Wireless TrackClip Pro

[Sov13t]

Now that the wireless headsets are becoming a reality, with increasing quality of transmission, I looked into how to convert TrackClip Pro into a wireless device.

 

You can actually do so rather easily.

 

 

Above is a 2x AA USB charger or small LED flashlight. Mounting it with Velcro to the top of the headset results in a power source right next to your TrackClip, now all you need is to shorten the USB wire from the TrackClip to the USB charger. With 2x AA batteries, based on moderate estimates the TrackClip LEDs should be able to stay powered for 1-2 weeks without problems, of course this depends on the batteries used. The nice thing about this is also the fact that it has an OFF switch, so that you can switch off the power source when not flying. Also, the added weight on your headset is roughly 46g and since it is mounted with Velcro you can take it off without much harm on demand.

 

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003M9Z5F6

 

Anyways, hope someone finds this useful.

 

-Sov

[ivanwfr]

Thanks! :thumbup: ...ordered!

 

BTW, for those like me who wear glasses and did not give that a try., I use to attach my TrackClip Pro to left branch and I can get used to it. Now, I don't know if the extra weight will be an issue (23g + 2xAA batteries')...

[Steel Jaw]

I ahve seen this b4 but the charger is not easy to find in stores and I no longer have a credit card for online ordering.

[Waxi]

You could also mount the battery pack such that the flashlight illuminates your keyboard when siming at night ;-)

[PoleCat]

Goddamned brilliant mate! Big thanks.

 

Out

Edited July 6, 2011 by PoleCat

[Succellus]

Someone else had suggested (actually did it) a lithium rechargeable battery, which seemed smaller than this one.

Its on the headset thread.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=67081&page=2

 

Also no need to have rechargeable or dispensable AAA Batteries in your system.

AAA Baterries even if an old concept can be troublesome for your flight life :D

Edited July 6, 2011 by Succellus

[LawnDart]

They make even smaller (lighter) Li-Ion battery packs now that you can clip/tape onto your headset to have "wireless TIR". ;)

[Sov13t]

They make even smaller (lighter) Li-Ion battery packs now that you can clip/tape onto your headset to have "wireless TIR". ;)

 

Indeed. Many options out there that can work for this application. I am glad that more people are becoming aware of all the options one can exploit to go wireless with TCP.

 

I, however, was specifically looking for AA powered source because I always have rechargeable AA batteries that are ready to go, as well as I really hate having 100 different chargers for different lithium batteries and if all of the sudden it runs flat mid-flight popping out two AA batteries and throwing two fresh ones is rather painless.

[LawnDart]

Not arguing your point... however, my Li-Ion battery pack comes with a simple USB charger cord (no charger per se, just plug it in and charge the unit).

 

However, the TIR uses hardly any juice whatsoever to power the LEDs. I've no kidding charged the Li-Ion pack powering the TIR clip only ONCE in the last 6 months!!!

[104th_Crunch]

What about a light wireless headset with Mic? Sound quality is not important since I just mine for voice comms. Can someone recommend a very light wireless headset please? Thanks

[Succellus]

Crunch,

 

Due to de fact that flightsims have a lot of similar orders, your mic had better be good if you use voicecommander or the like, or you ll end up in a nightmare wondering how you ll going to diferenciate that order form that one and them remembering what you did.

 

At least it was the case for me.

 

Sometimes on Ebay you can find theold but excellent mic LABTEC LVa 7330 Its the mic only. But theres others products with mic and phones.

The mic only is 10 bucks on e-bay.

Edited July 8, 2011 by Succellus

[Sov13t]

Not arguing your point... however, my Li-Ion battery pack comes with a simple USB charger cord (no charger per se, just plug it in and charge the unit).

 

However, the TIR uses hardly any juice whatsoever to power the LEDs. I've no kidding charged the Li-Ion pack powering the TIR clip only ONCE in the last 6 months!!!

 

Can you share which one you are using?

[LawnDart]

Can you share which one you are using?

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=67081&page=2

 

Just look for Teej's and my replies (#16 & #19).

[Sov13t]

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=67081&page=2

 

Just look for Teej's and my replies (#16 & #19).

 

 

Nice! cheers!

[LawnDart]

Let us know how it works. I'm sure there are even smaller/lighter solutions available now.

[BigHub]

Can you share which one you are using?

 

I bought the "Varta Easy Energy USB" at Amazon.de... it's very cheap, but not available on Amazon.com (Varta = german company)

It's not a beauty but who cares.

 

Speaking of recharging-interval: that of course depends on how often you use it, but I will try to use normal Batteries since they do not self-discharge as much as rechargable batteries. So they may even work longer.

[hreich]

Hows the weight compared to default setup?

[ivanwfr]

LUPO AA batteries are too heavy to be comfortable, so I equipped it wih a 30cm wire so I can put it into my shirt pocket... it's nice to be unhooked for 10€ ;)

[MegOhm_SD]

REPLY: CRUNCH

 

REPLY: CRUNCH...

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"What about a light wireless headset with Mic? Sound quality is not important since I just mine for voice comms. Can someone recommend a very light wireless headset please? Thanks"

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

No but you might consider this....very comfortable and not a weight problem... I am loving this one

 

Logitech G930 Wireless Surround Sound You can get it for $119 maybe less on sale, usual $159. Seen lately for $89

 

TIR Proclip fits perfectly on the sideband

 

The charge truly lasts 10 hours. It has good range.. they say 40 feet but I have I have been downstairs and outside and can still communicate in TS3

 

BTW This wireless solution for TIR will free me up again.. Now I can pause the view and walk around again...when I have to...and not miss a thing

 

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/headsets/devices/7248

Edited August 7, 2011 by MegOhm_SD
sic

[BigHub]

Hows the weight compared to default setup?

 

Now I can give you some more information.

I used the USB-Adapter with 2 AA-Batteries for 1 week. I mounted it on the top of the headset: the weight itself is not much of a problem, but if you pitch your head back of forward, the weight of the batteries makes the headset come loose (it may fall off).

 

The solution: I mounted it on the back of the right speaker with a Velcro strip and fixed the cable on the top with two cable ties.

Now the headset has a good "grip" again and the weight does not really bother me (was used to it after 5 minutes).

 

If you want me to I can upload a picture with my "construction".

[hreich]

Sure, please post a pic

[BTTW-DratsaB]

I have thought about this before. One of the worst things about the Clip is that crappy wire. I'm on my second TCP now because the wire always gets a breakage in it, my current one is now starting to go too. Additionally, it sucks feeling like you are tethered to some thing. For some reason even the headphones I wear (which are wired) don't feel as restrictive.

 

After using Nvidia's 3D vision (wireless) active shutter glasses it made me wonder why Natural Point don't release a TCP powered the same way. A rechargeable Lithium-ion battery http://3dvision-blog.com/upgrading-the-rechargeable-battery-of-the-3d-vision-shutter-glasses/

 

For a home mod would these battery not be more pratical than using AA batteries? Or do LED use a lot more power? (I know little about such things so excuse any ignorance)

 

Another crazy theory I had to lighten the power source for a wireless version was to use 1 led and some Fibre Optic cable to make three lights, would that work?

 

I'm disappointed that there is not more innovation from Natural Point in this area.

 

I too would like to see some pics of your work.

 

Thanks

Edited July 18, 2011 by BTTW-DratsaB

[ivanwfr]

I think that any bright enough led would do the job and I could make it work with a Velleman LED lamp from which 3 were selected out of 7.

 

Although fibers may be too directional light sources, it looks like there should be some smart solutions to be discovered as long as the only constraint is having to provide those 3 bright points and LEDs are not power hungry devices.

[BigHub]

Here a link to the picture, hope it works...

 

http://img4web.com/view/MZMGK2

 

 

Edit:

I just saw that on the picture the USB-connector was lose, but that can be fixed simply with the Velcro strip. This part also holds an additional amount of the wire just in case some cable needs to be connected (to have some spare wire without cutting the cable tie).

Edited July 20, 2011 by BigHub

[shelt]

The idea of being restricted with a wireless headset didn't make sense, so I tried this as well. Pretty pleased with the results.

I did cut excess wire from the USB cable, not really a problem as it is only a red and black power wire to splice. If you are confident in your hands it is a very simple process.

 

See http://www.sdsquad.com/index.php?topic=2403.0 for more details on how I completed this project and more pictures

Edited July 23, 2011 by shelt
link