EDtracker vs.... ?
- Thread starter Stewart_
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I've switched to this one: https://github.com/dlktdr/HeadTracker
This is exactly the same by features as edtracker.
You can still buy the hardware and you can easily download the SW and compile it in the arduino app for blowing into the device. Then you can still use their GUI app to control it (ignoring the error when it says it can't connect to server).
So its not dead.
hobbycomponents.com
So its not dead.
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
You cannotYou can still buy the hardware and you can easily download the SW and compile it in the arduino app for blowing into the device. Then you can still use their GUI app to control it (ignoring the error when it says it can't connect to server).
So its not dead.
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.
Try and add the bundle to your basket and you will see that the DIY stuff doesnt add to the basket.
I keep checking to get the pre soldered kit as I would need it assembled, but its never available.
I bought one six months ago, they probably hopefully have supply issues right now.
You can just buy the parts separately, its a sparkfun pro-micro (£22 on ebay) and a MPC 9250 (£12) available now. Then just hotwire the few wires apart. There are circuit diagrams around to show the connections. Use strip board to connect the two.
You can just buy the parts separately, its a sparkfun pro-micro (£22 on ebay) and a MPC 9250 (£12) available now. Then just hotwire the few wires apart. There are circuit diagrams around to show the connections. Use strip board to connect the two.
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So you built something yourself? The linked prebuilt version shows only minijack as connector. USB would be required.
Or am I missing something?
I've got the Tobii EyeX. I like it so much that I've got all versions over the past few years.
Opentrack, PlayStation Eye webcam with a PC driver and piece of old diskette taped to it to act as IR filter, 3D printed 3 IR led model contraption I bought from some German guy off Ebay. I've also made a couple by myself. Works fine and compared to EDTracker has real 6 DoF too, though Elite doesn't have much use for that.
I dumped EDTtracker as I hated having that USB cable and don't like wearing headset if I don't need to plus the software was horrible. (This was years ago though.) I moved to TrackIR and am really glad I did - it works seamlessly and I can just use the clip on a visor (tennis visor or baseball cap for example), no need for the headset-mounted gizmo. Makes a huge difference in ED - less cockpit swimming about in manoeuvres for example - and it works with just about any game - leaning out of a truck or train engine window or in an aircraft cockpit you can even look behind yourself.
For me, TrackIR was well worth the disgustingly high price I paid for it but maybe the current going rate (more than double what I paid years ago) is due to scalpers?
For me, TrackIR was well worth the disgustingly high price I paid for it but maybe the current going rate (more than double what I paid years ago) is due to scalpers?
I use it as usb gamepad remapped with opentrack - it is visible as USB HID device out of the box.
It also can be customized to send the data via BLE, probably you need to develop own "receiver" for this.
I keep it on usb cable : no need to care about power supply and since it is already recognized as joystick by OS, opentrack has built-in support for joysticks as input.
I built the firmware with VS code on linux, disabled buttons completely (they have macro for it) : there's a feature once you tilt too much it triggers button click, i don't need it.
That kills another bird: games do not recognize it as compatible controller any more: and this is not required because I use opentrack for it.
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1. TrackerIR
I really do not like the idea of "crafting" position data from image analysis when there are other solutions to get the data.
All free solutions based on openCV are fun to explore but the result sadly is not accurate: additional shaking due to recognition errors in the game breaks the experience.
Also camera based things requires good lighting conditions.
IR thingies are better in the term of lighting but it is still image recognition.
2. tobii
The idea is good. It performs exceptionally on tracking gaze point. It has great potential.
The head tracking is poor: the same as in 1. the result is not accurate.
Integration of gaze point tracking with ED is lame. It could be done better though but i am not sure that ED supports this kind of integration, that is, the gaze point, not head orientation.
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I think your comments are more relevant for the "clone / copy" versions. I find the actual TrackIR from Natural Point to exhibit none of the issues you mention.
But TrackIR uses also a thing for the headset with a USB-Cable if I researched right so also a USB-Cable attached to yoour Headset?
I have mounted the EDTrackerPro to my Headset without any Problems since 2 Years also the USB connector is no problem with this
Attachments
Sorry for not being clear at the precision of the tracker.
It does provide accurate result.
But TrackIR still uses image recognition. (edtracker as opposite reads data from gyro unit).
And the result is less error prone (than detecting head on the image) since instead of analyzing image for head/eyes it searches for specific bright points.
You will note in my message that you quoted that I said .. " ... I can just use the clip on a visor (tennis visor or baseball cap for example), no need for the headset-mounted gizmo."
I don't mean to be rude but you should read what you are criticizing before clicking "Post Reply".
Unless they have changed things since I used EDTracker (it was very long ago) - the software emulates a joystick, a HID - and it was horrible to keep calibrated, failed to do 6DOF very well (if at all) and was not compatible with many things (for me X plane and Train Simulator) and had a nasty habit of going mammary-glands-up in FSX.
The TrackIR interface is so successful that many MANY competitors reverse-engineered it to use it themselves (why it is now encrypted).
Your criticism of the IR tracking is pretty nonsensical really, the camera basically takes three bright IR sources (reflections or emitters) and by means of trig produces very accurate 6DOF positional information. You might prefer to use accelerometer and gyroscope inputs to a processor whose firmware produces HID - joystick - emulation - that is your choice. Personally, I am happier just to fit a little sprung clip* onto my cap / visor and have it interface seamlessly with just about anything with no drift, recalibration of glitching to disrupt my enjoyment.
YMMV
* EDIT - by the way, I do have the pro-clip, it sits in a dust-covered bag where it has lain for years since the passive sprung-clip works perfectly.
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So, the first edtracker versions used an mpu without compass, and it drifted.
The later used 9250 which was much more stable for drift.
Trackir for me is too expensive.
You only really need 3dof for elite, so edtracker not doing that is not a real problem for the game we are discussing here.
You can use opentrack to make edtracker work with any trackir input program.
I hope this clarifies things
The later used 9250 which was much more stable for drift.
Trackir for me is too expensive.
You only really need 3dof for elite, so edtracker not doing that is not a real problem for the game we are discussing here.
You can use opentrack to make edtracker work with any trackir input program.
I hope this clarifies things
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It would be really bad if $170 product did not satisfy you.