ED Tracker vs TrackIR 4?

Rayner

R
I was about ready to order an ED Tracker Pro when I remembered that euros aren't dollars. With the conversion, it would cost me about $62 with shipping. I tried pricing the parts myself, but it didn't seem that much cheaper. Amazon listings can be a cruel mistress, and small items that aren't Prime eligible frequently cost more to ship than to buy.

I then noticed that I can buy a TrackIR 4 for $80ish, Amazon Prime. It's a bit more expensive, but easier to return if something goes wrong.

What would you do?
 

Buglet

Buglet
I have TrackIR 5 with Track Clip Pro.

I will forever love this piece of kit.

As far as I know, head tracking is awesome however you achieve it.

I just splashed out on TrackIR 5 because I wanted it quick and proper.
 

Faybs

Faybs
Yep the TrackIR 5 is amazing and I can definitely recommend it. IIRC the 4 had overheating problems, so you may want to do some research before buying it.
 

cmdr m0kn

cmdr m0kn
I'm thinking about an EDtracker, because I don't like the idea of cameras in front of me (call me paranoid if you want :p), so TrackIR is out for me.
Any thoughts? Is TrackIR or EDtracker better than the other?
 

timbow

timbow
I've been a beta tester for EDTracker Pro for a while (disclosure, Brumster is a friend of mine, and I know Pocketmoon and Dead Fred). I think it is brilliant. Very smooth and responsive. It was built as a response to the ridiculous pricing of TrackIR which retails at around £150. The downside is that as it uses gyros and magnetometer it doesn't do lateral movements, however that can be mostly overcome in Opentrack by assigning lateral movement as a second axis, although this is not needed for ED. We've used is successfully in IL2 Cliffs of Dover where you need to lean laterally as you look back to check your six.
 

Hadron-Higgs-Boson

Hadron-Higgs-Boson
I think ED tracker is the better product, Im using a 9150 version bought back in January, works like a charm. If it ever does die, which seems unlikely, I'll happily buy the newer Pro version.
 

Hellhawk666

Hellhawk666
Track IR works wonderfully and the ProClip is not essential. I have one mounted on my headphones, but unless I'm on Teamspeak or using Voiceattack and actually need the headphones and/or mic I prefer to play with less clutter. The default TrackIR reflector device that clips onto a baseball cap is just as effective as the ProClip.
 

Blairvoyach

Blairvoyach
Hadron-Higgs-Boson said:
I think ED tracker is the better product, Im using a 9150 version bought back in January, works like a charm. If it ever does die, which seems unlikely, I'll happily buy the newer Pro version.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, it's a super little device and if you have never experienced head tracking, it IS a game changer, whichever route you take..

+1 for the EDTracker.
 

Zeeman

Zeeman
I bought a Track IR5 for $50 (AU) second hand, to build EDTracker from parts here in Aus was a $100 exercise, so 2nd hand Track IR5 was an easy win. I like the hat clip over the pro clip- no wires for the cats to go mental it mid battle...


Head tracking is awesome. In CQC my k/d ratio goes from about 1.5 to about 2.5-3 with head tracking.
Z..
 
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FusionGb

FusionGb
Never used an actual Trackir product, ridiculously expensive for a webcam and some LEDs. I have experimented with various free options, including the one where you cut out a black triangle and stick it to your head :)
The EDTracker has the advantage of being cheap to build or buy and no need for a camera.

I got good resutls using it alone in ED, despite the limited options in the controls menu ( ie; no curves ).
Started to use OpenTrack which is great for fine tuning but decides to randomly stop working and needs a quick start/stop. This is why I'll never get out of Windowed mode :)
As for parts in the US, search for Arduino suppliers, as far as I'm aware only the PCB is custom built , the rest is commercially available Arduino stock ( is it , anyone ? )

I'm waiting for a Bluetooth addon ( hint ! )
 

Hurricane Moon

Banned
H
A Delan led clip (metal version of track ir led piece) used with a modded ps3 camera and Facetracknoir seems to work flawlessly for me.....

all in at 25 quid....from Delan engineering website...or ebay shop.....

cheaper than track IR but performs the same imo....also facetrack uses tack ir and free track protocols together...
 

timbow

timbow
Which version of Opentrack are you using? 2.2 is rock solid for me, although I don't use it in ED, but do for flight sims. In terms of "curves" you can adjust the scaling (how fast it moves in relation to your head movement) and either linear or log scale so you get smaller movements until you hit a point and it moves quicker (if you see what I mean).
 

Jim Panse

Jim Panse
I use an old TrackIR 3 6DOF. Works fine and suits Elite well. Was cheap also. Around 30 Euro at ebay. This with HOTAS was the best buy for Elite ever...
 

Blairvoyach

Blairvoyach
Heavenly-Hammer said:
DIY your own with a PlayStation Eyetoy and a TrackClip Pro for about $40
Click to expand...


That is another great option. I had the EyeToy from a previous failed attempt at building my own (got the LED model all wrong) but I recently bought a Delan cilp to try and resurect the project and wow! it really works. Putting it side by side with a mate's TrackIR5, we couldn't tell the difference using Opentrack. Tried it in DCS and get exactly the same range 6DOF as the TrackIR, just a little more work to get the curves right is all.
 

Calico Jack

C
I had a TrackIR 4, before upgrading to the TrackIR 5. It worked great in Elite, and the differences are supposedly minimal, but the TrackIR 5 definitely feels somewhat smoother to me. This could just be a case of 'red ones go faster' though...

I'd look on eBay for a used 4 or 5 if cost is an issue.
 

punkerich

punkerich
I'm using trackir 5, and love it.
I rarely have a crash directly after booting my machine (trackir 5 stopped working), but it's one time/month, no biggie.
Win 7 64 bit. Anyone else has this?
 

Clicker

Clicker
Just splashed out NZ$120-something on an EDTracker Pro.

I'm sure either solution would be as effective and for me the head tracking thing is so intuitive for this game. I love it.
It just adds that next level of immersion.

Thoroughly recommend to anyone.

Clicker

p.s. My wife's first reaction was "You look like a Telly Tubby"...I got over that after the very next combat encounter!
 

Amos

A
+1 Edtracker

The 9150 version I made for about £20-£25 works flawless I dont have to recentre very often anymore, and this device has come alonmg way, combine it with opentrack for added awesomeness, if mine broke I woud make another but at £45 its good value
 
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