forums.naturalpoint.com

Hi,

I recently purchased a TrackIR 4 Pro. I had it for a couple of days and when I went to use it again, I noticed that it was extremely hot to touch.

Thankfully the folks at Natural Point gave me a RMA and I was able to send it back.

I have just recieved my replacement. I had it plugged in for about 1 hour and already noticed that it was getting very hot.

I am concerned that this unit may burn out. So, is there anything I can do to prevent this?

I do have the unit connected to an USB extension cable. Could that cause this problem?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.(notes - I am running the latest patches etc).

Thanks

Mine runs hot too mate. I think a lot of it is the power usage. Most USB devices use 100mA or less. TIR4 uses 286mA.
Had mine running hours on end with no burn outs or device lock ups yet. That's not to say its not going to happen but I haven't seen any reports yet.
Just keep an eye out for plastic dripping off it.

Cheers... The last one definately melted, so I will keep an eye out on it - meaning i'll unplug it when I am not using it.

I just right click - exit on the task bar. As long as its not running in the back ground it stays cool.

abeeber, are you in a hot climate as well? As in near the equator? Because that would mean it would get even hotter.

My TIR4 runs hot always too. But On a 40 Degrees Celsius day it gets hotter still and I prefer not to use it too much then. No aircon in my home doesnt help either.

No complete meltdowns yet though.

quote:Originally posted by Toady:
I just right click - exit on the task bar. As long as its not running in the back ground it stays cool. I always shutdown the software when I'm not using mine for the same reason as you Toady.

Fair point.
Just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean your hardware isn't out to get you.
Ive had some malignant mother boards in my time and don't get me started on my Thrustmaster Force Feedback Steering Wheel. Its bleeding possessed I tell you.

quote:Originally posted by Toady:
Fair point.
Just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean your hardware isn't out to get you.
Ive had some malignant mother boards in my time and don't get me started on my Thrustmaster Force Feedback Steering Wheel. Its bleeding possessed I tell you. Just as I am about to get a Rally GT wheel

Glad I saw this thread, I was thinking about getting a TIR4. But I've had bad luck in the past, got a TIR2 in Nov '03 and it dropped dead on xmas day '03. Tried it on 4 different PC's, 3 different os'es and no luck on any.

Got an RMA, NP confirmed it was dead and sent me a replacement. It worked fine for 6 months or so, then I got off flight sims and moved on to other things. BTW, it was working fine when I last used it...

Well, I hooked it up last night for the first time since 2004, and all I get is "No Data" Uninstalled/reinstalled drivers REPEATEDLY, no probs with the install and the NP software sees it, but the f*cker don't work. Tracking and Motion screens are both DOA, both are totally blank where I should be seeing a camera display or a graph.

Was gonna get the TIR4 but what I read here has convinced me to save my money. Guess I'll just have to give up flight sims, because I can't play 'em without TIR. OTOH, I can't afford to drop $150+ every 6 months for a replacement either.

NP, you guys need to get on the ball and fix this thing. It's what, 4th gen now, and the things are STILL dropping like flies???? And now they're melting down like plastic dropped on a hot grill????

IMHO, it is the most fantastic, cool, TOTALLY INDISPENSABLE gaming peripheral I've ever owned for flight sims but if I can't count on it to last for years (like my CH yoke and rudder pedals) then it's not something I can afford.

Could it be you realize how addictive it is, and you've deliberately designed it with a 200hr MTBF in hopes of boosting sales when people have to replace it to keep enjoying their flight sims?

I hope not...

(to anyone who wants to flame me, I LOVE the TIR, I just wish it could be counted on to work time after time...)

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the suggestions. I am just being paranoid as I dont want to burn out another unit; and have to explain it to support.

My last one burned out just by being plugged into the computer. It took about 5 days or so before I noticed that the lights on the system look faded. When I picked it up it was very hot and the chip (the one to the left underneath the word Natural Point) was burned out and had melted such that the plastic above it bubbled up.

So now I am being extra cautious.