Long term review of the Tobii Eye Tracker 5 with Microsoft Flight Simulator

[@aboutagb]

Great depth and demonstration of the product, I had been looking at this as an upgrade.

[@SteveC1952]

Given your well deserved success in the FS content creator world, I may need to revisit the Tobii device even though I was initially very disappointed in the limited capabilities of the software that is included in MSFS; which I believe has not been upgraded since its initial appearance in the sim. At minimum, I think all axis should be independent and you should be able to create acceleration curves for each direction on each axis. These features are available for free in excellent third party apps; albeit outside the sim. Your video demonstrates how good the Tobii hardware is, quite impressive, but does not (IMHO) address the software shortcomings. However, based on your experience and recommendation I will revisit the Tobii as a well functioning head tracker would be a great enhancement to 2D viewing.

[@Izmael1310]

@@SteveC1952 use it with opentrack software. Described in KZbin video "Revisiting Tobii in MSFS - Solutions and Alternatives" by KurtVW Sims and Such.

[@billpii6314]

Well I tried a Tobii coming from a TrackIR5. I messed with it for 3 weeks and it never tracked as good as my old TrackIR5. So I packed it up and sent it back to Amazon and put my TIR5 back on top of my monitor. All is good again :)

[@paulthurston2883]

I'm with you. I wouldn't be without it now. I have it mounted in my flight panel and it works great.

[@jay-rus4437]

I love the Tobii. HOWEVER….I think it works the smoothest when NOT using the eye tracker portion. Just head tracking. It keeps the screen much more stable for flight sim

[@spybaz]

agreed!

[@Izmael1310]

Recommending this video Revisiting Tobii in MSFS - Solutions and Alternatives by KurtVW Sims and Such.

[@kurtvwSims]

Thanks for that shout out! For anyone interested in the video he's referring to it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6fadH9mbceCbMU My opinions on the tobii are quite contrary to Mr Beckett, but its mostly to do with how MSFS implemented it, the tobii hardware works fine (if a bit pricey). But that video discusses some tricks to get it working really nicely in MSFS.

[@baardk2]

I still prefear Track ir because you can look all around without any limite. Also in DCS world its a must to have in a dog fight.

[@spybaz]

It's just nice not 'having' to wear a headset (or cap!) when using Tobii. TIR has better tracking for sure, it's just a little too cumbersome sometimes.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

It’s a great piece of kit (as y’all say) but one drawback in MSFS, and according to Tobii it’s Asobo’s fault, is that you can’t “pause where you’re looking.” With TrackIR I could lean in and focus on something, e.g., the GPS, pop a button on the stick to freeze the view, fiddle with the very fiddly GPS buttons WITHOUT incurring a sore neck, then push the button again to resume head tracking. Can’t do that with Tobii. The “pause tracking” command resets to the default cockpit view.

[@Pondimus_Maximus]

Oof! That’s a dealbreaker. I also pause my TrackIR frequently to fiddle with buttons. If I lost that ability, I’d be pretty miffed.

[@chrisibbotson6367]

Ive asked two users on Tobii's FB adverts about this very feature and both say you can and the view is not reset. I am not 100% sure they understand my question so Ive not changed from TrackIR, which I have had for 20 years. It is starting to lose tracking and the sensor flickers so unsure if its starting to fail - hence looking at alternatives. Am concerned also that Tobii is not as smooth or accurate as TiR. Have the v4 of the device not the v5

[@bourne-jagt1716]

Great video. I like my Tobii but mostly on my C172.

[@stephenbull2026]

I have tried a few of the "Free" head trackers using a webcam. I never got on with it for any length of time. I have now got accustomed to using VR and find it almost impossible to go back to just using a monitor. I have got in the habit of using VR for Take off and Landing then using the monitor for the middle portion of any long flights. I am tempted to looking at head tracking devices now the technology has advanced considerably. A very useful video.

[@therealbettyswollocks]

I got my eye tracker a few days ago, haven't got around to exploring it yet but I was finding it way too sensitive so in one video you just told me how to adjust the sensitivity as I hadn't figured it out.

[@smokeybarrplays8226]

Wouldn't fly without mine now. And it's equally as good in Euro Truck Simulator.

[@dismaldunc]

doh there goes next months wages.... thanks for that ! great demo.

[@Fcreceptor]

I bought this about a year ago for MSFS. I have a 38” monitor. I do think the monitor size impedes the ability to remain stabile at the extremes of your viewpoint. However, for looking to adjust your perspective in a pattern it is a huge advantage. You simply can’t make a good base leg in the sim without a tracker. I can almost always eyeball a visual landing with a downwind to base and final or circle to land with rather good accuracy. It allows me to keep an eye on speed and pitch while looking outside to maintain visual. You can move around a fair amount to attain views you just can’t get without it. It is also very nice for taxiing. Once I’m climbing into cruise out of the aerodrome I typically turn it off. I often turn it off on short final as well. Sometimes it helps a landing and sometimes it hurts one. Depends on the plane. I’m not sorry I bought it. I use it on every flight, GA or airliner.

[@shamelessplace11]

You should have invested in the adjustable Toby base or you can get the tripod version. I don’t have a tripod so I didn’t get that one. The adjustable base will take care of everything you need. I have a 30 no 42 inch curved just like a champion.

[@davidwitherow900]

I have one as a backup for my VR setup, and my only complaint about doing so - it works every bit as well as you say it does - is that Tobii keep sending me emails along the lines of "Buy a Tobii EyeTracker! XX% off!", apparently oblivious to the fact that the only reason they have my email address is that I've already bought one.

[@IncorrigibleBigotry]

Isn't there an option at the bottom of the emails (usually small, grey font) to unsubscribe from receiving solicitations?

[@markm75]

I want to say it clashed somehow with vr or i had to stop the service. Did you run into this. Maybe screwed up pimax eye tracking if left on

[@paulkirkland3263]

Good video, though I think it would have been useful to display the eye-tracking function a bit more, instead of just the head-tracking - and also how the two can be combined. In the real world, your eyes always lead your head when looking round, and I find it so natural.I love the ability to just glance down at the instruments on finals, without moving my head. Personal preference of course, but the eye tracking facility is one of the most enjoyable aspects of Tobii. By the way, I also wear glasses, and eye-tracking works perfectly with them.

[@spybaz]

I turn off the eye tracking for flight sims. I like to be able to glance around the pit without my view always looking where I'm glancing. It's too much for me. I like keeping my head still and glancing around without the whole view moving too.

[@paulfoster575]

Excellent video what is ur settings for the tracker as mine is awful juddery & I’ve tried everything to cure it 👍👍

[@jonbeckett]

To be honest, I run it on almost default settings. It might be worth reaching out to Tobii - it could be a defect?

[@johnc.4871]

Thanks for showing off the tobi. Looks like everything a simmer would want. Does the tobi control the mouse cursor for use in every day software? Would be neat if I could do my drafting work and not have to move a mouse around to click through Creo's many option menus.

[@jonbeckett]

No - it just moves the camera in specific software that either it supports, or where the software supports it.

[@q8386]

Were they 'Aviator' sunglasses? :) Good video. Ihave a cheap £10 webcam and OpenTrack, which works, after a fashion. Not as good at the Tobii obvs. That said, the Tobii is very expensive (like most stuff for MSFS!). I've always worked on the principle of 'good enough is usually cheaper than perfect'.

[@RobKohinoor]

okay I bought one. I was on the fence already for a few months.

[@JPToto]

Didn't even know this kind of thing existed!

[@user-ot1dv6ri4f]

Excellent review thank you

[@markm75]

Somnium VR you can use passthrough to see controls. I use both the tobii (rarely but useful when needed) and pixmax crystal for now at least.

[@jonbeckett]

The big issue I have in terms of KZbin, is there is absolutely no reason to show anybody what you see in VR, because they can't see it.

[@markm75]

@@jonbeckett Agree there, but i think you mentioned you cant see controls in front of you in VR, but makers like Somnium and their headset (and maybe one other, i forget) you now can. I have pimax crystal, it has a grainy passthrough feature, not that useful vs the others that are better. Enjoyed your updated review here btw.

[@Rahhhhhnman]

Well I just pulled the pin and bought one, 20% off is a good deal.

[@channelwhywhywhy]

Thank you, Jonathan! So I finally made the plunge and bought one (using your link of course!). It arrived 24 hours later direct from Tobii (impressive) and I'm now using it. Took a little while to balance out the head tracking versus eye etc but it's looking all good. However, I've seen you disable the tracking on several of your videos, how have you done that?

[@jonbeckett]

I map a keyboard key to disable the head tracking.

[@channelwhywhywhy]

@@jonbeckett Is there a setting within Tobii to do that? I looked in settings and couldn't see anything obvious.

[@jonbeckett]

@@channelwhywhywhy it's a keyboard option in MSFS - for head tracking - when I next have the sim running I'll try to remember to find it.

[@channelwhywhywhy]

@@jonbeckettBrilliant, thank you 👍 Now I know where it is I'll go and have a look for it

[@philiptaylor2366]

Hi Jonathan - have you just stuck the Tobii to the front bezel? I'm using the supplied magnetic clip that sticks to the bottom of the screen but keep finding that the tape holding the clip to the screen softens during hot weather and the eye tracker falls off. I think your solution may be way better! How do you angle the cameras up towards your face though?

[@jonbeckett]

The cameras within the sensor are canted upwards already :)

[@philiptaylor2366]

@@jonbeckett Ah right! So you just stick it to the front bezel of your screen?

[@Buddy308]

If I understood the video, you disable eye tracking for MSFS and use only head tracking. If that's the case, what are the advantages, for MSFS, of Tobii over TrackIR, which is a good head tracker and much less expensive?

[@spybaz]

No need to wear a headset all the time with Tobii :)

[@Buddy308]

@@spybaz I guess that's technically an advantage, but wearing the reflecting apparatus on a golf visor is absolutely no inconvenience or problem at all. I'd still like to see a comparison between TrackIR and the Tobii with eye tracking disabled, or a simple opinion from anyone who's used both in MSFS

[@jayteeaitch]

unfortunately - the tracker will only work on a Max 27" screen /monitor - I use a 50"4K TV

[@AdamVonSzabo]

It probably still works good enough for flight sim but not as dead accurate as demonstrated.

[@philiptaylor2366]

I use the Tobii on a 42" OLED positioned about 18 inches in front of me and it works brilliantly

[@Buddy308]

@@AdamVonSzaboi think this is especially true if using only head tracking

[@spybaz]

I use Tobii on my 57" curved Samsung. It works great. Just gotta mod the bracket a bit. Remember, it's the metal, magnetic strip that keeps Tobii activated so you can ultimately put the bracket where you want with a bit of modding. There are various 'curved monitor' Tobii brackets on Etsy also, made as 3D printed pieces by sellers.

[@chrisibbotson6367]

@@spybaz oh dear is that how it works and requires the magnetic bracket? I was considering buying a Tobii but my 48" monitor has virtually zero bezels, is only 2mm thick and the base of it sits a mere 1" above the desk. The legs/stand prevent anything being centrally placed under the screen like most Tobii mount photos have it placed. I was just going to set the tracker on a little mobile phone stand. Will this not work?

[@JT-ep5ew]

I bought Tobi a few months back and then discovered that it didn't work with my screen setup. I run a multiscreen, 3 x 40in, system on MSFS. The Tobi software doesn't appear to be able to handle a multiscreen setup. I have tried various settings but no joy. As a single monitor no trouble. Maybe I am missing something in the setup, I don't know.

[@bourne-jagt1716]

My works with my 3-24” monitors. It takes on the main centre screen but the three screens work as one.

[@TVDawn]

Hi Jonathan. The link address on screen is missing an 'i' but your link in the text works fine. No big deal - except the tobii big deal!

[@jonbeckett]

OMG you're right! And Tobii didn't pick that up either :))

[@jonnekjonneksson]

I failed to understand the difference between head tracking mode and eye tracking mode. For example, is eye tracking an alternative substitute for head tracking, or an extra feature to use along with head tracking?

[@paulkirkland3263]

You can have just head tracking, or just eye tracking, or a combination of both, which is adjustable in percentage terms . If you look at various objects in the room, you will notice that your eyes move, followed by your head. Thats what this combination of eye and head tracking reproduces. It feels very natural.

[@markm75]

Are you using some function to freeze head tracking?

[@brunogt1982]

I been using it for few months definitely not worth for the price.

[@mickinoz2005]

Why not just curious

[@lloydnoel2289]

I tried the Tobii with MSFS for several days and just could not get it to work satisfactorily. Don't know why. Perhaps due to my curved 34 inch monitor? Anyway, I returned it for a refund and went with the Beam eye tracker software and a webcam. It works beautifully and at a fraction of the cost of the Tobii.

[@spybaz]

I use Tobii on my 57" curved Samsung. It works great - you just gotta spend a little time dialing it in MSFS settings.

[@Bigboss-t8b]

i cant finf the experince app anywhere just the hub

[@vicrobinson1366]

Does this work with MSFS on Xbox

[@AdamVonSzabo]

No unfortunately

[@jonbeckett]

No - it's a PC only peripheral.

[@spybaz]

Tobii needs a freeze button

[@mikokio]

i prefer a headset than this

[@Izmael1310]

Very expensive toy. You can use opentrack and webcam to get 90 % of the performance of tobii head tracker (not mentioning eye tracker because it is useless in flight sim and basically every youtuber has this feature turned OFF) for 30 % of the price.

[@jonbeckett]

I tried smoothtrack in the past - the huge difference with tobii is no other software, and very, very little lag.

[@EyesFoward]

Don't work well for Asian eyes. No one ever mention that. Nor Tobii.

[@CAL1MBO]

You have to declare these videos as ads

[@jonbeckett]

It has the tag #sponsored on it.

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