Has anyone tried the new Trackhat Sensor?

[GeorgeCostanza]

I know some have shipped.  I have been using the Trackclip (wired) for about 5 years now and it works every bit as good as my (broken) TrackIR 5 did, but the new Trackhat supposedly eliminates the natural light interference issue, so I would upgrade just for that.  

 

Also, can someone enlighten me about the search function on this forum?  I searched for previous Trackhat threads so as to not start another, but when I try to sort the thread by date I have to wait another 50 seconds to do a new search?  Really?  The 'back' button on my browser wouldn't work either.  It was so annoying I just gave up and started a new thread.  If that's the intended way it works, it's dumb and needs to be changed...unless the site admins are trying to encourage more threads?

[No_85_Gramps]

16 minutes ago, GeorgeCostanza said:

Also, can someone enlighten me about the search function on this forum?  I searched for previous Trackhat threads so as to not start another, but when I try to sort the thread by date I have to wait another 50 seconds to do a new search?  Really?  The 'back' button on my browser wouldn't work either.  It was so annoying I just gave up and started a new thread.  If that's the intended way it works, it's dumb and needs to be changed...unless the site admins are trying to encourage more threads?

It's well known that the search function is broke. Try using google search, type this: "search https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/ trackhat", you should get lots of hits.

[GeorgeCostanza]

8 hours ago, No_85_Gramps said:

It's well known that the search function is broke. Try using google search, type this: "search https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/ trackhat", you should get lots of hits.

 

Not well-known to me.  Thanks ?

Edited May 25, 2022 by GeorgeCostanza

[1Sascha]

Did those things ship? Last time I checked their site (7 - 10 days or so ago) they were still listed as "pre-order" and "projected start of delivery: April 2022".

 

S.

[jollyjack]

I just got the TrackIR5, standard version, IMO far better than the Trackhat old version. Only careful with stray lights aimed for it.

[GeorgeCostanza]

On 5/25/2022 at 1:17 AM, jollyjack said:

I just got the TrackIR5, standard version, IMO far better than the Trackhat old version. Only careful with stray lights aimed for it.

 

I've had both, no difference except that the Trackhat clip is a lot sturdier, and 1/5 the cost.  My TrackIR 5 snapped when I swatted at a mosquito.  The company refused to replace their flimsy hardware, so they won't get my cash again.  

 

On 5/25/2022 at 12:44 AM, 1Sascha said:

Did those things ship? Last time I checked their site (7 - 10 days or so ago) they were still listed as "pre-order" and "projected start of delivery: April 2022".

 

S.

 

It says on their FB page that they shipped 250 of them.  I'd only get it if it improves on the version I have somehow (i.e. no need to stay out of direct sunlight).

[1Sascha]

5 hours ago, GeorgeCostanza said:

My TrackIR 5 snapped when I swatted at a mosquito

I hear you. I treated my "Pro" Clip  like a raw egg and still managed to damage it after a few months of use. I mean: There's got to be a reason why there are 3D-printer templates out there for clamps to fix or reinforce the TIR clip.

 

Got the Delanclip when I built this new system and while I wish that thing didn't have its wires completely exposed, there's no way I'll break or snap the clip itself, since it's made from steel.

 

 

I probably shouldn't have cheaped out and simply gone with their wireless version, which is fully enclosed:

 

 

 

On 5/25/2022 at 9:17 AM, jollyjack said:

I just got the TrackIR5, standard version, IMO far better than the Trackhat old version. Only careful with stray lights aimed for it.

I'd still recommend going with active tracking (IR clip, not just reflectors). It's probably more precise and reliable but, more importantly, it more or less takes the ambient lighting in your room out of the equation. Just don't buy TIR's own clip.

 

S.

[jollyjack]

I heard you, but stray lights with TrackHat and active lighting were not always OK.

I'll keep the old light unit and try it with TrackIR5. Now if only there's a way to stick it to mt head; that velcro stuff on it has worn out ....

PS it works but how do you adjust the positioning? OpenTrack maybe instead of the trackIR5 software?

I have it working but left and right are very different in range; i stuck it to my headphone set now at one side.

Edited May 28, 2022 by jollyjack

[1Sascha]

55 minutes ago, jollyjack said:

I heard you, but stray lights with TrackHat and active lighting were not always OK.

I never had problems with stray light with either TIR5/Pro Clip or now with Delanclip/PS3Eye/Opentrack. With TrackIR, I had the desk/myself facing a window to my 1oc or so, so the camera was pretty much positioned perfectly with its rear to the window. Now with Opentrack there's a window to my 9oc, the clip is mounted on my right side and the camera also sits off-center to the right on top of my monitor. On bright days I will sometimes see a faint outline of the window in Opentrack's camera-window, but it never interfered with tracking, not even in the sunniest of conditions and with the shutters fully open.

 

IMO the adjust-ability of the TiR's Pro Clip seems unnecessary (and is probably one of the built-in weak-points of that clip). And I think it's only necessary because you can push the clip out and away from your headset ... and that joint at the top that enables that is another built-in weak-point. The Delanclip is just one solid piece of steel, so you can't push it away from your headset and the LEDs are always in the same positions relative to each other.

 

Delanclip comes with its own OT-profile which contains the clip's measurements for Opentrack's settings - but you can (and you should) enter your own clip's dimensions in Opentrack's settings menu IIRC. The only thing I had to do was to calibrate the camera to the clip ONCE to make sure the camera's FOV was set correctly. Got all the info for that stuff from the Opentrack-thread on this board and with that and the instructions for the Delanclip set, setting everything up was pretty easy and took less than an hour. I haven't touched any of the settings in nearly two months now and things just work.

 

S.

[GeorgeCostanza]

The TrackHat clip is pretty much bulletproof, other than the wire I guess.  I haven't tried the wireless version, and likely won't.  I have the clip velcroed to the side of my headset so I can take it off when I'm not using it.  I'd have to physically twist it in my hands with force to break it. 

 

What I don't like about TrackHat is the complete lack of communication on their 'website'.  I took a chance and tried it back in the day and didn't have any issues (i.e. I received it, it worked as advertised), but I would have thought by now they would have a better way of communicating with customers than the odd FB post.  I guess if they produce a better product and everything else is fine, I can live without the communication.

 

I always end up with my PC facing directly into a south-facing window in my basement (only 4 ft in the ground, bi-level, the basement windows are full-size).  I just recently managed to rearrange it so it faces a solid wall, but haven't hooked everything up yet to try it.  

 

 

On 5/28/2022 at 12:57 AM, 1Sascha said:

I probably shouldn't have cheaped out and simply gone with their wireless version, which is fully enclosed:

 

 

That looks like it can still be hooked up with a cable, or is that just for charging?

Edited May 30, 2022 by GeorgeCostanza

[1Sascha]

3 minutes ago, GeorgeCostanza said:

That looks like it can still be hooked up with a cable, or is that just for charging?

Not sure. But I suspect it would work just like your mobile phone. I mean... you can use that thing while it's plugged into the charger, right?

 

S.

[theaussiemerc]

Just registered to post my feedback on the new sensor, took over a month to get to my location from the UK (to Australia). In case any other folk are looking for real info on this topic.

The sensor itself is great, but if you have a slim or modern monitor the lack of a tightening bracket mount causes issues "holding on" the monitor frame. The usb cable causes the sensor mount to drop at the rear, tried a few things to keep it steady, double sided tape ended up being my chosen method to keep it steady and stable.

No issues with plugging in, setting up and getting it working on my chosen games.

 

Regards.

[1Sascha]

7 hours ago, theaussiemerc said:

No issues with plugging in, setting up and getting it working on my chosen games.

What does it run on? Its own SW or Opentrack?