Using VR headset for head tracking on a monitor!

[Baldrick33]

Sounds crazy and why would you?

Many years ago I tried TrackIR with sim racing and didn't get on with it. I always thought it would be better for flight sims.

Since then I started using VR and more recently got into DCS.

I love DCS in VR but sometimes wonder how it would be with head tracking on a monitor. I thought about cheap and cheerful options to try it but only just discovered that Opentrack allows a VR headset to be the tracker. Apologies if this is old news but I had no idea it could be done.

Now having a VR headset perched on the top of your head isn't the most elegant of solutions but it works very well, enough to try out head tracking with a monitor to compare it with VR.

I have given it a good go (the indentations on my forehead would certainly suggest that) and for me VR is definitely my preference.

However, if like me you are intrigued to try head tracking and have a VR set it is an easy and free way to do it. Just download opentrack and select your VR headset as input and play with the mapping to get a comfortable range of movement.

[dburne]

Not sure I get why one would invest in a VR headset to just use it as a tracker for monitor play.

To each their own I reckon.

Edited March 29, 2022 by dburne

[unlikely_spider]

Thanks! Next, can you show me how to send a fax with my iPhone?

[Baldrick33]

8 hours ago, dburne said:

Not sure I get why one would invest in a VR headset to just use it as a tracker for monitor play.

To each their own I reckon.

 

Absolutely but if you have one and want to experience monitor head tracking it is a free option. I know most who go VR never go back but occasionally I see a post if some who has reverted back to trackir and I was intrigued enough to try. The results in my case were probably predictable as I have used VR so long but I have to try these things

[Gruman]

Or use FaceTrackNoIR if you have a Webcam laying around? Or invest couple bucks for a aftermarked IR Tracker. Better suited for non VR gameplay than a 500gr+ headset on your head.

I think it would be an interesting approach if you had base stations (Old CV1 Rift style / Valve Lighthouse) and use a active tracker to get your head position (gets you all the smoothness of VR Tracking without the weight). But with inside-out tracking? Nah.

I think the function for Opentrack was mostly ment for early VR days where you could play any game on a virtual screen inside your VR Headset. Opentrack provided simple headtracking for this type of gaming.

Edited March 30, 2022 by Gruman

[Baldrick33]

31 minutes ago, Gruman said:

Or use FaceTrackNoIR if you have a Webcam laying around? Or invest couple bucks for a aftermarked IR Tracker. Better suited for non VR gameplay than a 500gr+ headset on your head.

I think it would be an interesting approach if you had base stations (Old CV1 Rift style / Valve Lighthouse) and use a active tracker to get your head position (gets you all the smoothness of VR Tracking without the weight). But with inside-out tracking? Nah.

I think the function for Opentrack was mostly ment for early VR days where you could play any game on a virtual screen inside your VR Headset. Opentrack provided simple headtracking for this type of gaming.

 

I was surprised by the quality of tracking, that wasn't the issue at all. I quickly found I could look pretty much where I wanted and compared with my early use of trackir with sim racing I didn't get the odd feeling of moving my head whilst looking forward (sim racing is much more about looking right and left than around). It actually felt it was pretty natural with some quick modifications to the mapping to match my environment.

Obviously this wouldn't be a long term solution having a VR headset perched on your head! It was to try it long enough to get a decent feel for it compared to VR

I just found the whole sense of flying missing. I reckon I could get as proficient using head tracking and it would open up opportunities for hardware outside of the screen area to aid playing but the immersion loss was way too much.  No surprise really but I went with it with an open mind as I have always had a bit of a envy of those with cockpit setups with MFD screens etc.