Active sky v 6.5 and Track IR pro

[RPN]

I have recently built a new computer, not high end but sufficient to now run FS 2004 better than it did before. Actually I am amazed at what I had been missing. No stutters. Use of 3 D clouds without any significant hit on frame rates. Much reduced load times.
I am now considering purchasing Active Sky 6.5 and Track IR and yes I have read the favourable reviews. I am interested in hearing from anyone with favourable/unfavourable comments and particularly from any who initially used this software/hardware but for whatever reason no longer use it.
Richard

[ardypilot]

I don't own a TrackIR, but have had a go with one.

It works in the VC mode of FS, which is annoying if you like simming from any other views. However, it is compatable with load of other games and is really realistic.

[Charl]

Didn't realise it's only a VC thing?
As one who uses extensive spot view, that's a stopper.
Also you need to consider the Geek factor...
As to Active Sky, I've heard nothing but excellent reports. I don't have it, because my sim is running so beautifully right now I don't want to fix something that works.
But I'd love to hear from a "before and after" perspective, so can I persuade you to Go For It?.
There you have 2 replies from people who don't use the products you requested user info from!

[Timmo]

well, I think what Trolly meant is it cant be used in a 2D cockpit....but it can be used pretty much where ever you can use 'mouse look'- In FSX this is achieved by holding the space bar and moving the mouse (not sure about Fs9?)

RPN- Have you considered 'FreeTrack?'- Its a free/very cheap version of TrackIR and uses a webcam, some free software and some components that you have to assemble yourself. I tried it....works fine. I guess it depends if you like tinkering/makig or just buying something out of the box...

[FunkymonkeyNZ]

I to myslef have been looking into getting Activesky 6.5 for my flight sim, i have the freeware "repro" (real inviroment pro) and the clouds and ground textures it provides are second to none! but i have one huge problem with the defult real life weather, i'll load up my flight with the updated weather and its nothing at all to what i can see out the window??? cr@p if you ask me....Is Activesky as acurate as they say it is? With the TrackIR 4 Pro, i havent yet purchased it yet but from what i have seen its AMAZING!!! got to see a demo of it in America and was keen to buy but thought it was an unwise thing to do since we could use that $$$ to have a bit more fun in Disneyland hahaha but with a few more savings it wont take to long, if you really want to know how awsome it is i recomend you go to the Avsim review about the product, Avisim do top-notch reviews, i always enjoy there oppinion's,
for most people they dont find any enjoyment flying in the VC, because up untill TrackIR ther was really no practical use to fly in that view, but im a fussy simmer, everything has to be perfect and the realisim of flying looking straight ahead all the time just doesnt cut the mustard! so yea i guess you could say its an expensive piece of hardware but its well worthit if you have photoreal VC's.


Hope i can sway you the right way boss

FunkymonkeyNZ

[h290master]

There a guy in NZ selling brand new TRACK IR 4 PRO for $315NZ

[FunkymonkeyNZ]

mate you can buy them from this website....www.vrconcepts.co.nz....$300 with free shipping to anywhere within NZ, given its not rural

[G-HEVN]

Active Sky uses its own weather server, which seems to be more reliable and up to date than the MS server. In addition it takes reports from many more places, thus giving more complete coverage. They also have a better algorithm for interpreting the weather between stations, so the weather doesn't just "stop" once you get out of range of a station. You can select whether the weather is based solely on a METAR, or whether it also takes account of the TAF (and you get to see the METARs and TAFs for yourself). You can also load historical weather from any point in the last 'x' years (not sure the exact number). The actual weather modelling is far more detailed than the FS default. If you load your flight plan into AS, it will show you the winds aloft for each leg of your plan, enabling you to plan for altitude changes to get more favourable winds. It will work with both Active Sky Graphics and Flight Environment, allowing you to download 'weather influenced' texture sets. it works fine in multiplayer/vatsim/ivao.

The FSX version also shows a 'satellite' weather overview, and even has proper hurricane modelling...

It can be a bit of a frame hog in heavy weather conditions though.

Personally, I wouldn't fly without it.

I don't use TrackIR, because I find it gives me a headache, but of course, your mileage may vary, and I know people that swear by it...

[AlisterC]

I don't fly without Activesky either. I even use it online, as it seems to do a better job of creating the weather than FSinn can provide.

[HardCorePawn]

I can honestly say that as a mostly VFR flyer, TrackIR was one of the best investments I made in my sim... granted I got it relatively cheaply in an almost new state from a board member who bought it, but did not like it...

To be honest, I find its usefulness for the heavy metal relatively limited... as there is not much to look at at 30,000'... but at medium to low levels (ie. < 20,000') it is good... I have used it in aircraft like the King Air and B1900D and all the little single engine jobs like 172, 152, cherokee etc and find it incredibly useful when looking out the windows to find fields, check spacing etc... it also makes taxiing easier, so I dont have to 'cheat' with spot view.

One thing that I have not quite gotten used to is that in FSX, it works in spot mode, which I find a bit annoying, as its not very intuitive (it tends to move opposite to how you think)... I prefer to use the hat switch on the yoke... but as I still use mostly FS9 its not really a big deal and I can always just hit the hotkey to disable while in spot view.

The only other issue, is that it makes clicking anything in VC mode next to impossible as you have to hit a moving target... thankfully, I have 2 monitors, so I just have 2D instruments on the second monitor and click on those instead!

[towerguy]

I have both and use both and would not go back to simming without them.
Tir is useful in lots of other sims as well and in combat flightsims is virtually a necessity as it gives such an intuitive ability to track what is happening around you - no more trying to remember in the heat of combat which sim you are actually playing and what the control is to look back up over your shoulder - just look that way!.
and as for activesky - just superb

just my $0.02 worth
cheers

[toprob]

I've been practising the new Acceleration racing with TrackIR, and although I need a LOT of practise, I do think that this is the way to do it. The limiting factor for me is my system -- TrackIR itself is nice and smooth, and allows for almost instant view changes (left/right as you go through a gate:) but my FSX could be smoother. When I upgrade I'll be impossible to beat!!!
It is worthwhile considering both the type of flying you do, and whether you prefer VC. If the answer is 'high and fast' and 'No,way, I'm into 2D!' then TrackIR may not be for you.

[RPN]

Many thanks for the responses. It seems that those that use these programs would'nt do without them. I use VC most of the time. Thanks also for the link to Freetrack. I had a look at this website and downloaded the program. I'll have a go at constructing this and report back in due course. If it works as good as some of the video shots it would be a really cheap alternative to TrackIR.
Richard

[Timmo]

It works fine- Do spend the money and find a decent IR LED. I got mine from Dick Smith and it doesnt have the globe projection 'angle' to be seen from different head positions. I think that Seimens make some with a greater light cone.

Also, you only need 1 LED for basic movement (Left right, Up down).....the four LED design is superflous for what I use it for.

[RPN]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Oct 23 2007, 04:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It works fine- Do spend the money and find a decent IR LED. I got mine from Dick Smith and it doesnt have the globe projection 'angle' to be seen from different head positions. I think that Seimens make some with a greater light cone.

Also, you only need 1 LED for basic movement (Left right, Up down).....the four LED design is superflous for what I use it for.

Thanks for that. One LED would be great as a test and easier to make. Will keep you posted. What web cam did to use?
Richard

[Timmo]

I bought a Microsoft one.....Im a big fan of their peripherals/hardware as its well made and well priced. It was about $80 from memory but you can certainly get them cheaper....I spent a bit more as ive been meaning to get a decent webcam anyway.

Youll also need a bit of un developed film which acts as a IR filter.

After spending ages making the design on the free track website using wire and a hat, spending ages measuring everything etc etc, I ended up simply taping one LED to a piece of core-flute which sticks out from my mic/headset- Its light, easy to shape accurately and cheap. I then used a spare USB cable to get power (make sure to calculate the required resistor value).

As I said, i need to order a decent LED as the one im using now cuts out at fairly small head angles.

[FunkymonkeyNZ]

Sheeesh Tim Sounds like alot of work just to have a bit of realisim?!?

But each to ther own i guess mate Just a we note to all the members out there, i went and orded my TiR today....couldnt resist after this post was started!!!
Gee im a sucker to good advice haha, should be here next week i guess, concidering the long weekend

Chris

[RPN]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Oct 23 2007, 05:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I bought a Microsoft one.....Im a big fan of their peripherals/hardware as its well made and well priced. It was about $80 from memory but you can certainly get them cheaper....I spent a bit more as ive been meaning to get a decent webcam anyway.

Youll also need a bit of un developed film which acts as a IR filter.

After spending ages making the design on the free track website using wire and a hat, spending ages measuring everything etc etc, I ended up simply taping one LED to a piece of core-flute which sticks out from my mic/headset- Its light, easy to shape accurately and cheap. I then used a spare USB cable to get power (make sure to calculate the required resistor value).

As I said, i need to order a decent LED as the one im using now cuts out at fairly small head angles.

RS Components Ltd , Penrose,Auckland Ph 0800 888 780 sells the IR Led wide angle SFH 485P.
Richard

[creator2003]

Yeah i dont fly without the trackIR4 anymore ,took about a week to work out and now im hooked for life with it and i also use it in testdrive U also sweet as .
there are some movies i made in the vid section of the forum that show you what it looks like and smoothness ,once you have one you dont look back as for the clouds id just get some addon aero texture boost files etc as i dont notice any differances to default with 6.5 .dont waste your money
opinion..

[gruschow]

I always fly with active sky. If you want realism it is the only way to go. The ms version is a bit of a joke.

As for track IR. Haven't used it for months. I find it too hard to keep still. It works well if you have the patience.