Looking backwards in FSX, and other questions.

[Grotius]

Hi all,

I've just received my new TrackIR with the TrackClip Pro, and so far I like it, but I'm having a rocky time calibrating it. I'm using Win7 64-bit. I run both TrackIR and FSX as administrator, as I've seen suggested here. Both the lower-left and lower-green lights on the camera light up pretty consistently, though occasionally they blink off altogether if I make a big lateral movement. Sorry for all the questions. The first one is the most urgent one.

1. Sometimes TrackIR faces the right direction when I climb into an airplane in FSX, but often I end up facing backwards. I faced the right way in a Cessna, but the wrong way in a smaller plane and in whatever plane is used in the taxi lesson. I faced backwards, to be precise. Why is this? How can I fix it? Very frustrating.

2. Is there any formal calibration mechanism? I just load up the software (with the most recent drivers, released in March) and fuss with things, creating a profile.

3. How exactly should the clip be oriented? Should the short end be nearest the ground? I assume the 3 LEDs should be lined up straight vertically, pointing straight at the camera.

4. I don't quite understand how the clip locks down, and I'm a little afraid of breaking it. It attached okay to my headset, but it slipped off when I took off the set. Any general advice on how precisely to clip this thing on something?

5. I've heard that a woman's headband can make for a good clip mount. True? If so, er, can anyone recommend one for a guy with a rather big head? lol

6. I created a profile and assigned center, pause, etc to buttons on my CH Eclipse yoke. But they didn't work in game. What did I do wrong?

7. Even with speed turned up pretty high, I found I had to turn my head a fair bit to look all the way left. I'd rather not to have to turn quite so dramatically. Perhaps I should maximize speed, and add a dead zone in the middle? How do I add a dead zone, exactly?

8. Sometimes the tracking would skip or stop for a moment, especially while I move laterally. Normal? How to minimize this?

9. I found it interesting that I could move backwards and forwards in the cockpit, almost to the extent that I sometimes seemed to exit the craft altogether. I guess one gets used to this forward/back motion? I found it particularly challenging to focus on instruments, though I did get better.

10. Anyone have a pre-existing profile for FSX they care to share?

Thanks, and sorry for all the questions.

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

Hello -

There's not really a formal calibration mechanism beyond starting the software and pressing f-12 to center. It is possible to adjust speed and responsiveness on a global or individual axis level, but that's not required to run.

The TrackClip Pro should be worn over your left ear with the long arm pointing down.

Let's take a look at camera positioning. Fire up the TrackIR software, then right click on the heads up display, and select "camera view". Center yourself as if you would be while normally flying, and take a screenshot. Move to a point where tracking breaks and take another screenshot. Post them here and we can see what's going on.

As to the TrackClip Pro, often times if the clamp is loose, it's because the hinge is not fully locked in place. If you take a look at the hinge, you'll notice it's c-shaped. This allows you to swing the jaws open or closed to accommodate different sized headsets. Ensure that the clamp is on the correct setting, and give it a firm push into place to make sure that it is locked in.

Occassionally, with joystick hotkey assignments, you may experience issues. We are working to find a solution to these problems, and should have updates within a release cycle or two.

[Grotius]

Many thanks. I'll try to post a screenshot or two tonight or (more likely) tomorrow. I'll also take a closer look at the clip.

Also, another question occurred to me. I have a second monitor, but I'm not sure how best to use it in conjunction with TrackIR. Should I dedicate to instruments or something? Or just leave it off? It's much smaller than my 30-inch main monitor, so it's not as satisfying to look at. Is TrackIR best with one monitor?

Thanks again.

[NaturalPoint - Mike]

It's really something that's best left to preference, experiment around with making adjustments there and see what works for you!