Continuing Saga of the Stubborn Reverb G2

[Drano]

Yeah I love my G2 but know it's days are numbered whether it be by the cable or Microsoft killing WMR---whichever comes first! The latter having already been announced. I have a backup new cable just in case but I'm a year and a half into my original v2 cable with no issues<knocks wood>. That said, I don't think your problem is with the cable. It seems they either work or they're dead. No in between. Since your headset is working, I'd rule that out. They're like friggin unicorns anyway and dang expensive if you can even find one. Must be something else here.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[Puma44]

Yeah I love my G2 but know it's days are numbered whether it be by the cable or Microsoft killing WMR---whichever comes first! The latter having already been announced. I have a backup new cable just in case but I'm a year and a half into my original v2 cable with no issues<knocks wood>. That said, I don't think your problem is with the cable. It seems they either work or they're dead. No in between. Since your headset is working, I'd rule that out. They're like friggin unicorns anyway and dang expensive if you can even find one. Must be something else here.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Wonder how many “days” we G2ers have left?  Anyone looking ahead to a replacement that is hopefully less problematic? 

[edge12674]

I upgraded to a Pimax Crystal.  Expensive and the software is a little finicky, but worth it. 

Edge to edge clarity that is sharper than the G2's sweet spot, local dimming (so black items are black and not smokey black), wider FOV, and eye tracking that allows for dynamic foveated rendering (more performance without loss of picture quality).  The integrated DMAS speakers give a little better audio than the G2.

Granted this is overkill for AH, but it is the next evolution in VR and has some years ahead of it before the competition can surpass it.  It is OpenXR (industry standard) so it works well with the other main flight sims out there.  If AH gets a VR update it will probably be to OpenXR.  I know the Crystal works with SteamVR, but don't know if anyone has tried it in AH.

[Puma44]

Last night in MNM, someone mention the possibility of a memory leak and to do a diagnostic.  Accomplished it after signing off.  Results showed no memory leak issues. 

Earlier in the day, I was  getting reasonable FRs in the main (70-80ish) and no screen stutters.  In MNM last night, sitting on the runway, FRs were low 20s, then mid 40s, and back to low 20s with no significant head movement.  Looking straight up, FR was high 70s. Any other view was 40 +/- with screen stutters when flying in a turn or pitching up or down. 

Just plain strange between two uses yesterday, with the computer shut down between. 

[oboe]

If you haven't already done so, I would, while in VR - go to graphics settings and turn everything down to the bare minimum and see if that affects your FPS.   The VR version is a separate executable, so the graphics settings in the 2D version are separate and different form those in VR.   Just seems like there could be some setting that is set too high.   I don't use shadows in VR, they are too much of an FPS hit, and my Environment slider is set to '1'.

Also, I'm on my 2nd Reverb cable and it gives me and error 1-4 nearly every time I fire it up.   I have to disconnect the power block and re-plug it back in.   I thought it might be a power saving mode incompatibility because I use "SLEEP" mode quite often, since my screen saver won't function when I have all my peripherals plugged in.

Sometimes even that won't help, and I'm forced to try every trick I know - rebooting or shutting down, disconnecting the headset completely and reconnecting using different display port, etc.  I can usually finally get it to work, but not always.   

[Puma44]

If you haven't already done so, I would, while in VR - go to graphics settings and turn everything down to the bare minimum and see if that affects your FPS.   The VR version is a separate executable, so the graphics settings in the 2D version are separate and different form those in VR.   Just seems like there could be some setting that is set too high.   I don't use shadows in VR, they are too much of an FPS hit, and my Environment slider is set to '1'.

While sitting on the runway, I did just that.  Cycled all the graphics setting sliders to lowest setting and tried checking and unchecking boxes with no real improvement.  Some changes would make the FR bubble up and down but, not improve to the point of 80-90.

Interesting you should mention the cable.  I noticed the FR change small amounts when I adjusted position of the cable.  I’m becoming more suspicious of that and have ordered a replacement.  One more thing to eliminate.  Mine will be gold plated, considering the cost.

[1stpar3]

Last night in MNM, someone mention the possibility of a memory leak and to do a diagnostic.  Accomplished it after signing off.  Results showed no memory leak issues. 

Earlier in the day, I was  getting reasonable FRs in the main (70-80ish) and no screen stutters.  In MNM last night, sitting on the runway, FRs were low 20s, then mid 40s, and back to low 20s with no significant head movement.  Looking straight up, FR was high 70s. Any other view was 40 +/- with screen stutters when flying in a turn or pitching up or down. 

Just plain strange between two uses yesterday, with the computer shut down between. 

I forgot to mention...a Windows Disc Cleanup or whatever it is called and deleting all but a few AHfim files, solved my FR issues with Clipboard being open. Made for almost instant update...load up upon entering the arena.  i had like 5 min of lag between signing in and having Roster and Icons, DarBars  ect showing on clipboard.   Just another possible issue if you haven't tried it, I guess. I find that if I get very much beyond 160 AHfilms saved.the lag comes back a bit?  For some reason, unknown

[PropNut]

I know this thread has been up for awhile but here is my 2 cents worth.

I have a G2 version 2 (with the new style cable) which finally bit the dust about a week ago, cables can really do some strange things so it might be a possibility...mine would freeze my head movement but was still displaying everything else, other than a few sparkles I've noticed for a couple of months there was no other warnings...I could duplicate the problem by bending the cable where I had it attached to the back of the headset.
These have about 50 - 60 micro wires in the harness and they can only bend so many times.  Your best bet if you believe it is the cable is to buy a new never used authentic HP cable (late version) from Ebay there seems to be a good supply right now for about $150 and I should get mine today so I will see how it goes.
I would say to try bending it where it attaches at he back of the headset ( or any other place it can get stressed) while you are watching AH FR and if it comes and goes it could easily be the cable. good luck

[oboe]

I also get false cable error messages - and it turns out these are really power issues. 

I am having great success with powering down the Reverb's power brick control box, unplugging the power brick from both the wall AND the control box, waiting a few minutes, then plugging everything back in.   I have to do this ALMOST everytime I want to use VR, so it's become a habit for me now.

I do believe the cable will eventually fail due to the bending stress on the cable when turning your head as Propnut describes, but hopefully it will last long enough so that there are more reasonably priced and feature rich VR headsets out there.   Looking forward to more news about Valve's follow-on to the Index.

[Puma44]

After endless tries of different settings with SNO’s help, I broke down and bought a new cable.  At first the frame rates came up nicely, then back in the dumps.  Recently, SNO and I experimented with several settings and were able to get frame rates stabilized.

When it’s operating normally, the G2 is a great headset but, I’ve been cursed with the lemon of lemons and find it be a royal PIA. On top of that, it’s pretty much impossible to find anyone in HP tech support that speaks understandable English. 

I regret buying it and wouldn’t recommend anyone to do so.

[PropNut]

Yeah I hear ya....the G2 was a step up from the Riff visually and I like using it when it is working good but with Microsoft doing away with WMR its days are probably numbered....my hopes are to maybe get another year out of it by replacing the cable and keeping my eyes open for a good newer (and hopefully bug free) replacement by then.

[Drano]

Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time with the G2, Puma. I've had mine (a V2) for a couple of years now and (knocks wood) haven't had any hardware issues with it at all. Even bought a spare cable for it just in case. I'm not about WMR so much. It's a bit klunky compared to the Oculus I started with. But I've just found ways around it. I don't play games other than flight sims so it's not getting bounced around and as long as the thing works it's the best bang for the buck visually. Taking an even small step up from it will cost a ton of bucks. I'm just sticking with Win10/64 for now and hoping it doesn't start eating cables!

[oboe]

Just an update, in the past few days I have started experiencing what Puma talks about - frame rates drop to 6 from 90.  Sometimes it came back up on its own, sometimes it required exitin* the program.

I’m still getting cable errors nearly every time I start the game, and my trick of unplugging everything, rebooting pc, etc no longer work.  Fiddled with for an hour today and gave up.  I’m done with hp.

[Puma44]

Just an update, in the past few days I have started experiencing what Puma talks about - frame rates drop to 6 from 90.  Sometimes it came back up on its own, sometimes it required exitin* the program.

I’m still getting cable errors nearly every time I start the game, and my trick of unplugging everything, rebooting pc, etc no longer work.  Fiddled with for an hour today and gave up.  I’m done with hp.

Oboe, sorry to hear you are experiencing the same G2 bug.  I’m with you on ditching HP.   Their lack of a single point of contact for G2 tech support is glaringly inadequate, considering the price of the headset and their past reputation.  I’m actively searching for a replacement.

[edge12674]

Oboe, sorry to hear you are experiencing the same G2 bug.  I’m with you on ditching HP.   Their lack of a single point of contact for G2 tech support is glaringly inadequate, considering the price of the headset and their past reputation.  I’m actively searching for a replacement.

Just FYI, I have tried AH with the Pimax Crystal and it works flawlessly.  It has been leaked this week that Pimax is working on releasing a Crystal "Core" model the second quarter of 2024.  The "Core" model will have all the features of the regular Crystal except for the standalone features (battery pack, SnapDragon chip).  It is rumored that it will be sold at a "significantly" lower price than the Crystal.  There may be an "official" announcement by Pimax on Monday April 15th.

Hope this helps.