Head tracking software worth it?

[jmr609]

Hey all, I'm thinking of getting a TrackIR 5 and IR clip for head tracking in the game. I'm running with dual sticks and pedals right now with my keyboard for some bindings. Do any of you have head tracking and does it seem to help for much other than immersion?

[Mr. Mumpitz]

I am using EDTracker pro. Could not play without it anymore. It is more robust and less costly than TrackIR.

[jmr609]

Originally posted by hertzschrittmacher:

I am using EDTracker pro. Could not play without it anymore. It is more robust and less costly than TrackIR.

I've looked into EDtracker pro but I'm in US and they seem to be sold out and the shipping is as expensive as the cost of the unit. I know it would still be cheaper than TrackIR but I have no idea how long the wait would be.

[Mr. Mumpitz]

No matter the device, head tracking adds greatly to the game. It improves your situational awareness. Also the UI kind of focuses on things you are looking at, giving you additional information. Great while you're in a ASPX or especially in SRV.
I also use head tracking in games like Assetto Corsa, Dirt Rally or ETS. Every game that has 'sim-aspects' benefits from it.

[jmr609]

Originally posted by hertzschrittmacher:

No matter the device, head tracking adds greatly to the game. It improves your situational awareness. Also the UI kind of focuses on things you are looking at, giving you additional information. Great while you're in a ASPX or especially in SRV.
I also use head tracking in games like Assetto Corsa, Dirt Rally or ETS. Every game that has 'sim-aspects' benefits from it.

Cool, thanks for the tip!

[Clanner Jake]

they have freeware trackers that use a webcam- can't remember the name of it though.

[Dread Lord]

headtracking makes a world of a difference but getting VR gives you headtracking plus putting you into the ship! sooo goood!

[funkynutz]

Originally posted by hertzschrittmacher:

I am using EDTracker pro. Could not play without it anymore. It is more robust and less costly than TrackIR.

That looks good. Might make one of the DIY jobbies after I get around to doing the chair mod[forums.frontier.co.uk].

[jmr609]

Originally posted by SmegheaD:

Originally posted by hertzschrittmacher:

I am using EDTracker pro. Could not play without it anymore. It is more robust and less costly than TrackIR.

That looks good. Might make one of the DIY jobbies after I get around to doing the chair mod[forums.frontier.co.uk].

That chair mod is awesome! But for the VESA mounts, I looked on Amazon and the cheapest that I could find are like $35...

[Laurreth]

TrackIR works well.

The IR clip isn't really all that necessary though. It does make the system a bit more robust against stray reflections, but so does drawing your curtains at a much lower cost. The clip has a slightly higher working angle, but that's big enough with the hat if you position the camera right. It also gives you one more thing you need to somehow fix to your head, so you better use headphones with a hoop you can clip the thing to. However, that also goes the other way: wearing the cap for the normal reflective clip under headphones is quite annoying because the phones may not be sealed around your ears anymore which reduces audio quality a lot, and the stupid rivet on top of the cap gets pressed into your head which is quite painful.

TL;DR: if you're mostly playing with headphones that you can attach the clip to, get the clip. Otherwise, just don't.

[motojauntx]

The standard clip for the TrackIR 5 that goes on the brim of a cap is perfect. No cables, nearly weightless, and mine works fine all the time. I wouldn't recommend the pro-clip.

Any head tracker makes this game and other space/flight sims a million times more fun. Go get one! :)

[Schuetze_Klaus]

I would go for the Tobii Eyex Eye Tracker. You dont have to move your Head, just look with your Eyey. No extra Weight on your Head, no extra Cable from your Head. Plus you get a free Game. =) I will buy one next month, it will be sooo guuuut!=)

[martin77]

track IR absolutely worh it.
my Track IR4 i had for many many years and all supported games work with it great.
I use it very well on Arma 2+3 as a foot soldier, some racing sims, nearly all flight sims,
and it make every game better and want play without one anymore.
Now i have Track IR5 and its even slightly better.

I would say for me it was the best gaming investigation.
In the same time (11 Years) i owned it i buyed many new Pcs or graphic cards, other soundcards, 2 headsets, 4 mouses or other things.
The track ir worked out of the box with eyery new supported game.