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Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:21 am
by kjoyce
Guys, I always fly with TrackIR4 Pro, TrackClip Pro and Audio FX Headset. I find the slew of cables etc dangling off my left ear is a bit ungainly. Also, the TrackClip Pro is a little vulnerable out there in the breeze. When I take the Audio FX off at the end of a session the TrackClip Pro is even more vulnerable.

Is there any chance of developing an all-in-one headset with Track IR LED's, Force Feedback and noise-cancelling microphone built in? Maybe only 1 USB cable/plug?

I would buy it in a heartbeat!

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:30 am
by VincentG
It is something we are looking into....

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:28 am
by Magic Man
Yep, but don't build any future development into a headset - keep them separate. I like the headset I have and wouldn't want to change it to use the trackIR

The natural development would be to develop the track clip with a battery powered option. Now if you want to further develop that with perhaps a detachable bluetooth enabled headset then that could be good - or the manufacturers of USB powered headsets could provide a USB connection on the headset itself.

Alternatively, put the trackIR on your head with a fixed three point target on the monitor...

Other developments in my mind would keep the trackIR on the monitor but give it full colour web cam abilities (whether with a secondary sensor or develop the current trackir4 hardware to see the full light spectrum) - grab some of the market back that the free motion sensing app is getting from you.

Perhaps give it a bluetooth reciever to enable the bluetooth enabled trackclip headset function.

I have plenty more ideas... If you want a beta tester or ideas guy, let me know... ;)

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:28 pm
by VincentG
These are several things that we are looking into..........

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:41 pm
by Jim
Magic Man:

Thanks for the excellent feedback / ideas. We are certainly looking into ways to make TrackIR more powerful and easier to use. We support more development TrackIR 100%. Get in touch with Vince to become part of the Beta team!

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:06 am
by Magic Man
Another idea to go with the track clip pro.

Include some buttons on it, at least three, to act as the centre, pause, mode buttons.

If you want to take it further add a small hat switch or similar controls if possible and link this with an offset from the centre values in the driver.

In Flight Simulator for example, if you want to adjust the centred view values (e.g. to raise or lower your view, zoom slightly further in or back) then you can adjust these on the fly.

Would need to be further trapable hotkeys but if you had the extra controls on the track clip then it would make things more natural.

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:12 pm
by Jim
Hmm, that is a cool idea. The TrackClip you suggest is rapidly becomming quite a tool. :) You would rather adjust settings on the device, than on a keyboard? I know more buttons are good, but I worry about pressing on the TrackClip, as it could change the position, even if we make the mount more sturdy. It is good to get this feedback though, so we know where the community feels we can make progress. Thanks.

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:03 am
by Magic Man
The option to do so would be good whilst still allowing keyboard shortcuts. The buttons could be soft touch.

Anyway, not wanting to let the grass grow under my feet I've thought of a few more things and consolidated some ideas...


TrackIR webcam sub unit.
Add full spectrum colour capability via plug in webcam module (Track IR unit would need appropriate socket - could be mini USB hub which would effectively allow the webcam sub unit to be used independently if required via suitable USB extension cable)
Allow operation independently of the motion tracking so they can be used at the same.
Incorporate noise reduction microphone in webcam sub unit.
In addition, if the strength of the IR emitters is increased, would provide facility for IR illumination on the webcam function.

Track Clip Pro (Ultimate)
Develop into full headband unit since current design requires a user to use a headset when they may prefer to use speakers for their audio.
Full headband would allow active LEDs to be positioned on either side to allow better tracking and remain in view when head is turned.
Incorporate rechargeable cells into design.
Recharge/power unit directly via mini USB cable connection.
Buttons on headband to allow hotkey assignment for centering, pause, mode, centre offset control (see software developments) - would require USB cable connection in place (and the headband to be seen as a HID unit) or could be done via IR coded signal to TrackIR unit.
Incorporate USB hub into headband design to allow USB headsets to be plugged in (when using cable connection)

TrackIR software
Develop to allow offsets from centre to be controlled via hotkeys.
Develop to allow other IR transmitters to be 'seen', i.e. for use with multi media remote controls etc.
Develop to allow webcam functionalities of TrackIR webcam sub unit.


I personally wouldn't want a headset (i.e. 'phones and mic) built into a future Track Clip Pro device as others have suggested because I have a good surround sound headset and would want to continue to use them. So, for a similar reason, any built in webcam facility could cause duplicity of function for some users hence the design of a sub unit.

Similarly, I suppose in addition to the webcam sub unit you could do a headset sub unit that is designed to perfectly fit the shape of the 'new' Track Clip Pro unit - it could plug in directly to the USB connection on the clip and both would then be used via the single USB wired connection. The headset could be a USB sound device that in itself could be used on it's own (if required) without the Track Clip unit by connecting it via its USB plug (via a USB extension cable) directly.

Keep things modular and independently functional whilst allowing them to be used together as seemless units - keeps everyone happy...!

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:23 am
by Jim
Thanks for the extended suggestions, they are quite fun to visualize. I do like the idea of keeping things modular, as you point out, it makes more people happy. We will keep these ideas in mind when working on new TrackIR / TrackClip products!

Re: Suggestion for TrackClipPro development

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:16 am
by Kegetys
I would find the trackclip more interesting if it would have a microphone in it. My headphones don't have a mic as they are pure audio headphones, I think most "higher end" headphones are this way. The trackclip goes right where I'd want a microphone to be, and even plugs in to usb so it would seem a rather ideal place for one...