Eye Tracker Comparison
The table below gives an overview of the specifications of eye trackers used at the Social Sciences and Humanities of Leiden University. If you want to borrow or purchase an eye tracker, please contact labsupport@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
More detailed information on the specifications and data quality measures can be found in the manuals of the specific eye trackers:
- EyeLink Portable Duo: access here EyeLink Eye Tracker Learning Resources
- EyeLink 1000 Plus: access here: EyeLink Eye Tracker Learning Resources
- Tobii Spectrum: access here Tobii Pro Spectrum
- Tobii Fusion: access here Tobii Pro Fusion
- Tobii Spark: access here Tobii Pro Spark
- Tobii X3-120: access here Tobii Pro X3-120
- Tobii X2-60: access here Tobii Pro X2-30, X2-60
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| Model | EyeLink Portable Duo
| EyeLink 1000 (Plus)
| Tobii Spectrum
| Tobii Fusion
| Tobii Spark
| Tobii X3-120
| Tobii X2-60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sampling frequency | 2000 Hz head stabilized 1000 Hz head free-to-move | 2000 Hz head stabilized 1000 Hz head free-to-move | 300, 600 or 1200 Hz (depends on model) | 120 or 250 Hz (depends on model) | 60 Hz | 120 Hz gaze 40 Hz pupil | 60 Hz |
| Portability | Portable: one carry-on bag | Not portable | Portable if absolutely necessary, comes with a huge case. We currently have one Tobii Spectrum in Agora (SB04b), this one is not portable. | Portable | Portable | Portable | Portable |
| Data quality | Accuracy: down to 0.15° typically 0.25 - 0.5° for both head supported and head free
| Accuracy: down to 0.15° (only head supported) typically 0.25 - 0.5° for both head supported and head free
| Accuracy: 0.15° head supported 0.17° head free | Accuracy: 0.3° in optimal conditions
| Accuracy: 0.45° in optimal conditions
| Accuracy: | Accuracy: 0.4° in optimal conditions |
Precision (noise): 0.03 – 0.05° raw signal, no filter
| Precision (noise): 0.02 – 0.04° raw signal, no filter
| Precision (RMS): 0.06° optimal conditions, head supported 0.08° optimal conditions, head free | Precision (RMS): 0.2° raw signal, no filter
| Precision (RMS): 0.26° optimal conditions, with built-in filter
| Precision (RMS): | Precision (RMS): 0.34° optimal conditions | |
| Blink recovery: 0.5 ms @ 2000 Hz | Blink recovery: 0.5 ms @ 2000 Hz | Blink recovery: 3.3ms @ 300 Hz, 1.67 ms @ 600 Hz, 0.83 ms @ 1200 Hz | Blink recovery: 8.3 ms @ 120 Hz, 4 ms @ 250 Hz)
| Blink recovery: 16.67 ms @ 60 Hz | Blink recovery: | Blink recovery: 16.67 ms @ 60 Hz | |
| Gaze recovery: not reported | Gaze recovery: not reported | Gaze recovery: < 150 ms | Gaze recovery: 250 ms
| Gaze recovery: 50 ms
| Gaze recovery: < 100 ms | Gaze recovery: not reported | |
| Head movement | Head stabilized: Head free: | Head stabilized: Head free: | 34 x 26 cm at 65 cm distance | 40 x 25 cm at 65 cm distance 45 x 30 cm at 80 cm distance | 20 x 20 cm at 50 cm distance 35 x 35 cm at 65 – 80 cm distance | 50 x 40 cm at 80 cm distance | 50 x 36 cm at 70 cm distance |
| Screen size | Up to 24" (16:9 aspect ratio) | Up to 24" (16:9 aspect ratio) | Up to 27” (16:9 aspect ratio) | Up to 25" (16:9) | Up to 25” (16:9) | ||
| Pupil data | Yes, when head support is used | Yes, when head support is used | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (but only at 40 Hz) | Not recommended, see Dark and Bright pupil tracking |
| Reading research | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not recommended, but has been used in reading research (see publications on Tobii website: Scientific publications with Tobii eye tracking - Tobii) | Not recommended | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Software |
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| Price eye tracker (2024 estimates) | ~ €30000 | ~ €30000 | ~ €20000 - €35000 depending on sampling frequency (300 Hz, 600 Hz or 1200 Hz) | ~ €12000 - 19000 depending on sampling frequency (120 Hz or 250 Hz) | ~ €3000 | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Price Software (2024 estimates) | Experiment Builder and Data Viewer: ~ €2700 full price, €0 when purchased with an eye tracker. You get 1 license per dongle, for life, including software updates. | Tobii Pro Lab licenses:
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| Price hardware and software for 5 years (2024 estimates) | ~ €30000 | ~ €30000 | Tobii Spectrum 1200 Hz: ~ €45000 Tobii Spectrum 600 Hz: ~ €35000 Tobii Spectrum 300 Hz: ~ €29000 (costs consist of eye tracker + screen-based TPL license + upgrade contract) | Tobii Fusion 250 Hz: ~ €27000 Tobii Fusion 120 Hz: ~ €20000 (costs consist of eye tracker + screen-based TPL license + upgrade contract) | Tobii Spark: ~ €11000 (costs consist of eye tracker + screen-based TPL license + upgrade contract) | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Usability | Setting up and calibrating the EyeLink eye trackers requires some expertise. The software Experiment Builder and Data Viewer also require some expertise, but seem more flexible and have more options than Tobii Pro Lab. SOLO does not have experience with Experiment Builder and Data Viewer yet, but can acquire experience if EyeLink becomes more widely used. EyeLink provides adequate instructions and provides good support through their forum. In sum, using the EyeLink hardware and software requires expertise, but is reliable and offers more options than Tobii. | Tobii Pro Lab and the eye trackers are easy to use. The portable eye trackers are plug-and-play. The Spectrum requires some expertise to set-up. SOLO has experience with Tobii hard- and software. SOLO has experienced many (small) bugs in Tobii Pro Lab and Tobii Pro Lab occasionally crashes unexpectedly. The Tobii Fusion eye tracker has exhibited several issues/bugs. Tobii support can be reached easily and tries to help however they can, unfortunately they are unable to help at times. In sum, the Tobii hardware and software are generally easy to use, but have shown issues in the past. | |||||
