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Let’s face it – necessity is the mother of invention. As a hard core computer flight simulation fan I have often desired a hardware setup in order to make my gaming experience true to life. I always wanted to see through the sides of my cockpit windows/canopy without using the side view keyboard/joystick keys. Multi monitor setup was, for the most part, the only solution that I could think of and even that was not feasible due to the cost of getting two additional monitors and a special video card. Even with such a fancy setup one could still not see behind themselves without pressing a back view designated key. The entire solution became swiftly downgraded to somewhat of an evolutionary step that required a significant monetary investment. A revolution was desperately needed! Something innovative, practical, affordable and simply cool was missing. I am not talking about virtual reality and the AeroSmith girl… The future is already here with the TrackIR technology. It is the closest one can get to virtual reality that works at the time of this review. Developed by NaturalPoint, TrackIR is the code name for an infra red head tracking technology supported by a long and growing list of both flight and car racing simulation games. Its further application is currently being tested in first person shooters such as the upcoming game Armed Assault by Bohemia Interactive.

TrackIR PRO 4.0 is the latest gizmo from Natural Point. It consists of a 1.7 inch tall infra red receiver that you connect to your PC via a USB 2.0 cable. This little black adapter sits on top of your LCD or CRT monitor and collects all movement at the speed of 120 cycles per second. You can provide the infra red receiver with data by utilizing two types of head gears. The first type of head gear is Vector PRO, a metal clip that you can attach to a baseball style cap or a head visor. It is very futuristic looking. I promise that you will not look nerdy, however I can not say the same thing about your aluminum foil hat that protects you from alien/government mind readers. TrackIR works in such a way that as you move your neck and rotate your head in slight movements your in-game-view will correspond both precisely and smoothly. You never have to look away from a monitor because all aspects of your motion are amplifiable and adjustable. There are only 6 ways you can move around in 3D space as defined by TrackIR. There are 3 ways to lean, and 3 ways to rotate. The second, and newer, head gear sensor is TrackClip PRO. Unlike Vector PRO, TrackClip PRO does not require you to wear a hat/visor. You can easily clip the sensor to your headset which is a neat option if you do not prefer wearing a hat/visor during gameplay. TrackClip PRO also provides you with a freedom of 6 way movement.

My overall experience with TrackIR PRO 4.0 is definitely positive. The system installation is easy and trouble free. NaturalPoint updates the driver software regularly adding features and fixing any reported issues. Another growing trend is a constant expansion of games supporting NaturalPoints’s head tracking gear. I tested TrackIR PRO 4.0 in Microsoft Flight Simulator X as well as with a number of combat flight sims (IL-2, Lock On, Flyboys Squadron and Falcon 4.0 - Allied Force). Using TrackIR PRO 4.0 adds tremendous realism to flying. As a student pilot I can attest to the overall realism in flying Cessna 172 from my home airport using Microsoft Flight Simulator X. TrackIR PRO 4.0 assists me by offering an easy way to reference my views during both flying and landing practice runs. All I have to do is slightly turn my head and I can see from both sides of my cockpit. If I want a zoomed in view in order to better read my instruments all I have to do is move my head closer to the monitor. If I move my head slightly higher or lower I can easily see above the front part of the nose and likewise be able to check out the lower section of the cockpit. Turning my head a bit further to the left or right shows me the back view from the cockpit. TrackIR can also be used in the outside view to easily view an aircraft from various angles.

One of the key benefits of using TrackIR PRO in combat sims, aside from easier flying and landing, is locating an enemy fighter during combat. As all of you flight sim buffs out there already know: looking around during aerial combat is vital to one’s survival. For virtual pilots who ignore the Dogfight 101 rules of checking the cockpit views, grim fate awaits. It is guaranteed that the poor souls will be in the gun/missile sights from the dreaded six o’clock position. Having TrackIR PRO 4.0 installed on your computer eliminates the need to utilize the joystick hat switch or use the numbered keyboard views.

TrackIR hardware is not cheap folks. However, neither is a good joystick, yoke or rudder pedals. If you want to enjoy a virtual flying experience you have to fork over some cash. At $179, TrackIR PRO 4.0 is a smart investment which does not only make your virtual flying easier but also aids you in practicing for the actual real world flying. I did not have a chance to test any car racing or first person shooter games using TrackIR PRO 4.0. However, I did watch a YouTube.com video from NaturalPoint’s team on the two previous mentioned subjects. Judging from my experience with various flight simulations I feel that NaturalPoint’s head tracking system is truly a revolutionary step forward in gaming. Give it a try. You may never look the same at a virtual cockpit.