PointCTRL - Finger Mounted VR Controller

[Chic]

In

[Gruman]

Looks promising. I'm in.

[FireCat]

Just come across this and spent an hour or so reading through the posts just one thing to say. AWESOME. yes shouted out. Add me to your HMS manufacturing list as well and keep up the excellent work.

[Cal.Iber]

I'm interested as well

[VF31_Subsonic]

Put me on the list and I will even come pick it up since I am just down the road in Stratford!

[AdrianK]

Yes put me on the list I’m in !

[Pac-Man]

Miles,

If, you're accepting donations, I'd love to participate with purchase at full price. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is going to be a game change for all of us in VR.

So, definitely put me on the list and I think you should create a donation page for the project. You have done a great job with this:

1. Constant communication - many times we see mods, or devices, applications etc that create a ton of hype and nothing ever comes of it or we never hear anything more

2. Time line - along with the constant communication has been constant update of not only "hey we're still on track" but you gave detailed information about what you were doing, what changes were being made, concerns etc.

3. Community feedback - on more then one occasion, you took the communities input and you took it seriously. I don't think you even probably realize how much you made us a part of this.

 

Once, again, very grateful for the time and effort you have put forth and have been willing to share with us all. Hat's off to you, Sir!

 

- OverKill

[Rymy]

I am definitely interested when you are ready to make production sets. I belive your product will have big interest among people who fly/use VR.

 

As I can see that you enjoy developing product, testing different things etc I do hope sincearly that when you have product finalised you find way to handle all incoming orders, produce them and still keep doing what you love most :)

[nobfunt]

Hi Miles. Interested in buying your HMS.

 

cheers,

[MilesD]

Today I was able to assemble and test the production FCU Finger Control Unit. They functioned as intended. I did have a few issues with the reflow soldering but that was not a design board issue. Now that the production FCU is complete, I am adding the final enhancements to the HMS Head Mounted Sensor. I am adding two capacitive touch sensors on the top of the HMS that can be programed as joystick buttons. They can be used for things like simulating holding binos to your eyes to zoom, turn on and adjust NVG’s, and helmet mounted sights. I was also thinking of adding 2 plug ports on the HMS where you could plug in 2 banks of 3 push-button switches like the ones on the FCU. You could then double face tape each bank to separate places on your VR Headset. The intent being to simulate things that you would naturally adjust or activate on your helmet. I think the tactile buttons would be more effective than then the capacitive touch sensors on the HMS, but both would be included. Let me know your thoughts on this.

 

I want to say thank you to everyone participating or following this thread. As I said before, I really do appreciate this community, and everyone’s words of encouragement and support. If it was not for your interest, investment of time, and support to improve PointCTRL, I probably would have just made a few of these for my friends and got distracted by something else shiny and never put in all the time and effort to bring this product to market.

 

So Thanks again!!!

 

Miles

 

Here are a few pics of the production FCU without the enclosure.

Edited November 18, 2018 by MilesD

[MA_Goblin]

Excellent work mate! I'm eagerly awaiting release :D

[Fusedspine33]

The addition of the buttons to the hmd sounds like a great idea. Can’t wait to try the system out.

[mr_mojo97]

Brilliant work, Miles. So much better than using the Touch controllers! Really, really can't wait for this. And the extra tactile buttons for the HMD does sound like a great idea (I think I'd prefer these to the sensor - the more the better!

Edited November 18, 2018 by mr_mojo97

[tribundf]

Amazing. Adding the buttons to the HMD is yet another big leap for immersion! Love it

[MilesD]

Auxiliary Headset mounted buttons it is. I changed the capacitive touch pads on the HMS to small buttons. I will be cutting this board today and if all goes well ordering the production HMS boards tomorrow.

 

Here is a pic of the HMS board. it is quite small amd light at 1.8" x 1.1" or 45mm x 28mm. The weight without the enclosure is 0.25 oz or 7 grams. The weight of the FCU without the enclosure but with the battery is 0.55 oz or 14 grams. The HMS will mount to the top of the VR headset with the sensor mounted below the board at a right angle. The micro headers marked APB1 and APB2 are for the auxiliary push button harnesses. I will add an actual pic a soon as I have it assembled

 

Thanks

 

Miles

Edited November 18, 2018 by MilesD

[fargo007]

Following, and subscribed to your youtube channel as well.

[AKA_Clutter]

Looking forward to trying. Now to find the YouTube channel.

[MilesD]

Hey All,

No big update here. The production order for the HMS sensors shipped on the 21st, so I hope to see them soon. Unfortunately after cutting and assembling several production prototype HMS's, when I went to install the new sensor I found out the pin-out had changed. Dumb mistake on my part, I thought the sensor just had new optics. I am waiting on the new datasheets before I can proto the new HMS. I would really like to be shipping these before the end of the year. I hope I can.

 

Thanks,

Miles

[MA_Goblin]

No worries mate, stellar work and I look forward to get my hands on this :)

[Ratcatcher]

Hey All - Miles

 

 

Keep up the good work! Really looking forward to seeing these come out!

 

 

Cheers.

[mr_mojo97]

I think we all are!! I think this is going to be a bigger deal than any of the DCS modules

[MilesD]

I think we all are!! I think this is going to be a bigger deal than any of the DCS modules

Not be be a Debbie downer, but just to manage expectations a little, here was my first experience with PointCTRL. Right before my initial test I thought "this is really going to change the VR experience". After a few minutes of use I thought "well, this is kind of disappointing". Functionally, it was working mostly as expected, but there was no "wow this is great" moment. It just felt very natural and intuitive. I found myself reaching for the mouse often and then realized I did not have to, but still, no big deal.

 

After a few weeks of use and adjustments I began to think, "is this really worth it?" It was not until I used DCS without PointCTRL that I realized that "wow, this really is worth it". Going back to the mouse was a real pain in ass, and I could not stop reaching for switches. So in summery, going to PointCTRL feels like no big deal, and it does take some time to break the mouse habit. I think its no big deal because its a natural thing to do, and lets face it, moving a switch is not very exciting. But once you get comfortable with it there is definitely no going back.

 

A nice side benefit is muscle memory. One of the things that I really noticed when going back to the mouse was the steps involved in moving a switch. First you have to find the physical mouse, then move it to locate the cursor, and then align the cursor with the switch. Now I find myself in a case 1 recovery looking left at the carrier and without looking away, my arm and hand automatically extend to where the hook lever is, I quickly glance to where where my hand is extended and the cursor is usually right over the lever. A button press and the hook down. My hand consistently and automatically moves to the location of a switch or button that I am thinking of pressing, but I don't seem to have made the conscious decision to move it there. Any shooters out there know that muscle memory is usually easier to obtain with major muscle movements which is what PointCTRL utilizes.

 

Just some thoughts,

 

Miles

Edited November 25, 2018 by MilesD

[Fri13]

Looks very promising.

Even when it is just 2D space controller compared to Oculus Touch controllers that are 3D, this can be exactly all that is needed until the VR gloves appears that allow you seamlessly use HOTAS and virtual cockpit.

 

I have used Oculus Touch controllers (rest on my laps, easier to grab from there than any mouse, but still requires to grab them) and the virtual gloves makes huge difference in the VR immersion compared to mouse on side.

 

One of the huge differences is that you don't need to bind anything to HOTAS anymore than what is suppose to be there in the real aircraft. That creates huge immersion effect as now you are using the cockpit as it is suppose to be used. And it makes very easy to learn new aircrafts as you have HOTAS buttons and then you have the cockpit. It is true WYSIWYG in learning as you don't need to remember anything specials in HOTAS, you just look at the cockpit and then "use it".

Edited November 25, 2018 by Fri13

[MilesD]

Very well said, I need to be more concise and to the point like you.

 

Miles

[Ratcatcher]

I would have to disagree with you there Miles. I think you explained your thoughts extremely well.

 

 

Managing expectations is always useful and managaing them in a way that makes me want it even more has got to be a plus! :thumbup:

 

 

My only feedback would be if you could possibly throw in a couple of paragraphs next time, it would help my old tired eyes! :D