Itkovian Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Hi there. I'm starting to become sorely tempted to purchase TrackIR (in the next few months), but to use it I will need to get a USB hub (I play on a laptop, and its 4 USB ports are already taken *grin*), and was wondering if anyone had any issues with using TrackIR with hubs when blacking DCS. Plus, if anyone has any recommendations on a good USB hub to get, I would appreciate any guidance. I know this is somewhat off-topic, but DCS is the game that's making me want this. :) Also, is there any performance degradation when using TrackIR with DCS? Thank you. Itkovian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feuerfalke Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Todays computer won't suffer noteably from TrackIR. The only thing I can recommend you is to go for a powered USB-HUB. A passive one won't help you much, as the TrackIR alone uses a lot of power compared to most other USB-devices I have. I used to run it on a passive USB-HUB before and it happened quite often that I had to plug it out and in after Windows was fully started, to have all devices connected to the HUB recognized. Quite often I got the low-power-warning. To what HUB you should use? Well, IMHO it should at least offer 4 or 5 ports, preferably 7 or 10. And it should be fully USB2.0 compatible. Gigabyte GA-Z87-UD3H | i7 4470k @ 4.5 GHz | 16 GB DDR3 @ 2.133 Ghz | GTX 1080 | LG 55" @ 4K | Cougar 1000 W | Creative X-Fi Ti | TIR5 | CH HOTAS (with BU0836X-12 Bit) + Crosswind Pedals | Win10 64 HP | X-Keys Pro 20 & Pro 54 | 2x TM MFD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itkovian Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Thank you, the recommendation to go to powered is an important one. :) Itkovian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey45 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 What do you have pluged in??? The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. "Me, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, here on the ED forums at 3 'o' clock in the morning, with my reputation. Are they mad.." https://ko-fi.com/joey45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itkovian Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Nothing special. Joystick, Keyboard, Mouse, Rudder Pedals (which I need to unplug to get the printer on *grin*). Simming is better with a normal keyboard and mouse. :) So a hub will be useful either way, but is a definite must for TrackIR. Itkovian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
achoice Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 I really do recommend TrackIR. After I saw some BS trackIR movies on youtube I got hooked and ordered both the game and trackIR. It's so cool to be able to look around inside "your" cockpit - and view out to left/right etc. I've plugged trackIR to my monitor which has an USB hub, works great. regards, David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-GI- Xfire Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 as written before you shouldnt buy an passive hub. i had issues with my passive (track ir takes some power) so my only opinion was to use the usb slots direct at the mainboard which give you a short range and problems to get a good position for the camera. mfg Geisterbaer 49th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morg Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 you should be able to put your keyboard, mouse and printer (since it has its own power supply) in a passive hub and avoid the power cable for an active hub. If i'm counting correct that would give you enough free "motherboard" usb ports to run trackir and the sim equipment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyBerkut Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 (edited) morg's idea will probably work fine for your currently proposed situation. If you anticipate further expansion later, you will keep your options more open by going with a powered USB 2.0 hub. Have you given any thought as to whether you will want the TrackClip Pro to go with the TrackIR? The TrackIR uses reflectors mounted on a ball cap or visor by default. The TrackClip Pro is a powered set of IR LEDs that mount on your headset, that can yield some improvement in tracking (plus remove the need for wearing a ball cap or visor). The TrackClip Pro is powered via USB (which is why I brought it up). I would recommend that a TrackClip Pro be plugged into a powered USB hub. That would provide it power without adding load/heat to your CPU's power supply (miniscule as it would be). Edited September 3, 2009 by CyBerkut [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] There's no place like 127.0.0.1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itkovian Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 So the basic TrackIR reflectors can't be mounted on the headset, and must go on a ballcap/visor? I guess I'll go for the pro package then. The only hats I wear are Proper hats. :) Itkovian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyBerkut Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 (edited) Well, I don't know about "must", but that is how it is designed. I wouldn't be surprised to see / hear that some enterprising individuals had adapted the reflectors to headsets somehow. The physical arrangement and orientation of the point models for the cap reflectors vs the TrackClip Pro LEDs is different. Edited September 4, 2009 by CyBerkut [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] There's no place like 127.0.0.1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herig2 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 My setup , I used the TrackClip Pro. The TrackIR sits on the monitor, plugs into the G-19 keyboard's power USB port. The keyboard is plug into the monitor's USB port, and the monitor is plug in to a rear USB port on the computor. The headset LEDs are plug into the computor's front USB port. Works for me ! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyBerkut Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I have the TrackClip Pro as well. One concern I always had with it was that its design is (understandably) a bit fragile. Obviously, it is desirable to keep the weight down on anything being added to a headset, so NaturalPoint is working with tradeoffs there. The fragility concerned me, as the possibility of the wiring getting damaged in breakage of the motion joints introduced a small possibility of shorting of the power on that USB port. As such, I preferred to keep that USB device powered from an external power supply (by using a powered USB hub) as a precaution. I'd really be bummed to fry the mobo over something preventable like that. BTW, my concern over the fragility wasn't totally unfounded. While I managed to remain mindful / careful of the TrackClip Pro when pulling the headset on and off for a long time, the inevitable case of the spousal unit rushing into the room with some sense of urgency, surprising me (and leading to me snatching the headset off to listen to her), occurred. I was immediately sickened to feel the little snap and flop of the lower joint having been broken. Ugh. Fortunately, the wiring stayed intact, and after giving it some thought, I fashioned a "splint" sleeve for it using a short piece of plastic tubing and a cable tie. So far, so good. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] There's no place like 127.0.0.1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaturalPoint_Vince Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Hi there. I'm starting to become sorely tempted to purchase TrackIR (in the next few months), but to use it I will need to get a USB hub (I play on a laptop, and its 4 USB ports are already taken *grin*), and was wondering if anyone had any issues with using TrackIR with hubs when blacking DCS. Plus, if anyone has any recommendations on a good USB hub to get, I would appreciate any guidance. I know this is somewhat off-topic, but DCS is the game that's making me want this. :) Also, is there any performance degradation when using TrackIR with DCS? Thank you. Itkovian I like the powered D-link hubs. Support@NaturalPoint.com TrackIR - Put your head in the game http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herig2 Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I had the same problum as CyBerkut, " The spousal unit ". But so far I'm able to snap the TrachClip Pro back together again. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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