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Thoughts on Rift (wait for next-gen HMD)

Thoughts on Rift (wait for next-gen HMD)

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Gabriel1200
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05-03-2018, 10:46 AM
#1
Hello,
I’d like to share my impressions about the Oculus Rift.
I’ve been using it for roughly a month now and would have given up if not for these points.
First issue: the USB ports are excessive. What I meant to say is that my Ryzen 7 2700x AM4 board comes with 8x USB 3.0, 4x USB 3.1, 2x USB C, and 2x USB 2.0. That’s more than sufficient for a mouse, keyboard, microphone, and VR setup. Of course, it’s plenty of ports, but I realized USB bandwidth is crucial. With the two sensors in USB 3.0 and the Rift using another USB 3.1, everything worked fine until I added a third sensor. Then I had to disconnect my keyboard, microphone, and RGB controller—using USB 2.0 off the motherboard.

Second concern: the price. As of now, the VIVE is a significant investment at around $500 before tax, while the Rift is more affordable at about $350 before tax. Adding a third sensor pushes the cost to roughly $470 before tax. I still think it’s cheaper than the VIVE with a 4th sensor, which would be necessary for good tracking when facing away from the front sensors.

Also, USB bandwidth matters. Even after removing all USB devices, if you can’t get a third sensor to work, you’ll need a PCIe USB card, which adds at least $40. The headset cable is extremely short—sometimes I need an HDMI cable and an active USB 3.0 extension just to get around. If my room is bigger, the PC could be pulled off my desk.

I’d like to thank Valve, the developers, and everyone involved with SteamVR. The Rift is being returned for a full refund, but I’ve found that playing Steam VR games on it is an exciting development in gaming. It’s not just about story or online play—it’s about the experience itself.

Please let Gabe know I’m pre-ordering the leaked Valve HMD and the knuckles. VR is here to stay, and I’m excited to continue enjoying it.
Just remember the Rift’s lower upfront cost might not be worth it if you consider the long-term tracking issues and extra expenses.
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G
Gabriel1200
05-03-2018, 10:46 AM #1

Hello,
I’d like to share my impressions about the Oculus Rift.
I’ve been using it for roughly a month now and would have given up if not for these points.
First issue: the USB ports are excessive. What I meant to say is that my Ryzen 7 2700x AM4 board comes with 8x USB 3.0, 4x USB 3.1, 2x USB C, and 2x USB 2.0. That’s more than sufficient for a mouse, keyboard, microphone, and VR setup. Of course, it’s plenty of ports, but I realized USB bandwidth is crucial. With the two sensors in USB 3.0 and the Rift using another USB 3.1, everything worked fine until I added a third sensor. Then I had to disconnect my keyboard, microphone, and RGB controller—using USB 2.0 off the motherboard.

Second concern: the price. As of now, the VIVE is a significant investment at around $500 before tax, while the Rift is more affordable at about $350 before tax. Adding a third sensor pushes the cost to roughly $470 before tax. I still think it’s cheaper than the VIVE with a 4th sensor, which would be necessary for good tracking when facing away from the front sensors.

Also, USB bandwidth matters. Even after removing all USB devices, if you can’t get a third sensor to work, you’ll need a PCIe USB card, which adds at least $40. The headset cable is extremely short—sometimes I need an HDMI cable and an active USB 3.0 extension just to get around. If my room is bigger, the PC could be pulled off my desk.

I’d like to thank Valve, the developers, and everyone involved with SteamVR. The Rift is being returned for a full refund, but I’ve found that playing Steam VR games on it is an exciting development in gaming. It’s not just about story or online play—it’s about the experience itself.

Please let Gabe know I’m pre-ordering the leaked Valve HMD and the knuckles. VR is here to stay, and I’m excited to continue enjoying it.
Just remember the Rift’s lower upfront cost might not be worth it if you consider the long-term tracking issues and extra expenses.

Reply
Reply