Has anyone tried both? Is one significantly better than the other?

I've been using Facetrack off and on, but it's very twitchy. (Rather, my head is.) I've modified the .ini enough that I'm usually okay with it, but I'm wondering if I'd get better performance by investing in Track IR.

If you get the TrackIR 5 hardware with the three red LEDs, you should
definitely get better results.
And even the cheaper headclip version which I use, never failed me.
The only disturbing thing would be light sources behind you.

TrackIR is not a cheap gadget, I know - but I would always buy it again.

I have a TrackIR 3 using version 5 software - again the only problem is light from behind during the day. I am thinking of making a 3 red LED clip to put on my hat trackclip - just have to source the bits.

You can alter the twitchness of TrackIR by software settings - I am using Olham's at the moment and it seems fine.

Oh, and the TrackIR was given to me by Mark "Winding Man" Andrews who lives up the road. He had bought a mk 4.

Try this http://www.free-track.net/english/
I've been using my 3-led cap for years with excellent performance.
The software is free and reliable and the hardware costs around $2 (+ some cap or hand-made rigid frame) and can be really elegant. Plus the feeling that you make something DIY and it's working is very good.

I have used both CatKnight i used a ps3eye camera and after some work taking the Lens out Facetrack worked really well,the difference between that and using your "Hat" switch on the joystick to pan around your VC view is massive ...Now Trackir,I have Trackir 4 Hardware running on 5 software and the difference between Trackir and Facetrack is mind blowing.I was lucky to be given this by Keith "HOOD" Clarke he didnt even want postage costs for it..A million thank you,s would never be enough,I believe along with a good joystick that Trackir is the most essential item for any Flight sim fan.If mine ever broke i would,nt hesitate to purchase.

Hi there,

I must agree that TIR is a fantastic addition to the game. I think pedals too, but perhaps this is even more immersive. It allows you to attempt DID in various forms and get a clear view, all around your aircraft. The only thing I have found is that the components are a bit fragile, so when ( not if) you get shot down, don't loose your head, so to speak.

Cheers,

Britisheh

I haven't used TrackIR. I use FaceTrackNoIR, with a PS3 Eye camera, with the addition of a 3 IR LED clip, similar to what TrackIR uses and it works like a charm. No complaints whatsoever, you definitely need the LED clip though.

I bought a custom made clip from ebay, but you can make one yourself as well. It works out much much cheaper and it works smoothly and well. The parts also looks much more robust than TrackIR.

Sorry to interfere here as a non WoFF owner, but do have OFF3.
I have the FacetrackNOIR/PS3webcam combo, but I did have lots of problems in reaction and uncontrolled movements by external lights, like the sun. I was so sick of that faults that I got the TrackIR5 with 3led clip and this is working much better and it is just plug and play. With TrackIR I can finally look besides the plane fuselage to see what is below the plane.
The only problem is the clip wire and the whole construction of the clip is weak and prone to break.

If You are talking about FacetrackNOIR you could try the: http://sourceforge.net/projects/ftnoirpt/
so you will get the best of both I think, never used it btw. For RoF and OFF3 I think a tracking device is not that necessary, but for IL2-Clod ATAGmod, I can not go without.

I have a TrackIR 4 here with version 5 software. Works like a charm but very delicate. Mine is taped together and working well but you must find a safe spot to store it and never bump it as it can break very easily.

I had a Track IR 4 for a long time which died last year, I now have a Track IR 5. Order was sent within hours of the TIR4 death, can't fly without !
Shiloh, the safest spot is sitting on top of the monitor and don't touch it !

Don't have TrackIR 5 but have seen it being used several times so have a good idea of how well it works. However, I do use FacetrackNoIR with a 3-point LED clip and, in my opinion, it works just as well as TrackIR. There is certainly some setting up and tweaking required but it's not difficult. Works really well in WOFF using the Free Track 2.0 game protocol. As far as picking up stray reflections is concerned, it's easy to adjust the point extraction threshold in the settings to eliminate this problem completely. The software is free and the LED hardware needs some basic DIY skills but costs next to nothing if you have a decent webcam. If you want to buy a ready-made LED setup, search for DelanClip on eBay (also works with TrackIR apparently) - still MUCH cheaper than TrackIR 5.

Holy...cow.

I received my TrackIR today and set up a battle between 5 Rolands and 5 Aircos. Facetrack wasn't bad, but the difference between that and Track was night and day. My camera control was near perfect (with Olham's settings posted on the other thread) and it was much easier to make subtle head movements and see what was going on around me.

Thanks for the advice everyone!