It just takes a few hours to really get used to it, and then you will not want to let go. Don't change anything until you are comfortable, then and only then adapt it to your tastes.

I'm using the track clip pro thingy, my advice would be (if you can) turn off the light source and use a desk lamp instead (I'm using a 7 watt bulb). A more drastic solution is turn your monitor and desk away but that's not always feasible.

Dano, I'm with you if it ain't broke don't fix it! ;)

I have trackIR 5, its awesome, it takes just about as long to get used to rudder pedals, so its pretty simple to use...

the main thing is getting the rotation speeds right, since you want to be able to look forwards with ease so you can aim properly, you need really slow rotation speed when you're looking forwards, and the more you look behind you the faster you'll want make the rotation speeds, that way its not such a pain in the neck to keep your head still when ur trying to aim, but you don't need to turn your head too much to look behind you...

if you're getting lots of jitter, maybe its just you're head moving since you're not used to having to hold it so perfectly still, or... there's a high percision mode that turns up the filtering, but it puts a slight delay on the movement, but sometimes it's worth it cause it means you don't have to keep your head quite as still.

and yea just don't point a light directly at the trackIR camera... obviously.. since its an optical head tracking system...

I absolutely love track ir. As others have said, I don't know that I would want to play clod without it.

It definitely gives me an edge. Obviously this is only one piece of the puzzle, but an advantage is still an advantage.

Once you get to the fourth step of the learning matrix, or whatever it is called, which is 'unconcious competence' (meaning you can do something very well without having to 'think' about it) it is so intuitive that it makes going back to hat switches feel totally alien and kills immersion.

I think immersion, and therefore enjoyment, alone is worth the purchase.

Disagree!!! The main thing is trying it all ways until you find the way it works for you, a nice linear response is how I like mine, I cannot stand having it track at different speeds depending on where I am looking, it makes me feel ill.

then i suppose you just use deadzones to look forwards.

Nope, I just control my head.

You can't argue against doing whatever makes you the most comfortable, but to any brand new user I would advise toughing it out on default settings until you've reached that unconcious competence state.

Making changes too early could lead to someone being less comfortable than what is optimal without ever knowing, and then developing habits to compensate which make it even less comfortable.

I have to add to the sentiment already expressed on how great Track IR is!
I started with Track IR3, then moved up to Track IR 4 Pro, and just recently ordered the newer Track IR5 - in fact have not even hooked it up yet.
You can use the clip on the headset, or the reflectors on the visor of a ball cap. Myself I prefer the hat clip, as I don't wear a headset.

Get use to it, then in the software you can tweak to your heart's content to get it where you like it, regarding response curves, dead zones, etc. The included profiles are not bad to get started with.

I will also add, it is important - to me at least, to have two Track IR functions assigned to easy to reach buttons on my joystick, these are the Track IR pause key, and the Re-Center key. I use both of these fairly routinely and find having them on buttons on my stick to be very easy to do - becomes almost second nature.
Also please note the default hotkeys for these two functions, can be re-mapped to whatever you like.

Get used to it, tweak it a little, and enjoy! I could not fly without it.

how? do you have a center/off button or something for when ur aiming? unless ur an owl?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6M-h5g3PwI