FreeTrack Forum

Hi, I'm new here and finding it hard to track down the information I need by searching. I'm sure the information is here, but not yet in once place.

I'll be using a PC running XP Pro


Bluetooth USB dongle

I'm not clear, do I need Bluesoleil in addition to a dongle? And therefore a dongle that will work with Bluesoleil?

IR Diode
Are wider angle diodes better? I can find 100 degree, 68 degree and 40 degree. I can also find frequencies from 850nm to 950nm. Which is best for Wiimote? The narrower angle ones emit more IR.

For example are either of these any good?  (from Farnell in the UK):

OSRAM LD271

IR EMITTER, 5MM, 950NM
Wavelength, Typ:950nm
Current, Forward If:130mA
Voltage, Vf Max:1.9V
Angle, Viewing:100°
Angle, Full:100°
Angle, Half:50°
Current, If AV:100mA
LED / Lamp Size:5mm / T1.3/4
Radiant Intensity:15mW/Sr

or

OSRAM SFH415

IR EMITTER, 5MM, 950NM
Wavelength, Typ:950nm
Current, Forward If:100mA
Voltage, Vf Max:2.3V
Angle, Viewing:68°
Angle, Full:68°
Angle, Half:34°
Current, If AV:100mA
LED / Lamp Size:5mm / T1.3/4
Radiant Intensity:40mW/Sr

Thanks

Mike

Hi Miked,

Farnell website is wrong: LD271's half-angle is +/-25°.

Datasheet

I was changing the order of SFH485P after reading your post, but I personally checked.

You can view my post where there's a youtube link of a guy whose uses Wiimote for motion tracking, you can ask him adviuce or something.

Best regards

Miked @ 18/05/2009 - 09h29 a dit:

Bluetooth USB dongle

I'm not clear, do I need Bluesoleil in addition to a dongle? And therefore a dongle that will work with Bluesoleil?

As you know, if your computer doesn't have Bluetooth built-in then you will need a Bluetooth dongle.  You don't need the Bluesoleil driver though, you simply need a good enough driver for your dongle so that it communicates fully with the Wiimote.  Not every driver works well with the Wiimote though, and Bluesoleil always works great with the Wiimote which is why everyone recommends it.  It's the one I use and have had the best luck with.

If you already have a USB Bluetooth dongle but no good driver for it, you can download/buy Bluesoleil from their website and it should work just fine.  But give it a shot with whatever driver it comes with and see if it works.

Some dongles come with Bluesoleil included, so you'll save yourself some trouble if you buy one of those first!

Miked @ 18/05/2009 - 09h29 a dit:

IR Diode
Are wider angle diodes better? I can find 100 degree, 68 degree and 40 degree. I can also find frequencies from 850nm to 950nm. Which is best for Wiimote? The narrower angle ones emit more IR.

Yes, wider angle diodes are better because you will be turning your head while using FreeTrack, and if the LEDs aren't pointed towards your computer FreeTrack will start to have some difficulty tracking.

But you can use just about any infrared LED and turn it into a wide-angle LED if you simply file down the plastic tip to 1-2mm above the internal metal components.  So don't worry too much about it.

Either of those LEDs will work great for you  Based on what Scipione says and the specs you list for the SFH415, I would go for the SFH415 because of its higher radiant intensity for a similar viewing angle (effectively how much infrared light is put out).