What are you doing to enhance your VR experience?

[Kevinaki]

Ever since owning the DK1 I've noticed people would first say something along the lines of "It feels like I'm really there" and wave their hands in front of their face to see if they could see it in VR. 

Since then I been looking for ways to enhance VR for myself and others. Even as a kid I always thought it would be cool to feel some sort of physical feedback while watching a movie or playing a game. I came across the SubPac just last week and after watching dozens of reviews and reactions I ordered it because it seemed close to what I've always been looking for. That should be arriving today and I can't wait!

Other ways I tried to enhance my VR experience was buy backing ControlVR through Kickstarter. It was supposed to be a device that allowed you to use your hands in VR to interact with objects. It seemed ideal at the time but I'm sure I'm not the only one in this community that still feels the pain of never receiving anything for backing that project. 

Finally, the Virtuix Omni is another Kickstarter that I have desperately been waiting for. With it you can walk, run, and jump in VR games/experiences where it makes the most sense. Maybe this year I'll receive it, maybe... It would be nice to receive the Omni and Oculus Touch around the same time.

So what hardware or software are you using or plan to purchase to add to your VR experience? 

[Map63Vette]

Hmm, that's pretty cool.  It's really a shame there aren't brick and mortar stores that carry simulation equipment.  So much of this stuff is so personal for how you like it.  Would be great to be able to hop into a Geko chair, then onto a D-Box setup, then swap to a SCN actuator rig.  Being able to try 2-6 DOF to see what makes the most sense to you and your gaming needs would make it so much easier to buy something.  I don't want to drop $2k on a system only to find out I don't like it and then figure out how to send it back or sell it to the next guy.

[Anonymous]

Map63Vette said:

Hmm, that's pretty cool.  It's really a shame there aren't brick and mortar stores that carry simulation equipment.  So much of this stuff is so personal for how you like it.  Would be great to be able to hop into a Geko chair, then onto a D-Box setup, then swap to a SCN actuator rig.  Being able to try 2-6 DOF to see what makes the most sense to you and your gaming needs would make it so much easier to buy something.  I don't want to drop $2k on a system only to find out I don't like it and then figure out how to send it back or sell it to the next guy.

The nice thing is, in such a niche market, these types of specialized equipment hold their value quite well for the most part.

I have a fairly elaborate tactile system in place and while adding a full-motion system isn't practical for me, I think a 2-dof system would go a long way in replicating large bump events well beyond what my BK-LFE can do. The other option might be a G-seat type setup that applies more sustained and direct pressure to some parts of the body.

Some of the most effective and basic tactile can be added for pretty low investment by designing it for near-direct contact, something like the seat-pad shown in the above video. I have a 4-mini-puck array in the seat back linked to a low-cost amp that can rattle my teeth on higher settings; the total cost is under $100.

[Anonymous]

To the OP: The options we have to add to the VR-seated experience are really good already; tactile FB, motion,  FFB steering, etc.

I use numerous Tactile-transducers for greater immersion with Racing-Sim's along with a Direct-drive steering system for starters; good pedals, shifters and a hydraulic hand-brake certainly help too. A good racing seat with tactile and a decent wheel can add a ton of fun to simulations with or without VR (better with though!). I've also used a simple fan and it can be pretty effective in simulating air-flow when driving although, the speed-sensitive ones would be even better.

For me, these things all play a big part in sustaining my interest in VR and Simulation. They can be expensive but, the added value is well worth the investment in my case. I've been involved in Simulations since early PC's became available and these things have enhanced my experience so much more than I ever imagined was possible then. It's really quite amazing to me.

[mbze430]

Gametrix KW-908 Jetseat. looks cool... and $200 is definitely worth a shot, but I am always skeptical about smaller companies.  At first they are developing and improving the software greatly, and as time passes, it slows down.  Eventually they fall off the face of the Earth.

I don't do flight sims, I prefer racing sims.  when it comes to racing, it is the ability to feel the road, if this give you that feeling specially the wheel of the tires to the road (important), I totally get it.

Hopefully there will be more reviews on this pad with racing sims.

[Map63Vette]

deanogur said:

Map63Vette said:

Hmm, that's pretty cool.  It's really a shame there aren't brick and mortar stores that carry simulation equipment.  So much of this stuff is so personal for how you like it.  Would be great to be able to hop into a Geko chair, then onto a D-Box setup, then swap to a SCN actuator rig.  Being able to try 2-6 DOF to see what makes the most sense to you and your gaming needs would make it so much easier to buy something.  I don't want to drop $2k on a system only to find out I don't like it and then figure out how to send it back or sell it to the next guy.

The nice thing is, in such a niche market, these types of specialized equipment hold their value quite well for the most part.

I have a fairly elaborate tactile system in place and while adding a full-motion system isn't practical for me, I think a 2-dof system would go a long way in replicating large bump events well beyond what my BK-LFE can do. The other option might be a G-seat type setup that applies more sustained and direct pressure to some parts of the body.

Some of the most effective and basic tactile can be added for pretty low investment by designing it for near-direct contact, something like the seat-pad shown in the above video. I have a 4-mini-puck array in the seat back linked to a low-cost amp that can rattle my teeth on higher settings; the total cost is under $100.

Yeah, though the trick with the niche market also means you might be sitting on it for a long time trying to sell it.  Shipping is usually a big killer on that stuff as well which lessens the typical market for them.

I know what you mean on the tactile stuff as I have a similar fairly cheap setup with two shakers and a little amp that didn't run me much at all.  It's not quite as powerful as I was originally thinking though, granted it might be in my setup too.  They are directly mounted to a fiberglass seat that has no padding, so I figured I'd have to turn them way down to be comfortable, but I have to have the amp 3/4 or more "volume" to really feel it.

[danknugz]

Smoke high quality medicinal

[Anonymous]

Map63Vette said:

deanogur said:

Map63Vette said:

Hmm, that's pretty cool.  It's really a shame there aren't brick and mortar stores that carry simulation equipment.  So much of this stuff is so personal for how you like it.  Would be great to be able to hop into a Geko chair, then onto a D-Box setup, then swap to a SCN actuator rig.  Being able to try 2-6 DOF to see what makes the most sense to you and your gaming needs would make it so much easier to buy something.  I don't want to drop $2k on a system only to find out I don't like it and then figure out how to send it back or sell it to the next guy.

The nice thing is, in such a niche market, these types of specialized equipment hold their value quite well for the most part.

I have a fairly elaborate tactile system in place and while adding a full-motion system isn't practical for me, I think a 2-dof system would go a long way in replicating large bump events well beyond what my BK-LFE can do. The other option might be a G-seat type setup that applies more sustained and direct pressure to some parts of the body.

Some of the most effective and basic tactile can be added for pretty low investment by designing it for near-direct contact, something like the seat-pad shown in the above video. I have a 4-mini-puck array in the seat back linked to a low-cost amp that can rattle my teeth on higher settings; the total cost is under $100.

Yeah, though the trick with the niche market also means you might be sitting on it for a long time trying to sell it.  Shipping is usually a big killer on that stuff as well which lessens the typical market for them.

I know what you mean on the tactile stuff as I have a similar fairly cheap setup with two shakers and a little amp that didn't run me much at all.  It's not quite as powerful as I was originally thinking though, granted it might be in my setup too.  They are directly mounted to a fiberglass seat that has no padding, so I figured I'd have to turn them way down to be comfortable, but I have to have the amp 3/4 or more "volume" to really feel it.

It requires experimentation (not that kind @danknugs 🙂 ) to get the right amount of dampening with transducers; mount a BK-LFE to something heavy enough and it won't do anything except make some noise. There is an optimal amount of movement and vibration that is most effective and the mounting brackets can make or break effective tactile; a certain amount of movement can be really effective.

Another option is direct-contact; that can be over-done easily but, is more cost effective.

Ultimately, it takes a combination of different tactile transducers to get really effective tactile feedback. Keep in mind though, effective tactile requires even more powerful amps than good audio does. Some people have built their own tactile units out of old speakers too.

[jademan]

I have been telling myself I'm going to build a motion-sim for some time now, but it can be a pretty involved/expensive thing to get into. Another option I'm going to play with first is the Gametrix KW-908 Jetseat.

It does now have support for Dirt:Rally, Project Cars, ETS2, ATS, among others including flight sims like DCS... AC & iRacing coming soon.  You can get one for $99 from Russia, but have to deal with the potential problems that involves. Or, you can order from https://andres-eshop.pswebshop.com/ for $165 ($195 with added tech support), but with guaranteed quick delivery etc you don't get from Russia.

Basically, it's like SimVibe in a massage pad you can just throw on your seat in one nice easy package, and a pretty cheap option for enhancing VR.

A video review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZ7p8CZqxA

[ntwigbels]

This Jetseat seems very interesting and I can also justify the purchase for the back massage capabilities 😉