PS3 Eye or Track IR? Thoughts needed

[=KG76=flyus747]

Hi everyone,

 

Recently I have started getting into fighters for IL2 BoS and with my Logitech Extreme Pro 3D, I just can't dogfight with its hatstick for my life.  Since then, I have come to the conclusion that a head tracking device is the only way to maintain situational awareness during a fight.  This is especially evident during MP when the stakes are notably higher.  The question for me then is which track IR method should I go?  Track IR 5 or an alternate?

 

This is actually a question that has been on my mind for a few months now and almost everywhere I look, everyone just undoubtedly says that the Track IR 5 is the BEST way to go.  I have since tried this at a friends place and sure enough, it was "very responsive" and "natural" as many YouTubers and famous people have said...  The effectiveness of the Track IR 5 has even entered the realm of magic and fantasy with the device even being said to be able to determine whether a user moved his head intentionally or unintentionally.  This all makes the Track IR 5 very comfortable to use.  Accessible.  

 

However, as is with most of us, that hefty price tag of-some-$150 is a huge turn off.  I have since adopted this philosophy that with some research, you can obtain the same quality tracking device by using Track IR 5 alternates.

 

After months of research, I started to understand how these devices worked by tracking lights and such.  Armed with this knowledge, I went about looking for the most cost-friendly form of track IR.  This company known as Trackhat was the answer to my endeavors.  If anyone has bought from this place and would like to share their experiences, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

They have this product which contains everything you need to get started for all around 32 pounds ($41).  Probably what I should have got.

1. PS3 Eye
2. PS3 Eye Clip
3. Trackhat Clip

With shipping costing another $10, this would have landed me in the ballpark of some $50-55 dollars.  Being the cheap guy, I thought, why not buy the TrackClip from NaturalPoint for $10 instead, it'd save me ten bucks.  I combed the internet for anyone with this setup and found nothing tangible.  This made me skeptical of its effecitveness, but I thought "hey, it checks everything you need to get a tracking device working. "  

 

So this was my setup.  It cost around $45, shipping included.

 

Trackhat ($22)

• PS3 Eye 
• PS3 Eye Clip

NaturalPoint ($23)

• TrackClip (NOT THE TRACK CLIP PRO)
  • This is the one with the white reflectors n shit.  No LEDs.  I don't know how many times people get them confused.  Really need to blame the company for naming two completely different methods so similarly.
  • I am getting the impression that this one is the discontinued brother of the newer TrackClip Pro.

If you have not given this combination a try, here is the rundown.  Long story short, it does not work.  If anyone has this setup and has had a swell time with it please let me know, I'd like bounce a few questions off you.

 

The PS3 Eye does not pickup the reflectors from the TrackClip unless your room is completely dark with only the light of your screen.  The reflectors are extremely weak.  It hardly picks up.  I know that this is not the case with the Track IR 5 and maybe the reason it doesn't work for me is because I crossed used products from two different companies, but surely that cannot be the only explanation?  It isn't like NaturalPoint safe-proofed all their products so that they'd only work with their own products right?

 

Since then, I have instead started giving FreetrackNoir a try by using my PS3 Eye camera as the camera source and instead of "point-tracking" I have instead started using FaceAPI.  This method detects your face and based off your face's relation to the camera, it determines where you are looking.  Sadly, after months of research and $45, this FaceAPI with PS3 Eye is the only tracking device I have and needless to say, it is so jittery.  My pilot constantly feels drunk and never stable.  

 

In short, FaceAPI is not very accessible, comfortable, or easy to use.

 

In light of this, my questions to anyone who has experience with this or also finds themselves in the same shoe as me:

1. How do you know if the PS3 Eye is running at 120 fps or 60 or 30?
2. Is there a way to get the PS3 Eye to more effectively track the TrackClip so that I can use it in a normal lit room in the afternoon?
3. Has anyone tried FaceAPI and have you been able to use it in multiplayer with success?

 

I know this was quite a read and my thoughts were kind of all over the place, but these past few days have been frustrating to say the least and I am still in the process of working things out and seeing what my options are.

 

If you have any thoughts or comments please do share!  Thank you.

Edited June 1, 2017 by flyus747

[jaydee]

Hi Flyus. I have been using Track IR for years. Both the Reflector and mostly the Clip. They work Flawlessly in all my games. I know nothing about the others you mentioned... Track IR  takes a Bit of "Setup". Once that is done, its just a case o loading a Profile. I have one for BOS, CLOD, ARMA..

UntiI I switch to VR, I will stay with Track IR.

I cant help you setup Track IR... Google is your Friend !

[dburne]

I would recommend Track IR all the way, but sounds like you already are mostly invested in the PS3 option.

I had Track IR for many years, starting with the Track IR3 original with 2dof, then getting the 6dof vector expansion for it, followed by Track IR4 and eventually Track IR5. 

 

They just always worked, beautifully , right out of the box for me - for all my flight sims. No muss, no fuss. While the initial outlay is a little pricey, especially if one opts for the Track Clip Pro to go along with it, spread out over all the years of enjoyment did not amount to much of a hill of beans at all. Especially compared to some other computer peripherals I have invested in...

 

The thing just always worked for me, without any glitch. And that was nice.

[Warpig]

Can't go wrong with TrackIR. It's specifically designed for its job, and well worth the investment.

[Gambit21]

Track IR is great - although I could easily go back to using the hat switch and do just fine.

 

It was originally the ultra-rapid changes of direction in RoF that finally made me get Track IR. Things just happen too fast with those kites and the hat switch just wouldn't cut it. WWII...online even back in the old sim -just never had the need. No SA issues with the hat.

 

That said I'm happy to have it now. If nothing else it frees up some buttons in my stick.

Edited June 1, 2017 by Gambit21

[OrLoK]

Ive moved on to VR but loved Track IR and still use it where I have to (Arma etc)

 

Ive tried cheaper solutions with the PS3 cam but they were nowhere near as accurate or reliable as TIR. tis expensive though, but in the long run worth it IMHO.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

PS3 eye plus all stuff needed is 1/10 of naturalpoint price. For me is working very good and is smooth (never lost tracking). And this crappy mounting (LEDs) is nothing to delanclip. I build it myself but there are auction for all (PS eye with ir filter removed, track clip, soft and manual ) for 25 bucks, go figure...

[TP_Silk]

I have been using the same TrackHat Clip solution you mention for over a year now and it has been excellent. The only glitch I've had with it was when the Windows10 Creators Update decided that it knew best about drivers and messed everything up, but as I've now uninstalled that everything is back to normal again.

 

The TrackHat Clip + PS3 Eye + PS3 Eye Clip solution is a great and inexpensive way to get into quality head tracking. Personally I think that TrackIR is much like a Mac.... You are 80% paying for the name and 20% for the product.

[Rangerjoe03]

A few months ago I was looking and was also having a hard time deciding. The other options may work well but in the end I went with TrackIR and the hat clip. I got a great deal on a TrackIR 4 and couldn't be happier.

 

The other thing is that there are some TrackIR profiles on this forum that work really well. It's great to have it dialed in for this particular game.