Trackir3 Pro with the Vector
expansionTrackir3 Pro with the Vector
expansionW hen you fly
using the TIR3, the first thing you notice is that you no longer feel like you
are flying inside an artificial tunnel. Because looking around becomes so
natural, you notice your entire surroundings more, and are much more aware of
whats going on. It also gives you a very good idea of your position in the
air, and because you can look over to your side and effortlessly turn back to the
bandit you are chasing in the blink of an eye, it keeps you very aware of your
position above the dirt.
You can also track the enemy planes throughout their entire
maneuvers as you yourself maneuver to gain an advantage, and never take your
eyes off of them. And because the direction you are looking is an
absolute, you can feel which way you are looking just like in real life, without
having to guess. In life you know when you look left that you are looking
left because of the position of your head, the TIR3 Vector gives you that exact
same awareness, so that even in a plane with a clear canopy, you can tell if the
target is falling into your forward view, or extending around to your six.
This is one of the keys to situation awareness, and TIR3 Vector gives it to you
in a way no other piece of hardware short of a real airplane does.
All things considered there
is no addition to your flight simulation hardware setup that will make as big a
difference in your overall enjoyment. Most serious flight simulation fans
have a good joystick, and spend anywhere from $100-$300 on that gear
(Combathangar recommends the Saitek X-52 as the best bang for the buck).
The TIR3 Vector is a similar investment. With a retail of $139.00 for the
TIR3 Pro and an additional $49.95 for the Vector expansion, this is a big
investment. There are a few discounts out there, one is for registered
owners of Live for Speed. But, its still a pretty big ticket item for most
gamers.
Take a look at the vector videos here and at the Naturalpoint
site. They can give you an idea of just how smooth and amazing the
experience is, but they cannot convey the absolute joy you get by instinctively
tracking targets by simply moving your head slightly.
It is a rare
thing for a product to be truly revolutionary and to have a real profound
impact on simulations, but this is one of those products. Unlike other add
ons that look good on a screenshot, but fall short on execution, the TIR3 Vector
looks rather modest, and somewhat silly when you look at the hat with the clip
on it. Look modest maybe, but its a performer. Dont be fooled by the
small PCV plastic shell that arrives from Fed-ex, inside is the best add on for
total immersion in gaming since the HOTAS.
It
should also
be noted that although the list of games that support the full six degrees of
freedom is small, the number of games that support TIR natively is respectable,
and includes most new top flight sims. Even if the game doesnt
support the leaning feature, the implementation of the ability to turn your
head and have your view turn with you is amazing none the less. As TIR
becomes more common, we will hopefully see more simulations use its remarkable
abilities. For now, its mostly the flight sim fans who have a real
use for TIR. In my personal squadron for Aces High ][, 4 of my squad
mates have it already and several more are awaiting those tax refund
checks. TrackIR Vector from Naturalpoint, there is nothing like it, and if
you like flight simulations, its a great add on.
LINKS:
Naturalpoint (makers of TIR
vector)
Video of
TIR in action
Aces High ][
Lock on Modern air
combat
Saitek (makers of the X52 hotas)
X-plane
Live for Speed racing
sim
