The TrackIR vs. the SmartNav: Which one shoud I buy?

[RecklessPilot]

Hi, I've looked at both options but I am left with some questions. I want to use the technology for gaming mainly, the mouse stimulation is a nice extra but I don't expect to use it...

The thing that makes me consider the SmartNav though is that it only needs a small dot to track head movement in contrast to the big clips of the TrackIR which requires you to wear either a cap or a headset.

But then there is the question: is the SmartNav less accurate then the TrackIR for gaming? Maybe that's why the TrackIR has a multipoint clip instead of a single dot? And another question I have is: does the TrackIR work with those dots as well?

Please let me know the answers to these questions, I want to buy one but I don't know which one would be the best choice for me without knowing those answers.

[Seth Steiling]

SmartNav supports single-dot tracking for its normal function only--mouse control. For head tracking in games, unless you only want 2 DOF, you need to have three points. The vector shape is necessary for the math to extrapolate 3D information about your head position and orientation, which is why both TrackIR and SmartNav can offer 6 DOF tracking. But, just like TrackIR, SmartNav does require the 3 point TrackClip to give 6 DOF tracking.

TrackIR does not support dot tracking unless you use 4.x or earlier versions of the software, and it is not a recommended method of tracking, due to its decreased accuracy and suboptimal capabilities (2 DOF compared to 6 DOF).

If you are planning on only using the product for head tracking in gaming, I strongly recommend TrackIR 5 as the ideal choice.

[RecklessPilot]

Ok thanks, that answers all my questions. The TrackIR it is then. Can't wait to see this in action to see if it lives up to my expectations. I already pionted out the existence of the SmartNav to a friend who is very dependent on Dragon.