User manual

Introduction

1. Introduction

This section introduces the technical capabilities and supporting

documentation for the EyeLink 1000, EyeLink 2000 and EyeLink Remote eye

trackers (henceforth referred to as the EyeLink 1000). The EyeLink 1000 comes

in several configurations, each with its own strengths, weaknesses and

capabilities, allowing it to suit a wide variety of research settings. The same

camera and software support all configurations, making it the most versatile

solution for eye and gaze monitoring available. Each hardware configuration is

supported by the identical application programming interface and EyeLink Data

File (EDF) output, allowing experimenters to seamlessly switch between data

collection and analysis in different modes that best suit their particular

experimental paradigm or to accommodate different participant populations.

The EyeLink 1000’s high speed camera can be configured in a Tower

Mount that allows highly accurate monocular recording with a wide field of view

at up to 2000 Hz (with the EyeLink 2000 upgrade) when the participant’s head

is supported by a chin and forehead rest. In addition, the camera can be affixed

to a Desktop Mount (attached to the mount at either a Level or Angled

orientation) that provides highly accurate monocular data acquisition using a

chinrest. Binocular gaze recording at up to 1000 Hz each eye is available with

head stabilization when the camera is attached to the Desktop Mount in an

Angled fashion. A third option is the Arm Mount that affixes the EyeLink 1000

beneath an LCD monitor on a flexible arm so that the entire eye tracking

apparatus and display can be easily moved into place in front of the viewer

whose eyes are to be tracked. Finally, the Primate mount provides a mounting

option for the camera so that placement can be out of the way and above the

subject, making it ideal for use in animal recording situations.

The Desktop and Arm Mounts can be used in a highly flexible Remote

mode (with the Remote Camera option) to record gaze position at 500 Hz

monocularly without head stabilization. Combined with the Arm Mount, Remote

Mode is ideal for reaching viewers in difficult to record positions as it brings the

eye tracker and display to the subject instead of making the viewer conform to

the setup required by the eye tracker. The fact that Remote recording operates

without head stabilization further increases the system’s flexibility.