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WOW
No what I really meant to say was
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think by now you realize that objectivity is
slightly out the window in this review. There are not many things that
make this 44 year old cynic go nuts but this is one. This is better
than anything else you can get for your flight sims. Before the swanky
joystick, before the new rudder pedals , before the 21” LCD monitor
and before you invest in a new graphics card GET THIS!!!!!!.
What is it? Well it is a system that makes the
camera in the game move as you move your head. Neat! Simple! And
Natural.
How does it work? Well this is what you get in
the package.
The camera sits on top of your monitor, the disc
contains the software to get it to work and the strips contain
reflective dots, which is what the camera tracks. There is also a clip
for adapting the camera to sit on laptops or TFTs
Here is a closer look at the camera- the legs are
flexible to adjust to fit
Installation is easy and quick. Ignore the
supplied software and download the latest version from here
http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/06-support/support-download-software-and-manuals.html
Follow the quick setup guide included. Install
the software and then plug in the camera to a spare USB port. Allow
windows to detect it and install drivers and you are ready to set it
up.
The main thing to do is set up the profiles which
will tell the game how much to move the camera in relation to how far
you move your head. You obviously cannot move your head too far or you
will not be able to see the screen, so you amplify how much the camera
moves. There are 3 devices to help you monitor this and set up your
own profile but there are also pre-built profiles- my advice would be
to pick one of these – I use CharveL s and have not needed to change
this. Test this in the software to make sure its running ok, minimize
the software and launch the game.
One thing that is vital is how you site the
camera and how you place the reflective dot.
The camera should be about 2 feet away and
usually is placed on top of the monitor if this is on top of a desk
and in a central position. The reflective dot is best placed on a hat-
that way you won’t look like a twonk if you forget to remove it from
your forehead or glasses!!!!!
There are various mods suggested to improve the
tracking of the dot see here
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/ubb.x?m=15310285&a=tpc&s=400102&f=49310655&q=Y&p=1
I currently just have one of the large dots stuck
to the front of a baseball cap and it works ok- I sometimes lose the
tracking at extreme angles but nothing that gets annoying, however I
do think more dots on a curved surface would provide better tracking I
am working on my own solution and will post a follow up if this works
In game it is wonderful.
If it does not work then go to your config file
in your main folder and make sure that the following lines are
present.
[rts]
trackIRUse=1
It just adds so much to the whole sim. I really
don’t think I could go back to flying without it. You want to look
left then move your head left.-How good is that ??? No more trying to
push the joystick forward and left, thumb to operate flaps and then
add on trying to move the hat switch just so to track the bandit all
with the one hand- You just look and there he is. You dive down
–overshoot, pull into a climb and look over your shoulder and THERE HE
IS. The added feeling of spatial awareness is immense- you can easily
track through overshoots, scissors, barrel rolls etc. This is the
dog’s bollocks!!!
Even shooting is not a problem as there is a
hokey that centers to the front and another for steady action which
increases the smoothing of the tracking.
It functions fine in all the normal views-
gunsight-normal-wide in the game
I really cannot recommend this enough.
For other opinions see here
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/23110283/m/6401055423
The only thing I can see that might put people
off is that it is new technology from a relative unknown company. Well
this is the third incarnation and from all reports I have read there
has been steady improvement in use. There is a thirty day free trial
period on offer just now so you could always try and if you don’t like
it then return it for a refund. There have been reported problems on
the forums on the website but these seem to be dealt with quickly and
replacements sent out quickly.
Check out the forums here
http://forums.naturalpoint.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?category=1
For home page and information on various models
look here
http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/
The software is well supported and the updates
have improved the tracking and added support for other games.
To sum up
PROS
Adds a natural and instinctive way to view your
sim.
Increases spatial awareness
Makes co-ordination easier by freeing up one
function from you joystick
Frees up your hat switch
30 day free trial
Support appears to be very good
CONS
Take care to site dots and camera correctly or
camera will lose tracking
Can look like a dweeb if you go wandering around
with big reflective dots stuck to head
Discount offered to USA customers and not
European through Airwarfare.com
Review by Dieg777
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