Are there any super cheap headtrackers out there?

[VR andysonofbob]

I play ED with the misses, with her in VR (to keep her happy) and me on the 43" TV on the second PC.

I am struggling with the restrictions of nonVR cockpit gameplay and reckon headtracking will help some what.

The TV is about 1.5m from me. I can't bring it closer because it is mounted above the fireplace so it is pretty high up, not eye level. Bringing it any closer and I would be looking up at the screen (not ideal I know). The connected PC is on a shelf away from the TV. The cable required to connect PC and TV is 3m long, to give an idea of the distance between TV and PC if that matters.

Is there a dirt cheap headtracker that I could use for this PC configuration? I don't mind a DIY look...

Thanks!

 

[Ashnak]

How good are you with a soldering iron? Just did a Google search, and came up with various Arduino solutions, EDtracker still seems to be going - or you could go fulll nerd mode and use OpenCV on a Raspi.

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

I heard you can even strap a mobile phone to your head with an app or sumthing

This head tracking phone app works with Microsoft Flight Simulator, and now it’s on Android

You can use SmoothTrack with any game that supports TrackIR, including Flight Simulator

www.pcgamesn.com

 

[VR andysonofbob]

Sounds like the phone one is a winner! It tracks your head.

I will give it a lookie and report back how well it works.

Thanks!

 

[STRONTIUM DOG]

I am not recommending it as I have track ir and I have not tested
but I hope it goes well

 

[VR andysonofbob]

Bummer

SmoothTrack isn't compatible with my cheap phone!

DIY EDTracker Bundle

We've partnered up with the fabulous guys over at EDTracker to bring to you the EDTracker bundle in it's entirety. We were previously selling bundles with a blank PCB, which you can still purchase; however, we're now in a position to sell you an entire kit, which includes the EDTracker PCB.

hobbycomponents.com

I bought the EDTracker from here. I gave my old one away!

 

[Xmerwynd]

I play ED with the misses, with her in VR (to keep her happy) and me on the 43" TV on the second PC.

I am struggling with the restrictions of nonVR cockpit gameplay and reckon headtracking will help some what.

The TV is about 1.5m from me. I can't bring it closer because it is mounted above the fireplace so it is pretty high up, not eye level. Bringing it any closer and I would be looking up at the screen (not ideal I know). The connected PC is on a shelf away from the TV. The cable required to connect PC and TV is 3m long, to give an idea of the distance between TV and PC if that matters.

Is there a dirt cheap headtracker that I could use for this PC configuration? I don't mind a DIY look...

Thanks!

I use Trackhat which is an IR based HTr. It was not too expensive even though I had to have it sent to the USA from G.Britian.The manufacturer recommends OpenTrack for interfacing to the PC. I prefer FaceNoir. There are other free HTr's SW on the n et

 

[TheMindBuddah]

I have IR head tracking and EDTracker and the IR is the better option.
EDTracker was from here https://hobbycomponents.com/electronics/440-diy-head-tracker-bundle
IR Head Clip https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000725595626.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.d7564c4d3paZ9e
PS3 Camera i had two laying a round so self converted

As you can see from the video it runs very well.

https://imgur.com/a/NdHpc7j

Source: https://imgur.com/gallery/NdHpc7j

 

[Elfener]

I use the camera of an android phone to do headtracking, you need 3 programs (all of them are free):

• DroidCam
• AITrack
• OpenTrack

The good thing with this is that you don't need anything on your head, AITrack detects your head being a head using AI.
Also the android phone should be connected to the PC using a USB cable to get the best result, but wifi works as well.