Going back to VR (Rift)

Alan McFall · 11 Jun 2021 at 22:49

I'm going back to VR shortly after a 2yr+ break with a system upgrade but the original Rift headset and Touch, I see there's new hardware available. How much do the latest headsets change the experience ? Is it worth forking out for ?

Twinz · 12 Jun 2021 at 02:17

Things have improved a lot if you have the power to push the newer headsets.

What GPU/CPU combo are you working with?

Alan McFall · 12 Jun 2021 at 02:26

5600x, gtx970 (upgrading to 3060 ti eveentually or 3070).

Twinz · 12 Jun 2021 at 02:39

Alan McFall said:
5600x, gtx970 (upgrading to 3060 ti eveentually or 3070).

The 970 won't handle any of the newer headsets that I can think of. 3060ti and 3070 would work for most of the new headsets.

If you are into games made for VR specifically, the Quest 2 is a nice upgrade for titles that can run on the headset itself.

handyandy24 · 12 Jun 2021 at 06:51

I have a gtx 970 so purposly picked up the rift s, lower res thsn say the quest 2. Will still be better than what you used before.

I tried ACC - known to be poorly optimized for vr. Couldnt really run that

Pavlov funs fine

Havent tried anything else

Ravenger · 12 Jun 2021 at 07:37

You can use the newer headsets on lower end hardware, you just have to run them at Rift resolution.
You may ask what the point is then? But you get the advantage of much reduced, even non-existent screen door effect, plus with the Quest 2 the ability to go completely wireless.

If you don't mind using a Facebook account, the Quest 2 is a massive upgrade from the Rift, with very similar controllers and is 100% compatible with your existing Rift and Steam VR software. Plus you get Robo Recall native Quest version for free, if you got Robo Recall free with your Rift. Add to that a library of completely stand alone games that you don't need a PC for anyway.

handyandy24 · 12 Jun 2021 at 07:42

Ravenger said:
You can use the newer headsets on lower end hardware, you just have to run them at Rift resolution.
You may ask what the point is then? But you get the advantage of much reduced, even non-existent screen door effect, plus with the Quest 2 the ability to go completely wireless.

If you don't mind using a Facebook account, the Quest 2 is a massive upgrade from the Rift, with very similar controllers and is 100% compatible with your existing Rift and Steam VR software. Plus you get Robo Recall native Quest version for free, if you got Robo Recall free with your Rift. Add to that a library of completely stand alone games that you don't need a PC for anyway.

Good point.

I tempted to suggest the OP waits it out for Quest 3. Hopefully no comfort challenges and they perfect the wireless pc use by then

Ravenger · 12 Jun 2021 at 08:01

handyandy24 said:
Good point.

I tempted to suggest the OP waits it out for Quest 3. Hopefully no comfort challenges and they perfect the wireless pc use by then

Quest 3 is a long way off. Quest 2 is here, and relatively cheap, even after you've added all the accessories.

handyandy24 · 12 Jun 2021 at 08:12

Ravenger said:
Quest 3 is a long way off. Quest 2 is here, and relatively cheap, even after you've added all the accessories.

I thought it was end of 2022? Depends if OP is happy to keep using his rift and if his pc can take advantage of all the quest 2 offers.

watercooledman · 12 Jun 2021 at 08:24

Quest 2 is brilliant, the quest 3 should be even better

newbieclocker · 12 Jun 2021 at 12:49

Yep I don’t think you can go wrong with a quest 2. I have a valve index but tried an oculus rift s and it felt exactly the same, and obviously the quest 2 is a step up from that

Ravenger · 12 Jun 2021 at 13:29

FOV is the main thing (apart from the Facebook login) that I don't like about the Quest 2. After using the Index it feels quite restrictive. Other than that I love it.

Rhys Watkins · 13 Jun 2021 at 14:45

I think the main difference you will probably see is the lack of screen door effect if you go for a quest 2. The higher resolution also makes things like text a lot easier to read. However, as mentioned above a gtx 970 won't really handle that. If you can only afford one upgrade definitely upgrade your gpu first as your rift will still work fine for all modern games. But you will probably find that will leave you wanting to upgrade your headset to make the most of your new gpu!

Alan McFall · 14 Jun 2021 at 21:40

Cheers for the info guys, I'm definitely upgrading my GPU first and have funds kept aside for a snap purchase. Probably be after christmas for the headset, I like the idea of extra FOV and wireless aside from res increase, hopefully then there'll be a release date for Quest 3 so I decide whether it's worth the wait.

Phil2008 · 15 Jun 2021 at 00:13

I have just upgraded to the quest 2 from the DK2 and even though its the cheapest headset on the market, its like night and day compared to the DK2.. My only negative point about the quest 2 is, the image quality isn't very sharp.

Senpai · 15 Jun 2021 at 02:41

Phil2008 said:
I have just upgraded to the quest 2 from the DK2 and even though its the cheapest headset on the market, its like night and day compared to the DK2.. My only negative point about the quest 2 is, the image quality isn't very sharp.

I thought the same for a bit, but can't you enhance it through settings though?

RoadRunner1024 · 15 Jun 2021 at 10:18

Phil2008 said:
I have just upgraded to the quest 2 from the DK2 and even though its the cheapest headset on the market, its like night and day compared to the DK2.. My only negative point about the quest 2 is, the image quality isn't very sharp.

might be that your ipd is between one of the settings, try moving the lenses to a "1/2" setting between the notches, it helps me

wish they had just put a full ipd adjustment range on it like the quest one had

Phil2008 · 15 Jun 2021 at 11:04

RoadRunner1024 said:
might be that your ipd is between one of the settings, try moving the lenses to a "1/2" setting between the notches, it helps me

wish they had just put a full ipd adjustment range on it like the quest one had

Ive tried all the ipd settings, they just makes things blurry... It wants more contrast to sharpen things up, but you can only change the brightness. I think my DK2 had a sharper image,, but that was down to being able to see the pixels i think.

melmac · 15 Jun 2021 at 11:07

RoadRunner1024 said:
might be that your ipd is between one of the settings, try moving the lenses to a "1/2" setting between the notches, it helps me

wish they had just put a full ipd adjustment range on it like the quest one had

The slider adjustment is very accurate if you are within the ranges of 57 to 69. The trouble is that you have to print out or buy a spacer that exactly matches your IPD.

RevBillyG · 15 Jun 2021 at 13:28

Phil2008 said:
Ive tried all the ipd settings, they just makes things blurry... It wants more contrast to sharpen things up, but you can only change the brightness. I think my DK2 had a sharper image,, but that was down to being able to see the pixels i think.

I found the sweet spot on the Quest 2 is quite small. Bought a Halo strap and replacement facial interface and it's made the image much sharper. I think it also depends on the game you're playing. ACC for me isn't so sharp but that's a trade off between the game and what my gfx card can handle.