Considering an Occulus Rift but...

[dburne]

Hey gang,

 

I have been thinking about the VR tech, for a while now I thought I would just wait for maybe the next generation to get higher res, but in reading a lot of the feedback from users that have the Rift now and loving it for the immersion I am considering maybe getting one.

 

However, I have a disability and am not sure how it might work with the Rift.

I suffered a large stroke a little while back, that has left me partially blind. I will try and explain to give an idea of what I see.

The stroke wiped out the right half of my vision. The condition is called homonymous hemniopia. If you were to draw a vertical center line down each of my eyeballs, the right half as I look out of each eye, is dark. Looking straight ahead, I see nothing to the right of center. Looking straight at my monitor, I only see the left half of the monitor. Of course I can move my eyes to the right to see the rest, but I can never see the whole thing with my vision at one time.

 

I can manage however, I fly with a 28" monitor and a Track IR5. I just continually scan with my eyes to see as much as I can, but it is always a very narrow view.

I just don't know how this might affect flying with a Rift. I would hate to get it and find out that no way can I work with it. On the other hand, I figure I can make do in real life ( although can never drive an auto again), so I should be able to make do with the Rift as it is all about simulating reality even more.

 

Anyway just curious what those of you that currently use them might think. I realize it is hard to visualize how I see the world , but wanted to try and get a little feedback from those that are already using them. Also I tend to get motion sick fairly easily, but have always been that way - like when I am just riding in a car. But also flying with the Track IR has never really bothered me in that regard either.

 

Thanks for any feedback,

[Phantom88]

Hello Don.Are you in USA? I believe Best Buy has them and you could try before you buy.

[Goblin]

Don, I take it from you information that both eyes can see, but only to the left? In that case you should be able to use VR goggles like the Rift or Vive.

But, as Patrick here suggests, testing them first would be a good idea.

[dburne]

Yes Phantom I have a Best Buy that is local to me, good idea!.

Yes Goblin, both eyes can see but only left half of vision - the left 90 degrees from both eyes.

 

Thanks guys!

[hansangb]

dburne, I recall someone who only had vision in one eye. And if I recall, it worked for him - may not have 3D vision, of course.

 

Microsoft has Vive as well, and while I would recommend Rift over Vive *for* DCS, it's the same concept. So you could try Vive or Rift to see how it works for me.

 

While better resolution would be great, the immersion and situational awareness makes it better. But checking six is a pain in the ass. You appreciate what aviators have to do when checking six with high G's! :)

[dburne]

dburne, I recall someone who only had vision in one eye. And if I recall, it worked for him - may not have 3D vision, of course.

 

Microsoft has Vive as well, and while I would recommend Rift over Vive *for* DCS, it's the same concept. So you could try Vive or Rift to see how it works for me.

 

While better resolution would be great, the immersion and situational awareness makes it better. But checking six is a pain in the ass. You appreciate what aviators have to do when checking six with high G's! :)

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I wish it was just one eye I had vision, at least then I would still have peripheral vision to right and left, with my condition there is absolutely 0 to right of center. But that is ok, I get along fine and it certainly could have been much worse. Ended up retiring about 8 years sooner than I had planned as can never drive again, but it all worked out.

 

I am really tempted by the Rift, wish I knew when the next generation might come out but I am sure that info is under lock and key lol. I was considering upgrading to a higher res monitor, but then I thought why not just take that money and apply towards a Rift instead. All I do is combat flight simming so would be a good fit I am sure.

 

Thanks again,

[dburne]

Maybe this will give you guys a better idea with what I am dealing with on my vision.

This is how I see out of both eyes, the right half that is dark is my vision that is gone.

 

[hansangb]

Yup, understood what you meant. Unlike monocular vision, your condition is hard to mimic (sorry about your troubles, by the way) I guess the closest one can come is to cover half the lens. Still not the same, but I could give that a shot and report back.

[dburne]

Yup, understood what you meant. Unlike monocular vision, your condition is hard to mimic (sorry about your troubles, by the way) I guess the closest one can come is to cover half the lens. Still not the same, but I could give that a shot and report back.

 

Thanks hansangb, I appreciate the kind words!

[PiedDroit]

I think it should be OK, as you can still move you eyes to the right and thus see the entire screen in the Oculus.

I mean, it's not like if you cover half of the lenses, as your eyes can move around, so what you can do is put what you want to focus on on the right side of the screen and then move your eyes to the right, this way you will have the whole picture in view, for both eyes.

 

That said, I don't remember how the focus on the edges of the screen is in the oculus, Rift users should be able to tell at which point looking on the side is practical in terms of focus.

If focus is good all the way to the edges of the lenses, then you should be able to use it normally.

[dburne]

Many thanks, appreciate the feedback!

Decisions decisions lol..

[Shabi]

Ouch, that's a harsh disability. I have something similar re anosmia from a skull fracture, thankfully that's all that stuck.

 

If you were to choose between vive and rift, go rift. I have both, and the ergonomics are a lot better with the rift, optics are comparable.

 

What you can do is look to the left a bit and hit recenter view. That way when you relax your head and look in front the hud will be aligned with your fov.

 

I'm not sure if this will screw with your spatial sense much, but the brain has a way of adjusting. And at least you won't strain your neck turning right constantly.

[cichlidfan]

Dude!!

 

Having recently had a much milder stroke, I feel for you. I consider myself lucky.

 

I suspect that you will still be able to use the Rift in a way that will make you never want to take it off and use a regular display.

 

The worst case scenario is that you sell it on Ebay for crazy amounts of money. (Ebay customers are crazy, to a large extent.)

[dburne]

Ouch, that's a harsh disability. I have something similar re anosmia from a skull fracture, thankfully that's all that stuck.

 

If you were to choose between vive and rift, go rift. I have both, and the ergonomics are a lot better with the rift, optics are comparable.

 

What you can do is look to the left a bit and hit recenter view. That way when you relax your head and look in front the hud will be aligned with your fov.

 

I'm not sure if this will screw with your spatial sense much, but the brain has a way of adjusting. And at least you won't strain your neck turning right constantly.

 

Thanks so much, appreciate the feedback!

[dburne]

Dude!!

 

Having recently had a much milder stroke, I feel for you. I consider myself lucky.

 

I suspect that you will still be able to use the Rift in a way that will make you never want to take it off and use a regular display.

 

The worst case scenario is that you sell it on Ebay for crazy amounts of money. (Ebay customers are crazy, to a large extent.)

 

Glad yours did not have any lasting effects!

Many thanks for the kind words and I appreciate the feedback!

I am pretty sure I will end up taking the plunge here before long.