Why Head Tracking?

[brando]

"naturalpoint think it's their tecnology and patents..."

No "think" about it - Naturalpoint have been into head-tracking technology from the beginning of PC usage, enabling disabled people to use computers. They did develop the technology and they did patent it. The move into games and sims was a no-brainer and they have continued to develop and support their products right into the present day.

As for this constant cry of "too expensive" there's several choices. Build your own device, buy TrackIR, or use buttons & mouse. I chose to buy Naturalpoint's devices and I don't regret the decision. I just bought TiR 5 and sent my 3Pro to a squad-mate. 5 is a great improvement, and I don't regret saving up for it! It only took me about three months to salt away the money.

[Artist]

Good point, brando. There's so much misuse of patents out there that one tends to forget, that there *are* companies who not only earned their patents, but actually use them for something different than lawsuits...

And for those with more time than money there's FreeTrack + webcam/wii + headgear. Total costs approximatly €50 and a lot of fun buliding the headgear (at least for me).

[sigur_ros]

Originally Posted by brando

"naturalpoint think it's their tecnology and patents..."

No "think" about it - Naturalpoint have been into head-tracking technology from the beginning of PC usage, enabling disabled people to use computers. They did develop the technology and they did patent it.

Naturalpoint have 0 TrackIR patents.

http://naturalpointofview.blogspot.c...sive_patenting

[Artist]

Originally Posted by sigur_ros

Naturalpoint have 0 TrackIR patents.

http://naturalpointofview.blogspot.c...sive_patenting

...seems to build a convincing case (makes me feel silly, concerning my earlier post). I wonder who it is. Does anyone know?

Apart from that, I'd be interested in a poll:

What kind of POV-system do you use:
[ ] FreeTrack
[ ] Track IR
[ ] Other Head-Movement-Based-Tracking System (???)
[ ] Fingers (Coolie Hat or similar)
[ ] Mouse

Any suggestions?

[KG26_Alpha]

Look its simple.

If you can afford or need to because of a disability then buy TiR, if you don't like it sell it afterwards.

If you like to build stuff then make one yourself

If you want to use a mouse, cat, dog, armadillo to look around in IL2 then fine.

Its all do with preference, personally I tried TiR it worked fine in MS flight sims up to FSX and other programs I use but not too good for me in IL2.

Its a very expensive piece of hardware for what it does IMHO but if you feel it's a necessary piece of hardware then the cost wont worry you.

So.......... buy it try it don't like it sell it.

Have fun

[LoBiSoMeM]

PS3 Eye cam = 125 FPS... US$ 35,00 + FreeTrack software... Freeware + Home built clip made with just IR leds, some wire and a support... < US$ 10,00.

And you have your 6DOF head tracking solution for less than US$ 50,00...

Knowledge is power. 6DOF head tracking is the way to go in flight sims, civil or military: it's natural, and easy to build and cheap, but people get overfixated with all "TrackIR"...

TrackIR is expensive. You can make something with the same quality with a PS3 Eye cam, Wiimote, or anything with good FPS and can see IR sources.

And, please... Head tracking technology NEVER was "patented" by NaturalPoint... It's OOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD technology... The only thing NP do was sell an overpriced solution to us, crazy sim customer...

[SEE]

I use Headtracking on the PC but do not need it on the Xbox Birds of Prey simply because the Saitek Cyborg (and the Saitek AV8R) both have an analog POV which is far better. You can look in any direction, tracking is just as good and intuitive as my headtracking. Being analog, once you release the POV, it returns to centre view. The digital ones can be set to act as 'mouse' but they do not auto centre the view when released.

Why are all flightsticks still employing digital POVs and not analogue ones - an alternative choice would be nice?

[T}{OR]

Originally Posted by SEE

I use Headtracking on the PC but do not need it on the Xbox Birds of Prey simply because the Saitek Cyborg (and the Saitek AV8R) both have an analog POV which is far better. You can look in any direction, tracking is just as good and intuitive as my headtracking. Being analog, once you release the POV, it returns to centre view. The digital ones can be set to act as 'mouse' but they do not auto centre the view when released.

Why are all flightsticks still employing digital POVs and not analogue ones - an alternative choice would be nice?

F9 key in IL2 does that. Press it once - the POV won't center after viewing (that is how I used it). Press it again and it resets the view after you release it. This is far from defining it as an analog - and since WoP is a derivate from IL2, I guess there should be a similar command.

For IL2 that doesn't support 6DOF Track IR wasn't worth it IMO. As for DCS with it's 6DOF and fully 'clickable' cockpit, and the upcoming SoW that I doubt it won't have support for 6DOF (I believe it was already stated long time ago by Oleg himself that it will support it), Track IR + VectorClip is a worthy purchase. I just don't have enough spare time to build something myself, no matter how interesting that would be.

[swiss]

Originally Posted by KG26_Alpha

If you want to use a mouse, cat, dog, armadillo to look around in IL2 then fine.

ROFLMAO!

You're a Texan?
NM maybe?