My TrackIR Has Glaucoma

[Remington]

When I first received the TrackIR 4, it would track me about 5 feet away from the receiver with the default settings. One day about 4 months ago it wouldn't track and I had to use Light Filtering to get it to work again. Lately, it will track a right head turn but not a left.

I have to get as close as 17 inches before it will work properly again.

My conditions: Dark room, no lights, 31 inches from the sensor to the back reflector, attached to the top of a headset, TrackIR is on top of my LCD screen. I've tried both drivers and all the settings I could.

Default settings at 31 inches without light filtering, the top dot is too small to track:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/ ... ings10.jpg

Left head turn with light filtering maxed works:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/ ... ings11.jpg

Right head turn with no response:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v101/ ... ings12.jpg



It's as if the IR emitters are growing weaker and weaker. Is that even possible? Is it RMA time?

[VincentG]

It is possible that the LEDs are having issues, but not sure why the light filtering would have an effect on the ability of it to track properly.

You've tried cleaning the reflective material with soap and water? Sometimes a "dirty" reflector can cause an issue.

So this happens with both the Build 28, and build 29 software?

[Remington]

You've tried cleaning the reflective material with soap and water? Sometimes a "dirty" reflector can cause an issue.

Whoa! Three cheers for Vincent!

That was it. I almost didn't even try because they were spotlessly clean. After a wash it works again.

Here's what was happening: I store my headset/reflectors on a hook over the side of my desk. When I wanted to grab the headset, I would grab it by the top reflector to take it off the hook. So over time my finger must have put a layer of invisible oil over the reflector. That would explain the slow progression towards complete failure.

I'm happy now, the thought of having to go without TrackIR for a month while it was RMA was unbearable. I guess I'm addicted to this little gizmo.

[VincentG]

Excellent sir, glad to hear it is working again.