Chances are, if you�re here you surely have
a very good idea of what TrackIR is and how it works, and are
considering getting one. So, before getting into such details I want to
clarify some myths I had run into when I myself were considering
acquiring one:

Myth 1: TrackIR produces a huge fps hit on
IL2 FB. Where this myth was first heard: UBi and NaturalPoint forums.
What actually happens when you plug your unit in and start playing: NO
PERFORMANCE LOSS AT ALL! (On my mid-life system: amd64 3500+, 1gb ram,
gf6800gt)

Myth 2: TrackIR doesn�t work with MS FSX.
NaturalPoint is still working on this one. I�m using TrackIR software


Version 4.1.029 alpha 3 and MS FSX works with no special
tricks. Just plug it in and go.

So, how about an actual review?

The Unit Itself.

When I first opened the packaging I was
shocked to see how small the unit is. I can close my fist around it and
hold it fully within the palm of my hand. It�s very lightweight too, so
it won�t produce any type of stress on your monitor stand at all.

The stand for TrackIR 4 is designed for LCD
or TFT monitors, so old CRT users might have to figure out a way to
attach it to their monitor, but that shouldn�t be too hard to do. At
first, and by looking at the product pictures from NaturalPoint website
I was a bit scared its stand might not fit my old stubby LCD monitor,
which by today�s standards is a bit, well, thick, measuring 4
centimeters of depth in the topmost area of the screen. It turns out
TIR�s stand fits in perfectly and still leaves room to grasp much
thicker monitors.

I�ve only had a couple of problems so far.
Please keep in mind I�m using beta drivers for this, so it is more than
possible in the final .29 release of the drivers these issues will be
resolved. My problems deal with my old Microsoft Sidewinder Force
Feedback Pro joystick (oldie but goodie) and IL2:FB where sometimes, and
I haven�t quite figured out what were the exact conditions the two times
it happened, I just lose ffb effects and I have to restart the game.
Then two times the unit froze my computer for about 15 seconds, then it
regained consciousness, once with MS FSX and the second time with IL2 FB.

In general the unit performs exceedingly
well. The refresh rate is impressive, the sensitivity, range of
perception are excellent as well. You can basically go owl-neck on this
thing and it�ll track it. Installation was very easy and painless.
Software installation was quick (I went straight ahead with the alpha
drivers available on NaturalPoint�s website, I never used the CD that
came with it). Basically I was up and running in less than 5 minutes.

The software also includes a ton of
tweaking options to suit your preferences. I tried the default profiles,
Charvel�s BoB and right now I�m using Mossie�s, which I think fits me
quite well. Don�t expect to have a natural intuitive control from the
first time. TrackIR takes a lot of getting used to. A lot. You�ll
basically learn to sit and behave in a whole different way when simming,
which can be a bit painful at first (I had considerable neck pain the
first couple of days), but once you get used to sitting still, and dial
in the settings just right so you don�t have to turn a lot your head to
move the view in game, you�ll find the pains just go away.

Once you get it up and running, get used to
it and find a decent profile, oh man. It�s that same �wow� experience
you felt the first day you tried a flight sim. After barely a week with
it, I cannot figure out how I managed to live so long without it. Two
words: immersion and ADVANTAGE.

Immersion: the add for TrackIR sums it up
pretty well: put your head in the game! The feeling you get when that
pesky LA-7 or 109 goes past you in a headon pass and you turn around to
find yourself naturally following his every move with your head is the
closest us armchair pilots can ever get to the real thing.

Advantage: in pretty much the same way,
once you get used to it, there�s no way you�re going to lose visual in a
turn stall fight. And not only then: your situational awareness all
around will be much better, whether you�re in formation at ten thousand
meters looking for contacts, covering your wingman on a set-up, or
watching out for traffic when holding the pattern near your favorite
airfield on FSX!

The bottom line: whether you�re a serious
simmer or a casual hobbyist, TrackIR will, with no doubt, enhance your
experience and take your enjoying of the game to a whole new level. If
you�re in a competitive squad or league, TrackIR is a must.