EDTracker vs. TrackIRv5 ( A Long Story )
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Have you been trying to figure out which way is the best way to go for a head tracking system? Yes, I was stuck there too. Let me start by telling you my experience.
I used the TrackIR 4 for about a year or so and all of a sudden the camera just quit working. I went to Naturalpoint’s TrackIR forum and could not find an answer so I sent an email to Naturalpoint. I explained what had happened and they basically told me that if I wanted to use TrackIR to just buy another one. So was I suppose to buy one every year? I didn’t want to have to buy another one and have the same issue, but what choice did I have?
As we all know, you cannot fly without some kind of head tracking. So I bit the bullet and bought a new TrackIR 5 with the TrackIR clip pro. It seemed to work decent in my little room, unless I turned my head too much. The camera had to be in the right spot, I had to keep centering the view, and every time I tried to check my 6 the view would go crazy. I made it work though, because I had no choice. Then came Cockpit Fest 2015 and I was taking my cockpit. I got everything set up and hooked up the TrackIR 5. It seemed OK until I sat in the pit. I could not get the view centered. It was all over the place. The airplane hangar that we were in had sky lights and the camera was picking them up. The TrackIR was useless until that night. It seemed to work decent at night. So that was it. I needed something different.
Kukki had been praising his EDTracker. The only issue was that you had to build it yourself and I am not really good at that stuff. I checked the EDTracker website and wouldn’t you know it? They came out with the EDTracker Pro. It is already put together and ready to go so I ordered one. I plugged it in, downloaded and installed their software, and did the same with Opentrack 2.3. The big issue that I had was every time I looked away from center the view would get all jittery. I sent an email to Dan Howell over at EDTracker, and he responded right away. He told me to use Opentrack 2.2 instead. He said that it was a more stable platform. So I did, and I followed Kukki’s video on Youtube about how to set it up. Guys, I have to say that this set up is super smooth and I haven’t had any issues. It takes a few extra clicks to get it all ready since you are using two programs to run it, but I love it when in the sim. I do not have to keep centering it all of the time. It never loses view of any IR sensors, because there are none. I could use the EDTracker day or night and it will still work the same.
Now, so far, I cannot speak of the longevity of it because I have not had it long enough. At this point I would highly recommend it for use in BMS. It costs a lot less than the TrackIR set up and you don’t have to worry about fragile clips breaking. Give it a shot.
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May I first recommend some more love for the Enter key ?
As for the EDTracker, I use it as well because the computer is in the living room, and I can’t force everyone to live in the dark every time I want to fly a bit.
It does work nicely. Not having to rely on IR sensors is really a great benefit in my situation.
Still, it only works on 3 axis, not 6 like a Track-IR. Not a big deal in Falcon BMS, in my opinion, but a minor inconvenience when I want to land a Corsair in Il-2.
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I actually did use the enter key a couple of times, but in one spot the end of the sentence was also at the end of the line. If it will make you happy though, I will add a couple more spaces.
As for the 6dof, I use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. It is much easier than dealing with the TrackIR. -
I use the mouse wheel too, or the “zoom toggle” key if needed. So, at least to me, the missing “zoom” axis is not really a problem. But the axis that allow to move your head laterally or vertically are useful when you want to see the carrier deck through that tiny angle between the gunsight and the cowl flaps, for example. It’s also useful in BMS from time to time, but not as much.
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use remapping axes
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I use the mouse wheel too, or the “zoom toggle” key if needed. So, at least to me, the missing “zoom” axis is not really a problem. But the axis that allow to move your head laterally or vertically are useful when you want to see the carrier deck through that tiny angle between the gunsight and the cowl flaps, for example. It’s also useful in BMS from time to time, but not as much.
Hm, I don’t get it. I can zoom in fine in fBMS using FTNoIR and the delanCip using the z Axis (distance of clip to camera) without having to toggle anything.
Good to see more folks hopping on the delanclip / Freetrack / FTNoIR bandwagon and more support for small, independent developers (kind of fits right in with BMS if you ask me ;))
Cheers, Uwe
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You don’t get it because the thread is about the EDTracker, not the Delanclip.
But it’s still nice to have people use different systems instead of the TrackIR only, you’re right.
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You don’t get it because the thread is about the EDTracker, not the Delanclip.
But it’s still nice to have people use different systems instead of the TrackIR only, you’re right.
Oops sorry for the noise, I’m getting it now.
Cheers,
Uwe -
Does anyone know when the wireless ed tracker is due?
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Nope, but they’ll sure have my money !
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I believe u guys are familiar with opentrack and it’s ability to use a smartphone to act like the head sensor - tracker?
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I built an Edtracker as well after failing to get my custom-made GY-85/Pro Micro/HC-05 Bluetooth wireless version to work reliably.
It is a pain having to use a USB cable and run the Edtracker GUI to calibrate it every time I plug it in (not sure why it can’t store that after the first time) but at least it works!
I don’t really care that it’s only 3DOF, in fact I don’t even use roll so it’s 2DOF for me but that’s all I want, so I can check the skies around/above me. I always found using the other DOFs required unnatural and uncomfortable movements (when I was using my PS3 Eye and DIY LED clip) so didn’t use them anyway. Until I have a VR system I’d rather use a secondary (touchscreen) monitor to show the panels, rather than making strange contortions to access them on my main screen.
I might try and build a better LED clip and give it another go sometime though, as I powered that off a USB battery mounted on my headphones, so no cable trailing to my PC.
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I believe u guys are familiar with opentrack and it’s ability to use a smartphone to act like the head sensor - tracker?
Well, it’s what the EDTracker basically is : a smartphone sensor without the smartphone around it.
Sure you can use a smartphone instead, but I’d venture it may be a rather big device to stick to a headset, unlike the EDTracker. -
Well, it’s what the EDTracker basically is : a smartphone sensor without the smartphone around it.
Sure you can use a smartphone instead, but I’d venture it may be a rather big device to stick to a headset, unlike the EDTracker.well depends on the device… but since one has such a smartphone (some have more then one) no need to buy or build another device. Since most of us use headphones u can attach it easily with just a rubber band. and if your headphones are thin u can use the thing that girls use for their hair, hair knob it’s called? So just another knob in the falcon world.
how much does it cost to purchase and build the EDtracker?
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how much does it cost to purchase and build the EDtracker?
About 10 pounds, which would be about 15 US dollars, if you build it.
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About 10 pounds, which would be about 15 US dollars, if you build it.
And to build it the tools cost? Not all guys have the tools or know how to make an electronic board connection. Anyway good find but most guys go for the easy ride.
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And to build it the tools cost? Not all guys have the tools or know how to make an electronic board connection. Anyway good find but most guys go for the easy ride.
You only need a soldering iron to put the parts together. Cutting the box they sell was a bit fiddly but I’ve never really been much good with my hands and you just need a hacksaw and drill. Certainly easier than building an LED clip and finding a way to clip that to the side of my headphones.
If you can’t do any of that though, of course you have to buy something ready-made and pay more.
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If you don’t want to build it, a fully assembled plug and play EDTracker Pro is 45 Pounds, which presently works out to about $70 USD…and about half what a TrackIR5 Pro is going for on Amazon.
I intend to buy a built one…and skip TrackIR altogether.