Vive Pro 2

[dburne]

Well while I got notice this morning my pre-order had been moved to be fulfilled, no shipping notice for me today.

Guess I should not have done the pre-order with HTC and just waited to order from an e-tailer, folks are apparently getting them faster that way it seems.

[Headwarp]

1 hour ago, dburne said:

Well while I got notice this morning my pre-order had been moved to be fulfilled, no shipping notice for me today.

Guess I should not have done the pre-order with HTC and just waited to order from an e-tailer, folks are apparently getting them faster that way it seems.

 

Hopefully you at least opted to use the promo code and saved $50 on your pre-order.    It took three days for my base stations to get here from where the shipment originated in Indiana. I live about 500 miles from the eastern coast of the US, so when they do ship it's not a long wait.    Hopefully the weekend doesn't add a further delay for you. 

 

 I've never ordered from B&H Photo before.  Read a few bad reviews but it was mostly about used equipment being sold as new.  I don't think that will be a factor with a headset that's only been on the market for 2 days now.  Supmua seems to have done some business with them before so that was kind of reassuring.  

Edited June 5, 2021 by Headwarp

[Supmua]

I have a lot of experiences with B&H, much more so in the past with >25K in camera gear, Mac computers, audio/video gear, trade-ins, etc.  They sell professional equipments and have crazy large inventory, and the store is within driving distance from my place.  My Vive Pro 1 was also from them.  I only shop there besides Amazon and Newegg, and sometimes eBay.  Their regular shipping only takes one day to get to me since I live close by so it is a no brainer choice for me.

[Headwarp]

Honestly I'm not sure I was in such a rush other than the fear of HTC running into stock issues or something.     I don't even have my room arranged for it yet.   >.< Thinking I might have to spin my obutto around so the back of my monitor is facing the wall.  

[Supmua]

No need to rush, lol.  It’s a controversial headset just like the Index and the G2, people would either love it or hate it.  There are some flaws like the mic, audio, and glare, some advantages in horizontal FOV, black level, color vibrancy, edge to edge clarity.  And there is bound to be some software issues in early release stage, you’ll be a beta tester.  I don’t think there’ll be significant stock issue like the Index and G2 where you waited months just to get one since a lot of people are put off by price, but they did sell out the entire first batch so who knows.

[trigen]

First impressions are so so. Install and setup is PITA.  Lots of issues. 

 

Colors are good and FOV fine but the vertical FOV is lacking. 

 

8kX for immersion. G2 for clarity but not by much over the VP2. VP2 for a bit more fov. I cant really recommend the 8kX due to the eyestrain issue i and so many others get but you really cant beat it if you dont. Its a beast for immersion. 

Today get pretty severe cross eye up and down as the images does not line up vertically in DCS world. Fine everywhere else and when i open OVR Toolkit in DCS world its fine and as soon as i look at DCS its double vision and eyestrain.  Dont know what is going on but DCS is currently unplayable for me. 

Edited June 5, 2021 by trigen

[Supmua]

Interesting findings here. https://www.reddit.com/r/Vive/comments/nsry7i/please_enter_your_results_of_your_steamvr_ss_when/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

 

It seems the default resolution of SteamVR SS at 100 or 150% varies depending on your GPU, as well as mode. For example, Extreme 120 Hz shows lower default pixels in SteamVR SS than Ultra 90 Hz. This number is also higher or lower based on how strong your GPU is. This can definitely affect clarity if you leave them at default without checking the actual pixels. 

Optimal resolution for geometric distortion correction for a SteamVR device is typically 1.4x, so for the Pro 2 the artifact free setting should be 3427 x 3427 per screen which will put a significant strain on any GPU even the 3090. 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Supmua

[Tom Kazansky]

1 hour ago, trigen said:

First impressions are so so. Install and setup is PITA.  Lots of issues. 

 

Colors are good and FOV fine but the vertical FOV is lacking. 

 

8kX for immersion. G2 for clarity but not by much over the VP2. VP2 for a bit more fov. I cant really recommend the 8kX due to the eyestrain issue i and so many others get but you really cant beat it if you dont. Its a beast for immersion. 

Today get pretty severe cross eye up and down as the images does not line up vertically in DCS world. Fine everywhere else and when i open OVR Toolkit in DCS world its fine and as soon as i look at DCS its double vision and eyestrain.  Dont know what is going on but DCS is currently unplayable for me. 

 

Thanks!

Can you tell us something about the VP2's sweet spot compared to the sweet spot of the G2?

[Headwarp]

Lol unlike the rest of you cray crays  I'm upgrading from the Original Samsung Odyssey   And other than being able to use index knuckles without running space calibrator.. the G2 honestly sounds like the better headset for simming and one reviewer shared those sentiments.   

 

HTC has made some kind of ? decisions with the vive pro 2.  Requiring vive console,  using a new kind of motion compensation rather than Steam VR's motion smoothing.  Sure, WMR has its own kind of motion reprojection, but I can turn that on and off while games are running even... also Microsoft software development vs HTC software development.. Microsoft seems more reliable in that regard IME, even if the level of reliability is debatable.    As far as I can tell motion compensation only works for 45/90, though i'm hoping to be wrong on that one as I seem to be maintaining 60 fps when I crank the odyssey up to 5.9m pixels per eye in DCS.  

 

If the G2 accommodated a 72mm IPD I'd have been all over it when it released.   I mean.. sure I have index knuckles now but my main use for VR is still going to be DCSW and other sims. 

 

anyway.  I hope you guys find the difference between the Reverb G2 and the Pro 2 worth the $800 or $1400 if you needed base stations and controllers.  

 

I personally just didn't feel like I had a lot of options without feeling crosseyed.    So yeah.. I'm in a rush.   I've been wearing the Odyssey for a long time now.  It's heavy and sometimes causes pressure headaches as the only mechanism for keeping it on your head is tightening it like a vice.     .    Hopefully it's here by Monday..  left new jersey about 6 hours ago.  

Edited June 5, 2021 by Headwarp

[trigen]

 

41 minutes ago, Tom Kazansky said:

Thanks!

Can you tell us something about the VP2's sweet spot compared to the sweet spot of the G2?

Its been a while since i had the G2 so i couldnt give a very accurate comment on that but it feels about the same, perhaps a bit wider on the VP2. Hard to say. 

[Supmua]

30 minutes ago, Headwarp said:

Lol unlike the rest of you cray crays  I'm upgrading from the Original Samsung Odyssey   And other than being able to use index knuckles without running space calibrator.. the G2 honestly sounds like the better headset for simming and one reviewer shared those sentiments.   

 

HTC has made some kind of ? decisions with the vive pro 2.  Requiring vive console,  using a new kind of motion compensation rather than Steam VR's motion smoothing.  Sure, WMR has its own kind of motion reprojection, but I can turn that on and off while games are running even... also Microsoft software development vs HTC software development.. Microsoft seems more reliable in that regard IME, even if the level of reliability is debatable.    As far as I can tell motion compensation only works for 45/90, though i'm hoping to be wrong on that one as I seem to be maintaining 60 fps when I crank the odyssey up to 5.9m pixels per eye in DCS.  

 

If the G2 accommodated a 72mm IPD I'd have been all over it when it released.   I mean.. sure I have index knuckles now but my main use for VR is still going to be DCSW and other sims. 

 

anyway.  I hope you guys find the difference between the Reverb G2 and the Pro 2 worth the $800 or $1400 if you needed base stations and controllers.  

 

I personally just didn't feel like I had a lot of options without feeling crosseyed.    So yeah.. I'm in a rush.   I've been wearing the Odyssey for a long time now.  It's heavy and sometimes causes pressure headaches as the only mechanism for keeping it on your head is tightening it like a vice.     .    Hopefully it's here by Monday..  left new jersey about 6 hours ago.  

 

 

I think it's a fair business decision by HTC.  They tried to be different with the Vive Cosmos and it tanked miserably with poor tracking and so so FOV.  They're now back to playing with the formula that has worked well in the past; the Pro 2 retains compatibility with all of their peripherals (body tracking, face tracking, wands, wireless module) as well as existing 3rd party mods.  Plus they can cut the cost by using parts from older Vive pro device.  They also introduced the Focus 3, which is a completely new headset albeit for the enterprise market.  The Pro 3 if happens will probably be a very different looking headset with a lot of integrated things such as face/eye tracking, wireless option, and perhaps some tech from the Focus 3 such as swappable battery pack in the back compartment.

[Headwarp]

8 minutes ago, Supmua said:

 

I think it's a fair business decision by HTC.  They tried to be different with the Vive Cosmos and it tanked miserably with poor tracking and so so FOV.  They're now back to playing with the formula that has worked well in the past; the Pro 2 retains compatibility with all of their peripherals (body tracking, face tracking, wands, wireless module) as well as existing 3rd party mods.  Plus they can cut the cost by using parts from older Vive pro device.  They also introduced the Focus 3, which is a completely new headset albeit for the enterprise market.  The Pro 3 if happens will probably be a very different looking headset with a lot of integrated things such as face/eye tracking, wireless option, and perhaps some tech from the Focus 3 such as swappable battery pack in the back compartment.

 

I appreciate that it works with all the previous hardware,  but I don't like that they've tied its features to Vive Console when all of its functions could probably be worked into SteamVR.. and SteamVR also has the 80/40 90/45 120/60hz thing goin for them already with the index.    I really hope the Pro 2 can or eventually will be able to do 60fps compensation.   Anyway, not much sense in me continuing to speculate.   I'll have this thing figured out within a day of owning it as long as I can motivate myself to rearrange my um. "office" 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Headwarp

[dburne]

Rats still no shipment notification with tracking number, guess it will be sometime next week before it ships.

Anyone that pre-ordered get shipping notices yet?

[Supmua]

I'm hoping the lower Hz options will come later on since 80 is my usual go to right now on the Valve Index and I'm even ok with 72 on the Quest 2.  I'm also hoping that it will fully support all of the SteamVR settings including motion smoothing in the future, I don't see why it can't happen since it is a SteamVR platform device.

[Headwarp]

Just now, dburne said:

Rats still no shipment notification with tracking number, guess it will be sometime next week before it ships.

Anyone that pre-ordered get shipping notices yet?

 

Yeah I'm not sure HTC is actually open on weekends.   Their customer service reps like to use "Business days" when talking time lines.  

[Supmua]

2 minutes ago, dburne said:

Rats still no shipment notification with tracking number, guess it will be sometime next week before it ships.

Anyone that pre-ordered get shipping notices yet?

 

People from Reddit are getting their shipping notifications, Don.  However, some also got quoted 6/15 delivery date (preorder 5/11-5/12).  I don't want to deal with HTC's customer service that's why I went with B&H and it's been super, should get my headset in a few hours as it's been on the FedEx delivery truck since 4:13AM.

Edited June 5, 2021 by Supmua

[Headwarp]

8 minutes ago, dburne said:

Rats still no shipment notification with tracking number, guess it will be sometime next week before it ships.

Anyone that pre-ordered get shipping notices yet?

 

6 minutes ago, Supmua said:

 

People from Reddit are getting their shipping notifications, Don.  However, some also got quoted 6/15 delivery date (preorder 5/11-5/12).  I don't want to deal with HTC's customer service that's why I went with B&H and it's been super, should get my headset in a few hours as it's been on the FedEx delivery truck since 4:13AM.

 

 

To top that off B&H was about the only place I saw them still in stock.  Which it still says they have them.  Dell is now showing Jun 15 as earliest delivery date.  In the process of cancelling my order I commented to the service rep that I'd make sure to avoid buying directly from the HTC store if possible in the future.  Between the headset not shipping on the 3rd despite putting my pre-order the day after the announcement, the misinformation regarding my base stations mentioned earlier in the thread..  they seem kind of behind the times in marketing and online sales practices.  

 

 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Headwarp

[dburne]

4 minutes ago, Supmua said:

 

People from Reddit are getting their shipping notifications, Don.  However, some also got quoted 6/15 delivery date (preorder 5/11-5/12).  I don't want to deal with HTC's customer service that's why I went with B&H and it's been super, should get my headset in a few hours as it's been on the FedEx delivery truck since 4:13AM.

 

 

Great you are getting yours today!

As for me, lesson learned.

What really bites is my card was charged on day of Pre-Order as I had gone through PayPal.

 

I guess since my status changed to being fulfilled or waiting for fulfillment it is getting close.

[Supmua]

Just now, dburne said:

 

Great you are getting yours today!

As for me, lesson learned.

What really bites is my card was charged on day of Pre-Order as I had gone through PayPal.

 

I guess since my status changed to being fulfilled or waiting for fulfillment it is getting close.

 

I also used Paypal when ordered from HTC which got charged right away, but that got refunded.

If you really want it by Monday or Tues, cancel the HTC order via their website like I did and if that goes through then order from B&H instead.  They ship really fast if in stock.

[Headwarp]

24 minutes ago, dburne said:

 

Great you are getting yours today!

As for me, lesson learned.

What really bites is my card was charged on day of Pre-Order as I had gone through PayPal.

 

I guess since my status changed to being fulfilled or waiting for fulfillment it is getting close.

 

I actually got two separate refunds for the same order because of the fiasco with my base stations. One on the 18th for $434.82 for the base stations and one on the 3rd for the remaining 818.28   I'd check to see if your order has a "process cancellation" button anywhere, and if so grab one from B&H while they still have stock.   Might not be too late.   Check with their live chat even if there isn't a button.   They should be available in an hour.   Just be prepared for the increase in cost.  My B&H order was $872 and some change after tax.   Which is mostly the lack of discount from the pre-order.   I was a little giddy when I got my tracking number yesterday.   I would be sure I had the funds ready however.   It took until the next day for HTC's refund to hit my bank, and typically they'll tell you to allow 3-5 days to see the funds.  

 

Chat service hours:

Monday through Saturday 9:00AM – 10:00PM Eastern Time
Sunday 11:00AM – 10:00PM Eastern Time

 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Headwarp

[A2597]

My order shipped late last night, with an expected delivery of tomorrow.

[peachmonkey]

got my shipping notification for tomorrow delivery!  Yay!

[Headwarp]

Well I ran into a small snafu with how I planned to mount my LH Base stations and decided I didn't want to mount them to the walls using the iFixit mounts.  

 

So I  ordered two of each of the items linked below, which make the platform a little more mobile if I so choose.   Amazon saying Monday.. which would be perfect.  

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PICAE4C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CRDD6Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edited June 5, 2021 by Headwarp

[imacken]

For all who have received their headset, what are the various stages in the order status on the Vive site?

[Supmua]

Ok been playing with the Vive Pro 2 for the past 45 min or so.  I use the Quest 2 hybrid gel face pad to optimize FOV.

 

I'm just going to comment mostly on the panel for now.

 

The Vive Pro 2 screen is simply gorgeous.  The first time I put the headset on was an "oh my god what have I been missing" moment.  Having just used the Index up until the headset got delivered, there is quite a huge difference.  On the SteamVR Home everything looks insanely good, the reflection on the wooden floor, the vibrancy of entire scenery, the black level on the blackboard, etc.  I notice an increase in HFOV right away, the VFOV maybe a tad smaller than the Index but really doesn't bother me.  I thought my Quest 2 doesn't have screen door, but the view from this headset is just like something you'd see in a real desktop LCD monitor, the colors are even more vibrant than my computer monitor.  I brought up Desktop window from SteamVR Home and started browsing internet and the experience is pretty good, small texts are clearly legible.  Edge to edge clarity is almost on par with the Index, but you need to find the optimal sweet spot first by shifting the headset around, tilting up and down.  I went to LCD testing sites right away to check white level/black level/color reproduction and they're quite good.

 

I'm currently using Ultra mode for maximal image quality (default mode setting is Auto).  You must also turn on motion compensation on the Vive Console which is off by default (this is similar to SteamVR motion smoothing) otherwise DCS will not be very enjoyable.

 

Now there are some negatives but I'll go into those later once I have enough experience with this thing.  But I can tell you that after using this headset and see how good the screen is, it would be hard for me to go back to the Index.  Performance wise, it may not be as good as the Index in terms of fps but it might be too premature for me to say anything now.  There is a soft humming from the audiophones which is bothering me a bit since I'm a bit of an audiophile but will need to do more testing on this.

 

HFOV 114, VFOV 96 wearing my glasses using testhmd. 
 

There seems to be a bug either with Vive console or SteamVR that sometimes causes frametime spike in SteamVR home and perhaps other games as well. I haven’t been able to reproduce it but I’ve seen it a few times.  For those who are used to setting SS per App with SteamVR, sometimes it won't let you do it so if you set SS 200%+ with your old headset you may be in for a rude surprise with crazy stuttering.  I recommend setting SS per App back to default for your game prior to headset switching.

 

Also avoid using fpsVR with it, I don't think it's fully supported and it may cause conflicts with Vive console yielding suboptimal fps or false report.  I would use SteamVR dev console for GPU frametime tracking for now.

 

I'm also a bit convinced that our current hardware cannot take full advantage of optimal image quality that this headset can offer, yes I'm talking about the 3090 not able to drive it to the full potential at 90Hz (meaning the ability to maintain 11.1 ms of frametime in complex games).  I've seen the full potential at 1.4x resolution with glorious imaging fidelity especially with Reshade VR, and my 3090 can't maintain good performance at that setting.  In games such as NMS I have to reduce SS below 100% or use DLSS in order to maintain 90 fps, same with MSFS.  I need to do more testing with DCS but I still have too many other things to go through to satisfy my curiosity.

Edited June 5, 2021 by Supmua