TrackIR-5. Worth it?

Wonky

Wonky
Hi all,

For those with a TrackIR device, is it worth the cost?
I'm toying with the idea of buying one but having not used one, £150 is a lot of money to spend blind.
I play racing games as well (GRID, Project CARS etc) and have a steering wheel so can use it with them as well.
Any suggestions would be great and believe that the ultimate would be an Oculus but I don't think I have a powerful enough machine and inclination to spend so much on a development kit.

Cheers
 

Panthera Tigris

Panthera Tigris
I bought one this Saturday and it's being shipped over. People who use it, absolutely love it.

I still think it's overpriced for the hardware it contains and that was my biggest turn off. But after researching a bit, I found there's really isn't any competing product out there currently.
 

alejo

alejo
Wonky said:
Hi all,

For those with a TrackIR device, is it worth the cost?
I'm toying with the idea of buying one but having not used one, £150 is a lot of money to spend blind.
I play racing games as well (GRID, Project CARS etc) and have a steering wheel so can use it with them as well.
Any suggestions would be great and believe that the ultimate would be an Oculus but I don't think I have a powerful enough machine and inclination to spend so much on a development kit.

Cheers
Click to expand...

It's been three years since I got mine, and I can not imagine my self runing a flight sim (space or not) without it.
That simple...
 

Scourge

Scourge
I suspect as you're asking here that getting one is near a foregone conclusion already. You're just looking for a good excuse.

Just do it! :D
 

Zephyriel

Zephyriel
I bought it several years ago when I played Flight Simulator X. Now I replugged it for ED and it's really nice. I can't see myself playing ED without any head tracking. It's useful to follow your target when you're fighting, and to acces the side panels. And it's generally much nicer than having a fixed position camera which makes you feel like you're looking at things through a tiny window.

Of course, it doesn't hold a candle to what we'll get when Oculus Rift is released! But for now it does the job perfectly. Not sure it's worth the investment if you're going to buy the Rift in a year, so it's up to you. The cheaper options might be a good choice if you don't mind putting in a little elbow grease.

If you want to see what TrackIR feels like when you're using it, watch Isinona's videos, he uses it. It's the way to go if you ever want to record videos in ED.
 

Zenicetus

Zenicetus
It is a little pricey for what it is, but it's one of those things that "just works" with no hassle. It's easier to justify the cost if you play several games that use it, like the civilian and air combat flight sims I play.

It's incredibly useful in keeping eyes on target and overall situational awareness, especially in a game like ED that includes some special features for head tracker/Oculus Rift users. For example, the left and right cockpit menus automatically open if you just look in that direction. No need to hit a key or button, just look there. The default setting works okay, but if you get a TrackIR I'd advise checking out Maxim's TrackIR profile you can download here, which adds a "dip" in the response curve so the menus open a bit more predictably:

http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=16826

Also, make sure you update the client for "new" games so it lists Elite Dangerous in the games list.

It's possible to make your own head tracker with a Webcam -- see other threads here for info on that.
 

srinidhalaya

srinidhalaya
I got mine in last week, on Wednesday. It is amazing. I am kind of disappointed in the range you get inside ED's cockpit though, for example, when leaning left or right (not turning), the range side to side is very small, same thing with lifting off your seat, or ducking down, very small range. The turn/looking horizontal and vertical works flawlessly though, and I can't imagine piloting without it. The little things add up very quickly, for example...

Quickly identifying your lock on target for FTL travel.
Quickly identifying your target location in combat.
Docking and take off accuracy (I don't even look at the HUD landing assistant anymore)
Overall situational awareness.
Inspecting one's crotch to verify all equipment present after violent dogfight.


Other benefits, is in other titles. Most racing games are compatible, and I play a lot of ARMA series, and it really gives an advantage in that title.
 

Brasso

B
Had the same feelings, but bought it anyway for use in a flight sim, never regretted it, wouldn't fly without it and just seems odd without it now.
 

Wonky

Wonky
Scourge said:
I suspect as you're asking here that getting one is near a foregone conclusion already. You're just looking for a good excuse.

Just do it! :D
Click to expand...

lol bingo!
I'm pretty certain I'll get one but need reassurance :)

Thanks for the advice everyone. Unfortunately, the only place I can see that sells in the UK is RC Simulations and they are out of stock until later this month.
If anyone knows of some place (will check eBay soon) that accepts credit card, and has stock, please let me know.
 

ParaB

ParaB
I bought a TrackIR 4 a couple of years ago and still consider it one of the best investments I've done in some 25 years of computer gaming.

Yes, it's THAT good.
 

Jezzah

Jezzah
Totally worth it in my opinion. It brings the game alive for me. I wouldn't bother with the pro version though.
 

Wonky

Wonky
OK. I'm completely sold! lol
I just can't seem to find a place in the UK that sells it and has it in stock right now! lol
I guess I'll just have to be patient
 

deusx_ophc

deusx_ophc
Wonky said:
lol bingo!
I'm pretty certain I'll get one but need reassurance :)

Thanks for the advice everyone. Unfortunately, the only place I can see that sells in the UK is RC Simulations and they are out of stock until later this month.
If anyone knows of some place (will check eBay soon) that accepts credit card, and has stock, please let me know.
Click to expand...

well i got it with the pro clip (that fits snugly onto my headset) and would not want to be without it in ed anymore. and i am your low tech guy, i do not like those monster hotas, dk2 type of things...

and on a side note, it is also out of stock in germany via amazon. i guess the ed/sc crowd is clearing up :D
 

CATPAIN KIRK

CATPAIN KIRK
Wonky said:
OK. I'm completely sold! lol
I just can't seem to find a place in the UK that sells it and has it in stock right now! lol
I guess I'll just have to be patient
Click to expand...

Used one for 2 years and it works great out of the box - it's pricey for what it actually includes, but I'm pleased with what it does and its reliability.

Just one minor caveat: In case you're planning to get a rift anytime soon, it may be worth to reconsider - my trackir is catching dust since the DK2 arrived in early august and I doubt I'll ever use it again.
 

Wonky

Wonky
I've signed up for stock notifications for RC and Flightstore. Watch TrackIR 6 come out a week after I order lol
 

schnitzelbrain

schnitzelbrain
Why not building a tracker system yourself.

I finally ended up with opentrack and an PS3 Eye.
FaceTrackNoIR gave me problems to be seen by ED. In the tracker Software it worked but not in ED.
Opentrack is flawless for now.

I did NOT modify my PS3 Eye (Bad to modify version by the way), what I use is a piece of Diafilm Material as suggested. The Test with a floppy disk piece was to dim. It took a lot of brightness from the IR Leds away. The Dia Piece is perfect, almost 180 degr. sensing.

For LED, I took them from old remotes.

Total costs, about 10$.
 
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