Valve confirms Half-Life: Alyx

[5150Joker]

Quest and Rift S have the exact same controllers. If you don't plan on gaming anywhere but at your gaming PC then the Rift S is the better choice. It has slightly better tracking with its additional camera and you won't have to worry about the image or tracking being compromised like it will be using Link on the Quest. And most people find the Rift S to be far more comfortable than the Quest for longer gaming sessions. The Rift S will be $349 next week so maybe that'll help with your decision.

See what throws me are articles like this: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/oculus-link-transforms-quest-better-riff-s/

 

[Ricky T]

See what throws me are articles like this: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/oculus-link-transforms-quest-better-riff-s/

Some people are exaggerating how good it is. Many of those people are use to the visuals on the Quest so going to the Rift S using the Link is a huge visual upgrade for them. If they do a direct comparison between using the Link on the Quest and a Rift S though then they will see that the Rift S is slightly better looking. Using the Link it is making some compromises by using foveated rendering to give you better latency at the cost of a slight visual downgrade. By how much will probably vary from game to game. Plus one person reviewing the link said it was a pain in the butt to do some simple things like if you wanted to adjust your position, you couldn't do it without going back to the Quest home every time. That looks like a huge pain in the ass because that is something you'll be doing all the time.

Anyway like I said if your not caring about gaming anywhere but at your gaming PC then it's an easy decision to get the Rift S.

 

[elvn]

tradeoffs I guess. OLED is key to me. I'm hoping to never have to buy into ips an tn black depths and contrast ever again. Having a standalone device thrown into the price makes it a better deal to me. I won't be able to comment on personal experience until after Xmas and even then I'll have no Oculus s or other vr to compare it to. Potentially it could get better with firmware updates (and possible mods and hacks) as well.

 

[5150Joker]

Some people are exaggerating how good it is. Many of those people are use to the visuals on the Quest so going to the Rift S using the Link is a huge visual upgrade for them. If they do a direct comparison between using the Link on the Quest and a Rift S though then they will see that the Rift S is slightly better looking. Using the Link it is making some compromises by using foveated rendering to give you better latency at the cost of a slight visual downgrade. By how much will probably vary from game to game. Plus one person reviewing the link said it was a pain in the butt to do some simple things like if you wanted to adjust your position, you couldn't do it without going back to the Quest home every time. That looks like a huge pain in the ass because that is something you'll be doing all the time.

Anyway like I said if your not caring about gaming anywhere but at your gaming PC then it's an easy decision to get the Rift S.

I appreciate the points you bring up and it seems for strictly PC gaming the Rift S may be slightly better but the momentum seems to be shifting in the Quests favor. Plus I wouldn't mind chilling in bed messing with VR apps/games. I do agree with the other poster that said the deep blacks of amoled add to immersion so I think I'll grab a Quest and see how it goes. I also just read this: https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/25/oculus-rift-s-vs-quest/

Edit: I went and read user reviews on Amazon and people hate the weight of the Quest and say it hurts their face. That is a huge deal breaker for me so I guess I'll keep researching VR headsets or just wait on the next generation.

 

[elvn]

From what I've read I guess the problem is more that it's imbalanced. It wouldn't work well in trying to keep to the best/lowest balance budget wise for a VR kit but you can get get replacement headstraps and better face pads for any of the headsets from 3rd party vendors. Some people even strap a travel phone pack battery to the back of the headstrap to both balance the weight of the unit onto the top of the head reather than the face as well as providing a much longer playtime and running charge.

This is why I keep saying no matter what kit I'd get I know I'd spend another few hundred dollars on making it better with some sort of accessories. So a $400 quest + some type of link cable ($) + optionally 3rd party headstrap (~ $20 vrcover.com)) and face pad ($20), the 3drudder controller that I like $100 though not critical, a travel charger (though I already own one for our phones so that one's not necessary to buy again really). velrcro strap roll (already owned for cable management). An index I'd prob end up buying similar headset modifications and eventually up to 3 mocap straps and maybe another lighthouse/motion sensor unit so that would add up to be well over $1000 especially with tax. So the quest is still the budget buy for me.

Quest $400 + tax
USB-C cable and active usb 3.0 ext cable of some sort ~ $25 (or whatever the Quest Link cable cost turns out to be)
3rd party Quest face pad replacement $20
3rd party Quest Headstrap replacement $20
Travel battery pack $16 - $30
Velcro Roll if you don't already own one: $16.50 ( 1/2" x 25 yard roll)
-----------> ~ $500 + tax

Optional separate can input headphones ~ $40
Short coiled 3.5mm wires ~$10 for two
Optional infra red emitter ~ $20
-------------> ~ another $70 + tax

3d rudder controller if you are into that sort of thing ~ $100 + tax

======================================================================================


FACE
-----------------

Vrcover Headstrap for oculus quest (~ $20)

VR Cover "VR Cover" (face pad) for oculus quest ( ~ $20)

BATTERY and COUNTERBALANCE
----------------------------------------------------

You can use a power pack on the back strap which not only extends the battery life of the Quest but also importantly makes the headset more weight balanced so that the top headstrap supports it more than being top heavy ("face heavy") by default.

There are 3rd party battery packs
https://vrnrgy.com/ the vrnrgy one is currently $40. Note that the VNRGY battery kit comes with a neoprene comfort strap that wraps over the default one.

The VRNRGY Power Pack is comfortably but firmly held in place by a breathable neoprene strap custom-made for the Quest.

VRGE Power Bank Organizer Kit for Oculus Quest $19.99
https://www.vrgevr.com/products/usb-power-bank-organizer-kit-for-oculus-quest#

Or you can DiY any pack, here are some recommended ones from androidcentral:
https://www.androidcentral.com/best-oculus-quest-battery-pack



A 3D print file of a battery bracket for it:
https://downloadfree3d.com/3d-printing-models/gadgets/oculus-quest-external-battery-mount/

Another 3D print file of a battery bracket for the quest:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3749115

Or you could use a smartphone clip case like this one for ~ $11. I think the 3rd party headstrap and some velcro or clips on the wire would make this look a lot better
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N2PZ4ZP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AY8YB5QS6H63&psc=1
https://360rumors.com/oculus-quest-battery-pack-extends-battery-life-improves-comfort/

A few 90deg usb C adapters ($7 two pack):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...RKTKM&linkId=d404078a4a44dc20c8adc645707b4c43

AUDIO-and-Backstrap
-----------------------------------

Some people swap a whole vive sound backstrap to the quest or oculus S but those kits seem to be bought up by resellers for a massive price hike and are either always out of stock or not made anymore for the default $100 price. Personally I'm not interested in using someone else's used headphones so the used route is out for me. I'd also rather use my own headphones.
https://forums.oculusvr.com/community/discussion/78586/finally-comfort-on-the-quest

AKA FRankenQuest:

Otherwise for sound , a pair of these might work which notably have a separate audio input for each ear can (~ $40)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WT15ZQF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A few very short small coiled cable 3.5mm connector cables ~ $9. The headphones come with one 3.5mm to 6.35mm cable but two of these black 3.5mm ones for $9 isn't bad.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742CWDN8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you want to use the black cable on the 6.35mm side you'll have to use a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter if you have one laying around from receivers, headphones etc of the past. Otherwise they are around $4 - $5 on amazon.

A roll of velcro strap if you don't already have some would probably come in very handy too, and some small zip ties or black clips.

INFRARED for better motion sensing in SUB-OPTIMAL LIGHTING ENVIRONMENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
something like these for $20 or $30 though there are a lot of other infrared illuminators on the market
Indirect light is best in any case , lightbulb or IR so diffused (lamps with shades) or bounced off a wall or ceiling, etc.
Note that steam VR lighthouses use lasers strobing not IR.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZYG89D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0771GQMPT/

 

[Youn]

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16826880001

I figured this died long ago when I first saw it, but this is from a few months ago (nsfw warning: many crotch shots throughout):

 

[elvn]

I figured this died long ago when I first saw it, but this is from a few months ago:

Haha the ass controller. Please no optional attachments.

I think I'll try the 3drudder for now but that is definitely interesting thanks, especially the rotating around the chair. Would be better with a memory foam pad.

 

[IdiotInCharge]

(nsfw warning: many crotch shots throughout):

Watched entirely due to the warning, think they could use hiring local bikini models to really get market attention...

 

[Accursed]

My Controllers came in. Build quality is really high. Checked during this last holiday sale and they seem to be sold out, I guess many of us jumped at buying the controllers sooner rather than later. Gonna be a VR night tonight!

 

[dgz]