Beam Eye Tracker Review
Steve | G-LOC MEDIA
Flight simulation enthusiast and YouTuber
The Beam Eye Tracker is a $30 head tracking plugin that pairs with any webcam, and for the price it's genuinely impressive, smooth enough to meaningfully improve your flight sim immersion and compatible with MSFS, DCS, IL-2, and War Thunder right out of the box. The Beam Eye Tracker won't dethrone TrackIR or Tobii for accuracy and smoothness, but if you already own a decent webcam the value proposition is almost impossible to argue with. For anyone wanting to dip their toes into head tracking without dropping serious cash, the Beam Eye Tracker is the obvious starting point.
Pros
- Only $30 for the plugin - by far the cheapest head tracking option available
- Quick and easy setup with OpenTrack - up and running in minutes
- No clip or additional hardware needed unlike TrackIR
- Works with almost any webcam including budget options like the Logitech C270
- Wide sim and game compatibility — MSFS, DCS, IL-2, War Thunder and more
- If you already own a webcam it's basically a no-brainer purchase
Cons
- You still need a webcam - total cost varies depending on what you buy
- Smartphone use introduces too much latency to be practical
- Not quite as smooth or accurate as TrackIR or Tobii
- 30fps webcams noticeably reduce the experience - 60fps minimum recommended
Beam Eye Tracker: Can Cheap Head Tracking Be Good? When it comes to flight simulation, immersion is key, and head tracking can take that experience to the next level. The Beam Eye Tracker sits firmly on the budget side of head-tracking solutions, but does its low price point compromise performance? In this review, we’ll explore how the Beam Eye Tracker stacks up against its more expensive competitors like Tobii and TrackIR, and help you decide if it’s worth the investment.
What is Head Tracking?
Head tracking technology replicates your real-life head movements and translates them into the game or simulator. This is particularly useful in flight simulators where the ability to look around the cockpit naturally adds a whole new layer of immersion.
The Beam Eye Tracker: A Budget Option
Priced at just $30, the Beam Eye Tracker is far cheaper than TrackIR or Tobii, both of which sit at the higher end of the price scale. However, it’s important to note that Beam is essentially just a plugin. You’ll need a webcam to use it, and depending on what you go for, this can add anywhere from $30 to a few hundred dollars to your total setup cost. While using a smartphone is an option, I found that it introduced too much latency, making the experience less than ideal.For this test and review I used the Logitech Brio high end webcam capable of 90fps and also the budget Logitech C270
Setup Process: Quick and Easy
Getting the Beam Eye Tracker up and running is a straightforward process. You’ll need to purchase the plugin from Beam’s website and install OpenTrack (a free, open-source software). Both were easy to install and configure, and I had the system calibrated within a few minutes.For this review, I used two different Logitech webcams: the high-end Logitech Brio, which captures at 90 FPS, and a more budget-friendly option, the Logitech C270. Both offered decent performance, but the experience was slightly better with the Brio due to its higher frame rate.
Does Webcam Frame Rate Matter?
One of the questions I had going into this test was whether frame rate on the webcam would impact performance. After testing with the Logitech Brio at 90 FPS, 60 FPS, and 30 FPS, I found that while higher frame rates do offer a slightly smoother experience, the difference isn’t dramatic. Dropping down to 60Hz didn’t negatively impact performance too much, but dropping further to 30Hz introduced a noticeable reduction in smoothness.For most users, a 60Hz webcam will provide a solid experience, but if you want the smoothest possible head-tracking, a webcam capable of 90Hz like the Logitech Brio is worth considering.
Budget vs. Premium: How Does Beam Compare?
When comparing the Beam Eye Tracker to TrackIR and Tobii Eye Tracker, the differences become more apparent. While TrackIR is still the smoothest and most accurate head tracker available, Beam holds up surprisingly well considering its price. The Tobii Eye Tracker is a close second to TrackIR but also comes at a much higher cost than Beam.For users who value accuracy and latency above all else, TrackIR remains the top choice. However, Beam’s $30 plugin plus a budget webcam like the Logitech C270 offers impressive performance for the price, making it a strong contender for those looking for a cost-effective head-tracking solution.
Verdict: Is the Beam Eye Tracker Worth It?
The question at the heart of this review is: Can budget head tracking be good? The answer is almost. While the Beam Eye Tracker doesn’t have the polish or precision of TrackIR or Tobii, it’s shockingly good for its price. If you’re on a budget or just want to dip your toes into head tracking without spending hundreds of dollars, Beam Eye Tracker is a fantastic option.For $50 (including the price of a budget webcam), it’s an impressive piece of software that will significantly enhance your flight simulation or gaming experience. Just don’t expect it to completely replace TrackIR or Tobii if accuracy and speed are your top priorities.
If you already own a webcam, the Beam Eye Tracker becomes even more of a no-brainer.
Conclusion: For those looking to test the waters with head tracking, the Beam Eye Tracker offers a cost-effective and impressive solution, despite some trade-offs. While it won’t dethrone the premium options, it’s a worthy contender for budget-conscious gamers or simmers.
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