TrackHat v2 Unboxing and Review

Here I am unboxing my Trackhat v2 received last week. I test the unit in DCS / MSFS and IL-2 Sturmovik. I describe the software Freetrack and the settings required. The unit has no additional components other than a sensor and extension cable. Available from: www.trackhat.org

[@dmn01]

Thanks. After a windows reinstall this helped me get set back up.

[@skydart60]

That sounded drastic but well done. It’s a good bit of kit and really works rather well.

[@skydart60]

Update V3.2 of the Trackhat software is out and helps resolve most of the stuttering issues. I have tested this on DCS / MSFS and Il2 with great success.

[@mdhazeldine]

Now you've had 2 months with it, what is your opinion now? I'm trying to decide between this, TrackIR 5 or one of those cheap Chinese versions. Opinions?

[@skydart60]

@@mdhazeldine so I think it's great. The build quality is not as good as the v1 but it's worth it to not have to use IR sensors on headsets or a cap. The CPU overhead isn't too bad but it's noticeably higher. In DCS, IL 2 and MSFS it's good at 1440P resolution. At 4k it's noticeably higher but it's a keeper and now my v1 cap has been put away.

[@mdhazeldine]

@@skydart60 Thanks. I am tempted to try it. Does it have the equivalent of "truview" that TrackIR does? i.e. if you turn your head to the side and then lean forward, the camera moves forward in the direction you're facing, rather than the direction of your seat.

[@skydart60]

@@mdhazeldine yes that's it. It's sort of reversed if you look over your shoulder but you do get used to it, if you move your head left or right that works as expected and when forwards or backwards . The freedom to move around without anything attached is great. By the way, the latest update for MSFS is terrible, now getting only 15 FPS choppy and the photogrammetry is broken at 200 feet, melted buildings lol. Not a good advert for 2024 then. They keep doing this...

[@martin.B777]

Would you still recommend the TrackHat V2 sensor? Need to replace my older TrackHat clip, so I'm considering all options...

[@ErnestIsGaming]

I wonder if the sensor v2 will work well when facing sun lights, lets say a large window behind you?

[@skydart60]

I have found that a bright light source behind does indeed interfere with the tracking. It's not as pronounced as in V1 but you do need to drop the exposure and gain down for sure.

[@MrSnacko]

I received it weeks ago and it took a while to setup. It still needs tweaking but it's working pretty well. But how do you get it to 'Start with Windows'. And where are all of the Hotkeys and many settings documented??

[@skydart60]

You could just create a shortcut for the software in startup items I guess. The hotkeyes are in a page in the software, make sure you download the latest release from the website as its way smoother.

[@wolfbane4711]

nice vids as well

[@skydart60]

Thanks very much

[@sandspar]

While not so much an issue with modern pc(s), TIR has a dedicated onboard IC while all opensource rely on your cpu to translate head movement to mouse input. I started w/ Freetrack over a decade ago, loved it, built several LED hats, but the cpu workload was noticeable. With TrackHat you get a camera, IR lights, and opensource software with your pc doing all the work. Trackhat also claims to be the only wireless system on the market, not so. TIR with a reflective hat clip is exactly the same, 1 USB to power the camera and lights. Sorry but with roughly $20 diff in price it appears you get a faster, albeit milliseconds, response w/ TIR. GOOD review, best to you and your aviation adventures!

[@skydart60]

Thanks and very interesting. I have indeed noticed a more significant hit on my CPU with the v2 over the v1. I am running a Ryzan 5 5600 with GPU 2030. No O/C. I would be happy to consider doing a back to back on this as a comparison if the demand is there.

[@walterthomassetti5323]

You are wright, the result is the same but with this eye tracker you don't need a cap or a handle (earphone) with ir lights anymore. They are integrated in the camera now. Sincereley, Walter

[@sandspar]

@@walterthomassetti5323 You don't need ir lights with TIR. I use a REFLECTIVE hat clip that has only reflective tape. The IR lights are on the camera body on top of your monitor, and the camera sees their reflection on the reflective tape on the " hat clip " ( not the powered thing people think is better but is not ) . The results are NOT the same, TIR has FASTER response time. Just trying to get you to research your facts before you present them. I really do hope your clip give you many hours of enjoyment. PEACE!

[@SPBurt1]

Sensor V2 has its limitations but it is not meant to be leaps and bounds better than current options in terms of processing and speed. Obviously the face recognition that eliminates the need for either hat reflectors or LED array is the benefit. That alone justifies this device. Other than a VR headset this is the most convenient option on the market.

[@walterthomassetti5323]

@@SPBurt1 That where also my toughts SPBurt1. I think it's the most confortable eyetracker at the moment. Because my knowledge of pc's is very basic i decided not to buy a Vr goggle.

[@jbmaure]

Hi Skydart. Thanks for your review. How do you get so steady lines on your face ? Mines are jiggling so quickly that I can’t have a smooth and steady experience. Applogizes for my poor english. Whish you the best.

[@skydart60]

So what I had to do was to ensure there was no backlighting behind my face. Also in settings to set the exposure in camera settings. I set mine to -5. Another thing to do is in smoothing. MAX that out as I find that helps enormously, Hope this helps. Another thing to check, if you have a previous version of the software, free track, so v3.0b update that to v3.1 from the website.

[@jbmaure]

I will give it a try. Thank you.

[@skydart60]

@@jbmaure good luck, let me know how you get on.

[@jbmaure]

@@skydart60 Whatever the camera settings I choose, the circle and the two boxes woble, as the trhree axes. I try to dim lights or to raise their intensity, nothing helps.

[@skydart60]

@@jbmaure So mine do a Biot too. It might be that you could have a faulty unit. Another thing to check is the version of the software. I think I noticed a difference in this going from v3.0b to v3.1. Navigate to: www.trackhat.org/support to see if James has got any other suggestions. I also note that the V2 is more CPU intensive.

[@karlhungus545]

I didn't know they had come out with this, so I'm intrigued. I have the Trackhat Clip (wired) that I bought at least 5 years ago, and that has worked great for DCS/IL2/ETS/ATS. It's essential actually. I couldn't play any game that requires 'looking around' without it. It was 1/5 the cost of the TrackIR 5 that broke on me after just over a year (Trackclip Pro...flimsy junk...swatted a mosquito and it snapped), and they refused to replace it, so I bought a Trackhat instead. How has the experience been with this to date after I'm assuming several updates? It's still half the cost of TrackIR, and significantly cheaper than the Tobii eye tracker.

[@skydart60]

I agree the Clip has been a mainstay for me before this recent version and if your PC has the horsepower it's even better now as there are no wires attached to get caught up and no hat to wear. The settings can be tricky to get right but once sorted the unit is a must have. Thanks for watching.

[@karlhungus545]

@@skydart60 I have a 4070ti/5600X/32GB RAM, and play at 1440p, so I'm assuming there can't be that much of a performance hit from this? Also, how does it 'stay' on your monitor? You don't show this in your video. I am constantly annoyed by the PS3 camera of my Trackhat clip falling off, or otherwise being unstable. What did you use before this (i.e. what are you comparing it to)? EDIT: I went and looked at your other videos. I see you have almost the same system that I do, but at 4K and a 4070. I also see that you're comparing it to the 'V1' sensor. I didn't realize that they only sell the V2 now.

[@skydart60]

@@karlhungus545 Thanks for watching the video. So yes your setup will be great for this. Like you I used a TrackHat Clip but then bought the v1 Trackhat clip which stayed on the monitor much better. The latest V2 is not brillinat I have to say but it's a bit better as it's stiffer and therefore does not fall off as readily. I have clipped the cable to my screen via the central support to ensure it remains on and obviously the PS3 camera is NOT required both with the v1 or v2 now so you can discard this (sell it) if you upgrade.

[@wolfbane4711]

WAITING ON MINE ANY DAY NOW

[@skydart60]

Worth the wait. It's very good but you need to get the camera settings rights that can completely upset it.

[@wolfbane4711]

@@skydart60 yea i am gonna look up your video and settings once i get mine

[@wolfbane4711]

ok got mine in the mail and it didn,t work had to go turn it on in win 11 settings now it works perfect and no need for a head tracking hardware attached to your head !!!!

[@skydart60]

Good to hear what setting was that in windows 11?

[@wolfbane4711]

@@skydart60 ummm not positive what it was called but i had to turn on the sensor v2 threw update like bluetooth almost etc etc etc

[@davewills6121]

@@wolfbane4711 Don't, and i seriously mean ''DON'T EVER MAKE A TUTORIAL''

[@wolfbane4711]

@@davewills6121 and tutorial time lol

[@lenrichter6328]

I dont even see anything with mine, it shows nothing and is black all the time. Any ideas? I tried everything with Firewalls and stuff like that...

[@skydart60]

Not sure bud. My guess is uninstall the trackhat software. Then reboot. Then navigate to the trackhat directory and delete that manually. Last, unplug the trackhat. Reboot, then… plug it back in, wait for the usual windows sound notification, then install trackhat again.

[@karlhungus545]

Someone else said it was the camera privacy settings?

[@coard123]

Received the new v2 sensor this morning to replace and older track hat setup but it wont turn on!! Anyone any ideas?

[@coard123]

Problem sorted was the camera privacy settings!!

[@lenrichter6328]

​@@coard123can you help me how to turn that off? Have the save Problem!

[@coard123]

@@lenrichter6328it’ll be in your windows settings theres a privacy feature you’ll need to turn off!!

[@karlhungus545]

And? How is it? What games are you using it with?

[@coard123]

Using it mainly with DCS World it works very well though it still needs abit of twerking tbh

[@psvialli]

Just received my today after my TrackIR pro clip broken and must say - Not to happy with it - Not sure I would recommend it - it just does not track very well , it stutters even with Full smoothness on , and unless it is a faulty device i cannot even look down unless i look at the keyboard not great for DCS !! - I think this is going Back and will go back to my TrackIR pro and just buy another clip as it seems to track so much better and smother- and the software also feel better to use - I guess you get what you pay for - so if you have a TrackIR stay with it if your new well go for this and upgrade later :)

[@skydart60]

That's interesting actually. Since I upgraded DCS to the multithreaded version it's a little smoother. I have to agree it's not as smooth as the the TrackIR of or my Trackhat v1 with hat. I think it's more cpu hungry. Running IL 2 it's virtually smooth, DCS noticeably stuttering as is Flight Simulator. I did calibrate mine and that improved it. Return it and ask tech support, maybe a new version of the software will help sort it.

[@psvialli]

UPDATE - I have been trying to contact them over the last 2 days and no reply/ response whatsoever - so there's not much help from them - so Buyers please Beware ! -

[@martin.B777]

@@psvialli Have you tried the V3.2 of the Trackhat software? Need to replace my older TrackHat clip, so I'm considering all the options...

[@psvialli]

@@martin.B777 Ill be honest it was so bad I sent it back for a full refund and went back to my TrackIR

[@martin.B777]

@@psvialli Thanks, I'll replace my clip then. Do you know if it'd benefitial to replace a PS3 eye cam with the 240hz Grass Monkey sensor as well?

[@85artin]

hi, just got mine yesterday. it still jiggles a bit when I'm bit furhter away from the sensor

[@skydart60]

Yes I have seen this behavior in mine. I get round this by reducing the levels or back lighting in the room by closing the blind then decreasing the exposure in camera settings to -5. Also max out the smoothing, that works for me. I don't think it's the sensor, rather the machine learning code optimisation with the free track v3.0b and v.3.1. I am hoping an updated version will appear which will optimise this better. I also think that this sensor uses more CPU processing that the v1 sensor. Another tip, if you already have another sensor and freesat installed v2.x then I have uninstalled these as that can have an effect, it did on my installation.

[@MrSnacko]

Just got my email that mine has shipped...

[@Bambeakz]

I am shocked how bad the quality of the 3D printed case is. Like it was printed faster than the printer supported. I would rather print that housing myself and that is not a great conclusion for a 100+ device.

[@skydart60]

Actually this is a fair point. In use mine has become very loose now and so I have had to mount the cable so it’s more secure. Good feedback I say.

[@wolfbane4711]

aahhh caps my bad

[@Metalignant]

Received a broken V2, have been trying to contact customer support all week with no response. Purchase at your own risk