Which Tracker is "best"?

NeilF

NeilF
So if you buy the pre-built ED Tracker... You get it, plug it into a USB (Micro B) port, and then what else do you need to do before you can start using it?

ie: How easy is it to calibrate/use etc?
 

Crudzilla

Crudzilla
brumster said:
I've said it before in the other threads but a big thankyou to THIS community too for supporting it. It really wouldn't have taken off without you guys. The encouragment, the support, the understanding, the shared knowledge, etc.

It's honestly just been *fun* to do :) the fact that it enhances the game for you guys in a cost-effective way is great ;)

edit: and I'm sure I speak for Dorian and Rob in saying that; this is very much an "equal partnership" with them, and I in no way accept the glory for it!
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Well done to all you all! I got a TrackIR a long while back so have no need for the ED tracker. But I couldn't quite believe it when I read the posts on this forum suggesting that community members had hacked together their own head tracking solution and were providing it to users at such a low cost.

Have been following your posts and after seeing some videos I think that if I were in the market for head tracking for Elite right now I would definitely give the ED Tracker a try first. It's such good value!

I think it's incredible what you guys have achieved...
 

Greebie

Greebie
Bromley86 said:
N{EDTacker} needs resetting every 30 minutes or so, but that's apparently very simple to do.
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brumster said:
Not really the case any more, with the self-centering code in V2.9 I personally don't need to reset it at all any more. I guess YMMV but this is the general feedback to date.
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I'd like to add a second to this. I've been using the EDTracker since the first iterations and it has come on leaps and bounds. I always had major issues with the view drifting off to the left, sometimes massively, but since the latest revision of the code I can play, quite happily, for over an hour without having to reset the view.
 
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Neillm

N
pocketmoon said:
Like this ? :D:D

http://reprapdad.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/edtracker.jpg

http://reprapdad.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/3d-printed-edtracker-cases/

STL files here :

http://www.bld3r.com/tag/EDTracker

I've started to use the flat 'noodle' type USB cables as well. They run very flat down the headphone. Nice and floppy.
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Oh, 'ello! What have we got here then? Know anyone with a 3D printer? ;)

EDIT: I just ordered a boggo round cable just to get it going for now. Can't believe I don't have one with the mountain of cables I have around here!
 
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Antmax

Antmax
I use a Velcro cable tie. It's about 1.5 cm wide and 15 Long and fits around the center with about 1cm inc the reset switch visible each side. Strap it to Any headphone.

You could use a adhesive backed Velcro pad. But I would recommend a coat of liquid electric tape on the circuit the adhesive glues to.

I calibrated mine to almost 0 drift and can play over am hour without resetting.

Compared to a camera based system. Its much nicer with less back strain trying to maintain a neutral head on orientation. The clips tracked by camera require you to keep the same position for long periods. If your head wanders to the side then pitch induces roll as well as yaw due to lens distortion. With ED so long as your head is facing forward so does the head on game. Sideways movement doesn't change perspective and throw off orientation.
 
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timbow

timbow
NeilF said:
It doesn't come with a case then (like that)? So without a case is it a duct tape job?
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Cable ties are your friend, and as anyone knows, they're structural so it will be safe and not move :D

To answer your other questions, I believe the guys run the calibration on the made up ones before they ship so you should just be able to plug it in and use.
 

Omegahunter

Omegahunter
NeilF said:
It doesn't come with a case then (like that)? So without a case is it a duct tape job?
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You could always make yourself a case up along the lines of this

http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=401124&postcount=512

Its only add a few pounds to the cost. £3.03p for the maplins project box and what ever the cost is for velcro and double sided foam.

I had both of them already which save on buying them and only needed basic tools. A craft knife, side cutters, small round file and some drill bits.
 

Neillm

N
Omegahunter said:
You could always make yourself a case up along the lines of this

http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=401124&postcount=512

Its only add a few pounds to the cost. £3.03p for the maplins project box and what ever the cost is for velcro and double sided foam.

I had both of them already which save on buying them and only needed basic tools. A craft knife, side cutters, small round file and some drill bits.
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Very nice. I was considering a matchbox for top quality craftsmanship. :)

Oh, and nice keyboard you have there...same as mine. :D
 

Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse
NeilF said:
So if you buy the pre-built ED Tracker... You get it, plug it into a USB (Micro B) port, and then what else do you need to do before you can start using it?

ie: How easy is it to calibrate/use etc?
Click to expand...

VERY easy - got mine yesterday. Just plug it in leave it still for 10 seconds to calibrate.

Don't even have to download any drivers, windows says driver is not installed but works as a standard joystick. Just go into ED and set up the head tracking axis in options. Press the button when looking straight ahead and you are off.

Amazing, awesome...
 

NeilF

NeilF
Betelgeuse said:
VERY easy - got mine yesterday. Just plug it in leave it still for 10 seconds to calibrate.

Don't even have to download any drivers, windows says driver is not installed but works as a standard joystick. Just go into ED and set up the head tracking axis in options. Press the button when looking straight ahead and you are off.

Amazing, awesome...
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So it only detects/users head nodding and turning. ie: Two axis of motion?
 

Antmax

Antmax
Yeah it is that easy to use pre callibrated. It's only it you want to make some changes with firmware and reflash that it can be tricky.

They are working towards a simple utility that does all the calibration, exponential etc in one place and a simple click to update and flash the tracker without using an IDE and source code editing. I did some tests for them yesterday using a DOS type command line tool and non standard boards and it looks very promising. :) once that is integrated in their tool they will have a very polished device.
 
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