Supmua

Been messing around with Reshade 5.0 and it's great. The popular CAS sharpening and Tonemap (Gamma/Exposure) filters have about 2ms negative effect on the frametime, but the Vibrance filter has literally none (on the frametime). The Aero is already plenty sharp there's no need to increase sharpness, so Vibrance the best bang for the performance/fidelity ratio if used with DCS native gamma adjustment. making everything pop. I was hoping to be able to use the SMAA filter to replace MSAA but no go, MSAA is still the best option in terms of shimmering reduction. EDIT: Found my new fav Reshade filter, it's lumasharpen. This doesn't affect shimmering, and has very small cost to the frametime at 0.5ms. Tips for folks that want to try Reshade 5.0: -During installation, select DCS.exe from the \bin folder, choose DX 10/11/12 option. -Reshade VR will only activate from SteamVR control bar, as it uses a different interface/runtime from 2D so bringing up 2D window option with HOME key will not work (it sorta will but no effect in VR). Bring up SteamVR control bar (pressing system button on the controller) and click on Reshade icon to bring up the control window. -You can only pick filters in Performance mode, so click on that and pick the filter(s) you want. -You can only adjust the filter parameters in non-performance mode, so unclick the performance mode to make adjustment. Adjustment can only be done via VR controller, mouse input doesn't work. You can input decimal numbers via pop-up keypad by doubleclicking the trigger button on the input sliders. Recommended Reshade filters: 1. Vibrance. My current setting is 0.15, this makes the overall image pop a bit but not too much. Near zero effect on frametime. 2. Lumasharpen. My current setting is 1.5. This brings incredible amount of ground and distant detail with next to no effect on shimmering. 0.5ms negative effect on frametime. My current DCS settings: this may change as I’m still messing around trying to find a good balance between performance and visual quality -80% SteamVR per app setting, minimal difference in visuals vs 100% while much more economical in terms of frametime. -cockpit res 1024, this headset deserves extra detail as it has enough resolving power to show it. -MSAA 2X, to minimize shimmering and aliasing artifacts. -high visibility and clouds, this is why we have the Varjo headset. -medium water, found it to be good enough for me. -low shadow, more life-like appearance inside the cockpit compare to flat.

Official Steam VR support is in (i.e. no longer a hack). Can’t wait to check out all the filters as this is my favorite DCS mod by far. Edit: more impressions in the Varjo Aero opinion thread, as I tested it with that headset.

This happened with the super Taurus throttle also. I mentioned this way back in my first impression review of that throttle. I guess they’ve never fixed it.

Just search for JAMOR Vive VR cover on Amazon. Mine came with thinner and thicker pads (I prefer the thicker one). Quest 2 custom pads also fit.

My favorite accessories for the Aero so far: -Headstrap with counter balance kit from my Vive Pro 2. The headset is front heavy just look at its profile, so this helps with comfort significantly, and it makes it so I can wear the Varjo like a helmet without operating the front and back dial when removing or putting the headset back on. -Linsoul kz zs 10 pro IEM with mic, one of the the best $50 I’ve spent on earbuds which gives sound quality similar to a $200 IEM. It is not power hungry and works well with the Aero’s audio jack. -JARMOR face pad replacement, also pulled from my Vive Pro 2 and it fits perfectly. This helps me secure the headset’s correct position on my face to achieve the sweetspot for maximum clarity. EDIT: the mic doesn’t work right out of the box on the Linsoul, need CTIA to OMTP adapter.

The F35 throttle grip works great with any plane, especially the A-10C, as it has more switches than you’d need.

Been using the Aero as a PC monitor today, played a few hours of co-op Monster Hunter Rise which is a fast action game via Virtual Desktop app, and the experience is actually quite good once I turned off MSAA and software supersampling. Virtual Desktop has brightness control and around 70% is my sweetspot for regular use. There is also Bigscreen VR app which is free and even has sharpness, contrast and saturation adjustment but I find performance not as good for action games, it is superior for movie watching though as it has more image control.

My NVIDIA setting is default except prefer maximum power. The headset is in the exact same situation that the Vive Pro 2 was when it first came out, not smooth due to lack of motion smoothing. This will be implemented later on. When you are an early adopter prepare to deal with some quirks like this which may not be reported by YouTubers. The hardware itself is ready, but software is far from finished. For distortion either use cross eye correction tool or wait until the headset is officially supported by DCS. Or you can just send it back…

I’m sticking with using the headset’s audio out port since in full VR games I’m typically away from the computer and don’t like extra cords on the ground. However, the amp in the headset audio out isn’t powerful and and not able to drive any of my favorite headphones. Right now I’m using Linsoul kz zs10 pro IEM with in-Line mic and it is a bit better than than the one that came with the headset in terms of overall sound and mic. I do think that any mic already sounds better than the VP2 one, as that one has no wind shielding and tends to pop.

I did a bunch more DCS test flights and came to the conclusion that the image quality you can get from this headset (when used in combination with ReshadeVR and optimal seating) is simply mind blowing. In the F-16 Mariana free flight, some juddering aside, the graphics are just as good as that on my 4KTV plus stereoscopic and panoramic effects from VR. The cockpit glass reflection, the clouds, water reflection look superb and every single thing in the cockpit is legible even the tiny little texts on the side panels. Skyrim VR with full mods also looks stunning, and so does MSFS2000 especially in busy scenes such as NYC or London. Every game I tried just show excellent clarity and sharpness that I've never experienced before in a VR headset. I'm hoping Varjo will complete their motion prediction algorithm soon, as well as ability to at least adjust the brightness since the headset's default setting is still too bright. Now on to the negative side, found a tiny debris embedded in my right lens which causes a tiny blurred spot in the right visual field. Checked with tech support and they will send a replacement unit, when available. EDIT: The included earbuds are actually pretty decent. Sounds a little thin when plugged straight into the headset but position it correctly and given enough volume it's not bad at all. Paired with a good amp (I use Monoprice THX AAA), and the sound is even better...much better than the Index with very good instrument separation and decent clarity as well as soundstage. Now sonically it is no where near a pair of $1000 or even $300 tier IEMs, and the sound signature is a bit V-shaped, but for a freebie they are better than your average phone buds for sure. so before ditching the included earbuds, do a test against your headphones of choice first. Check out this music, for example. https://youtu.be/fDaA1CDPTrI

For me yes because I value image clarity more than anything else, but it's all relative. Top-end devices are never ever offered as the bang of the bucks, and the Aero is not exactly a perfect headset as it's got some flaws. For most people including myself 2K is a lot of money to drop on a VR headset and it just about hit my spending limit. Then there are people I know who would spend 400-500K on a new Piper or Diamond plane to lug their family around instead of driving during vacation time. What is your comfort zone?

Much cheaper than the F-35 setup at the current preorder price. Personally, I want the F-35 setup but am tempted.

Ok it seems you can lock the framerate to 90, 45, and 30 fps using Varjo Base app. Basically, bring up Analytics window and click the toolbar icon bottom left, then Performance and take your pick. There's also an option for vertical synchronization but I'm not sure if this is working at all. Now, if you lock the fps to values below 90 fps you will see slight juddering when moving around (easiest way to test is with the main DCS screen). This is normal because right now there is no motion smoothing algorithm but once that is baked in it should give stable and smooth experience in DCS as it will keep reprojection ratio at a fixed rate. Anyway, my suggestion, don't lock the framerate below 90 fps right now because you will see juddering even when your fps is 90+ because the software will try to render at 45 with 2:1 reprojection, and thus juddering.

Did you try to bring up the GPU frametime display while doing that? Check and see if the graph is smooth or not. I’ve been mostly using it with sims. But Beatsaber was pretty smooth. Those juddering should not occur if fps is 90+ but will if your fps drops below because of lack of motion smoothing (which is coming). Also play with VSync setting in NVIDIA control and HAG option to see if this changes anything, or just send it back. Mine is probably gonna be a keeper as the clarity is beyond everything else especially after some hardware mods and ReshadeVR.

I found that superb mage quality can be achieved with ReshadeVR. It provides extra sharpening which brings out more ground and distant details, as well as ability to manually adjust brightness/contrast/saturation sort of mitigating the weakness of this headset. Personally, I think this headset has too much contrast and brightness, which can cause loss of detail at the extreme bright and dark areas. I'm currently using default CAS parameters with 0.5 brightness, 0.999 contrast and 1.3 saturation. DCS gamma 1.8. I'm still testing various combinations but the image quality is already glorious with the above settings, comparable to flatscreen. The only thing or two that would make this a perfect experience would be implemented motion smoothing (equivalent to vsync for flatscreen mode) and higher framerate 90 fps at 100% SteamSS (which isn't really achievable with current gen hardware). The optimal sweetspot is not easy to find in my case, surprisingly. I couldn't find the optimal position until I pulled the counterbalance headstrap kit from my VP2 and use it on this headset, also had to use thicker facepad so my eyes are a bit away from the lens to achieve optimal image clarity. With this setup, the Varjo is basically as sharp as a PC monitor except for the pincushion distortion and chromatic aberration in the periphery. EDIT: I did a manual firmware update, and it seems to improve the black as well as white level a bit which is strange. Not sure if this is real or my eyes are getting better adjusted to the headset. Had to change ReshadeVR settings to accommodate this so disregard my posted settings for Reshade for now. EDIT2: It seems the poor black/white levels are specific to the Varjo's Workspace app. When I do web browsing or movie watching with Virtual Desktop app, the black and white levels are perfect without detail loss. The brightness is still a bit high but so much better. So if you are going to watch movie or browse web sites, don't use Varjo's native workspace app. I have emailed the tech support on this issue and hopefully they will improve it in the future.

I find much similarity with the VP2 in terms of operation. The headset stays on as long as it's plugged in, so it is probably a good idea to unplug or use a smartplug for on/off function to minimize wear and tear issue. The Varjo app also overrides SteamVR, so I'm not even sure it's using the xxx.vrsettings parameters at all. For new owners, I suggest startup process by running Varjo app first (the default setting has it on with Windows startup, of course I turn this off since I don't want to spend extra CPU or GPU power when not in VR) followed by SteamVR which can be activated by just pressing the recessed button on the Index controller. For shutdown process, quit SteamVR first then Varjo app. For MSFS2000, you can just run Varjo app then start the game without activating SteamVR GUI since it uses OpenXR rather than OpenVR. great, it's probably not ready for prime time.

This is interesting, probably foveated rendering stuff. Varjo support in DCS - Varjo.com In the next DCS openbeta, you can use "dcs.exe --force_varjo_VR" to enable this functionality. Personally, I don't think I need extra detail in the center as the current clarity is plenty but if this isn't going to affect fps then why not.

Just found out that the firmware that is on the shipped Aero might not be the latest, ah well. EDIT: disregard that it seems this is true for the very first shipment in Europe.

Got my headset and have been playing around with for about an hour. I need a lot more time with it to make a meaningful judgement so the following remarks are just things that popped up in my head as I played. Super early impressions: -Clarity: almost as good as my 4K TV. The resolving power of this headset is very good, probably a combination of optics and screen. The easiest way to test this is by bringing SteamVR desktop up and use 100-125% zoom setting. In most VR headsets including the Vive Pro2, the window contents especially texts don't look good unless the zoom level is 150%. This also includes edge to edge clarity. This headset also has a sweetspot, still too early for me to judge but when it is in the right position the image is super crisp. -Distortion: Noticeable in the top part of the image and 4 corners. I would describe the corner distortion as stretching (kinda like when you use VR zoom in DCS but to a much lesser degree). There seems to be parallax effect as well where background objects move further than foreground when you turn your head side to side. I don't really notice distortion in MSFS2000, it seems the headset was made just for this game. Now the distortion I find in general usage such as web browsing is actually pincushion not the barrel type. -Images: the default brightness is a bit too high for me and hence contrast and black level isn't superb in my book. If Varjo provide options to adjust brightness/contrast/saturation separately, this would be perfect. The saturation isn't as good as Vive Pro 2 especially red color but likely due to brightness being high. -Black level and white saturation: not good. Checked with www.lagom.nl via headset. Definite loss of detail (washed out) in very black or white areas. While the clarity is unmatched, it seems that this headset needs to be calibrated better and this is definitely fixable via software. Right now this is fine in games that provide manual brightness/gamma settings, but it can be problematic in games that you have no control of those settings. -Chromatic aberration: quite prominent, everywhere when you look at something off center. I'm a camera buff so I do notice these things, especially on white texts against black background. -Glare and screen door: none. This looks just like a regular PC monitor except slight hint of micro-shimmering, not sure if this is related to the compression artifacts from use of DSC technology. This is on HIGH setting which isn't the highest one. -Index controllers: don't go to sleep when leaving them alone for a while. No sleep function for the base stations either. So this is bluetooth issue or lack of that functionality. -SteamVR: optional for OpenXR games such as MSFS2000, although I do believe that even the main SteamVR app isn't running it still requires the SteamVR framework running in the background. DCS: -definitely need the cross-eye correction tool. Use swap top to bottom for both L and R screens to minimize peripheral distortion. -very good frametime, 13ms with Hornet Caucasus free flight with 100% Steam SS (no motion smoothing). This is typically 18 with my Vive Pro 2, but with motion compensation on)--forgot to add that I run per app SS at 74% here. -I can read everything in the cockpit even the tiniest texts, the best I've seen. For example, in F-16 cockpit all those small dials to the right are completely legible and sharp. Distant detail is ok may be similar to or a bit better than my Vive Pro 2 with CAS sharpening. -edge to edge clarity is much superior to the Vive Pro 2. -Shimmering is slightly less than Vive Pro 2, which also doesn't have much if you run MSAA with high enough rendering resolution. -Lack of motion smoothing/compensation is bothering me a bit since I'm so used to it, hopefully they'll add that in soon. The easiest way to test for this is to move your body left to right inside the cockpit view, you will see tearing/juddering effect of the cockpit without motion smoothing. With a good motion smoothing/compensation algorithm everywhere you turn everything will stay sharp and smooth.

In general when upgrading to a new SteamVR headset, there are 2 files that should be wiped otherwise old settings that are specific to the previous headset may have undesirable effect on the new headset. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\resources\settings\default.vrsettings C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\config\steamvr.vrsettings

Expensive imported items from China tend to get flagged I guess. Of course the price would’ve been much higher if these were made in Euro.

FedEx just updated my delivery status to tomorrow. Hopefully the 2nd batch of US shipment doesn’t run into this delay issue, although it’s only a day late so can’t really complain.

I called FedEx again to check on the clearance status of my Aero. They had not process my CBP 5106 form over the weekend since I did it on Fri night, but the operator just did that on the fly and said there shouldn’t be any problem now.

Anybody's Aero being held by US Fedex? I got a call from them asking me to fill in the 5106 form online for custom clearance, else they wouldn't release it (Memphis, TN).