TrackIR doesn't seem to work correctly

[Rangoon]

In the TrackIR software (3D view), if I roll my head left, then pitch up (neck movement, head to the left, not pitch up as in toward the ceiling), the head in the software rolls left and essentially yaws left along the X axis (so, correctly, rolls left and pitches up along with the movement of my head). But in Elite: Dangerous (latest build), if I roll left and pitch up, my view rolls left and then rises vertically along the Y axis (so, not correct with the movement of my head).

Is this a problem with how TrackIR is implemented in the E? I've been using TrackIR for years (since version 1, now I'm on version 5) and never noticed this behavior until now. Either it just never registered to me, or this is new/flawed in E.

 

[Magraff]

I use TrackIR 5 with the ProClip and everything works OK in Horizons. My settings did get messed up when I installed the 5.3 software though (It selected TrackClip instead of TrackClipPro). I use the Default profile set to Exclusive. Sorry I can't help more!

 

[Rangoon]

I am also using the new 5.3 software, and TrackClipPro - noticed the same behavior, and switched back to the Pro. So do you find that if you roll left, then raise your head (to the left somewhat) your view in E: D rolls left, then looks *more* left? Or does it look toward the roof of the cockpit?

 

[Magraff]

I just did a test and I find it's very accurate and follows my movements exactly, both in the 3D View and in Elite. I do have to Center with F12 once in Elite. It seems the sensor doesn't detect the distance to the clip very well the first time it's started.

 

[Rangoon]

Huh, that is really strange. I just reinstalled TrackIR 5.3 and still have the same problem. I have headlook with mouse turned off in the options, but don't know any other E: D options which would affect head tracking.

And just to be clear: when I say "roll" my head to the left, I mean tilt it. So I tilt my head left, and in the game my view tilts to the left. Then, if I move my head up, the view in TrackIR follows whatever angle of tilt I have, and moves "up" along that plane. However, in E: D (Horizons, latest build), once I've tilted my view, moving up along that plane causes my in-game view to track vertically toward the ceiling, not in plane with my head tilt. That's broken.

But it's working properly for you? I can't think of any reason it would be doing this, especially in my case and not yours. Bizarre. And frustrating...

 

[Magraff]

My apologies Rangoon, you are absolutely right! It does not track the movements as you would expect if you are also rolling your head.

 

[Veldryn]

The camera in E has a predefined range of views. If you turn your head in a way that is not inside this range, then the result will be... inaccurate. I think that was required to reproduce 'realistic' head movements when manipulating the camera with the mouse or buttons.

So I guess you are simply doing a movement that is outside this limite range of views, and the game just finds the closest matching view ?

I also believe that this limitation is removed with VR headsets, and you get a true freedom of head movement in this case

 

[Rangoon]

The camera in E has a predefined range of views. If you turn your head in a way that is not inside this range, then the result will be... inaccurate. I think that was required to reproduce 'realistic' head movements when manipulating the camera with the mouse or buttons.

So I guess you are simply doing a movement that is outside this limite range of views, and the game just finds the closest matching view ?

I also believe that this limitation is removed with VR headsets, and you get a true freedom of head movement in this case

I think you are correct on this. I hope they improve the TrackIR support in the future. It's definitely functional, but I find I tilt my head a lot as I maintain situational awareness and a sense of orientation or "horizon" (fluid though that may be in space). So the problem is that while you're tilting your head, then if you try to look up, the view goes sideways instead of up. It does seem to be tracking only along an x or y axis while tilted, though it will track diagonals as long as your head remains inline with your spine. It's just weird, and doesn't behave like other TrackIR-supported titles.