Trackir 5 - Head tracker for PC games & simulations

I got this as I play a lot of Milsim (military simulation) with my clan on ARMA 2 & ARMA 3. It takes a bit of getting used to as I wasn't used to moving my head around that much whilst playing but after some time using it I am very happy. Great piece of kit for anything flying-related.. be it a flight sim or in my case, flying helicopters and fixed wing on ARMA 2.Pros:- Really easy to set up, including the clip for the headset- Easy to adjust to get the settings you like- Very useful for flying, as you can look around without having to press freelook keys or different camera keys.Cons:- Limited use, like I said it's only really useful for flight games and in some cases infantry/armour simulation (ARMA series). Coupled with the price, only get it if you know you'll use it.- It uses a magnet to snap onto the base, and I've found it's incredibly easy to knock off of the base. I keep accidentally knocking it off when I lean over my monitor.Overall, it's an awesome piece of kit that you should definitely buy if you love flight sims. :)

I'd been thinking about getting one of these for ages, after first having seen it demonstrated in a Youtube video of DCS Black Shark, but was put off by a) the high price and b) the fact that it wasn't widely available in the UK at the time.However, a couple of months ago I bought a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS for use with DCS A10c. That's an excellent piece of kit, but the point-of-view hat is pretty much useless since it is mounted too high to easily reach with one's thumb and is also quite stiff to use. However, since its primary function is as the trim switch, you can't really complain about this.Since poor POV is the kiss of death in a combat flight simulator, I realised that it was time to bite the bullet and buy the Trackir 5. It was delivered promptly enough and was plug and play, so I was in the cockpit in a matter of minutes. I wasn't hugely surprised to find myself experiencing a headache during my initial session, but after that first time I've not had any such problems.Even using the default profile I found that the Trackir instantly improved my DCS A10C gaming experience beyond recognition. The sim had sat unused on my hard disk for many months before I bought the Warthog and Trackir, because I'd found that I simply couldn't manage the various systems in real time because of the time it took to change view and/or zoom in and out. In trying to set up a Maverick attack I would constantly over run the target because of the time it was taking to change views and zoom levels, and I'd frequently crash because I'd lost awareness of my attitude and altitude.Now, with the Trackir and with zoom mapped to my Warthog HOTAS slider, all of those frustrations are a thing of the past, and the sensation of being in a real 3D cockpit hugely adds to the immersion factor. To be honest, I couldn't see myself ever buying another flight sim which didn't offer Trackir compatibility.The only downside of the product is it's incredibly flimsy construction. I managed to break one of the articulating joints, and - having seen the size of the little plastic prong which had snapped - was only amazed that it had lasted as long as it had. I did manage to repair it, but someone in the Trackir design department needs a reality check. I've found other references on the internet to this same fault.

ordered this just before xmas, installed without fuss, just download latest software from site and load before connecting trackir. little bit fiddly setting up centered view before starting your game. need to ajust trackir on your monitor to suit your seating postion.I have used it with ARMA 2,arrowhead and IL2 1946 Superb! If you are thinking of buying more monitors to give the extended view don't bother use this much cheaper than spending out on extra 2 monitors.It comes with peaked cap for the track clip to fit onto and the pro clip will fit to your ear phones. Which is nice it you don't want to use the ear phones you can use the trackclip with the cap, has two separate settings. Little tip remember to click on which either you are using and look straight at the screen to reset your centred view before going into the game. The tracir software has remain on when entering the game, it will minimize it self to your tray.The company delivered it in good time, only grip is that they give you a tracking number for la poste which is difficult to find due to the many different sites. I did find a link that was in english which worked but found this on a forum which was from 2002, I have passed this on to the company. I did email thinking the trackir had not arrived and they replied promptly. It had arrived and been hidden away for christmas!update to my earlier review may 2012, the tracker has been fine and I can't say enough how well it works with some sims the freedom you feel when looking around rather than using the mouse or hat button is great, it does take awhile to adjust yourself to it but persevere it is worth it. It is a shame that it has not been picked up by other games developers as an option i.e. call of duty, battlefield, crysis, etc would be great in those. I have ended up buying extra monitors over time and when used in conjunction with the Tracker 'well what a head spin' :) Another tip I was getting a lot of jerking when in IL2 1946 which did quite annoying especially when in dog fights, I then realised light does effect it. If you have a window behind you, you will need to close blinds/curtains and this will solve the problem.

This is the second time I've had this issue. It worked for 2 weeks and then suddenly stopped working.