It is a must have, I own a Track Ir 4.
If you want free, you can make a FreeTrack, or use Headmouse:
http://nipg.inf.elte.hu/headmouse/headmouse.html
I used this and didnt maked me a bad result

I couldn't go back to flying without TrackIR once I got used to it. It's that good of a piece of hardware.

I only use my tracking system in locked pit servers.
I find the mouse of more use with externals on.

Even on locked pit I find it equally easy to hold the base of my stick between my thumb and fore finger of my left hand and the throttle in the palm of my hand whilst I mouse view with my right hand.
When I need some extra authority on the control, or I need to fire, I swap my mouse hand over to the stick.
That probably sounds complex, difficult or unnatural, but I find it very easy.
I certainly never loose targets through disorientation.



I love my head tracking system, but that's mostly because it's more immerse, not because it gives any advantage over my mouse.
That said, if your less handy with a mouse, hat, or other viewing system, I can see head tracking being very, very useful.

I also love that it only cast me £10 to make. ;)

I've flown on mostly full put servers, and never used anything but POV hat on my MSFFB2, and it didn't bother me.

But, I am seriously considering TrackIR + VectorClip for the SoW since will support 6DOF.

Well .......................

+1

What has fairness got to do with it? It's a demonstration of TIR isn't it?

Why is that unfair?

I havent (personally) found much need for a TIR. It probably smooths the learning curve a lot, but I have the insta-turning snap views and mouse so deep in spine and muscle memory I dont feel any kind of need for it... Stick in right hand, left for mouse & keyboard, feet on pedals. I have the unfair advantage of being both-handed however, I write with left, throw with right, mouse naturally in left, stick in right. ATM I dont think a TIR would increase SA much at all and help in scissoring etc. would be minimal as well, but its probably great for immersion, and helps newcomers.

I use 6DOF Freetrack which works superbly well and cost me £12-00. (Fitted to my headphones which I always use anyway!). The difference is that I now fly in Pit view which I always struggled with using the POV hat Unfortunately, it has become so essential for me that I am totally dependent on it. I can control the views and switch between fixed centre view, 2 - 4 and 6 Dof by assigning these to the redundant POV switch.......best add on you can have for a flight sim (IMO) but not every one will like it so using something like Freetrack is an excellent opportunity to try 'headtracking' out - particularly if you want to fly in cockpit view. If you like open view then stick with the POV!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxrBiJt186M - Dutch_851 this video was noit made for shoewing off what you would like to see but i hope you cna get an idea of my point

notes:

see 0:12 1:13 1:30
dont see: msot of the fw shoots were i dont follow my target since i edited the track to make it fix cam, for gunnery show off.

cheers

I've decided to buy TIR 4 rather late, but wouldn't fly without it now. Immersion up immensely. The whining about "my TIR stopped working" etc. is largely a thing of the past, and in many cases the problem is in the wetware. 6DOF - I like being able to use it sometimes, many times it's not worth it though, precise shooting becomes an issue when it's on. For those that fly planes with asymmetrical gunsight positions 6DOF will be a major PITA I reckon.