Head Tracker Radio Support. List of supported radio and instructions

[FatShark]

General requirement for radio to support head tracking: Your RC radio must be able to selectively assign trainer functions for the higher channels (ch5-8) in order to work. Many radios can do selective assignment but only on the 4 primary controls. Read your RC radio manual 1st before requesting support for your radio.

Known Supported radios:
- ezUHF (note ezUHF supports HT independently from the radio used, if your radio does not support HT, then can add HT via ezUHF
- Futaba: in general Futaba 7 series radios and above support the HT
- Futaba T8FG (see post #123)
- Futaba 8j (T8J see post # 812)
- Futaba 10C
- Futaba 10cg
- Futuba T12FG (2S may trigger headset low voltage alarm) http://tinyurl.com/12FG-settings
- Futaba 14mZ (must be in 8ch mode - see setup notes in thread)
- Futaba T14SG （must be in 8ch mode and trainer switch assigned - pg 18th this thread).
- Graupner MX-12 (ch 5 and 6 only - will not support roll axis)
- FRSKY Taranis (must be setup via mixing PPM(x) as source to channel - see post #465)
- Graupner MX-16
- Turnigy 9X/ FlySky THB9
- Taranis plus with open tx firmware (will be similar with stock firmware) post # 872 for setup with JR module and also JR ht port.
- Spektrum DX7s (latest f/w with programmable master function in the trainer menu)
- Spektrum DX8
- Spektrum DX10t
- Walkera DEVO-F4/F7, DEVO-6/7/7E/8S/10/12S
- Spectrum DX9 (see post #806)

Unsupported radios:
- Hitec Aurora9
- Spectrum DX6i
- Spectrum DX7 (I've heard recent software can support this, please update if true
- Futaba 6EX
- Futaba 6J
- Futaba 7uap
- WFly 8
- Sanwa RD8000
- Sanwa RD6000
- Multiplex Cockpit SX
- Walkera radios other than DEVO-F4/F7, DEVO-6/7/7E/8S/10/12S
- Turnigy 9XR (seems to work through 3.5mm data port but due to number of problems support is no longer provided for this radio)*

Currently under investigation - please post experience
- Futaba 18MZ
- Specktrum SPM2800

Notes about this thread: I want to keep this thread as concise and clear as possible so that information will be easy to find. When new, useful information is posted in the thread I will incorporate it into the relevant primary or secondary threads and delete the original.

If anyone is using a radio not listed here and has information whether the head tracking is supported or not, please post for everyone's benefit.

Data cable specification attached. WARNING TO ANYONE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE YOUR OWN CABLE: The HT PCB can be easily damaged by accidentally applying voltage to the PPM line or vise versa, damage your radio. Fat Shark will not warranty any damage due to modified cables. Cables are inexpensive and in stock at most retailers.

*WARNING* Fat Shark has discontinued support for the Turnigy 9XR radio, particularly the Futaba port modification. There has been a cascading number of reports of users incorrectly modding the radio and frying the head tracker. Do not attempt this modification, a fried head tracker will not be covered by warranty.

[FatShark]

Setup
To enter the setup menu, hold down the head tracker button before applying power to the headset (release button immediately after powering). The head tracker will beep and enter menu mode and beep according to the following chart. Press the HT button a 2nd time during the pause after the menu choice beep code to select. Head tracker will automatically exit menu after a selection has been made and begin operating.

Beep code Mode
1 short beep Pan/tilt on CH 5/6 (factory default)
2 short beep Pan/tilt on CH 5/7
3 short beep Pan/tilt on CH 5/8
4 short beep Pan/tilt on CH 6/7
5 short beep Pan/tilt on CH 6/8
6 short beep Pan/tilt on CH 7/8
1 long beep Adjust servo center point*
1 short beep Reverses pan servo direction
2 short beep Reverses tilt servo direction
3 short beep Auto correction passive
4 short beep Auto correction in normal mode (default, recommended)
2 long beep No selection made, automatically exits menu

Head Tracker Operation
- Head tracker will automatically start tracking upon powering up headset. - Look forward and level then press the Head Tracker button to center (note, on 1st press HT may drift off momentarily during calibration cycle, hold head steady until camera returns to center).
- Repressing the HT button during use re-centers the camera position.
- External interference (from RC controller, other devices, indoors or next to a car) may temporarily cause errant readings in the magnetic sensor and cause drift. If error between camera and direction your head occurs, hold your head steady in one position and head tracker will autocorrect to that position. After auto correction, continue to use normally. For best performance, use HT away from objects/products that may disrupt the magnetic field
Head Tracker Center Hold Function
To pause and hold head tracker in center position; hold down the HT button for 2 seconds (2 seconds to pause – single beep, 2 seconds to reactivate – double beep).

Auto disengage function: M.I.G. V4 has a unique safety feature added: the head tracker will automatically disengage (enter pause mode) and return camera to center position if the head tracker exceeds 90 degrees of movement (90 degrees is beyond normal use). This allows the user to quickly deactivate the head tracker in a panic situation (turn head 90 degrees). Also useful for when removing the headset as the motion will disengage the HT

[FatShark]

- Enter TRAINER menu and assign desired head tracking channels to FUNC (must be set on FUNC). Default is CH 5//6.
- Individual servo direction can be set in REVERSE menu

Note: trainer toggle must be enabled. toggle is spring actuated and needs to be held in place (personally I put a piece of plastic in the gap behind the switch to hold it on - others use elastic bands).

[FatShark]

Note: The Turnigy 9X radio requires the (Cab RC 009) PS/2 to 3.5mm data cable accessory.
If you have made your own cable and can't get the head tracking to work, start your troubleshooting with the home made cable.

1) Turn everything off, remove the Headset plug from the back of the radio (leave PS/2 plug inserted to bottom of headset).
2) Turn on radio and set trainer STATE to INH and ch5, ch6 to NOR
3) Hit the MENU button to exit (don't press the EXIT button or the settings won't be saved)
4) exit the menu and enter the DISPLAY (servo test screen). At this point all the bars will be blank
5) The HT switch is spring loaded so grab some elastic bands, tape or velcro and hold the spring loaded toggle switch in the on position.
5) Power the goggles with the battery
6) Connect the trainer pin to the Radio
7) Move the goggles around a whole bunch to trigger the auto disengage (2 beeps).
8) Place the goggles down gently on the table in front of you
9) Press and hold the HT reset button until you hear the single beep that indicates the HT is in active mode
10) gently move the goggles without excessive motion - you can see the servo bars tracking the headset.

* Adjusting the servo center point: Due to the design of servos, the native center point may vary from servo to servo. The Turnigy 9X cannot compensate so the center offset must be adjusted in HT menu as follows:
- Set pan tilt brackets onto servo spur as close to center as possible.
- Enter HT menu (described above)
- On 1 long beep, press HT button
- Head tracker will now be active and can control pan tilt. Aim camera in desired center position and re-press HT button.
- Headset will beep 2X to confirm adjusted center offset
- Disconnect battery and restart before using.
Note: center offset is limited to +/- 20 degrees (thus the necessity to setup servos as close to center as possible before adjusting). If there is no 2X beep after confirming offset, the offset adjust was unsuccessful.

Patrick's Contribution:

Ok , first thing is you want to put the HT back to stock settings .
Hold the rocker switch down and plug in the battery to the goggles (release rocker switch straight away)
Have the Trinity menu in front of you and follow the beeps through the menu till you hear 6 short beeps. quick press the rocker switch to confirm ..it should beep to confirm.
Turn off goggles for now.

Next .. Radio , you really want it in Airplane mode , so there are no unwanted helicopter mixes going on to stuff things up.
Once you change it to Airplane mode then you can set up like this.
BTW you don't need the rubber-bands to hold the trainer switch at all doing it this way.

1) Turn everything off, remove the Headset plug from the back of the radio (leave PS/2 plug inserted to bottom of headset).
2) Turn on radio and set trainer STATE to INH and ch5(gyro), ch6(flap) to NOR.
AIL,ELE,THR,RUD, should all be off.
3) Hit the MENU button to exit (don't press the EXIT button or the settings won't be saved)
4) exit the menu and enter the DISPLAY (servo test screen). At this point all the bars will be blank
5) plug your Pan and Tilt servos into the corresponding socket on you RC Receiver (pan is ch5 , tilt is ch6 )
6) Power the goggles with the battery.
7) Connect the trainer pin to the Radio.
8) Trinity HT starts up in pause mode , so now you need to turn it on, hold the rocker switch down till it beeps , activating the HT.
9) gently move the goggles without excessive motion - you can see the servo bars tracking the headset and your pan/tilt mount should be moving too.
10) if the motion is back to front , you need to change it in the HT menu in the goggles following the Trinity HT manual to correct directions.

Hope this helps , and this is the exact set-up I use in mine (same radio and goggles with Trinity , so I know it works )

Cheers
Patrick

[FatShark]

- Enter trainer setup menu of your DX8.
- Turn on holding the roller and go to the trainer menu, click.
- Then you may see that it is "inhibited" so select that and change to "Programmable Master".
- Set THR, AIL, ELE, RUD to master
- Set GER (ch5), AX1 (ch6) to slave
- Activate the trainer switch
- plug pan/tilt servos in ch5/ch6
- Connect cable from headset to slave plug under the DX8.

[desmundchua]

I bought the predator last month and try to set up the head tracking, I am follow the instruction that stated in the menu( also in this forum) but nothing function. I am using futaba 10chg. Can you please provide me some solution of this .

Thanks,

[FatShark]

Confirmed that head tracker works fine on Futaba 10chg. Make sure your trainer switch is being held in position.

[FatShark]

The radio needs to be in 8ch Mode, not 12ch Mode. The MIG head tracker adds the 2 HT channels and feeds back a 8Ch signal to the radio. It is also expecting a <9ch signal.

And for some reason only works in TRAINER mode, not FUNC mode.

[quickpix]

I purchased the head tracker board for my Predator and installed it today. After a lot of work I got the pan and tilt to work - it is jerky though?
The tilt is up and down correctly however the pan is backwards. I tried reversing the servo and that does nothing. I tried the beep thing and it does nothing.
HELP please
Dick

[FatShark]

Why did you purchase and install the HT module for the Predator? The Predator comes with the HT pre-installed.
What RC radio are you using?