Rating: - Its ok
The product is cheaply packaged, I suspect it was opened at one point, but the device works so I didn't follow it up with amazon.
It works as described but it didn't increase my immersion. Probably because I have trained myself to use the fixed pov.
It could have included a video instruction regarding setting up the tracking LED (the thing costs 200 bucks). Through trial and error I figured out that the LED should match the contours of your face. In the manual it looks as if it should contour your headphones.
It does not work in natural lit rooms, I have a skylight and I can't play in the day because the room is flooded by UV and it make the tracker go nuts.
All in all pretty pricy add on. The immersion requires a little bit of getting used to. The hot keys should have been better chosen, it replaced my F12 external camera in FSX, so when I pressed F12 expecting the camera to switch, it actually disabled the irtracker. Took me a good while to figure out that the product was not going crazy, just that it replaced a functionality that I was used to.
Rating: - A must have for combat flight sims
I fly IL-2 on full realism settings. I could never work the HAT switch well enough while in a dogfight to keep my eyes on what I really needed to see and really enjoy the experience. The view "movements" were always jerky and un-natural.
The huge benefit is what this hardware can do for your dogfighting performance! You can keep your eye on the bogey. "Its the one that you don't see that gets you." The immersion into the virtual flight enviroment is taken to a whole new level. The only thing missing is actually feeling the G-forces as you push the envelope.
I didn't have the problem with installing the hardware or software. Its just the way I think - why install the hardware b4 the software? The Pro-clip is fragile as mentioned by others. I've had the system for almost a year now without breaking it. I take care when putting on my headset and my headset is suspended on a cradle when stored so that helps. I imagine that there will come a day when it will need to be replaced. Given how much I like the system, I'll do it without a second thought.
One small annoyance that I have found is the effect of sunlight or glare on the camera of the Trakir. There is a light filtering tool to be used in the software, but you may find that the blinds/curtains need to be closed while the trakir is in use. It took me awhile to figure that out, but I can deal with it now that I know.
The Trakir was a good investment. I can't fly without it.
Rating: - Kinda disappointed
I've had TrackIR Pro for about a week now and have pretty mixed feelings about it. I play two flight sims, Aces High and FSX. I've given up on Aces High with the TrackIR, but still use it with FSX.
I'm not a young man anymore, 47 years old. I fly a sortie or two in Aces High with the TrackIR and can't even stand up. For me, it is too disorentating to use with a combat flight sim. I have no problems with something a little calmer like FSX. I do experience a small frame rate loss with the TrackIR in FSX.
Pay attention to what another reviewer said about installation. Software first! The system is easy to use. The hardware does seem a little cheesy. The parts are small and fragile. I would not recommend this for anyone who will not be very carefull with it. It would not take much abuse to damage something.
Rating: - Tech support could not help so I returned TrackIR4
I am using a DELL XPS-710 Desk top with Nvidia 8800GTX. I was advised by NaturalPoint support to move from the front USB to a rear USB port. When I did this, The tracker will not run on my system any longer. I even had help from Dell but no use. NaturalPoint Tech support advised that I might be able to continue to use the tracker if I did a new complete re-install of system/windows on my new Dell. I declined to go through all that due to the fact that everything was tweaked perfectly for all my other itmes. I enjoyed it while it worked, but had to spend time tweaking it every time I used it. I liked the headset clip best, but did not like having to use the headset to use the clip. Hat is worse, too hot while in doors. This item needs more work by inventors. It needs Better support/fixes for problems like mine. Great idea, but very expensive for what you actually get as far as quality goes. Software needs a lot of work to make it more stable. Do not move USB plug once installed! I will buy the next item I find like it. Being able to look back and around left or right while in a flight sim, with a single screen, is absolutly the best! Can't wait for the future and new ideas for flight simulators!
Rating: - Excellent for Flight Simulator
While it takes a little getting used to, It provides a very realistic experience for anyone who uses Flight Simulator. Looking around the cockpit becomes very natural.
I found it easy to set up and adjust to my liking.
- Its ok
- A must have for combat flight sims
- Kinda disappointed
