VR gaming gear

[Max]

Several months ago I upgrade my card to a GTX1660 Ti 8GB EVGA. I belive it can handle a VR device, no? I'm tempted to give VR a try but don't know a lot about the mechanics of them or how they interface with AH3. I'm thinking to get a used Oculus or ___ on Ebay and giving it a tryu before spending $500 + 

What do I need exactly? What don't I need? I gather I still would use my CH HOTAS as I do now except for the 8-way7 HAT...right? I only ask as I've seen some of Hitech's vids where virtual hands are making cockpit adjustments. Are the hand controllers in the Oculus Rift poackage used? If so, for what? Sorry to be a VR nincumpoop but I just haven't paid much attention to VR until now.

Just realized I should have probably posted this in All Things VR.  Hope Skuzzy doesn't get mad 

[Shuffler]

Most of us are VR noobs....


Skuzzy took his permanent vacation some time back. Hope he is enjoying life in the free world.

[Mister Fork]

Hi Max,

No worries - Skuzzy did retire a while ago so I'll probably stay here for a bit.

Personally, purchase something like mine that is Windows VR compatible, ACER VR 101. Probably can get one used for a couple hundred bucks.  Or, you can do what my son purchased, he got himself an Oculus Quest. Also works on his PC. He has flown with me online as well.

You "can" use the hand controllers but I still use my HOTAS and Voice Attack for the keyboard commands.

[FLS]

Max VR with Oculus is plug and play but you need USB 3.1. You can buy an add-in card for that if you need one. If you can find a used Rift in good condition it's a good introduction to VR. You can still use your 8 way hat and normal controls but forget about using the keyboard, you can peek at it but it's best to ignore it. The VR  controllers are not required for AH. Just be aware it's not going to look as good as a monitor, but you will be inside the cockpit.

[The Fugitive]

MAX you can go here

https://support.oculus.com/248749509016567/

Download and run their program and it will test your system to see if it is VR ready.

You can use the hand controllers to play, but they are not as "positive" as you hotass. The biggest issue with VR is the lack of ability to type out on the radio. Many use "voice Attack" I think its called but I have issues with it recognizing my voice. I am in NE and so have a "Boston" accent which may contribute to the problem. 

[Eagler]

You will still use hat views with VR

Just as with trackir, hat views improve the experience and is what makes AH3 superior to IL2 and DCS in VR

<S>

Eagler

[Max]

Just be aware it's not going to look as good as a monitor, but you will be inside the cockpit.

I have a nice 31.5" curved quad 1440. So if that provides beeter viewing vs VR, what advantage does "being inside the cockpit" offer? Better SA?

I gave TrackIR a shot several years ago and after the initial getting used to period, I enjoyed the (IMHO) better SA it offered, but always having to constantly recenter the view, prior to gun solution, comprimised my already poor gun hit %. Would that be the case with Rift too?

[Easyscor]

Since you mentioned Riff, the Riff is 1st Gen VR and its' screen is out of date. VR has gotten better and continues to improve. Several threads and posts talk about newer, better devices.

A monitor can't compare with VR situational awareness, but in the Rift, a plane's dot can't be seen at 3,000 feet, never mind beyond that. You'll need icons in the Rift for anything beyond something like 2,000 feet, but it's great for close quarter battle.

As for re-centering VR in AH, I used to do that a lot with my forward hat button. Somehow my ability to move my forward facing head position was lost recently. The inadvertent advantage is that the gunsight is always centered. I'll be looking to find out how to change it back when I have some time.

Save your money and choose one of the new VR models.

[FLS]

I have a nice 31.5" curved quad 1440. So if that provides beeter viewing vs VR, what advantage does "being inside the cockpit" offer? Better SA?

I gave TrackIR a shot several years ago and after the initial getting used to period, I enjoyed the (IMHO) better SA it offered, but always having to constantly recenter the view, prior to gun solution, comprimised my already poor gun hit %. Would that be the case with Rift too?

The advantage to VR is that instead of looking at a picture of the cockpit it looks like you are sitting inside a full size cartoon aircraft. It also gives you depth perception because you have a slightly different view for each eye. You don't need to recenter the view often but I never did with TIR either.  If you are looking for a quick fix to improve your game performance VR isn't it. It's just more fun than a monitor.

The trade off is video resolution. If you were going from a 17" monitor to VR you'd be very happy. If you want a better view than the relatively cheap used Rift you can spend a grand for an Valve Index but I think you'd need to upgrade your PC to take advantage of it. For your current system a used Rift is a good match but you may prefer your 31" monitor. Personally I'd rather fly with my original Rift than my 4K 50" screen.

[Drano]

I'm using a RiftS for almost a year now. I'd used TIR for years prior. I can easily say there's no going back to TIR and a monitor after going to VR. It's just a far better experience insofar as being put literally into the cockpit. To where you'll want to reach out and touch things. Depth perception is many factors better than on a flat screen. Centering is a product of you moving your head. You'll never get EXACTLY back to where you were. It's precise. So map a button. Problem solved. It becomes natural soon enough.

Resolution isn't what a high end monitor will give. And you're gonna need some extra GPU horsepower to even run VR. USB 3.1 is a given for the RiftS. You'll almost certainly need an add on powered PCI-E card. It's finicky that way.

That said right now stock is an issue with all of these and they might be coming out with something else soon. Might be worth it to wait a while to see how that shakes out.

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[Max]

Thanks for the replies and great info! Much appreciated.

[Vulcan]

the Riff is 1st Gen VR

Hah! Not even close it's about 5th gen.

[Easyscor]

Hah! Not even close it's about 5th gen.

Yeah, but come on, 640 resolution? Might as well spent your money on Viewfinder. 

[Vulcan]

Yeah, but come on, 640 resolution? Might as well spent your money on Viewfinder. 

LOL 640? My first headset (VFX-1) was 263 × 230 per eye (mid 90s).

That said there were some very good games (Flight Unlimited 1 and 2, EF2000, Commanche 3, Armored Fist 2, Terminator Skynet 1 & 2, System Shock 1 & 2, Star Wars Dark Forces) that were surprisingly playable on the VFX. My last couple of headsets before Oculus were 800x600 panels per eye (late 2000s).

[Drano]

LOL 640? My first headset (VFX-1) was 263 × 230 per eye (mid 90s).

That said there were some very good games (Flight Unlimited 1 and 2, EF2000, Commanche 3, Armored Fist 2, Terminator Skynet 1 & 2, System Shock 1 & 2, Star Wars Dark Forces) that were surprisingly playable on the VFX. My last couple of headsets before Oculus were 800x600 panels per eye (late 2000s).

Dude, I can't imagine the crazy steam punk lookin stuff you were using. You've been a VR guy since before there was VR!


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