Has anyone had experience with the eye trackers that use a couple of GitHub files and about any camera to accomplish what Tobii does for no cost? Sounds a little too good to be true…Thanks.
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While not exactly an eye tracker (and honestly, I don’t use eye tracking on my Tobii, either), OpenTrack is a pretty cheap way to try out head tracking. I bought the $10 Android app and put it on an old phone I had laying around. Installed the PC tool, played around with configurations, and it was “OK” for me. I didn’t use it too much, but occasionally. It at least proved to me that I wanted to try a better solution, which led me to Tobii.
I like Tobii, but I only really use it on takeoff and landing.
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The issue with those solution might be (I dont know…) the lacking support by MSFS. Not much of an use to have a free headtracking tool that does not work in MSFS, no?
I’ve tried several free apps to do head/face tracking. Opentrack is used along with AI Track or Smoothtrack (inexpensive) or some other head tracking software. These free or low cost apps may do what you want, especially if you have a compatible web cam already.
I have had to use Droidcam, which allows a phone to be used as a webcam, because I don’t have a web cam. I think the combination of three apps may slow things down. While the Droidcam/AI Track/Open Track combination works, it results in slow response on my system. You likely have a faster system than mine.
I now have three monitors, which provide a wide view, so head tracking is no longer the advantage it was with only one monitor.
I’d recommend trying some of this software before you invest in Tobii just to see how it would work on your system. Youtube has quite a few reviews of these apps and how to configure them for MSFS. Opentrack and AI Track are free downloads on Github. There may be free “eye track” software, too.
Prior to Tobii Eye Tracker, I believe Tobii technology tracked a small reflecting material located at the side of the head. Face/head trackers do not require wearing such a device. People argue the advantages and disadvantages of each. Some have made a DIY reflector and claim it works as well as the same tech Tobii. I’m not familiar with eye versus face/head tracking advantages and disadvantages.
Maybe you’ve seen this thread, but if not: Head/Face Tracking Alternatives
This is the $10 Android app I referenced that I used. I can’t remember if there’s an iOS version. I think so. The author has a Discord server for support as well.
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Thanks…There is an iOS app available…I might just give it a try!
If you decide the webcam thingies don’t work well enough, the TrackIR v5 is very nice as a head tracker.
I don’t know what the purpose of eye tracking on the Tobii you mention would be, specifically, or if it’s even supported in MSFS, but camera panning/translation head tracking with the TrackIR works great and it’s not very expensive at all.
The main thing to get right is lighting, with any of these systems that use either visible or infrared light! If you have extra bright light in your view you may have trouble. With TrackIR the active tracker widget is useful as it can give a more reliable tracking signal than reflective widgets or face recognition on a visible-light webcam.
I use OpenTrack with an old PS3 Eye camera. It works much better than normal webcams and deals pretty well with low light situations as well.
Got the camera (used of course) on ebay for a few Euros. OpenTrack is free. There’s a driver for the PS3 Eye at Github
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Open track ir in action
Opentrack ir free,
I wonder if eyetrack can do this way
i tried the opentrack, and using my phone camera. my biggest issue was the latency from head movement to actual camera moving.
i would not recommend any such and similar software.
But at least if you dont mind some bad latency and not great tracking it was only 10usd I think
If I remember correctly, latency is worse if you have your phone connected to your PC via WiFi. When I used to use Opentrack / Smoothtrack, I would connect my phone to my PC via a USB cable. This was better, and I didn’t personally notice latency issues. Flight simming is a pretty casual and slow hobby when you’re not flying in DCS. 
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For me the Neuralnet tracker hooked through a webcam seems to be the best free solution without silly hats or glasses. The top two tips I can give are
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always start headtracking and adjust camera settings before starting MSFS, this can save a lot of frustration later.
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in camera settings/control set zoom to at least half and adjust exposure for best capture rate/performance (be aware these two settings don’t get saved for your next session). BTW there’s really no need for high resolutions 320x240 works great and with minimum latency.
…and a couple of more months later… 
Which budget camera to get? I have understood that i need an IR camera (?). There are so many options on for example Amazon. Which one to get for my budget solution? Please contact me with your opinions of which gear you setup for a budget solution? =)
I use AI Track/Open Track with this webcam.
It works well for me however fine tuning is required.
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