NaturalPoint TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System with TrackClip PRO
Bottom line: The NaturalPoint TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System with TrackClip PRO ($164.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 12:20 UTC): TrackClip PRO emits its own IR signal, so tracking holds up in low light; main trade-off: trackClip PRO needs a hat, visor, or headset to clip onto.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ TrackClip PRO emits its own IR signal, so tracking holds up in low light
- ✓ True 6DOF: yaw, pitch, roll plus X/Y/Z lean for cockpit peeking
- ✓ Per-title profiles adjust motion curves, speed, and dead zones
- ✓ Magnetic base with adjustable legs mounts and removes from most monitors fast
Cons
- ✗ TrackClip PRO needs a hat, visor, or headset to clip onto
- ✗ Requires a USB port and NaturalPoint software running in the background
- ✗ Only works in titles that implement TrackIR support natively
- ✗ Camera occupies monitor bezel space and needs line of sight to your head
Manufacturer description
The TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System from NaturalPoint turns your natural head movement into in-game camera control, and the bundled TrackClip PRO is what separates this kit from the base unit. Instead of a passive reflector that depends on your room lighting, TrackClip PRO clips to a hat or headset and emits its own infrared signal, so tracking stays accurate in a dim cockpit-style setup. The optical sensor captures true 6DOF motion: yaw, pitch, and roll plus translation across the X, Y, and Z axes, which means you can lean forward to read an instrument panel or peek around a canopy frame…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored NaturalPoint TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System with TrackClip PRO using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the flight sim gear category. NaturalPoint's flight sim gear lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for flight sim gear of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TrackClip PRO and the standard TrackClip?
The standard clip passively reflects infrared light from the camera, while TrackClip PRO actively emits its own IR signal. That makes tracking more accurate and lower-latency, and it works in low-light rooms where a passive reflector can struggle. This bundle includes the PRO version.
Does TrackIR 5 work with every flight sim?
Only with titles that implement TrackIR support natively, which covers most major flight, racing, and combat simulators. Check the specific game's supported-peripherals list before buying, since support is not universal across all PC games.
What does 6DOF actually let me do in game?
Six degrees of freedom tracks yaw, pitch, and roll plus movement along the X, Y, and Z axes. In practice you can lean forward to read a gauge, lean sideways to see past a canopy frame, or pull back for a wider cockpit view, not just turn your head.
How does the camera attach to my monitor?
It uses a magnetic base with adjustable legs that seats on nearly any screen bezel, including thin ones. Setup and removal take seconds, so you can pull it off when you are not simming.
Is TrackIR 5 worth it over a free webcam head-tracking app?
It is a real investment, but you are paying for a dedicated IR camera, the active TrackClip PRO emitter, and native in-game support rather than a software layer. Sim users who want that dedicated hardware tend to find the tradeoff worthwhile.
Key Features
- Immersive In-Game Head Tracking — Converts natural head movements into camera control for ultra-realistic gameplay in flight, racing, and combat simulators..
- Precision Tracking with TrackClip PRO — Attaches to hats or visors and reflects infrared signals for accurate, low-latency tracking—even in low-light environments.
- True 6DOF Motion Capture — Tracks yaw, pitch, roll, and movement across X, Y, and Z axes for full 3D control in supported games and simulation software.
- Customizable Software Profiles — Fine-tune tracking speed, motion curves, and dead zones, or select from preset profiles for plug-and-play setup.
- Stable Mounting on Most Monitors — Magnetic base and adjustable legs ensure secure installation on nearly any screen, with quick setup and removal.
Full Specifications
| Brand | NaturalPoint |
|---|---|
| Rated | Everyone |
| Language | English |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Release date | June 14, 2014 |
| Type of item | CD-ROM |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Full listing title | TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System with TrackClip PRO – 6DOF USB Optical Motion Tracker for PC Gaming, Flight & Racing Simulators – NaturalPoint Head Tracker Bundle |
Ready to buy?
TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System with TrackClip PRO – 6DOF USB Optical Motion Tracker for PC Gaming, Flight & Racing Simulators – NaturalPoint Head Tracker Bundle is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Flight Sim Gear
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Best Cooling for AMD Ryzen Overclocking in 2026
- Best GPU for an AI rig in 2026 — the shortlist
- How We Use a Vision-LLM to Install Sound Blaster and Voodoo Drivers on Windows 98 — A Real Workflow From Our…
- Raspberry Pi 500 Plus: The Real Lineup vs. the Rumors
- Self-Hosting Jellyfin on a Ryzen 5 5600G: 4K Transcode on the Cheap
- Best Budget Gaming Setup Essentials for 2026: Mouse, Keyboard, Headset, Mic & Mousepad
- Sound Blaster Live! Restoration Guide: Period-Correct Audigy FX Bridge for Win98 Builds
- GPT-5.6 Rollout Now Requires US Government Sign-Off, Customer by Customer
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on Apple M4
- Best Budget 4K Monitor for an RTX 3060 Build in 2026: SANSUI vs KOORUI vs ASUS TUF
- Can Local LLMs Actually Do Anything Useful?
- Running Qwen3.5/3.6 with NextN MTP on an RTX 3090 Ti
- Run a Local LLM on a Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB) in 2026: What Actually Works and How Slow It Is
- What PC Specs Do Big YouTubers Actually Run in 2026?
- VibeThinker-3B on an RTX 3060 12GB: Reasoning in 3 Billion Params
- AMD Ryzen AI Max 400 'Gorgon Halo': What 192GB of Unified Memory Unlocks for Local AI
- Best Force-Feedback Racing Wheel for PC in 2026: G29 vs HORI vs Thrustmaster
- SNES Classic vs Sega Genesis Mini in 2026: Which Is Worth It?
- Grok Imagine Video 1.5 Is #2 — What GPU Runs Local Video Gen?
- Noctua NH-U12S vs CoolerMaster ML240L: Air or AIO for 5800X
- AI-Driven Driver Install on Windows 98: TNT2, Voodoo3, and SoundBlaster Live! Walked by Claude
- Best CPU Cooler for 2026: 5 Picks for Air, AIO, and Silent Builds
- Quantization on a 12GB GPU: q4 vs q5 vs q8 Tok/s and Quality on the RTX 3060
- Best Webcam for Streaming Under $200 (2026)
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090