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Background
This is an update from my
review on the Trackir3 found here
http://www.airwarfare.com/AWX/features/reviews/trackir_review.htm
When this review appeared
Jason Williams - TrackIR Product Manager of NaturalPoint
contacted me to ask why I had not tested this product with the Vector
Expansion. I replied that my review was independent, based on the
product I had bought myself ,and not based on a review copy . He was
kind enough to reply with the offer of a Vector Expansion which I
really could not refuse ;-) It has arrived and here is the review.
I would like to point out a few things before I
continue as I believe this is important . I do not have any relations
with NaturalPoint and nor did I have any contact with Jason until
after the review above appeared in Airwarfare. In the past I have
always been slightly cynical of reviews by people who got products for
free and that is why I worked with Euro_Snoopy to set up the
Airwarfare reviews section. This was to be for independent reviews by
those who had bought and used products for others in the community,
who might be interested in trying these out, so they get a fair
impression. I would like to assure everyone that this review follows
these aims.
Review
The natural first question to answer is what is
Vector expansion and how does it fit into the TrackIr system? Well
basically it is an improved method of tracking your head movement,
through more degrees of movement, by using a neat hardware solution
and additional software.
A picture speaks louder than words so here is
what you get
Included is the hat, the new vector hardware and
a code to unlock the vector software.
The difference in tracking to the basic TrackIR
system is that a single dot is replaced by a triangulation system. The
software, when unlocked, allows you to use the TrackIR to control
views through 6 areas . In addition to the Left / Right (pitch) and
Up/Down (yaw) combinations in the standard TrackIr you can now use
Lean Left/Right (tilt) and Forward/ Back (zoom) . As the web site puts
this “There are only 6 ways you can move around in 3D space. There
are 3 ways to lean and 3 ways to rotate.
The technical term for all of these movements is "6 Degrees of
Freedom" (or "6DOF").”
For more information check here
http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/02-products/product-Vector-Expansion.html
Having worked in testing products for a living I
am always interested in how people solve problems with their hardware
or continue to improve them, and I think that this is a neat and
elegant improvement.
In my initial review I mentioned that the only
problem with the standard TrackIr3 was an occasional loss of tracking.
I had worked out that better contact would be maintained by using a
curved surface to stick the reflective dots to. Tully had already
solved this by this method
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/ubb.x?m=15310285&a=tpc&s=400102&f=49310655&q=Y&p=1
I was working on an alternative – which was
basically a large domed nut, held in place by two large washers,
covered by more reflective dots. With the Vector Expansion this is no
longer required !!
Installation
Well there really isn’t any- fit the Vector
Expansion clip to hat, put hat on head and on main page of TrackIR
software click activate vector expansion. Enter supplied codes,
You will have to be on line for registration to
be successful, and that’s it.
Use
I could take the easy way out here and just cut
and paste this review as it is a fair reflection of my thoughts -
http://www.simhq.com/_technology/technology_036a.html
There job done – time for a coffee and to fire up
IL2FB J
Nope that’s not fair- and too easy. So here is
what I really think after testing myself.
In order to give this a fair workout I downloaded
Aces High 2 to test in two different games.
IL2FB
The only problem here is that IL2FB does not
support vector expansion so that means that the sole benefits are the
improved tracking of your head movements. This is a step above the
standard TrackIR –the movement is superior and I have never once lost
tracking. It is also seems less fussy about the distance away you
place the TrackIR unit, with smooth control over a wider range. In
truth I think this is how it should be.
To give a rough comparison I would say that using
a hat switch it is like driving a standard 1.1 L base model saloon
car, using Trackir3 upgrades to the 2.0 litre GTI with alloy wheels
and adding Vector Expansion takes you to the 3.0 litre version with
better stereo player and full leather interior.
Aces High 2
Well confession time – after playing IL2FB I
really couldn’t get into this- yes I am shallow and I think that eye
candy is important and couldn’t put up with the standard of graphics
in this sim.
I only downloaded it out to try out the full 6DOF
and I can’t see it lasting much longer on my hard drive. Having said
that it really makes me wish IL2 FB supported this feature as it is a
very useful addition. The forward / back head movement is linked to
the zoom controls so you can use this to barrel down the gunsight or
pan round wide. Everything worked flawlessly- smooth and precise
control was maintained at all times. You can even lean round
structures to assist in tracking objects. It just completes the whole
picture and translates natural head movement into a game.
Conclusion
Is this worth the extra? Well I am sure many
people could use Tullys or their own solution to help control the
small tracking errors that sometimes occur in the standard Trackir but
the additional software and hardware really does seem to improve
matters a lot so they would miss out on this.
For IL2FB, I suppose it all comes down to how
much you want to spend and some trial and error- if you have solved
the occasional tracking problems and have all the curves set up just
so then you could live without it. If you want the full Monty , the
best, the absolute dogs bollocks then yes it it well worth it.
It is something I was considering for Christmas as I was so impressed
with my trackir3, so my recommendation would be try trackir3 or
trackir3 pro initially and once hooked seriously consider the upgrade.
It is new technology so you may be paying a slight premium just now
and hopefully the price will ease slightly in the future and attract
more users.
I consider TrackIR3 to be essential now after
using it , the vector expansion is the icing on the cake and adds to
the whole experience.
If Olegs Battle of Britain supports it –which I
believe it will- then it will be as essential as the standard
trackir3.
If you have CFS3 or FS2004 any of the other
games that support it then it is a strong recommend and a very
worthwhile upgrade.
Additional Info
I would like to thank Jason at NaturalPoint for
his help in clarifying some points in my initial review. One of my
grumbles was that there was not a discount for European customers.
Jason has contacted me to say this discount applies to all if ordered
direct through Naturalpoint e.g. via the airwarfare link. I had
ordered mine through e-dimensional,
http://www.edimensional.com/ one of their European distributors.
If you were thinking of ordering a trackir and vector expansion it
might be worthwhile contacting Naturalpoint for the discount; although
the service from e-dimensional was very good as well.
I would also like to add that all enquiries to
Jason were answered very quickly and in a friendly manner and
highlights my point in the previous review on how good their efforts
are on customer service.
Review By Dieg777
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