So I'm purchasing Trackir 5, have some questions

[ComradeLucifer]

Hey guys,

 

So my saitek x52 pro is working out great and I've decided to get trackir 5 today. Before I order, I'm wondering if it will work with windows 7 64 bit and how one goes about setting it up with a-10c and blackshark (which I have also just purchased :D).

 

Also, in your opinion is it worth the money? I really can't take having to switch between views with the keyboard, but at 150 its pretty pricey.

 

Also, I'm running on anintel quaf i7 dell xps 15 laptop with nvidia geforce 540m- does this hardware work with the trackir, and does the trackir mount well with a laptop?

 

I realize that's a ton of questions there, so I really appreciate the help/answers anyone can provide :).

 

Thanks,

 

-CL

[Pigmachine]

Yes. You just need the latest drivers!

 

150 is a barging for what you get,,,

[Shez]

Is it worth it? Absolutely! It opens up a whole new level of immersion. Looking into turns allows for more accurate flying. Being able to look around easily increases your SI.

 

It's not just for flight sims. Racing, Arma II, and whatever else you can think of. I need to try and use it in my MMO's! Haven't tried that yet.

 

I just set it up in the Track IR software using existing profiles. I've never set it up in A10C.

 

I do believe the newest Track IR software works with 64 bit. You'll have to look that up on their web site though.

 

Get it! You won't be disapointed.

[ComradeLucifer]

what is the proclip that costs an additional 30? Can't afford it, just curious.

[cichlidfan]

It's not just for flight sims. Racing, Arma II, and whatever else you can think of. I need to try and use it in my MMO's! Haven't tried that yet.

 

I just set it up in the Track IR software using existing profiles. I've never set it up in A10C.

 

Yes, TIR is awesome and well worth it but, it only works on games/sims that have been designed to use it so plugging it in and trying to use it on just any game is not going to work.

 

It is still a 32bit app but it works fine on Win7-64 as well as with the 64bit version of A-10.

 

The proclip is supposed to make it more accurate but I have found the regular hat clip to be quite satisfactory.

 

Set up is very easy, at least in my case, I used Wags profile, its around here somewhere, and was flying in no time.

 

HTH

[Zenra]

what is the proclip that costs an additional 30? Can't afford it, just curious.

 

It is tracker / reflector that clips to a set of headphones instead of to a baseball cap style hat. The the clip for the hat ships with TrackIR, so if you don't mind wearing a hat while you fly and/or if you don't wear headphones while flying then you are fine without it.

[cichlidfan]

It is tracker / reflector that clips to a set of headphones instead of to a baseball cap style hat. The the clip for the hat ships with TrackIR, so if you don't mind wearing a hat while you fly and/or if you don't wear headphones while flying then you are fine without it.

 

In fact, it seem to be difficult to use the proclip without headphones, at least I have not found a good alternative.

[ComradeLucifer]

I'm confused...I have to wear a hat to use the base trackir unit effectively? As in the $150 accessory also REQUIRES you to wear a hat to use it effectively?

[delta9856]

In my opinion Track IR is essential for any flight simmer (or any simmer in general for that matter). It adds a whole new level of immersion and really adds to the game. Just make sure there are no bright surfaces (windows etc) behind you because they will interfere with the camera. You should definitely buy it IMO

[S77th-konkussion]

No- Headphones are what it's meant for. Laptops have almost always been a struggle to run simulations like this- I have not seen much on this board that indicates a quantum leap forward in this- even with star trek processors, and the like... That said- the tripod legs of the Tracker's stand can be manipulated to grip most thicknesses. I'm not going to tell you it's going to be rock solid, but it can be done.

[delta9856]

I'm confused...I have to wear a hat to use the base trackir unit effectively? As in the $150 accessory also REQUIRES you to wear a hat to use it effectively?

 

The base Track IR (the $150 one) comes with the camera and a set of three reflective surfaces that you can clip onto a hat. You wear the hat while flying.

There is also the option of buying the Trackclip PRO aswell as the base pack. The Trackclip PRO clips onto your headset so that you dont have to wear the hat. I personally bought the Trackclip PRO and definitely think it was worth the extra money. Its up to you whether or not you want to spend the extra money on it though.

[ComradeLucifer]

is it difficult to get the ir unit to mount on a laptop? and am I required to wear a hat WITHOUT the proclip- if I were to just purcahse the base unit?

[cichlidfan]

I'm confused...I have to wear a hat to use the base trackir unit effectively? As in the $150 accessory also REQUIRES you to wear a hat to use it effectively?

 

The basic clip needs to be attached to a baseball style hat. I know, you would think...

 

The bottom line is that the camera and software is what you are paying for. Older versions had reflective stickers to put on your hat.

 

This is what it looks like.

[ComradeLucifer]

cool- so the picture is the version WITHOUT the proclip right?

[S77th-konkussion]

I'm confused...I have to wear a hat to use the base trackir unit effectively? As in the $150 accessory also REQUIRES you to wear a hat to use it effectively?

 

 

The base kit needs a baseball hat, yes. Something for the track clip to grasp.

 

The Bundle with the PRO clip needs a set of over- the- head headphones. I think they have a list of compatible headphones.

 

OK I didn't see a list- but they cite "creative" as a partner, so assume any creative model would work.

 

Don't get a behind the head mic/ phones, and just be aware that there are a few sets that have something in the way, or maybe too thick, or some other shape anomaly that prevents the Pro clip from clamping onto them.

[ComradeLucifer]

okay- one last question and I think I'm gonna get it- if anyone has any experience, does it work well with a laptop? I just got a state of the art one in april, so it's a pretty important thing to know.

[cichlidfan]

Laptops have almost always been a struggle to run simulations like this- I have not seen much on this board that indicates a quantum leap forward in this- even with star trek processors, and the like...

 

Actually it runs rather well on my ASUS G60 (i5, 4GB, Nvidia 360M)...but the screen is too small for my old eyes.

[cichlidfan]

okay- one last question and I think I'm gonna get it- if anyone has any experience, does it work well with a laptop? I just got a state of the art one in april, so it's a pretty important thing to know.

 

The biggest issue I would worry about with the laptop is that the camera is happier when you are at least 2 feet away from the screen and posistioned at an appropriate height. As long as you can work that out you should be good to go.

 

The general fact that it is a laptop should not be an issue.

[cichlidfan]

cool- so the picture is the version WITHOUT the proclip right?

 

Correct.

[Woots]

In fact, it seem to be difficult to use the proclip without headphones, at least I have not found a good alternative.

 

Go to any drug store and buy a girl's hair barrette. The proclip clips on nice and secure and you won't even know you're wearing it. (Decorative ribbon is optional ;))

Edited May 24, 2011 by Woots

[cichlidfan]

Go to any drug store and buy a girl's hair barrette. The proclip clips on nice and secure and you won't even know you're wearing it. (Decorative ribbon is optional ;))

 

Someone else around here mentioned something like that, forget who. If you clip the proclip onto that it doesn't press the back of the clip into your skull? I assumed that it would fit rather tight, not having tried it yet.

 

I was wondering about attaching it to something like that but not clipped on, possibly glue, velcro would be too loose I am sure, so it was all on the outside.

[ComradeLucifer]

so I took the plunge- ordered trackir 5 from amazon, I'll be trying it as soon as it arrives! I figured I'm really getting into DCS, so why not invest? Thanks for all the advice guys. :)

[cichlidfan]

so I took the plunge- ordered trackir 5 from amazon, I'll be trying it as soon as it arrives! I figured I'm really getting into DCS, so why not invest? Thanks for all the advice guys. :)

 

You will love it...this is a quote from a post I made right after I got mine.

 

Oh *****

 

Nothing printable came to mind.

 

It will take a bit of getting used to indeed but, Holy Crap!!

[ComradeLucifer]

so do you have any advice about configuring it or using it with a-10c/blackshark (which I bought but have yet to check out)?

 

Nice quote there BTW...I can't wait till it gets here :)

[cichlidfan]

Here is a link to Wags profile. I might mess with fine tuning it after I have used it for a while but it works as is just fine.

 

The only thing I can think of is that you will need three keys that DCS is not using to control track IR. I mapped the functions to <Backspace>, <RCTRL><Backspace> and <RShift><Backspace> since there are so few available keys. I also have those mapped to my stick as well.

 

There was an issue getting the keys to work in the game but I changed several things so I am not 100% sure on the issue but I suspect it has to do with making the profile exclusive. This will make sense when you get the thing.

 

I have not used it with BlackShark but I did use the same profile for a quick look at ROF and WOP and it worked fine with them as well so I would not expect any difficulty. Really, it is a lot more straight forward than you are imagining (been there).

 

Anyway, here is the profile link

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1010921&postcount=1