AV8R's Falcon4 TIR Testing

[AV8R]

The focus of this thread is what did work on my primary flight simming system:

- Intel P4 3.4 Ghz HyperThread, 875P chip set MB, 1Gig DDR RAM, Nvidia GF4 Ti-4600, TM Cougars and CH Pedals, QuickShot MasterPilot, MS SidewinderPro2 FFB, Sony LCD 18.1' flat panel.

- Two TrackIR devices: TrackIR1 and TrackIR Pro3.

- Falcon4 and these vairants: SP3, SP4, BMS103, BMS2.1, FF2 and FF3. I will report on SP3 and FF3 as they are what I tested.

(In fairness to some, they need to know that TIR does not work for all systems and configurations. One of my systems both TIRs work on, the other niether works on - see other thread on TIRpro3 tech support for details)

So if I could put a matrix on this forum I would, but instead ill have to wing it with line items.

TIR1 (2.11 drivers) & F4-SP3:
- works, needs "-head" cmd line switch and F4TIR utility

TIR1 (3.12 drivers) & F4-SP3:
- works, needs "-head" cmd line switch and F4TIR utility

TIR1 (2.11 drivers) & F4-FF3:
- works, no "-head" cmd line switch and F4TIR utility because of native TIR support

TIR1 (3.12 drivers) & F4-FF3:
- works, no "-head" cmd line switch and F4TIR utility because of native TIR support

TIR3pro (2.11 drivers) & F4-SP3:
- didnt bother to test as is not likely with Pro3 drivers that come with TIR3pro

TIR3pro (3.12 drivers) & F4-SP3:
- works, needs "-head" cmd line switch and F4TIR utility

TIR3pro (2.11 drivers) & F4-FF3:
- didnt bother to test as is not likely with Pro3 drivers that come with TIR3pro

TIR3pro (3.12 drivers) & F4-FF3:
- works, no "-head" cmd line switch and F4TIR utility because of native TIR support

Overall, I didnt see a big difference between the TIR1 and TIR3pro in the 3D cockpit and making small movements to simulate holding the piper over the target in Falcon4. Its probably more valuable in IL2, IMHO. The good news is that both devices work for F4 in the SP3 and FF3 variant patch codes. Another conclusion is for F4, there doesnt seem to be a need for the older drivers for either the TIR1 or TIR3pro. The 3.12 drivers work on both as advertised. Frankly speaking, I was surprised to see F4TIR utility still work with the newer drivers. This saves us from having to have two driver installs when we fly SP3 and FF3 (which some of us do for multiplayer stability reasons). Thanks NP for keeping it working.

For those still flying SP3 code, they will have to get the F4TIR utility, which is becoming harder to find on the net. Hopefully NaturalPoint will add it to its download page. Note that you launch F4TIR AFTER invoking F4, then ALT-TAB out to invoke the F4TIR utility. Then go back into the F4 2D GUI environment. Note also that ALT-TABing out screws up the RECON window. Youll have to fire up the utility after you RECON and before you fly.

Hope this helps

AV8R

PS due to many requests, heres a link to the f4utility:
Link to TIRF4.ZIP the Falcon4 compatible TrackIR utility

Update: Dec 20 2004
The online F4 squadron that I belong to (the Freebirdswing) has recently moved from SP3 to SP4.2 as its standard install, this being for online stability reasons. TIR works fine for SP4.2 and must use the F4TIR utility just as with SP3. So far no problems.

[ December 20, 2004, 09:32 AM: Message edited by: AV8R ]

[RAAF-IL2_Zapper]

Mate, Thanks and Well Done!
TrackIR is a must for modern simming and this has reopened a great sim for me (Falcon4)

Rgds,
Brad