If you had to choose; multi screens or oculus rift.

[Goos3neK]

Looking for some feed back from people who have gotten to experience both, or perhaps have more info than my self. Are you better putting a lot of investment into multi screens with track IR, or would the oculus rift, which appears to be less investment. Which one would you want?

[Ktulu2]

First of, I have not played DCS with the Occulus, but I did try it. The occulus has a very bad apparent resolution (a 5'' 1080p screen<a 27'' one...) This makes it so that the image isn't anywhere close to a real screen. If you do casual flights, you might find it interresting for immersion, but if you like combat, big nono, as visinility would be a serious issue.

This is also the opinion of some guy who tried DCS with the rift.

[Stacker]

I think the rift is going to be a game changer but not the rev-1 version that's coming out next year. I'm going to wait for a rev-2 upgrade once they start to refine the hardware. Resolution is going to be key thing and I think even the slightly improved version over the DK2 will be borderline for something like DCS (my opinion, haven't tried a DK2 yet so perhaps the consumer version resolution may be sufficient).

 

I'm in two minds myself whether to invest in multi-monitors. Personally I think I'm going to upgrade to Pascal next year and then switch over to a rift late 2016 if they improve the resolution. Otherwise I'll stick with my single monitor and TrackIR for at least the next 12 months.

[MegOhm_SD]

Honestly not interested in the Rift at this point. I need to see what goes on around me. Ummm SA of my surroundings at home. i need to be aware of incoming projectiles such as the frying pan that may be aimed at my head. Possible induced Vertigo, injuries and becoming cross eyed. Steve Martins " The Jerk" comes to mind.

 

I take enough grief walking around wearing the wireless G930 with wireless Proclip on my head. I can't imagine what I would endure wearing the OR.

 

I don't care for multi monitors as I can't stand the breaks with the frames. Sure you could remove the frames and go almost borderless but not going there.

 

TIR and my single big screen is all I need. I am interested in a new 60+" Curved screen though.

Each to his own Preference I guess.

Edited October 21, 2015 by MegOhm_SD

[cichlidfan]

Honestly not interested in the Rift at this point. I need to see what goes on around me. ...

 

Agreed. I rarely wear headphones anymore. A young dog requires my awareness. ;)

 

As to the OP's question. I agree with others that the rift isn't quite ready (particularly if WVR combat is your preference). I prefer a large single screen though.

[7rooper]

Well...it's a bit unfair comparison. Multiscreen setup only can't beat the OR. A full physical cockpit plus multiscreen or a projector setup can!!

You can't beat the feedback of flicking and pushing real switches and buttons. Besides, you will be not limited to the low res the OR offers

[Cowboy10uk]

Tough one, multi screen dosnt come close to the feeling of immersion that you get flying with the Rift, however certainly at the min, and quite likely with CV1, the resolution of the Rift is nowhere near where we as simmers need it to be able to fight effectively in sim.

 

At the moment I would say stick with multi monitor, I know that's what I'm doing, however in a few years time IF they get the resolution sorted then I will be moving over to the Rift.

 

Cowboy10uk

[Goos3neK]

Thank you for eveyone's opinion.

[Fri13]

I haven't used the Rift from Oculus, but I can only say that this is now a third or fourth generation Virtual Reality headsets that is tried to bring to homes.

 

First ones were from 80's, using the Battlezone (

) and M1 Tank Platoon (

) that were fairly funny things.

Then came the second gen that was for example Nintendo "Virtual Boy" and many others for the PC. Some were even showed in the Sci-Fi movies of the time etc.

The third gen was fairly silent ones, at the early 2000.

And now the few companies are going to offer their own ideas.

 

It is like the 3D movies. The 3D movies were shown at 60-70's period, then again at 80-90's and now again at few years back and it is slowing down again.

 

So question really is, when the hardware (display resolutions, refresh rate, optics for wide field of view etc) and the software (games etc) are good enough to actually make trough the breaking point?

 

DCS really feels it would be one of those, but it requires way too high resolution to be usable, as pilot needs to see aircrafts at distance and now the UHD resolution displays manages to basically do that as pilot can see on DCS 1.2.x version a C-130 size aircraft at 15km range and F-15C size aircraft from 10-12km range, and this just as a model without contrails, view zooming (default one) or anything blocking the view but the aircraft is front of the blue sky instead ground, as it becomes of course more difficult to spot a 1-3 pixel model.

 

I haven't tested how DCS 1.5 beta works with UHD resolution but I believe it will make a huge difference. But it will be unrealistic one because if already in 1.2.x version it is unrealistic (like spotting a Shilka from 12km distance on ground from cockpit (without zooming) while flying with Su-25T at 2km altitude) as you would not spot a stationary vehicle even in urban environments, nevertheless in bushes.

 

I have plans to get a 1080p projector, but after UHD resolution it sounds just bad idea. As even a 40" FHD television looks bad.

And then I should get a Rift? No thank you :)

 

And I like that I can see around, the problem that some people have fixed by making cameras at front that will show video when wanted so you can "see through".

 

And if wanted immersion, shut down all the lights (and burn your eyes) and normal computer screen will suck you in easily.

[Chivas]

There is no doubt the resolution of the DK2 prototype isn't good enough. We don't know if the CV1's dual higher resolution VR custom displays, custom built lenses, and new optics software are good enough, BUT there is no contest on the immersion factor between a cockpit with multiple displays and a VR headset even with its perceived lower resolution.

 

There is no doubt that a home built cockpit and multiple monitors is an immersive experience, BUT the depth of VR transports you into a cockpit that actually feels like your thousands of feet in the air, while you know your sitting on the ground with any other option. Most people after experiencing the CV1 will have little interest in flying with monitors, and will have saved themselves a lot of money to boot.

[RFC Rudel]

could I have some XXX content like I Do whit the four monitor?

[giei]

I used for a while the DK1.

It has a too low resolution but it complete changes the way I play simulations (iRacing, Project Cars and obviously DCS).

DK2 is better than I could imagine and if CV1 is a similar step ahead like 1 to 2 I think we'll never use monitors anymore.

[Kayos]

I already have 3 monitors so I will be buying the Rift. And every new version of the Rift that comes out until it is outstanding.

[spaceraver]

Still waiting for the release of either the Rift or the HTC Vive.

Right now I am on a 2008 37" 1080p TV. With a homebrew head tracker and a Franken pit. When the different HMD devices get out, I will read all the reviews and make a decision. There's no place to have for a triple screen nor a projector setup.

[vicx]

DCS 1.5 BETA has been a bit of a game changer when it comes to playing in the Rift. There has been a tweaking of the renderer and it is way easier to read the dials and spot other aircraft compared to DCS 1.2.xx.

 

Still due to the limitations of the Rift I don't fly the combat aircraft that much BUT I have been flying the Mi-8 in VR a lot. Right now I would easily choose the Rift DK2 over Multi-screen for flying the Mi-8. VR is awesome and the Mi-8 is a great module for VR as it is right now.

[dcshobbis]

I've done some minor tests with the Rift, but unfortunately not with DCS.

I like the product, but I miss the possibility to see and reach controls using a touchscreen or similar, and obviously the rift will prevent you from seeing your own homebuilt cockpit so it may be hard to find switches and knobs. Maybe it's just something you will get used to?

 

How do you handle buttons/switches in the cockpit. Fumbling with the mouse as usual?

[hansangb]

In the Huey, you can actually move your head around to point the mouse on the control. Then you can click on the mouse. So you can "look at" or "face" the control you want to click, and use the mouse. I don't know if it's by design, but it's actually intuitive.

 

hsb

[vicx]

How do you handle buttons/switches in the cockpit. Fumbling with the mouse as usual?

 

I have had the same experience as hansangb.

 

The mouse is easy to find and use in VR so I haven't even thought about it ... using the in game cockpit switches is quite easy.

 

Using the keyboard has proven to be much more of a problem. I am testing mods and missions and I have to use the keyboard to change views and and turn certain settings on and off as part of testing. I always have to lift the HMD off a little to find the right keys.

 

Mouse is :thumbup: ... Keyboard is :(

Edited October 24, 2015 by vicx

[-Hammer-]

I have a triple screen (+ touchscreen) setup and used the OR DK 2 for about 3 months (DCS + Alien Isolation). The Rift is absolutely amazing. If you haven't used it, there is absolutely no way to describe it.

 

With the Rift it feels like you are sitting literally right in the plane.

So I would choose the RIFT + Voice Commands. vs. Multimonitor

 

Resolution was poor with the DK2 but not unplayable.

 

Waiting for the CV.

Edited October 24, 2015 by -Hammer-

[StandingCow]

Are any of you that use the rift susceptible to motion sickness without it? If so how bad is it with the rift?

 

This is my biggest worry... I can get sick pretty easily so I will definitely want to test the rift before I buy one.

[hansangb]

I have the MFDs, Warthog, MFG rudders, and 3 monitors. TrackIR is good, don't get me wrong. But it's light years behind Rift in terms of immersion. Is resolution perfect, not really. Is it playable? In free flight, absolutely. Having said that, there is a lot of optimization that's still needed. I have i7-4790K, GTX-980. In free flight, I get 75FPS x 2 so it's quite nice. With anything that has AI, it drops considerably. In Free flight, I don't get motion sickness. In AI one (with judder) I do get sick.

 

So it's not quite ready, but I'm hoping DCS 2.0 and CV1 (or vive) will be it. It's the next revolution. I equate it to using amber monochrome monitors back in the days to going to SVGA monitor. The "wow" factor cannot be conveyed through words or video alone. You *have* to experience sitting in the cockpit. Hell, your brain even makes you feel the negative Gs.

 

hsb

[Brewnix]

I am going to try the CV1 when it comes out.. To the comment to fumble for your keyboard and mouse during game play. I read in another post and comment that maybe you can adapt a IR LED on to a glove activate and deactivate the pointer or the led but flying around look down at a panel activate the led, point it to a switch and right or left click. I think tech going to emerge when it comes out after a few years there will be some thing to compliment it.

[Brisse]

Perhaps the Oculus Touch controller (or similar) can be used for cockpit interaction in the future? Maybe even emulate stick and throttle input? I wonder if it has that kind of precision... :)