Free-track IR 2 DOF?

[SEE]

Have you not tried Freetrack? It certainly exceeded my expectations. I run in 'Perfect' and no problems whatsoever with performance issues or checking my 6. Never tried the Natural Point Track IR to make a comparison but at the moment I am more than happy with Freetrack and would rather spend the dosh on a Saitek X52 stick!

[Splitter]

Originally Posted by SEE

Have you not tried Freetrack? It certainly exceeded my expectations. I run in 'Perfect' and no problems whatsoever with performance issues or checking my 6. Never tried the Natural Point Track IR to make a comparison but at the moment I am more than happy with Freetrack and would rather spend the dosh on a Saitek X52 stick!

May I assume that I could buy the TrackIR cap to use with Freetrack?

I really don't want to go through the trouble of building a cap for the game.

Splitter

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by Splitter

May I assume that I could buy the TrackIR cap to use with Freetrack?

I really don't want to go through the trouble of building a cap for the game.

Splitter

The trackIR cap is simply a set of reflectors whereas I suspect the freetrack design uses active LEDs (a technique the very early trackIR used but seems to have abandoned years ago)

To use the TrackIR cap you would probably need to get some sort of bright infrared light source and point it at it.

[SEE]

The FreeTrack site describes what third party items can be used and I'm pretty sure that I have seen TIR clips used as well as how to use reflective strips, etc. Best to have a browse on their website.
Quite a few seem to have a reflector set up working well.

[albx]

I agree with SEE, on the Freetrack site you'll find everything you need... I didn't used IR leds but just white leds on a cap, with a cable to plug in to the USB. The first time i downloaded freetrack i was frustrating how difficult was to configure... but now i can't fly without it... it's just so natural to look around without press some hat switch on the joystick. I still use the 2 DOF and not the 6 DOF cause i haven't modded my IL2, but i'm fine with it right now. Another thing you'll find difficult will be the camera setup, after that you'll only have so much fun with it and will enjoy every flight.

Alberto

[Blackdog_kt]

Freetrack needs an active LED source pointing at the camera, while TrackIR works both ways. You can have active LEDs that the TrackIR camera tracks (just like Freetrack), or you can have reflectors that bounce back IR rays that the camera emmits towards you.

In the TrackIR software, there is a choice as to what kind of "target" to use. If you choose to use reflectors, there are 4 LEDs facing you on the TrackIR camera that light up, the radiation from which is bounced back by the reflectors. If you choose the trackclip pro, the 4 camera LEDs turn off and the active LEDs are 3, mounted on the clip that attaches to your headphones.

I prefer using Trackclip Pro, because it's easier and more comfortable to wear a thin set of headphones to attach it to, than wearing a cap with reflectors. In that sense, if resolution is comparable, i guess Freetrack is just as good a choice (ie, you don't lose much by lacking the option of having active LEDs mounted on the camera itself). My only gripe with Trackclip Pro is that it's too flimsy. Mine broke a mere 2-3 months after i bought my set and i have it fastened with duct tape ever since

I think a reasonably cheap and easy way to go would be to combine both. You could use a Freetrack modified camera as the tracker and buy a Trackclip pro to use as the emmiter.

[julian265]

What's stopping freetrack from using reflectors?

[LukeFF]

Originally Posted by WTE_Galway

The trackIR cap is simply a set of reflectors whereas I suspect the freetrack design uses active LEDs (a technique the very early trackIR used but seems to have abandoned years ago)

The TrackClip Pro uses active LEDs.