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Trackir

I was thinking about getting this, but had a quick question for those who could help. Do you have to sit right infront of the monitor looking straight at it? I tend to sit kind of sideways to my desk so I can kick my feet up. Would I still be able to some how position it so that this would work?
 
Snoopy22 said:
I was thinking about getting this, but had a quick question for those who could help. Do you have to sit right infront of the monitor looking straight at it? I tend to sit kind of sideways to my desk so I can kick my feet up. Would I still be able to some how position it so that this would work?
Click to expand...

Suggest you drop a line to Natural Point, they could offer an answer
 
I take a similar position when I'm surfing the internet, Snoopy. But I have to say your question is a little strange. I mean, when you're doing something that requires your full attention, like a flight simulator (especially one in which you're dogfighting) why would you want to have your head facing anywhere except directly at the monitor?? But to each his own, I suppose.

To directly answer your question, though, the key is to have your head facing the camera not necessarily facing your monitor. So if you want to be angled somewhat just make sure you place the camera directly in front of your head.
 
I got one awhile back. I had to go pick the girlfriend up and, well, I decided to just leave my TrackIr hat on. You get lots of looks with that three prong reflective clip on the "Flight Sim Pro Shop" hat. I did find the thing somewhat jerky though.

I'm going to try that hatclip mod when I get P3 and TrackIR going together. It should help smooth out the play and also look darn good trucking down the road in my VW. I can rotate the hat in with my fedora and the Devo Energy Dome.
 
Trackir, Setting in front of your computer

NaturalPoint TrackIR
Users Manual

6. Tips and Tricks

6.1 Gaming Environment
The TrackIR is designed to work in a wide variety of conditions, and the current generation of TrackIR hardware is more robust and reliable than ever before. There are, however, a number of things that you can do to optimize the TrackIR’s performance:

Distance between the TrackIR and the user :
The optimum distance between the user and the TrackIR in Dot tracking mode is 18-24 inches, in Vector tracking mode the optimum distance is 24-36 inches. Using the TrackIR within these ranges will achieve the best balance between range of motion and tracking precision. We recommend having no more than 4 feet between the reflective target and the front of the TrackIR.

Lighting :
We recommend turning off or dimming lights in the room and removing any highly reflective materials that are directly in the view of the TrackIR’s camera. You can easily check what the TrackIR’s camera is seeing by opening the Tracking Window in the TrackIR software, for details please see Section 5.5.5

6.2 Reflective material
The TrackIR ships with a reflective clip called the TrackClip which is designed to be placed on a hat, or a headset.

Here are a few tips from the pros:
  • Make sure the clip is perfectly center on the brim of the hat.
  • The greater the distance between the reflective clip and the center of rotation (in most cases the center of your head) the more accurate and sensitive the TrackIR will be.
Additional dots, TrackHats and raw Reflective Material can from our web site at www.trackir.com 3.5 Desktop, flatpanel and laptop hardware placement
Setting up the TrackIR unit on either a desktop or laptop is quick and easy.

3.5.1 CRT Placement
Set the TrackIR on top of your monitor and point the unit towards your head or face .
 
Track IR Receiver placement

Hi all,

I just ordered Track IR 4 and was sitting here pondering my receiver placement, the thing is I am not sure I can sit it on top of my monitor as it is a 47" HD screen so setting the thing on top would put it a good 12" over the top of my head. I had a though of perhaps using a mic stand behind my chair and setting it on that and flip my cap around backwards, as I will be using the bill clip method. I wonder though if the light from the monitor will bother the receiver. Should be limited though as my head should block most of it. This only works though if the software supports a reversed axis setup.

I would appreciate any thoughts or tips from the experts.

[FONT=&quot]Thanks.[/FONT]
 
You should be right FenrisWlf. Sit it atop your monitor and swivel it down toward your face when you set it up. 12" shouldn't make a big difference although WF2 may need a cigarette afterwards.

I's suggest your alternative method is fraught with danger.
 
For those of you that have the same issue that

von Baur
does, do what NIO recommended to me, buy the clip that attaches to your headphones, and never bother with the hat piece again.

It was the only reason that I kept TIR, and has been the best additon( the clip) to facilitate a great view.

Cheers,

british_eh
 
british_eh said:
von Baur
does, do what NIO recommended to me, buy the clip that attaches to your headphones, and never bother with the hat piece again.

It was the only reason that I kept TIR, and has been the best additon( the clip) to facilitate a great view.

Cheers,

british_eh
Click to expand...

Different strokes. A mate and i tried the clip and didn't like it. Wearing the hat was what made it good for us. If you have both, see which suits.
We found the clip very very finnicky to set up.
the hat was straightforward.
 
FenrisWlf said:
Hi all,
I just ordered Track IR 4 and was sitting here pondering my receiver placement, the thing is I am not sure I can sit it on top of my monitor as it is a 47" HD screen so setting the thing on top would put it a good 12" over the top of my head. I had a though of perhaps using a mic stand behind my chair and setting it on that and flip my cap around backwards, as I will be using the bill clip method. I wonder though if the light from the monitor will bother the receiver. Should be limited though as my head should block most of it. This only works though if the software supports a reversed axis setup.
I would appreciate any thoughts or tips from the experts.
[FONT=&quot]Thanks.[/FONT]
Click to expand...

Firstly I got a better reponse ( less jaggies - grey sawtooth on rapid head movement) when I place the camera 5" left of center, than all the way over on the corner, 22" LCD

You'll find ( if you look close ) the camera itself, is joined to the 3 legged base by a tiny ball and socket deal. Which means it CAN be tilted downwards towards your hat. However the wire itself exits the rear of the camera forcing an upwards or straight ahead position. While the reflectors are a good 12" below.

I would try to take the weight of the wire off the camera itself, by putting a loop in the wire, alas it doesn't have enough wire. So an extension cable is in order, it's a USB, it ain't magic. But in the Cable Department, I'd go with a BELKIN or some other brand name, rather than a cheapo made in China. Also go as short as possible, which is probably 6 foot.

It also might require some USB swaping. As you have primary and secondary USB's. Normally the stronger ( voltage wise ) are off your motherboard, the secondaries are in the case

Sounds like a lot of trouble, but Not many 47" LCD's out there :kilroy:
 
Thanks for the info guys. I do have some nice active USB cable extensions. I guess I really should not worry too much until I actually get it (Tuesday).

With luck I will have P3 by then or before that.

Thanks again.
 
FenrisWlf,

I have been up and running with TrackIR 4 for about 2 weeks now and it is really a fantastic product. I was surprised how easy it was to set up and it worked great with OFF2 from the first try. Do take the time to read the instructions first because it might save you a few headaches later. As you have read in this or other threads the lighting issue will be your biggest concern. It is best to have no bright or reflective surfaces behind you and use your F12 button often keep your view correct.

:welcome: Welcome to the club and enjoy!

Crozbone
 
I just got Trackir up and running. An important thing I discovered...

Make sure TrueView is disabled (un-tick the box on the edit profile screen) or you get some wonky headtracking results.

Probably you all found this out already, but I thought it worth passing on anyway.
 
And be careful when turning your head to acknowledge the little woman entering the room to check on your welfare
Was in the middle of a quick combat furball with 3 1 1/2 strutters when she turned on the overhead light to get my attention. By the time I F12'd (centering the view key in TrackIR) I was eating acorns out of a French Oak tree.
Capn rick:faint:
 
Had OFF ordered on 17/01 & expect it any moment now ...

I also ordered a TrackIR4 and I may have to wait still another week before I get that one while my copy of CFS3 was delivered already.

My question now: is it better to wait for the TrackIR4 in order to install its first or is that not important and can I just go and do the CFS3 install & patch + OFF from DVD & patch from the moment I have them both delivered?
What I mean, does an existing install of TrackIR4 changes anything in the default settings on installing the sims?
Somewhere I read CF3 expantions take over setting from it.

It will be hard to put off installing once OFF is delivered ...
 
I think you can install TrackIR before or after with no real difference.
 
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