Contemplating on getting a VR set but....

[TomOnSteam]

Hi All,

 

As the tittle says it, i am seriously considering on getting a VR but I’m really unsure if i should go down that route. Understand from the forums that the resolution isn’t that fantastic and some areas in the Sim is unreadable. Would like some info from all of you and what the pros and cons of a VR set. Would also like to know what brand of a VR set should i go for with a relatively good resolution.Any sugggestions and feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you very much

 

Regards

 

IMO wait until 2nd generation of headsets coming out in the next 6 - 12 months. Resolution is still too low. (unless you can get a cheap Windows Mixed Reality headset, or a cheap 2nd hand oculus just for fun, but there's no way you'd want to pay full price for VR just for DCS right now)

[dburne]

To add my 2c. The low res and fov (think viewing the world through a diver's mask) are a big drawback, expect to make compromises. But still not enough of a drawback to beat the gain in immersion.

 

It's been a bit of a double-edged sword in that once I tried VR, I just haven't been able to go back to using a monitor. I doubt I ever will.

 

For recent versions of DCS (2.5.1 and up), you'll most likely be wanting a 1080Ti.

 

Another surprise for me has been how much I'm enjoying "proper" VR games (clue: I'm not young). I really thought I'd only be using it for flight sims, but since my original purchase, I've bought a 3rd sensor and have had to make room for a play area. Echo Arena, Sprint Vector, Sparc, Brass Tactics... these are types of games I'd thought I'd got bored with years ago. Fun and exercise!

 

I have not regretted buying the Rift, not once. I've had it for nearly a year now.

 

Fully agree, when I got my Rift back in Jan of 2017 I thought I would only be using it for combat flight sims and maybe a racing sim down the road, however it opened up a whole new part of gaming for me in that I have had quite a lot of fun with other games now also.

Combat Flight still occupies 90% of my gaming time, but I do enjoy the occasional breaks enjoying other games.

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

To add my 2c. The low res and fov (think viewing the world through a diver's mask) are a big drawback, expect to make compromises. But still not enough of a drawback to beat the gain in immersion.

 

It's been a bit of a double-edged sword in that once I tried VR, I just haven't been able to go back to using a monitor. I doubt I ever will.

 

For recent versions of DCS (2.5.1 and up), you'll most likely be wanting a 1080Ti.

 

Another surprise for me has been how much I'm enjoying "proper" VR games (clue: I'm not young). I really thought I'd only be using it for flight sims, but since my original purchase, I've bought a 3rd sensor and have had to make room for a play area. Echo Arena, Sprint Vector, Sparc, Brass Tactics... these are types of games I'd thought I'd got bored with years ago. Fun and exercise!

 

I have not regretted buying the Rift, not once. I've had it for nearly a year now.

 

Fully agree, when I got my Rift back in Jan of 2017 I thought I would only be using it for combat flight sims and maybe a racing sim down the road, however it opened up a whole new part of gaming for me in that I have had quite a lot of fun with other games now also.

Combat Flight still occupies 90% of my gaming time, but I do enjoy the occasional breaks enjoying other games.

 

 

Nothing to add, I just finished another climb session and smashing some robots :D

[imacken]

IMO wait until 2nd generation of headsets coming out in the next 6 - 12 months. Resolution is still too low. (unless you can get a cheap Windows Mixed Reality headset, or a cheap 2nd hand oculus just for fun, but there's no way you'd want to pay full price for VR just for DCS right now)

 

Couldn’t disagree more. VR in DCS is a life changer. Totally amazing and the lack of res compared to monitors really doesn’t matter.

[BigDuke6ixx]

Couldn’t disagree more. VR in DCS is a life changer. Totally amazing and the lack of res compared to monitors really doesn’t matter.

 

Agreed 100%.

[Thick8]

IMO wait until 2nd generation of headsets coming out in the next 6 - 12 months. Resolution is still too low. (unless you can get a cheap Windows Mixed Reality headset, or a cheap 2nd hand oculus just for fun, but there's no way you'd want to pay full price for VR just for DCS right now)

No, you should wait until they come out with a fully functioning holodeck...

[hansangb]

It's actually not full price anymore. Rift is what? $400? WMR are less than that. And being able to take a quick look at the carrier is a godsend. Of course if you waited this long to get into VR, I supposed waiting a few more months won't kill you. You don't know what you don't know so it's not as a big deal. I would simply stop flying DCS if VR went away. It's that important to me.

 

 

 

I've waited a long time to experience this. Thank you Oculus and thank you ED!

[dburne]

It's actually not full price anymore. Rift is what? $400? WMR are less than that. And being able to take a quick look at the carrier is a godsend. Of course if you waited this long to get into VR, I supposed waiting a few more months won't kill you. You don't know what you don't know so it's not as a big deal. I would simply stop flying DCS if VR went away. It's that important to me.

 

 

 

I've waited a long time to experience this. Thank you Oculus and thank you ED!

 

Same here, don't think I could ever go back to gaming on a monitor again.

 

I personally think we are looking at least a year or a little longer for a true second generation device. I think it will be absolutely incredible when it does come. In the meantime I am going to enjoy the heck out of my Rift. It has already given me well over a year of great fun on almost a daily basis.

[hansangb]

And you can avoid this. LOL

 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2018 by hansangb

[Dav IRL]

Couldn’t disagree more. VR in DCS is a life changer. Totally amazing and the lack of res compared to monitors really doesn’t matter.

 

 

Agreed +1

 

The detail in VR is actually WAY better than 4k in 2d, it's just the resolution and sharpness that is not. That's the thing.. a cockpit switch in a DCS aircraft in 2d looks great, nice and sharp and clean looking, however in VR the same switch is a 3d object that pops out of the aircraft in true size, so it's all about how you perceive detail, for me detail is based on the overall perception of my mind believing I am there, and when every button switch and hud detail is in true 3d there is no comparison to that of 'flat' 2d. I have tried to go back to 2d at 4k and it's not worth the sacrifice of a 3 dimensional cockpit and world, throw a butt kicker gamer 2 onto your throttle and now you have engine and weapon vibration, killer stuff altogether.

 

The entire VR setup is so ergonomic, sound, visual, comms and tracking all in one headset as opposed to Track IR! Track IR has you swinging your head all over the place or alternatively holding it still, nothing like a stiff neck eh?

 

VR is a simple setup. You have two sensors placed in front of you 3 feet apart, you select VR in the sim, lower the IP distance to say 55 and PD to 1.5 and your cockpit will be clear enough to play properly. You will need 3 USB '3' slots and 1 HDMI slot and one available display port on your GPU. In UI options set VR zoom to your throttle so you can view instruments in much better detail when required.

 

It takes a while to concede to immersion over clarity but when you do and enjoy it for what it does best you will be glad you bought a rift, it’s just about changing the mindset from that of 'graphic perfection' to 'immersion', permanently, because hunting for graphic perfection is a distraction, once you get there it's surprisingly underwhelming. Let go of the 'Ultra HD perfect graphics' idealism and forget about it, it always leads to disappointment, I have done both and 2d is FLAT & SLOW. Immersion always wins, there is a massively detailed 3 dimensional sim waiting for you in DCS, you just got to walk away from a graphic perfection mentality, it's just a case of changing your perspective on what it is you are trying to get out of a simulation experience, however if you are playing flight simulators for graphics as opposed to immersion then stop reading now!!

 

Looking at a 2d screen, objects and shapes look clean, clear and crisp, but everything in that world feels slow, speed is never translated correctly, people always complaining on the forums about it here WHEN IN FACT in VR each aircraft has different speeds and it is very noticeable and exhilarating in VR.

 

Sense of scale: I was terrible at flying choppers, take the Gazelle, a module just sitting there doing nothing, once I got into VR properly I could land the thing on a building or anywhere, quickly, without fuss because all the dimensions were correct, everything felt right!! (Cheers Polychop-Simulations!!!). Here is the real kicker and what changed my mindset to stick with VR, in DCS, in 2d or VR enemies are ferociously hard to spot, 2d in 4k doesn't massively improve spotting, thats the thing! So all you are benefiting from 2d at 4k is better graphics, not better spotting!

 

In VR you are GAINING a greater sense of speed, immersion and perspective, all of which are not captured in 2d on one single headset. Finally, when there is 8k graphics it still won't put you in the cockpit of a DCS aircraft the way VR does, you will always be striving for graphic perfection in 2d and this is not about that, it's about being in the aircraft and feeling like you are there in my opinion, flying across the sea admiring the sense of speed, landing where you intended on landing, hitting targets with better precision and having one to one tracking while you are at it, which means it is more fun, everything in the cockpit is scaled correctly, it feels like you are actually sitting in the cockpit.

Edited June 7, 2018 by Dav IRL

[dburne]

Agreed +1

 

The detail in VR is actually WAY better than 4k in 2d, it's just the resolution and sharpness that is not. That's the thing.. a cockpit switch in a DCS aircraft in 2d looks great, nice and sharp and clean looking, however in VR the same switch is a 3d object that pops out of the aircraft in true size, so it's all about how you perceive detail, for me detail is based on the overall perception of my mind believing I am there, and when every button switch and hud detail is in true 3d there is no comparison to that of 'flat' 2d. I have tried to go back to 2d at 4k and it's not worth the sacrifice of a 3 dimensional cockpit and world, throw a butt kicker gamer 2 onto your throttle and now you have engine and weapon vibration, killer stuff altogether.

 

The entire VR setup is so ergonomic, sound, visual, comms and tracking all in one headset as opposed to Track IR! Track IR has you swinging your head all over the place or alternatively holding it still, nothing like a stiff neck eh?

 

VR is a simple setup. You have two sensors placed in front of you 3 feet apart, you select VR in the sim, lower the IP distance to say 55 and PD to 1.5 and your cockpit will be clear enough to play properly. You will need 3 USB '3' slots and 2 HDMI slots on your GPU. In UI options set VR zoom to your throttle so you can view instruments in much better detail.

 

snip

 

Just to clarify as long as you have Display Ports, only need one HDMI and that for the Rift. I run two monitors and a Rift, and use Display Ports for the monitors and my single HDMI port on my 1080 Ti for the Rift..

[Dav IRL]

Just to clarify as long as you have Display Ports, only need one HDMI and that for the Rift. I run two monitors and a Rift, and use Display Ports for the monitors and my single HDMI port on my 1080 Ti for the Rift..

 

 

 

Yes indeed you are correct 1 HDMI and one display port. Amended.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited June 5, 2018 by Dav IRL

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

Agreed +1

 

The detail in VR is actually WAY better than 4k in 2d, it's just the resolution and sharpness that is not. That's the thing.. a cockpit switch in a DCS aircraft in 2d looks great, nice and sharp and clean looking, however in VR the same switch is a 3d object that pops out of the aircraft in true size, so it's all about how you perceive detail, for me detail is based on the overall perception of my mind believing I am there, and when every button switch and hud detail is in true 3d there is no comparison to that of 'flat' 2d. I have tried to go back to 2d at 4k and it's not worth the sacrifice of a 3 dimensional cockpit and world, throw a butt kicker gamer 2 onto your throttle and now you have engine and weapon vibration, killer stuff altogether.

 

The entire VR setup is so ergonomic, sound, visual, comms and tracking all in one headset as opposed to Track IR! Track IR has you swinging your head all over the place or alternatively holding it still, nothing like a stiff neck eh?

 

VR is a simple setup. You have two sensors placed in front of you 3 feet apart, you select VR in the sim, lower the IP distance to say 55 and PD to 1.5 and your cockpit will be clear enough to play properly. You will need 3 USB '3' slots and 1 HDMI slot and one available display port on your GPU. In UI options set VR zoom to your throttle so you can view instruments in much better detail when required.

 

It takes a while to concede to immersion over clarity but when you do and enjoy it for what it does best you will be glad you bought a rift, it’s just about changing the mindset from that of 'graphic perfection' to 'immersion', permanently, because hunting for graphic perfection is a distraction. Let go of the 'Ultra HD perfect graphics' idealism and forget about it, it always leads to disappointment, I have done both and 2d is FLAT. Immersion always wins, there is a massively detailed 3 dimensional sim waiting for you in DCS, you just got to walk away from a graphic perfection mentality, it's just a case of changing your perspective on what it is you are trying to get out of a simulation experience however if you are playing flight simulators for graphics as opposed to immersion then stop reading now!!

 

Looking at a 2d screen, objects and shapes look clean, clear and crisp, but everything in that world feels slow, speed is never translated correctly, people always complaining on the forums about it here WHEN IN FACT in VR each aircraft has different speeds and it is very noticeable and exhilarating in VR.

 

Sense of scale: I was terrible at flying choppers, take the Gazelle, a module just sitting there doing nothing, once I got into VR properly I could land the thing on a building or anywhere, quickly, without fuss because all the dimensions were correct, everything felt right!! (Cheers Polychop-Simulations!!!). Here is the real kicker and what changed my mindset to stick with VR, in DCS, in 2d or VR enemies are ferociously hard to spot, 2d in 4k doesn't massively improve spotting, thats the thing! So all you are benefiting from 2d at 4k is better graphics, not better spotting!

 

In VR you are GAINING a greater sense of speed, immersion and perspective, all of which are not captured in 2d on one single headset. Finally, when there is 8k graphics it still won't put you in the cockpit of a DCS aircraft the way VR does, you will always be striving for graphic perfection in 2d and this is not about that, it's about being in the aircraft and feeling like you are there in my opinion, flying across the sea admiring the sense of speed, landing where you intended on landing, hitting targets with better precision and having one to one tracking while you are at it, which means it is more fun and everything in the cockpit is naturally at your fingertips.

Very well exposed :thumbup:

+1 to your opinion

[javelina1]

Agreed +1

 

The detail in VR is actually WAY better than 4k in 2d, it's just the resolution and sharpness that is not. That's the thing.. a cockpit switch in a DCS aircraft in 2d looks great, nice and sharp and clean looking, however in VR the same switch is a 3d object that pops out of the aircraft in true size, so it's all about how you perceive detail, for me detail is based on the overall perception of my mind believing I am there, and when every button switch and hud detail is in true 3d there is no comparison to that of 'flat' 2d. I have tried to go back to 2d at 4k and it's not worth the sacrifice of a 3 dimensional cockpit and world, throw a butt kicker gamer 2 onto your throttle and now you have engine and weapon vibration, killer stuff altogether.

 

The entire VR setup is so ergonomic, sound, visual, comms and tracking all in one headset as opposed to Track IR! Track IR has you swinging your head all over the place or alternatively holding it still, nothing like a stiff neck eh?

 

VR is a simple setup. You have two sensors placed in front of you 3 feet apart, you select VR in the sim, lower the IP distance to say 55 and PD to 1.5 and your cockpit will be clear enough to play properly. You will need 3 USB '3' slots and 1 HDMI slot and one available display port on your GPU. In UI options set VR zoom to your throttle so you can view instruments in much better detail when required.

 

It takes a while to concede to immersion over clarity but when you do and enjoy it for what it does best you will be glad you bought a rift, it’s just about changing the mindset from that of 'graphic perfection' to 'immersion', permanently, because hunting for graphic perfection is a distraction. Let go of the 'Ultra HD perfect graphics' idealism and forget about it, it always leads to disappointment, I have done both and 2d is FLAT. Immersion always wins, there is a massively detailed 3 dimensional sim waiting for you in DCS, you just got to walk away from a graphic perfection mentality, it's just a case of changing your perspective on what it is you are trying to get out of a simulation experience however if you are playing flight simulators for graphics as opposed to immersion then stop reading now!!

 

Looking at a 2d screen, objects and shapes look clean, clear and crisp, but everything in that world feels slow, speed is never translated correctly, people always complaining on the forums about it here WHEN IN FACT in VR each aircraft has different speeds and it is very noticeable and exhilarating in VR.

 

Sense of scale: I was terrible at flying choppers, take the Gazelle, a module just sitting there doing nothing, once I got into VR properly I could land the thing on a building or anywhere, quickly, without fuss because all the dimensions were correct, everything felt right!! (Cheers Polychop-Simulations!!!). Here is the real kicker and what changed my mindset to stick with VR, in DCS, in 2d or VR enemies are ferociously hard to spot, 2d in 4k doesn't massively improve spotting, thats the thing! So all you are benefiting from 2d at 4k is better graphics, not better spotting!

 

In VR you are GAINING a greater sense of speed, immersion and perspective, all of which are not captured in 2d on one single headset. Finally, when there is 8k graphics it still won't put you in the cockpit of a DCS aircraft the way VR does, you will always be striving for graphic perfection in 2d and this is not about that, it's about being in the aircraft and feeling like you are there in my opinion, flying across the sea admiring the sense of speed, landing where you intended on landing, hitting targets with better precision and having one to one tracking while you are at it, which means it is more fun and everything in the cockpit is naturally at your fingertips.

 

 

If I could rep you, I would! great write up there brother! :thumbup:

[BlacleyCole]

I had a setup with three 24’ monitors got VRfree and took the monitors to storage to sell later

[NineGzuz]

No, you should wait until they come out with a fully functioning holodeck...

 

That's not a fair response. I suggested waiting only 6 months because Gen 1 hardware is approaching the end of its life cycle. In no way did I suggest to wait until the technology is perfect.

 

Very disappointed to see so many people here fanboi'ing VR so much that they would want someone to buy Gen 1 hardware this close to Gen 2. That's just bad advice for technology in any circumstance.

 

I'm not saying don't buy VR. I'm saying VR is great. Just wait a while to get a better experience unless you want to upgrade within 12 months. :thumbup:

[imacken]

That's not a fair response. I suggested waiting only 6 months because Gen 1 hardware is approaching the end of its life cycle. In no way did I suggest to wait until the technology is perfect.

 

Very disappointed to see so many people here fanboi'ing VR so much that they would want someone to buy Gen 1 hardware this close to Gen 2. That's just bad advice for technology in any circumstance.

 

I'm not saying don't buy VR. I'm saying VR us great. Just wait a while to get a better experience unless you want to upgrade within 12 months. :thumbup:

 

It’s not bad advice at all, it is correct advice! Buy a VR set now as it such a great experience. No one knows when G2 will arrive, could be 6 months! Could be more, who knows.

Enjoy the experience now, and sell on the G1 headset when G2 arrives sometime in the future. It’s not as if this a life changing amount of money either. I mean you might lose £50-£100. Big deal! Small price to pay for a great experience over the next 6 months, 1 year, who knows.

[Dav IRL]

That's not a fair response. I suggested waiting only 6 months because Gen 1 hardware is approaching the end of its life cycle. In no way did I suggest to wait until the technology is perfect.

 

Very disappointed to see so many people here fanboi'ing VR so much that they would want someone to buy Gen 1 hardware this close to Gen 2. That's just bad advice for technology in any circumstance.

 

I'm not saying don't buy VR. I'm saying VR is great. Just wait a while to get a better experience unless you want to upgrade within 12 months. :thumbup:

 

Two counter arguments to your opinion.

 

1. We don't know when the next real generation is due and we don't know how much it will cost.

2. We also don't know what the upgrade path will cost, it may be a whole new PC setup and next level gaming card!

 

You could be waiting a very long time for all the pieces to fit when you can start now!!! It's not fanboy, it's just a much better experience.

Edited June 9, 2018 by Dav IRL

[BigDuke6ixx]

 

Very disappointed to see so many people here fanboi'ing VR so much that they would want someone to buy Gen 1 hardware this close to Gen 2. That's just bad advice for technology in any circumstance.

 

VR is actually very, very good right now, so saying so isn't fanboying, it's actually fair and honest comment.

 

Buy it, enjoy it, flip it when something better comes along. Or be a whiny, bedwetty, crybaby who can't decide on any path without first doing 10yrs of research on it.

 

So dab your wet eyes and run along...

Edited June 9, 2018 by BigDuke6ixx

[Thick8]

VR with the Odyssey is pretty sweet. Almost 80% higher pixel count, deeper blacks, no ghosting, and less God Rays than the earlier offerings. We may not be at 2nd gen yet but we are beyond what initially came out. I waited for the Odyssey. Well I waited for something better than the Rift and Vive. Thought it was the Pimax (that was a a mistake). If you want VR, get VR. Don’t let someone who already owns VR tell you how you should wait while they are already enjoying the benefits of their choice. Throw a grand at a new video card while you’re at it, you won’t be disappointed...

[hansangb]

That's not a fair response. I suggested waiting only 6 months because Gen 1 hardware is approaching the end of its life cycle. In no way did I suggest to wait until the technology is perfect.

 

Very disappointed to see so many people here fanboi'ing VR so much that they would want someone to buy Gen 1 hardware this close to Gen 2. That's just bad advice for technology in any circumstance.

 

I'm not saying don't buy VR. I'm saying VR is great. Just wait a while to get a better experience unless you want to upgrade within 12 months. :thumbup:

 

 

 

 

It's a dilemma that is inherent to computer technology. There's the opportunity cost to factor in as well. It's something that everyone has to make based on budget. It's really as simple as that. The sweet spot for someone could be the high discount after gen 2 is announced. Or it could be top shelf stuff now and recycle it when gen2 comes out. I love VR, and I for one, am glad that I got to enjoy it since the first day CV1 was released. I had DK1 and DK2 as well and no regrets.

 

 

 

Your advice is a good advice, but the caveat is we really don't know when Vive/Rift/WMR's will release gen 2. LG+Google seems promising. Then there's this new AR/VR that was just announced in this forum (can't remember the name).

[etherbattx]

you can always buy the current model and ebay it when the new model comes out.

i’ve done that before.

 

you lose a bit, but averaged over 12 months of playing time it’s only like 60 cents a day. less than a cup of coffee.

 

well worth it.

[TomOnSteam]

I'd also wait 6 months to see what is around the corner.

(especially if you only intend to use it in DCS. But if you make use of other games which are designed to overcome the low resolution, then you will get value for your money)

 

 

 

VR is very fun, but despite all of the enthusiasm here, every other thread is filled with people wishing for a higher resolution display. You can't read the gauges properly (gotta lean in). And in most planes the HUD is hard to read. That is a fact, no matter how much fun anyone is having.

Edited June 9, 2018 by TomOnSteam

[Gizzy]

..... You can't read the gauges properly (gotta lean in). And in most planes the HUD is hard to read. That is a fact, no matter how much fun anyone is having.

 

Sorry mate, totally disagree with you on this one.

[TomOnSteam]

mzbMyAHE0mI

 

here's a great comparison between headsets, which also shows how spotty text and gauges are.