The hatswitch on my joystick recently packed in, so I've been experimenting with TrackIR in mouse-emulation mode to see can I manage without snap-views. I use a third-party version of a track-clip pro (called the Delan Clip, or some such), which seems to provide a lot more stability than the dots method. I find mouse emulation works very well with my EAW. Centring is easily achieved, when required (and not very often) by mapping the F1 key on a joystick button. The trackir over-rides the internal and external padlocks, but I find this not a major problem in external views. However, it is impossible to keep an internal padlock on a target when the trackir keeps breaking the view. I solved this by mapping the trackir pause key, in the trackir setup, to the same joystick key that I have alotted for internal padlock. Thus when I padlock a target, the trackir is simultaneously paused. Likewise, when I unlock padlock, trackir resumes immediately. I may only be re-inventing the wheel, but there might be someone on here who has not tried this.

What version or model do you use of Track IR?

I have some notes on my EAW Help Site about this:
https://eaw.neocities.org/joystick-controls.html#controlwork

But I haven't reviewed them in awhile since I do not have the device. Perhaps you can help out by explain a bit further steps you have done and more details.
I'd like to get this important info you have to the masses when they visit to help out.

Mark, I use TrackIR 3, upgraded with vector expansion and the 5.2 version software (there are several versions of the 5 series software available and one may have to try several of them to find what works for one's system). I would stress that trackir works much better with the track-clip pro than the older method of reflective dots on a baseball cap. There is the added cosmetic advantage that the clip attaches neatly to a pair of headphones. It must also be remembered that one will only get 2dof with EAW-6dof is not possible. However, 2dof combined with keys for zoom-in and out is almost as good. There are also alternative tracker programmes, which I think are cheaper or even free, but I know nothing about them. I don't know if mouse-emulation is available on the alternatives.

I almost forgot, I've made a copy of the 'default' trackir profile especially for EAW and I tick it as 'exclusive' on the trackir setup so that I'm assured that this is the profile that's used when I play the game.

So, these are the steps:

1). Turn on your trackir software.

2). Map the F1 key, from the keyboard, on your stick and also map the trackir pause function on the same key on your joystick that you've mapped internal padlock.

3). Create a copy of the default profile with the pause mapping change and rename it 'EAW'.

4). Tick this profile as 'exclusive'.

5). Turn on your mouse-emulation (exe in trackir directory).

6). Play EAW.

And you're quite correct in your linked information, one of the mouse axes needed to be reversed, but I can't remember which one in my case, but trial-and-error will sort out all these things.

I also remember many years ago of a man on here describing a contraption he'd devised for FS-SDOE, whereby he yoked up his mouse to be in some way linked to his stomach and operated mouse-view by moving his abdomen; I'd be inclined to recommend a trackir...

Okay thank you for the details.

From what I understand TrackIR4 works with EAW too. But 5 I think will not. Would you happen to know if thats true?


EDIT:
I just reread, some of 5 software will work and other versions will not......

I only have the trackir 3 hardware, but I see no reason to think that the trackir 5 hardware won't work, since all versions of the 5 series software works with my setup. I did not find any specific conflict between any trackir 5 version and EAW. I suspect that the latest versions (5.3 and on) might conflict with my Win 7 pc and have found 5.2 seems to work better for me. There are so many variables, but I don't think EAW is one of them. The nature of the conflicts I had was slow-downs, with my pc almost grinding to a halt, which also happened with IL-2. So far, with 5.2, so good.

This is up-and-coming technology for people with newer computers. Sadly, my older computer does not support this tech, but I will have one that does in the future. So, put me down as one interested.

Great work Skyhigh..i can confirm this works using Trackir 4 and using the latest Trackir 5 software (5.4) Thanks for this. I couldnt go back to non Trackir in my sims

Thank you.

While I'm at it, having a very limited number of buttons on my joystick, I mapped my F1 button to the one I was using for zoom out, implying that having zoomed in, one goes to normal view immediately rather than in steps. It saves a button.

Another good thing about EAW is that it has enormously effective snap-views, which if I recall correctly-my broken hatswitch means I can't confirm-can be used even during padlock. If one programmes a button for snap-view up, one that can be accessed by one's non-hat-hand, one can view all up directions with the hat as well. Therefore, with one's target padlocked, one's trackir over-ridden and being vulnerable to target fixation, one has the option of a quick snap-view in any direction without losing padlock. The makers of this game thought of so many things, they really knew what they were at.

I just want to point out that the aforementioned method of using TrackIR in European Air War works best in 'full real' settings, in other words the highest difficulty setting that ensures one is always in the cockpit. If one uses external padlock as an aid, it will interfere with the internal padlock\pause TrackIR sequence. Nothing fatal as some judicious button-pressing will overcome it, but a nuisance nonetheless.

One never stops learning. I just discovered that in the 'Titles' section of the TrackIR software, there is one for 'mouse emulation'. One can assign one's EAW profile to this and it means that one no longer need set your TrackIR to 'exclusive' for EAW, which is helpful if one is using TrackIR for other games.

Additionally, I have discovered some other helpful tips:

1). I think TrackIR is best centred in EAW using the Snap Front on one's POV-hat. It works more smoothly than using the F1 key and does not require mapping the centring function of the TrackIR software to one's joystick.

2). Track IR works best for me in EAW by setting Camera Sensitivity in Game Setup/Controls to the lowest setting, in other words move the slider to the extreme left.

I am finding that Mouse-Emulation TrackIR, with a bit of tuning, works very well in EAW, almost as well as in those games in which TrackIR is specifically included.

This is the most EAW thing I've read all week

TIR came out a couple years after EAW did!

Yeah...well, EAW is an up-and-coming game!

Haha and long may it last!

Thanks again for the heads up regarding Trackir Skyhigh

I can' t believe someone can fly whitout the trackir and none have try eaw to support it.

Many play EAW from before the advent of TrackIR and might have become accustomed to being without it. I think it's reasonable to say that the viewing system in EAW, consisting of excellent snap, padlock and mouse views, is second to none and one can have a very enjoyable experience without TrackIR.

The ones who might miss out most, I fear, are people dependent on TrackIR, who dismiss EAW because they assume it cannot work very well or even at all in this game. In fact, if set up correctly, it functions fine.

While you may enjoy it and feel it adds to your immersion (and that is great if it does ), others may not. I had head tracking through a web cam for a little bit and though initially liked it, soon found it actually very unnatural/artificial with small movement of head resulting in large turn on screen. Unfortunately that is just the way of things being limited to a monitor that is not 360 degrees. I just found it awkward and actually prefer not to use it - but that is me. Each to their own.

@SkyHigh Don't worry SkyHigh i have flying eaw and many others combat flights sims and civil flight sims whitout trackir for many and many years . And have EAW installed and ready in my pc.
@Redwolf Me too have head tracking before , yes , it is a bit annoing setting very well this software , but after a good setting there is no difference whit trackir software. I think you have setting too sensible to movements of your head.

I use TrackIR in mouse emulation mode with EAW. Far inferior to the native support, but better than nothing.

Please , tell me how i do to use it in eaw. Exact procedure , please .............and sorry for my poor english