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Here are some other reviews http://www.simhq.com/_technology/technology_068a.html http://www.darts-page.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=15 I will cover how it compares to older TrackIR devices later for those considering upgrading. Ok you decide on the balance of the reviews that you want one -so what do you get for your cash? In the box, you get the brand new design of instrument, a hat, a vector expansion clip, a driver install disc and a quick start guide.
Here is a view of my setup: A side to side
comparison to the old device looks like this-
The clip that holds the reflectors fits to the supplied hat like this.
In the picture you can see the difference between the vector expansion clip and the reflective dots used on older models to track your movement. The vector expansion greatly increases accuracy. This shows the old style vector clip, the newer version looks like this
It is more curved than the old one and the base trackers are on a new stand which keeps the reflectors at right angles to the unit to aid tracking. In truth I used both versions and could not tell any significant difference but others have noticed an improvement in tracking with the new style. SOFTWARE Installation AND GETTING STARTED One thing to note is that you cannot use older TrackIR software and drivers if you have this; you have to uninstall all old TrackIR products and then install the new drivers and software. There are newer drivers on the web site, so I would recommend that after installation and testing that you download and use these. Another important thing to highlight is to keep your old profiles if you have these. The TIR4 can use these, so if you have spent ages setting up your old TIR then you can save this and import it into your profiles folder in your new install and you are able to use these, which might save you some time. Installation was no problem – The quick start guide logically helped me through the simple procedure. It is important to follow the install procedure. Load the software first then install the device into a spare USB port and site the camera properly. It sits on top of your monitor, or shelf, facing you. It is very important to site this correctly. See the manual for details or here is some good advice from jetbuff –
When you plug the device in you will get the hardware-detected message. Click install automatically. You might get a “Hardware Driver Install Warning message”, accept this and after you get the hardware installed successfully message restart computer and you should be ok. When you restart you should see the new TIR icon on your desktop. Click this to open up the software program. I wont go into all aspects of the software as this is covered in the manual on the CD but the main things to note are the View tab which will allow you to access other displays that help you set up the system and most important is the profiles tab. Profiles are how you set up the device to control the way that the views in your game respond to your head movement. The new software comes with a set of profiles ready for use. There are more games supported and there are many more flight sim profiles available for use than previously. All these profiles are configurable so you can adjust the movement to suit your individual tastes. Since my first review I have been in contact with CharveL and as a result he has written the following excellent guide to setting up the TIR. I recommend that you read and follow his instructions here. Getting the right profile for you is critical to enjoying the full benefits of this device so it is worthwhile spending time now to set it up. Use Ok this is easy, I've done this before, launch Trackir program, select one of the new Il2 FB profiles………Combat Flight ..that will do; launch game and run a Quick mission. This is going to be so good…..better than the TIR3 …….. can hardly wait……….press fly……and……………….WTF this aint right. Its jerky, it doesn’t work like my TIR3, this SUCKS. Try another profile, nope and another, NOPE. What’s wrong? Well, really, nothing. I had been too quick and eager to use it that I hadn’t spent time in positioning the device correctly, I hadn’t set up my joystick to use the hot keys and most importantly I couldn’t settle with any of the new profiles. I was so used to flying with my old profile that everything felt wrong. Like putting on a glove and finding 2 fingers in one of the slots and none in the other. I just couldn’t get comfortable. The solution was to find and reload my old profile and use this. Instant success. BTW I use CharveL s profile. After this I was back in the flow. It is important to try to relax and make natural movements- don’t turn into some Frankenstein monster bolt upright in your chair. Or think like I –must-move-view-so-I-will-move head-now. Relax and let it flow, it takes time but its worth it in the end. Here are some of my observations comparing TIR4 to TIR3 +VE IL2FB. NOTE-IL2 FB series does not support the full 6 Degrees Of Freedom or movement; it only supports 2 DOF e.g. the same range of movements as covered by hat switches. In other words it can
I will cover the full 6DOF in the BOB WOV 2 section below. The things I immediately noticed was that the centring was much better. I did not have to hit the hot key to centre as often, this really helps. The tracking and pan are very smooth and the difference in head movement from rotating to back left and then to left back up is very small With TIR 4 I have never lost tracking at the edge of movement, this sometimes occurred with TIR 3. And there is a bonus, I have found that I can turn off V- SYNC with this model and although I still get a little tearing it is manageable and there is no limiter on my FPS. In TIR3 I had to use V-SYNC. Of course this is a personal preference. I am willing to trade off Image Quality for Frames Per Second on line, to gain every advantage I can get. Off Line I have v-sync on to preserve Image Quality. BOB II WOV I was really looking forward to trying this sim as it supports the full 6DOF. But I had trouble settling into the sim. I was so used to playing il2fb that it was not comfortable until I had spent a lot of time setting up my joystick profiles and getting a TIR profile to work for me- fortunately CharveL helped and I am now enjoying this sim. The added axis are
These are very easy to use and helpful in all aspects from taxying to firing. Although initially very disorientating due to having too sensitive a profile, especially the tilt axis, once my profile was sorted everything worked smoothly. I can now lean and tilt with total control. I especially like the control of zooming in by leaning forward, this gives much better control over the standard, wide-normal-zoom views. The only problem I had was loss of tracking when I moved my head forward to zoom in but this was easily remedied by moving the device slightly further away. In addition tracking the bandit is easier now as you can lean round cockpit struts to keep tabs on him so situational awareness is enhanced. I don’t feel that I have had the chance to explore the full potential of the game or of the 6DOF but what I have seen leads me to believe that 6DOF is a major benefit and should be implemented in all future Sims. Is it worthwhile upgrading and how does it compare to other devices? Differences from PREVIOUS MODELS The differences, taken from the manufacturer’s site, are here If I compare TIR4 to my TIR3 and VE I would say it is definatly better in all areas but I couldn’t justify the outlay to upgrade as my TIR3 + VE was relatively new and worked well in its own right. Here are some other users opinions on older Track IRs –
Others here http://www.airwarfare.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=486 OTHER TRACKING DEVICES I have asked for feedback on other devices but experience is limited. This is the only feedback I could find.
Summary This is a fantastic product. It just keeps getting better. PROS
CONS Stem linking unit to stand looks a little flimsy but only time would tell if this is a problem Increased cost over TIR3-Might be a bit galling to see a new model if you bought a new TIR3 recently, but then the same happens with other computer equipment like graphics cards Is it worth it? If you don’t have an existing TIR3 + VE then YES !!!! If you don’t believe me look at the numerous threads on UBIs forum or SIMHQ forums. Every time anyone asks about these devices the positive recommendations come in. I repeat what I said in my initial review. I think it is more important than a fancy graphics card, joystick, and soundcard. In my opinion it is the number one device that adds immersion and enjoyment to flight sims. My only restriction would be if you use padlock or external views extensively and are not willing to adjust to this method of viewing, then I would not recommend this for you If you do have an existing TIR3 or TIR3 +VE then I would say that it would appeal more to those people who really must have the best and to those who play a lot, especially online. I was more than happy with my TIR3+VE and wouldn’t have spent the money upgrading but then I get guilty about providing food for my kids and wife………. sometimes. Thanks I would like to thank the following people for their assistance in helping me produce this:
Apologies if I have missed anyone. Some of the images and data were taken from Naturalpoint web site others are my own. All items that were used from Naturalpoint are Copyright © 2005 NaturalPoint Corporation, 33872 Eastgate Circle SE Corvallis, OR 97333U.S.A. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this document are given freely but please get permission from author before using in any other documentation or web based articles. If you chose to act on any information given in this document you do so at your own risk.
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