PiHead What head tracking is for
In simulation games you usually look around with the mouse, a controller button or the keyboard. With head tracking you turn your head instead. Checking the mirror in Euro Truck Simulator 2, looking out of the side window for the runway in a flight sim or looking into a corner in a racing game becomes a natural movement, and your hands stay on the wheel, the throttle or the controller.
The in-game view turns further than your head does. A small turn to the right can swing the camera far enough to look over your shoulder, so your eyes always stay on the screen. You set this ratio with the sensitivity settings of the app.
Head tracking methods
There are four common ways to track your head. All of them send the game the same information: how far your head has turned. They differ in how they measure it.
| Method | How it works | Strength | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrared camera (TrackIR and similar) | A camera on the desk follows lit or reflective markers on your headset. | Measures position as well as rotation (6 axes). | Camera and markers must see each other; needs desk space and costs more. |
| Webcam and face tracking | Software works out the direction of your face from the camera image. | No extra hardware, most options are free. | Affected by lighting and adds load to the PC; can lag or jitter. |
| Phone apps | The phone's camera or sensors are used and the data is sent to the PC over the network. | You can try it with the phone you have. | Needs setup and a network connection; the phone is busy while you play. |
| Sensor-based devices (like PiHead Tracker) | A small device on the headset measures rotation with its own sensor. | No camera or lights, not affected by room lighting. | Measures rotation only, not position (3 axes). Gyroscope drift is corrected in software. |
Position tracking (leaning towards the screen or sideways) is useful only in some games, mostly flight sims. In driving and flight games the movement used most is head rotation: looking left and right, looking up and down, and tilting.
Games that support head tracking
Most games support head tracking through two protocols called TrackIR and FreeTrack. Any head tracker that uses these protocols works in the same games. Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator, Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, DCS World, IL-2, Assetto Corsa, Elite Dangerous and Arma 3 are some of them. You can find the full list on the supported games page.
Turning on head tracking in a game
- Open your head tracking app before the game. If you use PiHead Tracker, check that the app has found the device and shows "Connected".
- In the game settings, usually under Controls or Camera, turn on the TrackIR, FreeTrack or head tracking option.
- Look straight at the screen and recenter. If the view drifts, recenter again with one key.
- If the movement feels too fast or too slow, adjust the sensitivity; if the view shakes slightly at the center, adjust the response curve.
Only one head tracking program should run at a time. Step-by-step instructions are in the user guide.
Choosing a head tracker
- Your games: Make sure the game supports TrackIR or FreeTrack.
- Rotation or position: Rotation is enough for driving and most flight games. If you use position tracking a lot, you need a camera-based system.
- Room and desk: If the light in your room changes often or there is no room for a camera on the desk, a camera-free option is easier.
- Headset: For devices that clip onto a headset, check how they attach and how much they weigh.
- Software: A recenter shortcut, sensitivity and response curves, game profiles and drift correction decide how it feels every day.
PiHead Tracker
PiHead Tracker is a sensor-based head tracker that clips onto the headband of your headset. Games see it as TrackIR and FreeTrack; you do not need a camera, infrared lights or drivers. The Windows app is free and includes a setup wizard, game profiles, response curves, drift correction and automatic recentering.