TrackIR Track Clip Pro

[Fodder]

I've been a massive TrackIR fan for some time, I couldn't fly without it now. When I upgraded to TrackIR 5 I also bought the Track Clip Pro. It worked well enough but looked a little fragile and sure enough, after a few months, broke (the swivel connecting the LED arm to the clip became detached). I then reverted to the Hat Clip and couldn't really see any difference in performance. The only practical advantage of the Pro is you don't have to wear a hat, but a disadvantage is that pesky cable that I found a distraction.

 

I might be able to fix it (a replacement is ~ £35 which is poor value) but I don't really miss it.

 

What are your thoughts on Track Clip Pro vs the Hat Clip? 

[6./ZG26_Emil]

Blue tack is your friend with the broken swivel. My second one had broke the same way, I got blue tack and molded it round the swivel and stuffed some inside the hole. I works just fine now :D

 

The first just stopped working after I put it very gently down to get a cup of tea before a mission.

 

Still I think they are pretty good, just too weak and wouldn't go back to hat/dots etc

[ST_ami7b5]

I use headphones, so no such prob with those cables as I already have one for headphone/mic set.

As to the hat/cap I simply cut-off the upper part so my hair is not covered...

[dburne]

I have only ever used the hat clip. When I upgraded to the 5, I went ahead and got the bundle that included the Track Clip Pro. I am not a fan of headphones, at least currently , and I prefer just wearing a hat. Not sure I would like having that wire connected either.

If someday I ever do start wearing headphones, I will probably give it a try since I already have it. I have no issues using the hat clip however.

 

Now if you are really sold on the Pro, you can always contact Natural Point - they have revised that swivel connection to make it a little beefier as that was a common complaint with them breaking, for a while they were offering replacements to folks who had it break. Not sure if they are still doing that now though, never hurts to ask I guess.

[Ferlie]

Search in e-bay for DelanClip , I bought the kit a few months ago, very well made and works for trackir 5, don't know how much it is assembled but it was cheaper than Pro-clip.

[Matt]

I originally bought the Track Clip Pro when i was still using Freetrack, because i was too lazy to build such a clip on my own. I never wear hats and don't want to start doing it for TrackIR, on the other hand i almost always wear a headset when flying, so the Track Clip Pro was the more logical choice for me, even after getting TrackIR.

 

I agree that it's way too fragile for the money (44,95 EUR retail price for three LEDs, extremely cheap plastic and a cable is a bit much...). Also the cable can be annoying, but it's basically attached to the cable of my headset, so it's not that bad.

 

But i guess if you're happy with the HatClip (or wearing hats, i don't think you can notice the HatClip anyhow), there is really no reason to buy the TrackClipPro.

[Creepermoss]

A hot glue gun would work as well as bluetack.

[FuriousMeow]

I use the regular clip, but no hat - the brim always screwed up looking up because it blocked the top IR reflector. I fixed it somewhat by bending it forward a little, but since I already had something on my head - I just attached the basic clip to that.

 

Duck/Duct tape really is good for everything.

Edited September 26, 2013 by FuriousMeow

[Crow]

My track clip pro broke at the same point (welcome to the club! ), but I just used a lot of aviation-grade repair tape (duct) and it has been fine every since. I found the clip gave me two distinct advantages:

 

1) Not having to wear anything except the headset I already wear.

2) A small amount more freedom of movement, reliability, and precision over the reflectors.

 

That was enough for me to favor it over the reflectors. I did get the Track Clip Pro as part of a bundle from Natural Point (effectively making it free), so the cost wasn't a factor.

[TP_Merlin]

Its about time Natural point made this stronger, after trying duct tape and elastic bands I decided on a more permanent fix by setting the angle of the infrared end of the arm, using glue to keep in place and encasing it in thin strip of glass reinforced plastic for strength.

 

Edited September 30, 2013 by No601_Merlin

[=LD=Hethwill]

That's exactly my setup, headset and all. Now my main "break" is not on the triple head link as you have but on the arm root. Will have to go for the permanent solution.

[Creepermoss]

That's exactly my setup, headset and all. Now my main "break" is not on the triple head link as you have but on the arm root. Will have to go for the permanent solution.

I laughed when I read this, as that's my identical setup, too. That's also where mine broke, the upper joint. I set the angle, used a small piece of wire to hold it, and hot glued it into submission. It's survived a few trips to the floor since then, not a difficult fix at all.

Edited September 30, 2013 by [JG2]Creepermoss

[No601_Prangster]

 I haven't tried it but I will get one of these DelanClips when my plastic Clip Pro finally breaks completely (it's currently help together with insulation tape).

 

This one is cheaper and made of metal. It looks like you use plastic ties to secure it to the headphones.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DelanClip-Free-Track-head-motion-tracking-3-point-model-similar-to-TrackIR-/231047079283?pt=UK_Motion_Sensors_Cameras&hash=item35cb7aa573

 

[[JG2]Surf]

I use the Vector hat thingy and it works great as long as the lights are off.