Is Track IR worth it for me at this point?

[JustinOhio]

I've always been one of those guys who just can't seem to break away from the 2d cockpits. Something about the way things look, the way I can simply snap to views left and right with my joystick hat, and the way that overhead panels look, etc. I don't have Track IR right now and have never used it before. I'd like to eventually make the switch to VC but every time I try it, I just can't get over how annoying it is to move around and change views and pan left and right with the joystick. So two questions... One, is Track IR pretty much the only way to go with using VC's or are there people out there who are happily using VC's with just their mouse and joystick and getting by? If that's the case then I'm definitely missing something. The second question is, if I decide to go with Track IR, how much does it generally cost and is it worth it in terms of what you get with your flight sim experience? It seems that all of the nice videos I see, and a lot of the new payware aircraft that comes out don't use/support 2d cockpits anymore.

-Justin

[abrussell]

I have been using Trackir for several years. It will completely change your sim experience. Mine cost $130US.
Bruce

[jomni]

In my case, I never use Track IR for FSX but I use it for combat sims.
I mainly stick to 2D panels in FSX for easy clicking.

[cm19]

I have been using trackir in fsx for about three yrs and now I don't know how I ever got along without it. It definitely adds a whole new level to immersion. It makes panning around the VC more natural because whatever you wnt to look at just turn your head and you have it in view, completely hands free. I love it

[JustinOhio]

It would be interesting to hear from someone who does not use TrackIR but does use the VC only, and how they get along with looking around and performing panel functions. Thanks for the replies thus far.

[PPSFA]

It would be interesting to hear from someone who does not use TrackIR but does use the VC only, and how they get along with looking around and performing panel functions. Thanks for the replies thus far.


I use 2D 90% of the time and VC when I cant see over the instrument panel for landing in a few planes. The only options I know of to look around in VC is either the pan switch or you can switch to the 'mouse' control (Shift+O I think is the command), but you have to release that if you want to click on anything. I tried trackIR, didnt like it.

[Agent00729]

I use the vc view all the time unless I want to press the auto pilot controls more easily, then I use 2d. I just press shift+o and it's easy to look around. The only problem is you can't press any buttons and fps go down 1 or 2

[davewave]

I've used flight sim since version 3.0.

First time I used a VC I didn't like it, not helped that it also reduced frame rates. So stuck with 2d.

However, I bought a yoke and find using the hat to move your view(head) becomes very instinctive after time.

I also bought a track IR. Yes it works but I chucked it after two weeks. I got fed up with having something on the top of my head!

Could never go back to 2D now.

[opcartmell]

Track IR is a great addition. By programming a few buttons on your joystick or yoke you can control the amount of screen movement relative to your head movement and change that "on the fly". You can also program a button to freeze the current view while you press another button on the screen with your mouse. I switch back and forth from 3D to 2D with another button so you can have the best of both worlds and choose what you need very quickly.

I use the Track Clip attached to my headphones and keep the speakers off so I don't disturb anyone else in the room while enjoying my hobby. Since the realworld requires headphones in an aircraft I don't see any problem with "reality".

Regards and best wishes in making your decision.

[MarkSC]

I have a cheap joystick with no hat switch, so I use VC with the keyboard to pan. It's not too bad. I find the keyboard easier to use than the mouse. I would love to try Track IR before shelling out the $.

[Propane]

I use TrackIR mainly in GA aircraft during VFR flights since it's so much easier to just look around in flight without having to take your eye of the instruments for too long. Great when joining a circuit and estimating when you should start to turn to final, since you can just check the distance several times in a short period when you're on base leg.

However, in the larger airliners I usually do use the VC, but only around 25% of the times with TrackIR. Mostly because the main checks consist of flows which require very little head movement. For instance a flow on the overhead panel of the PMDG J41. I just move my view to the OH panel with Space + Mouse movement, perform the flow and center the view again. I'm flying IFR, so my main sources of information are my instruments, little need to look outside.

So my opinion in short; IFR and heavy metal, no TrackIR needed really. GA and VFR, TrackIR = awesome.

[jomni]

That's actually a good point.
TrackIR is fun for little GA planes and VFR flying.
Not much addition and sometimes a hassle for IFR flying.
It's a "must" for combat sims as it gives you superb situational awareness.

[sirbruchie]

I have track IR but actaully use it very little. My experience has been as follows:

Its great for VFR with GA aircraft. It gives you great situational awareness and adds an emerssion factor that makes GA stuff a lot of fun and very realistic to fly. Same thing goes for combat sims.

I don't use it with the heavies or complex addons like PMDG J41 or A2A aircraft or for IFR flying.

That being said the very best solution I have found for getting around a VC (BTW that is all I use any time I sim) is a mouse with a third button that is programable. The third button on my mouse is under my thumb on the side. I have it set up to where pressing and holding it down is like pressing and holding down the space bar. Therefore all my panning and clicking is done with one hand which you would need any way if you are going to click anything; and I have the added accuracy panning with a mouse give you. It make looking and reaching for a switch or nob easy and intuitive.

[JustinOhio]

and I have the added accuracy panning with a mouse give you. It make looking and reaching for a switch or nob easy and intuitive.

Could you please explain what you mean by this statement here?

[JustinOhio]

Well I thank everyone for their input and you have all definitely helped me out with my decision. I just can't convince myself that it's a good idea to get TrackIR right now and whenever I have reasonable doubt, I've learned to save my money and just hold off. I want to gradually work into mostly IFR flying for right now and after reading comments about not using TrackIR during IFR's, it made a lot of sense. I'm sure it is a really cool thing for GA and I have a good time with that as well but maybe after learning some more tricks of the trade with using the mouse and keyboard with the VC I'll get a better understanding. If money were no object I'd definitely get the TrackIR, but at $150, I think I'd rather just save it for other FS goodies. Thanks again everyone, you've saved me some money and have helped me make the right decision for me!

[mallcott]

Could you please explain what you mean by this statement here?

Moiuse panning = default FS function, use spacebar and nouse together to move the viewpoint. Use scroll wheel to zoom in and out. See also my previous advice about using the Z-axis on the joystick if you have rudder pedals to provide a `snap pan` view that doesn't stick like the hatswitch.

If you don't have rudder pedals, THAT is what you should be spending your money on! ;)

[sirbruchie]

Could you please explain what you mean by this statement here?

I am sorry my spelling and grammar were so bad. It was late at night and I was dosing off. What I meant was in comparison to panning with a joystick hat switch or trackIR the mouse is much more precise. With the addition of the programmable third button on my mouse, all I have to do is put my hand on the mouse press and hold the button (instead of the space bar) and pan and zoom as needed to find the switch or knob I am looking for. I release the button and now the mouse can click the switch or turn the knob as needed. Now if I only had a yoke so I could fly with my left hand I would be set. Hope this makes more sense than my last post.

[ladamson]

It would be interesting to hear from someone who does not use TrackIR but does use the VC only, and how they get along with looking around and performing panel functions. Thanks for the replies thus far.

I don't use TrackIR, but have preferred VC's for many years, when it comes to GA sized aircraft. One of the slide switches on my Saitek X-52 throttle is set up for instant right & left views.

As to why I prefer VC's...............it's for the sensation of flight. I own a "full sized" aircraft (Van's RV6A) with a sliding canopy, which is along the lines of the RealAir Marchetti SF260 with sliding canopy & low wing (FS9/FSX). Since I get some peripheral vision from the sides, as well as what's straight ahead............and I want the same in the sim, at least as much as possible on one monitor. 2D panels just seem too static, and cover too much of what's normally seen in a forward view, unless you only use the most upper part of the panel.

I use Shift Z for altitude and airspeed readouts. If it's a case of really wanting to go IFR, I can use panel options that RealAir has in FSX, or just a panel with larger instruments, as well as pop-ups. Other than that, I was actually constucting half baked virtual cockpits clear back in FS98.............to make it seem a bit more real.

L.Adamson