do you need vr or track ir for the game?

[gazdaman2005]

do you need vr or track ir for the game? As I can't afford it until at least next year

[Maki Nishikino]

No, but then again I'm so used to not using it. Someone with VR or TrackIR is going to have the upper hand but I've won quite a few phone booth fights just with a hat switch.

[dan]

you need some head tracking to get the most out of this game. otherwise you can't even look for airfields when trying to land let alone win a dogfight. although some superior human specimens have been known to use just the hat switches on their joysticks and still kick butt. im not one of them. I have a trackir I got half price from someone who was switching to VR.

[gazdaman2005]

Are there any cheaper alternatives

[Maki Nishikino]

Originally posted by gazdaman2005:

Are there any cheaper alternatives

I think there is one where you can use a webcam, not sure what it's called.

[spike2071]

I flew other sims for years without TrackIR, so yes it's doable. I would recommend at least a joystick with a hat switch for looking around (as Maki mentioned). You might be a disadvantage when things get close (especially in MP), but for BVR engagements or guided bombs it won't matter nearly as much.

Hop in the TF-51 or Su-25 in the game and see if it's playable for you without it.

[startrekmike]

While it is possible to make do without it, it isn't unreasonable to say that DCS modules are generally made with some kind of IR based head tracking in mind (or VR if that is the flavor one wishes to go after). There are a number of reasons why some kind of IR tracking is kinda necessary.

1.) Being able to efficiently look around the cockpit instruments during flight, combat, and system operation. Using some other input method for your view controls will make things slow and clumsy. This will discourage you from properly using your systems and instruments and will make flying the plane on a normal level pretty difficult.

2.) Keeping track of enemy aircraft during a fight. Being able to keep your eyes on the enemy is essential as losing sight of them (while struggling with view controls) will make finding them again rather difficult. Even in beyond visual range combat, it is important to be able to keep your view on the enemy and IR tracking makes that a lot more intuitive.

3.) Landing on a carrier, landing on a airbase, and formation flying and air refueling pretty much require some kind of IR head tracking to be done efficiently. Carrier landing is a good example here as you are going to be moving your view really quickly from your hud to the boat, and back again. Having to fumble with a hat switch will not make that a pleasant experience at all.

Now as far as options, there are a few.

1.) Build your own. This is probably the cheapest option but it will require a soldering iron and about ten minutes of your time to learn how to use it (via youtube). It isn't a difficult skill to learn very quickly so don't worry about it.

As far as parts. Look for electronic component outlets online that serve your specific country. There are a lot of good diagrams and instructions on how to build a IR tracking setup, you need only google something like "DIY IR head tracking" or something to that effect and you will get a lot of good ideas and will find easy to follow instructions.

On the software side, OpenTrack is probably going to be your best bet if you want to go for a free solution. It will take some tweaking on your part and you will need to have patience with that but it should be possible to get decent results.

Expect to pay somewhere around $30 to $80 total to build your own, get a compatible camera, etc. It isn't "cheap" but it is a fun project.

Your other option is something like TrackHat or Delanclip. They offer their own IR tracking setups that are relatively inexpensive. They usually use OpenTrack for the software side so don't expect a true "plug and play" experience in all cases. Sometimes you will need to adjust settings to find a place where it works well.

Keep in mind, I say all this as someone who has built my own (and used it for years), used TrackHat's stuff, and eventually just went to TrackIR. In the end, TrackIR was the most convenient, most stable, most efficient way to go even if I don't love the company that makes them. It just got to a point where I wanted something that would always work reliably without a lot of fuss and unfortunately TrackIR is the path you have to take to get that experience.

[gazdaman2005]

Just bought a oculus rift s will that be ok

[Randy Lahey]

Originally posted by Maki Nishikino:

Originally posted by gazdaman2005:

Are there any cheaper alternatives

I think there is one where you can use a webcam, not sure what it's called.

TrackHat, works the same, more durable, 1/5th the price. I've been using it for a few years now. But you're obviously not looking for a cheaper alternative if you bought a Rift S.

[dan]

Originally posted by gazdaman2005:

Just bought a oculus rift s will that be ok

Errr...... Yeah. That escalated quickly.

[RoadHouse]

You don't need either to play. It's just nicer.

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

Originally posted by gazdaman2005:

Just bought a oculus rift s will that be ok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywGhE1vnRVA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkzHTclRIgQ

[dan]

you dont need either to play. but you wont play for long and get bored without.