both good and bad experiences with FreeTrack. I spent a day building a bespoke 3 LED system from and old LED bike light, including a USB power lead and a snazzy paint job. I'd been playing BS for a few weeks and installed the 6 DoF work around. I adjusted mt Dell integrated camera in a few minutes and played around with the FT settings and curves to get the output I wanted. I was amazed at how well it worked and how quickly I'd set it all up. I do have some electronics knowledge - but anyone could do it easily. I flew BS for about a month using FT with no problems at all - then POW..! Evertime a mission ended I got the dreaded blue screen. I checked the error logs and reports and they always contained the words 'freetrack'. I'm no computer expert so I spent about a week posting on forums and trying to find a solution to the problem. No joy. I've uninstalled/reinstalled, cleaned out my registry (causing BS problems) and still have the problem.

I've now uninstalled FT and my home made LED unit sits unused on my desk. I'm trying to persuede the wife that I do need TrackIR5...

 

I was very happy with FT and would still be using it if it worked without crashing my computer.

[igormk]

By barra773

Evertime a mission ended I got the dreaded blue screen.

I don't have such problems, despite that sometimes FreeTrack software crashes leaving your head in undesirable position. :)

barra733 do you still have your profile saved somewhere? If it's no problem I would like to try it to see how will it go.

[barra733]

Uninsatlled everything...

 

igormk, I'm afraid I uninstalled everything. I do remember that I had some pretty big 'dead zones' - no game movement until I'd moved my head at least 20 degrees. This can be set up using the curves. I also found that setting the 'z' axis sensitivity to a low number (below 1) helped whilst I set the 'yaw' sensitivity to about 1.7.:huh:

[igormk]

OK, thanks barra733, enlargement of dead zones sounds like good idea. Maybe that will solve problems with my neck pains. :)