My experiences with TracIr so far

[Nereid]

Just my experiences with TrackIr. They are completely subjective, but perhaps others may have similar experiences or some tips to overcome the difficulties.

 

Well I have done it and purchased a Trackir5. Used it for about 2 to 3 hours ingame so far but cant really adopt to it. Its no problem to move the head/view but if I want to look closer my eyes get to irritated because the view is not "fixed" anymore. I cant really see any details (distant planes, airfields,...). Second problem is, that my joystick is covering the lower part of my monitor. That was no problem without trackir yet. But its a mess if trackir is activated, because I have to shift my head a bit to view instruments sometimes... then trackir shifts my view and all gets complicated. Changing the position of the joystick is not an option, moving the monitor upward is possible only on a small amount and does not solve the problem. Its strange, but with trackir event then my eyes tends to focus on my joystick and not on the screen anymore (a similar effect like in some cars where the front windshield has some kind of heating to prevent steaming - Its hard/impossible for me to drive them because my eyes tend to focus on the the tiny visible lines in the windshield and not the street).

 

At my last landing the first action was to deactivate Trackir because I cant concentrate on not moving my head and the landing procedure also. I cant keep my eyes on the landing strip.

 

For me Trackir perhaps would be usable if there were some kind of activation key. Or perhaps I will have to spend a lot of more time getting used to this. But at the moment I dont think its possible because the view directions jumps/shakes to much. And a few hours are not enough to get used to it and I have tried a lot to check I can change the setup.

 

Well, the conclusion is: Trackir perhaps is not for everyone. Perhaps I will overcome the limitations some day, but for me it was not possible to use it after 2 to 3 hours of training in any way. I will have to spend much more time to get used to it if its possible. Technically Trackir works well. But people are different in their possibilities to get used to it I think.

 

 

André

[Hamblue]

What you are experiencing is normal for trackir beginners.

Learning to use the new tool is like learning anything else that is new to your body. You aren't used to having a small head movement equate to the visual of multiple times that. 3 hours is nothing but an introductory.

Stick with it, before you know it you'll be looking around literally like you were actually in the cockpit. Some people take weeks if not over a month to fully acclimate but it will happen.

 

As far as the activation key, you can set that up in the software.

In the software under the hotkey section there are 2 main items that you can set-up. The first is the most used and a necessity. It's called center. Over time while looking around and shifting etc the calibration can get a little out of whack. Hitting the center key (that you map) gets it back in line. Just look straight forward and hit the key.

The second is pause. This key is what I assume you are looking for with the activation key. It simply stops the software when hit and starts it when hit again. After re-activating, simply hit the center key and you're back in business.

 

Once again stick with it. You've been looking at computer screens and televisons for a long time. It will take time for your brain to learn the new method but it will happen.

 

Good Luck :thumbup:

[Mugenjin]

2-3 hours is nothing. After using it a couple dozen hours it'll feel more natural.

 

You may need to adjust your TIR profile though so it's a bit less sensitive for certain parts of the field of view etc.

[MTFDarkEagle]

As said, that's a VERY short time spent with it ;) I thought the same in that amount of time. Now, I CANNOT and WILL NOT fly without it! Pull through, and you'll start to appreciate it big time!

[BIGNEWY]

Like everyone else has said you will get used to it, and soon you will not be able to fly without it.

 

I have my motion control speed down to 0.3 and smooth up to 40, but everyone is different. How close is your head to your screen ?

[rss0900]

I had the same outcome as you maybe worse. I'd box my trackir then get it out for a few more minutes then hate it and box it again. It took me several weeks to get used to it, then I noticed flying was just not the same without it.

 

I really did not start to enjoy it until I used WAGS trackir profile and tweaked it just a bit to slow it down. Now although it annoys me sometimes it really is a requirement of flying in DCS for me, I'm lost without it. Like others have said keep at it, it will get much much better although I can't say natural.

[cichlidfan]

This is a definite case of everybody being different. Do play with the settings, smoothness and speed adjustments can make a huge difference in how it 'feels'. Look over the manual and get a feel for what the curves do and play with them as well. A perfect profile for one person might seem terrible to another.

 

It really is worth a bit of time. I would rather give up my Warthog than my TIR.;)

[pacotito]

When I first started using head tracking I too found it hard to get used to. After a while I got used to it and it makes a big difference. I found what works best for me is to disable the head position tracking. I use facetracknoir but the principle is the same. I was having a hard time viewing the hud and such when it was tracking my head position. I use only the head yaw and pitch. Maybe one day I'll try the others again. Setting up a dead zone in the sim options helped for landings and such as I could move my head a good amount with the view staying locked ok the hud.

[Daze]

When I got it I was so annoyed, I felt like I had wasted a lot of money. My first thought was actually "how do virtual aerobatic teams use this, it doesn't help at all" lol. After I got used to using it and found a profile that worked for me (wags profile) I loved it. I never fly without it.

 

Moral of the story: give it time!!

[Kalahari]

Yup,what they all said...........

[159th_Viper]

Took me about a week......

 

I was so irritated and sulky blowing £120 on a self-induced seasickness substitute that I punished myself by refusing to take it off. Somewhere in my self-induced Purgatory it all fell into place.......takes time though.

[Frostie]

Took me about a week......

 

I was so irritated and sulky blowing £120 on a self-induced seasickness substitute that I punished myself by refusing to take it off. Somewhere in my self-induced Purgatory it all fell into place.......takes time though.

Spending a week with sea sickness, plus irritated sulk, yep that pretty much sums up my first week too. Thank god I stuck through it, like I had a choice after spending so much. Now I would be lost without it.

[G00dnight]

I have had Tir since Version 2, in the early days it was really hard to get it right. now I have my good old Tir3 running on Tir5 software works like a dream, I think it was £80 well spent for the years I have had it. works on loads of games from ArmA to DCS.

[blackbelter]

Looking forward to the arrival of my tir 5 now. Wish I can fix the 3d issue of my system before that.

[joey45]

Cool vid.

[Nereid]

Well, ty for your replies. It seems I will have to spend a bit more time with TrackIr. I don't have completely given up, but the first hours were frustrating.

 

But for the next days I will play without TrackIr and try to get used into in between. I will be way to distracted playing Diablo 3 anyway. ;)

 

To bad, that it takes a while to get used to it. I would free up several buttons on my HOTAS dedicated to viewing at the moment.

[pixelpilot]

TIR is all about getting the curves right, i have a very slight curve near central position so small head movements dont disturb the view much, this does mean that the view is more shakey at extreme angles, i use a button to toggle TIR to inactive whille i look at any cockpit panels off to the sides. I also have a centre view button so i can relax and re calibrate my view. also have my zaxis (forward and back) and roll axis set very subtle. I prefer to use a zoom function over moving my head closer. you've spent the money now spend the time on setup, its so worthit.

[cichlidfan]

To me, setting null or nearly null zones near the center is very important. It keeps the small adjustments you make while sitting less disturbing, and regular recentering of the view takes care of the rest.

[RoaringBones]

When i first got mine i took off like a freight train and used it Made adjustments as needed.

[cichlidfan]

When i first got mine i took off like a freight train and used it Made adjustments as needed.

 

I took to it like a duck to water as well (same for progressive eyeglass lenses), but I have definately improved the experience with adjustments to the curves. I also find that each sim produces slightly different results with the same curve.

[CubPilot]

Just my experiences with TrackIr. They are completely subjective, but perhaps others may have similar experiences or some tips to overcome the difficulties.

 

Well I have done it and purchased a Trackir5. Used it for about 2 to 3 hours ingame so far but cant really adopt to it. Its no problem to move the head/view but if I want to look closer my eyes get to irritated because the view is not "fixed" anymore. I cant really see any details (distant planes, airfields,...). Second problem is, that my joystick is covering the lower part of my monitor. That was no problem without trackir yet. But its a mess if trackir is activated, because I have to shift my head a bit to view instruments sometimes... then trackir shifts my view and all gets complicated. Changing the position of the joystick is not an option, moving the monitor upward is possible only on a small amount and does not solve the problem. Its strange, but with trackir event then my eyes tends to focus on my joystick and not on the screen anymore (a similar effect like in some cars where the front windshield has some kind of heating to prevent steaming - Its hard/impossible for me to drive them because my eyes tend to focus on the the tiny visible lines in the windshield and not the street).

 

At my last landing the first action was to deactivate Trackir because I cant concentrate on not moving my head and the landing procedure also. I cant keep my eyes on the landing strip.

 

For me Trackir perhaps would be usable if there were some kind of activation key. Or perhaps I will have to spend a lot of more time getting used to this. But at the moment I dont think its possible because the view directions jumps/shakes to much. And a few hours are not enough to get used to it and I have tried a lot to check I can change the setup.

 

Well, the conclusion is: Trackir perhaps is not for everyone. Perhaps I will overcome the limitations some day, but for me it was not possible to use it after 2 to 3 hours of training in any way. I will have to spend much more time to get used to it if its possible. Technically Trackir works well. But people are different in their possibilities to get used to it I think.

 

 

André

 

Don't give up yet! It does take some time and adjusting TrackIR to your liking.

 

I can help with this, "For me TrackIR perhaps would be usable if there were some kind of activation key."

I use a AutoHotKey script that allows me to control TrackIR from my Warthog Joystick pinky lever. A short press CENTERS TrackIR, a long press PAUSES TrackIR (acts as a toggle). :D The script can be adapted for any joystick & any button on it. Go here for more info.

 

I find the pause useful for using the clickable cockpit, those switches, buttons, and knobs don't run away from your mouse cursor anymore!

 

Another idea is to use Precision Mode. It slows TIR movement down a bit, it isn't as jerky. I have it mapped to my Warthog throttle's 1st trigger switch & it activates just prior to using the gun or before if you activate it while lining up on a target. You may have to map it to a different button. I don't know what joystick you have.

 

 

 

:pilotfly:

[t-stoff]

Hello, I was away from the sim world quite a long time with a mix frustration of no time and no trackir. Having bought Trackir 5 (hat version of the "sensor"), its has been a long learning process but it definitely feels better done the static cockpit. The only thing that it is still hard for me is to look down for the side consoles, specially during ramp procedures. The main problem is looking down, the second is the head wobbling. Ok that I can "solve" by pressing pause, but it feels unnatural to constantly try to reach certain knobs while it somehow feels like I have Parkinson :(

Now, do you guys use it extensively for those tasks, even in mid flight or use some kind of snap view? If yes, witch ones?

Edited December 27, 2012 by t-stoff

[Manuel]

Just one thing to add to the adjustments. It helped me a lot to follow those rules:

 

 

Have a watch and try it out, TrackIR is worth it. Would not fly without it.

[t-stoff]

I used that one too! After posting my dilemma I've read somewhere in this forum that it helps alot on operations on the lower consoles to "look" up and then force recenter of Trackir, this will enable you too look down easily and without the trouble of offsetting the led capture and neck pains;D.

The same solution would fit in an eventual dogfight. Im yet to test this "tweak" but it seems plausible.

[Kaiza]

I got a terribly sore neck for the first week. This was because I was trying to hold my head extremely still to get the same picture I had without trackIR (a perfectly still image). After a while you realise you don't need a perfectly steady view, you relax, and it feels extremely natural.