Forum Discussion
Razer Hydra still best default controller for CV1 launch ?
Let's imagine a single wired improved Razer Hydra as the default 6D controller for a 2015 CV1 launch : - It's wired to keep the cost down (*edited*). - It can provide gamepad input on pre-VR games. ...
I totally agree on the Hydra. It is definitely the best option at the moment and I expect only STEM will be better, but: it is way more expensive and much bigger. The latter is important to me, because I carry my stuff to lots of VR Meetups and packing a Hydra is much easier. (actually I can pack my DK1 + Hydra in the original DK1 case!)
I think I am in a position to say some sensible things on tracking devices. I am developing (and selling) a framework for avatar control supporting a wide range of controllers including Hydra, Kinect and Leap: InstantVR. Hydra is the most smooth solution, is precise (not the same as accurate) has no problem with occlusion and tracks full 6 DOF. The second best solution I have (or will have: it is in the upcoming v3 release) is the combination of HMD mounted Leap Motion and Kinect, where Kinect takes over when leap loses tracking. But it is not as good as Hydra.
Actually: when doing demos I have more problems with people going out of the DK2 camera tracking range than that they have problems with the Hydra tracking...
BTW: the Hydra does not drift. It does get inaccurate at the edge of detection, but a measurement point is always the same for Hydra. If it does seem to drift, then you are drifting yourself, because your base position (e.g. where your feet are) changes. This is a hard problem to tackle in the software. I only solved this in the latest (2.1) release of my software.
But the downside: it is wired. Not that I am annoyed by the wires themselves, but the Hydra controllers fall on the ground a lot because I accidentally pull the wires. Then: the Hydra is not very solid and in combination with dropping on the ground very often, they break down. I already used one Hydra up and I am very very lucky having friend borrowing theirs to me, so I have 2 replacement Hydras, but this should not be happening with a real consumer endproduct. And lastly: the range is not enough, after 75 cm the tracking gets wobbly and distorted. Actually, this is way less than the length of the wires. Why did they make the wires so long?
I definitely think there is a real consumer market for a $75 Hydra v2 with shorter wires, slightly improved tracking range and better build quality. And I think that if Oculus is indeed going for controllerless tracking they will have a hard time beating that solution!
I think I am in a position to say some sensible things on tracking devices. I am developing (and selling) a framework for avatar control supporting a wide range of controllers including Hydra, Kinect and Leap: InstantVR. Hydra is the most smooth solution, is precise (not the same as accurate) has no problem with occlusion and tracks full 6 DOF. The second best solution I have (or will have: it is in the upcoming v3 release) is the combination of HMD mounted Leap Motion and Kinect, where Kinect takes over when leap loses tracking. But it is not as good as Hydra.
Actually: when doing demos I have more problems with people going out of the DK2 camera tracking range than that they have problems with the Hydra tracking...
BTW: the Hydra does not drift. It does get inaccurate at the edge of detection, but a measurement point is always the same for Hydra. If it does seem to drift, then you are drifting yourself, because your base position (e.g. where your feet are) changes. This is a hard problem to tackle in the software. I only solved this in the latest (2.1) release of my software.
But the downside: it is wired. Not that I am annoyed by the wires themselves, but the Hydra controllers fall on the ground a lot because I accidentally pull the wires. Then: the Hydra is not very solid and in combination with dropping on the ground very often, they break down. I already used one Hydra up and I am very very lucky having friend borrowing theirs to me, so I have 2 replacement Hydras, but this should not be happening with a real consumer endproduct. And lastly: the range is not enough, after 75 cm the tracking gets wobbly and distorted. Actually, this is way less than the length of the wires. Why did they make the wires so long?
I definitely think there is a real consumer market for a $75 Hydra v2 with shorter wires, slightly improved tracking range and better build quality. And I think that if Oculus is indeed going for controllerless tracking they will have a hard time beating that solution!