Oculus Rift CV1 - My Impressions ( detailed)

[HagarTheHorrible]

To tell you the truth, I never find myself even trying to do that. It would be incredibly difficult to say the least. I have had some fantastic dogfight missions and am so immersed in the actual combat, the thought to even try it never crosses my mind. And I would be surprised to hear any VR player state they use something like that to try and gain any type of advantage - I just can not imagine a way to do so.

 

In any event, I would think limiting that possibility would be more of a game developer thing than a VR thing. but of course I am no developer...

+1

 

About the only advantage you can get is being able to look down over the sides of the cockpit without the canopy glass interferring and then only if the cockpit is reasonably narrow. Not much of an advantage is it ?

 

TrackIR offers a far greater SUPER ability to scan around than VR will possibly ever do, mainly because with the current generation of goggles your view is limited to about the 4-7 O'clock.

 

You also need to remember that the feeling of being in something physical is also quite strong, so sticking your head out of the closed canopy in flight is not an obvious or natural thing to do.

 

The current limitations of looking to the rear, in VR, are probably far more realistic than TrackIR will ever be.

[IvanDolvich]

When i try to turn my head around with my peripheral vision I nearly can watch close to 180 degrees backwards

[HagarTheHorrible]

When i try to turn my head around with my peripheral vision I nearly can watch close to 180 degrees backwards

 

 

If you say so, I won't argue.  Normally or with a VR headset on ?

 

In VR if I strain I can usually get to a max of about 170 either way but normally I would probably reach my limit at around 140-150 ish (maybe it's an age thing although I consider myself to be reasonably fit and flexible) without having to concentrate too much on looking rather than flying and maneuvering.  I don't want to suggest checking six is impossible it's just that I suspect most pilots, most of the time, won't get anywhere near. Sure you can use tricks like a swivel chair to get a little extra rotation, but when flying with hands on throttle and stick it's not quite so practical.  From what I understand, with peripheral vision and an unobstructed rear view limits would be closer to 220 deg, in real life, although the further around you go with peripheral vision the more likely you are to miss something unless it is flashing or moving across that space.

 

It does add a little extra though because you are suddenly presented with real human frailties and traits and how they affect combat ability and survive-ability.  Because checking six effectively is difficult, unlike with TrackIR, and requires effort, fatigue, laziness and sloppy practices will all play a much greater roll in effectiveness which makes it all so much more realistic.

Edited March 16, 2017 by HagarTheHorrible

[LLv24_Zami]

Now, after couple of days of testing, I'll share a few thougts about Rift. I'm at work and typing with my phone so this will be short.

First of all, it's a quality product. Setup was very easy and it's quite comfortable to wear. I have no trouble at all when playing with it.

I have tested DCS, Elite and War Thunder so far. My feelings are very mixed to be honest. Being in the cockpit of a plane/helicopter/spaceship is great. Feels like sitting in a real thing, to see real
sized stuff around you is amazing. Big planes, buildings, huge space stations, stars etc. Flying is easier, you can 'feel' the plane better. Low level flying with high speed has never been more fun! 

Headphones are excellent, no need for replacement.

But then the bad parts. I knew that resolution is not nowhere near what it is in my monitor. But still I was very disappointed about it. I was not expecting perfect view but I thought it would be slightly better. Maybe I'm too used for my 3440p monitor and it's awesome picture but
Rift resolution is really poor.
It is very disturbing and breaking effectively the otherwise great immersion of VR flying. Maybe I will get better used to it over time.
Fov is much narrower than real life but it does not bother me so much. Checking six is very difficult so clear disadvantage when dogfighting people without VR. Maybe there will be VR servers in the future,everyone with same limitations.

After we have headsets with reasonable resolution and hardware to run it, VR is a future of gaming. Right now, IMO it is still immature for a really enjoyable experience. Can't wait to try BoX with Rift though

Edited March 17, 2017 by Zami

[Wraithzlt]

To tell you the truth, I never find myself even trying to do that. It would be incredibly difficult to say the least. I have had some fantastic dogfight missions and am so immersed in the actual combat, the thought to even try it never crosses my mind. And I would be surprised to hear any VR player state they use something like that to try and gain any type of advantage - I just can not imagine a way to do so.

 

In any event, I would think limiting that possibility would be more of a game developer thing than a VR thing. but of course I am no developer...

 

I tried the IL2 BoS dx9 early attempt at VR with my Vive. They had it so that you COULDNT put your head through the glass\canopy like you can in DCS and Warthunder.

I found it wierd at first as i was still moving my head outside the canopy but my view was locked inside it. It didnt take long to get used to though.

Also the rear visibility is difficult to achieve in VR compared to the TrackIR but your situational awareness is alot better than with a TrackIR, also deflection shooting becomes alot more intuitive in VR during maneuvers.

VR is very immersive compared to gaming on a monitor, so much that i just cant bring myself to fly without the VR anymore.

[IvanDolvich]

Well, perhaps I did not use the right words. I was talking about real life turning my head, but while repeating this today after getting out of bed I realized, that it might not just involve turning my head but also parts of my shoulders and upper body are involved. but then I can reach the desired 180 degrees on my left side, when turning to the right side i achieve a few degrees less. How this might work out in a real aircraft I cannot judge

[1./JG54_Slug]

I sure hope we get some sort of spotting aid like DCS, otherwise playing with markers on is your only choice. Unfortunately you won't be able to spot distant enemies due to the resolution. I have both the vive and rift and they have the same limitation.

[GrendelsDad]

I just ordered a PiMax 4K headset...I will let you know if spotting is better as I assume it will be.

[1./KG4_OldJames]

I have just been browsing the interweb and notice that there are quite a few VR headsets coming downstream, from the likes of HP, Dell, Microsoft, StarVR (my favourite atm), Lenovo, Acer....etc. so (and I know you've all heard it before) it may be worth waiting a wee bit longer. Having said that, I want one NOW!

[dburne]

I have just been browsing the interweb and notice that there are quite a few VR headsets coming downstream, from the likes of HP, Dell, Microsoft, StarVR (my favourite atm), Lenovo, Acer....etc. so (and I know you've all heard it before) it may be worth waiting a wee bit longer. Having said that, I want one NOW!

 

I was previously kind of the same mindsight, but I am so glad I did not wait now.

[chiliwili69]

 

 

Maybe I'm too used for my 3440p monitor

 

Yes, comming from a 4K doesn´t help.

 

People who uses 2K or FullHD monitors has less problems when going to the Rift/Vive. 

 

I have a 4K monitor, and graphics are very nice, but I prefer the Rift. In fact, I have not played BoX in the last 4 months since I can not use a monitor anymore. My only interest is combat flight sims and some VR experiences like Apollo or ISS.

 

Obviously if the rift were 4K it would be even more awesome, but to properly run it at 90fps in all conditions I would need two 1080 Ti in SLI at least. (I really have no idea of the required hardware but once VR BOX is implemented I can try to do supersampling with the Rift and see how it affects the performance for a 1070)

 

Just curious, do you regret buying the rift?

[LLv24_Zami]

Yes, comming from a 4K doesn´t help.

 

People who uses 2K or FullHD monitors has less problems when going to the Rift/Vive.

 

 

I have a 4K monitor, and graphics are very nice, but I prefer the Rift. In fact, I

have not played BoX in the last 4 months

since I can not use a monitor anymore. My only interest is combat flight sims and some VR experiences like Apollo or ISS.

 

Obviously if the rift were 4K it would be

even more awesome, but to properly run it at 90fps in all conditions I would need two 1080 Ti in SLI at least. (I really have no idea of the required hardware but

once VR BOX is implemented I can try to do

supersampling with the Rift and see how it affects the performance for a 1070)

 

Just curious, do you regret buying the

rift?

No, I don't regret getting Rift. I've had fun with it. But I'm still struggling to deal with poor resolution, it is really

annoying. I don't think full 4k would be absolutely necessary for satisfying experience, I don't expect exactly same view than my monitor. But something better

than current Rift resolution is needed, it really terrible atm.

[chiliwili69]

 

 

it really terrible atm.

 

I think it is a very subjective question. All depend on the user´s dependency on the resolution to enjoy a game.

 

I remember there was a Rift simulator webpage: http://vr.mkeblx.net/oculus-sim/

 

where you can simulate different resolutions and low persistence. (BTW the CV1 resolution is wrong in the page)

 

Rift: 1080 x 1200 per eye (in VR the important resolution is per eye, don´t be confuse when people talk about 4K VR devices)

FullHD: 1920 x 1080

2K: 2560 x 1440

4K: 3840 x 2160

 

So at the time being, VR is very far from 4K per eye, not because displays but GPU power.

 

I am able to enjoy a good movie (for me a good movie doesn´t depend on how good are the special effects but the script) at lower than HD. But I have some friends that have the need to go to 2K/4K to really enjoy a movie.

 

Some years ago I was having a lot of fun with ROF in a monitor a bit lower than FullHD, but I didn´t mind. And years before with VGA 800x600 or even 256x192 with my first "Fighter Pilot" game.

 

Until 2003 (when I had eye surgery to remove my miopy) I used glasses or contact lenses or nothing when playing sports or being at the beach. So, seeing the real world at lower resolution was not too important to enjoy an activity (basketball, windsurf, having a beer, etc). With the Rift is a little bit like that.

 

I recently have the International Space Station Rift experience and I really have no complaints about the resolution, it is something that just does not disturb me at all.

 

For all of you who are considering buying VR, if you still enjoy BOX in FullHD, the Rift/Vive is for you. If not, have a 4K monitor, wait a couple of years and see.

[LLv24_Zami]

I think it is a very subjective question. All depend on the user´s dependency on the resolution to enjoy a game.

 

I remember there was a Rift simulator webpage: http://vr.mkeblx.net/oculus-sim/

 

where you can simulate different resolutions and low persistence. (BTW the CV1 resolution is wrong in the page)

 

Rift: 1080 x 1200 per eye (in VR the important resolution is per eye, don´t be confuse when people talk about 4K VR devices)

FullHD: 1920 x 1080

2K: 2560 x 1440

4K: 3840 x 2160

 

So at the time being, VR is very far from 4K per eye, not because displays but GPU power.

 

I am able to enjoy a good movie (for me a good movie doesn´t depend on how good are the special effects but the script) at lower than HD. But I have some friends that have the need to go to 2K/4K to really enjoy a movie.

 

Some years ago I was having a lot of fun with ROF in a monitor a bit lower than FullHD, but I didn´t mind. And years before with VGA 800x600 or even 256x192 with my first "Fighter Pilot" game.

 

Until 2003 (when I had eye surgery to remove my miopy) I used glasses or contact lenses or nothing when playing sports or being at the beach. So, seeing the real world at lower resolution was not too important to enjoy an activity (basketball, windsurf, having a beer, etc). With the Rift is a little bit like that.

 

I recently have the International Space Station Rift experience and I really have no complaints about the resolution, it is something that just does not disturb me at all.

 

For all of you who are considering buying VR, if you still enjoy BOX in FullHD, the Rift/Vive is for you. If not, have a 4K monitor, wait a couple of years and see.

Yes, it`s very subjective matter.

 

I totally understand that many Rift users are okay with current resoulution. Everyone has to try it themselves to see if that`s an issue. I have played computer games since eighties so I have played also at very low resolutions. Also my eyesight is very good, I have always seen details in real world and in games very well.

Low resolution causes also other difficulties, best example is spotting in air combat.  It`s very hard to spot anything even from medium distance. 

 

I am getting rid of SLI and getting gtx 1080, maybe then I can pump up pixels per display setting and get better visuals also to the Rift.

[Bearfoot]

So let's talk about the other elephant in the room .... virtual reality sickness!!

 

Sipping my ginger drink right now to prep myself for enforced training/conditioning in VR. Only been able to do a couple of hours here and there since I got it a couple of days ago. Started off flying the Gazelle (in DCS), but head-reeling/stomach-lurching got too much. It's fine (well, OK) when going forward, but any other movement ranges from mildly uncomfortable to barely tolerable. The worst movement is rolling/rocking side to side fast for me.

 

Took a step back and decided to take the Mirage for a gentle cruise. This was much better. I could not do any combat turns without feeling uncomfortable, just the most gentle of rolls. So I flew her like a Piper Cub first solo. Dogfighting is right out for now :(

 

Hopefully in a couple of weeks (and gallons more ginger tea!)?

[Fran13]

Received Oculus VR, two days ago also I ordered a 1080GTX...just awesome...I dont think will buy a new monitor ...new models ? For sure the next ones will be better but right now the experience is just incredible.

[Fran13]

...Anyone knows when IL2VR will be out ?

 

guys you must try ELITE dangerous with this thing...

[HagarTheHorrible]

So let's talk about the other elephant in the room .... virtual reality sickness!!

 

Sipping my ginger drink right now to prep myself for enforced training/conditioning in VR. Only been able to do a couple of hours here and there since I got it a couple of days ago. Started off flying the Gazelle (in DCS), but head-reeling/stomach-lurching got too much. It's fine (well, OK) when going forward, but any other movement ranges from mildly uncomfortable to barely tolerable. The worst movement is rolling/rocking side to side fast for me.

 

Took a step back and decided to take the Mirage for a gentle cruise. This was much better. I could not do any combat turns without feeling uncomfortable, just the most gentle of rolls. So I flew her like a Piper Cub first solo. Dogfighting is right out for now :(

 

Hopefully in a couple of weeks (and gallons more ginger tea!)?

 

DO NOT START BY FLYING HELECOPTERS

 

Helecopters are hell on the stomach, travelling in a direction is fine, bobbing about during transitions or just trying to hover is not a pleasant feeling. I don't have any problems with motion sickness otherwise

[dburne]

...Anyone knows when IL2VR will be out ?

 

guys you must try ELITE dangerous with this thing...

 

Being as how Jason just created this new sub-forum for VR and that is a good sign, I would think should not be much longer. I think the goal was by end of March, so maybe around then or shortly after - all just speculation on my part.

I am sure they are still working out any bugs for their implementation.

So let's talk about the other elephant in the room .... virtual reality sickness!!

 

 

Hopefully in a couple of weeks (and gallons more ginger tea!)?

 

I think it took about 10 days or so for mine to subside to a much more comfortable level. I was really concerned prior to getting the Rift as I get very motion sick easily when just riding in a car. I have had mine over 2 months now and I seem to have adapted fairly well to it.

 

Some extreme maneuvers like during a dogfight can still get me a little at times, but is certainly workable at this point.

Edited March 19, 2017 by dburne

[LLv24_Zami]

So let's talk about the other elephant in the room .... virtual reality sickness!!

 

Sipping my ginger drink right now to prep myself for enforced training/conditioning in VR. Only been able to do a couple of hours here and there since I got it a couple of days ago. Started off flying the Gazelle (in DCS), but head-reeling/stomach-lurching got too much. It's fine (well, OK) when going forward, but any other movement ranges from mildly uncomfortable to barely tolerable. The worst movement is rolling/rocking side to side fast for me.

 

Took a step back and decided to take the Mirage for a gentle cruise. This was much better. I could not do any combat turns without feeling uncomfortable, just the most gentle of rolls. So I flew her like a Piper Cub first solo. Dogfighting is right out for now :(

 

Hopefully in a couple of weeks (and gallons more ginger tea!)?

I am lucky, no sickness in VR flying at all. Not even on my first day, I did fly a helicopter to test it. Extreme maneuvers  can give funny feeling in my stomach but not in a bad way.

[Remontti]

Argh... I said that I wasn't completely satisfied with the Rift after testing it for one day. Reading these posts makes me still want to get one anyway. 700 euros is still too much but maybe I'm able to get a used one for couple of hundreds cheaper. Let's see how it goes.

 

As for motion sickness I didn't get any while in cockpit (including helo). But walking in dcs after parachuting didn't feel good.

[TP_Silk]

How do we apply for this thread to be moved to the new VR sub-forum that Jason has created? Would be great to have all of this info in one easy-to-find place.

[216th_Jordan]

I tried the Rift. For now I prefer my Monitor and TrackIR. Resolution is too low for me and my computing power is not enough to have an adequate supersampling applied without losing too many frames. So the 600 euros get back into my pocket and I'll wait for the next generation in two to three years.

[dburne]

There is no doubt there is a trade off currently in going VR versus a monitor. Hopefully the next generation will have much better resolution and computers/GPUs will have enough power to handle it.

Also in regards to flight simming, currently what we have is 2d games being ported to work with VR devices. While I have not tried it yet, I have heard Elite Dangerous did a really good job for VR and looks very good.

 

Since getting the Rift along with the Touch Controllers, I have gotten into some other gaming - combat flight sim still get the bulk of my time. But those games I have gotten through Oculus , developed for VR, look really good as well.

 

So as the technology develops, and game developers adapt more to it, it is only going to get better for sure. And I too am really looking forward to what the next generation brings us, and I will be among the first to get it. For me though, the immersion - the feel of actually being in that world versus looking at the world on the monitor, outweighs the loss of resolution/clarity. For some it won't though no doubt, otherwise there would be a much larger population of VR users already.

 

I can't wait to try BoX in VR for the first time! Really looking forward to it!

Edited March 21, 2017 by dburne

[vitabutch]

You have no chance with VR against TrackIR anyhow. So it is only fair, if they can stick their heads out 

 

Just imagine the workout: Head out to the left turn it 180 backwards - next second head out to the right and turn right 180, head inside and into the neck  etc   After one minute they are done 

 

A few rolls in between and they get sick. Give it a few months, and a VR only server will be cried for.

 

I plan it for JU52 flights, as the immersion is really great. 

Fully disagree. Based on stats in WT VR players are almost alwayn in the top of the team since aiming is soo easy in VR compared to the flat screen. As VR user since August 2016 I can tell you if you have someone on your six (and this someone is not a noob) - you are dead already, so what is the point to look at your killer before the end shot :D  You should avoid bandits going at your tail before they get there! And VR much greater situation awareness greatly helps here. However its true that pereferal vision is greatly limited by CV1. I am using turn chair to help me with that. However I am very rarely look exactly who's on my 6. I just dont let them get there.

Edited March 22, 2017 by vitabutch

[CIA_Matabo]

Tested IL2 Battle of Stalingrad VR today.  I have to say you really feel like your in the aircraft.  You will also have a better sense of height and speed.  I really enjoyed the experience.  I could not see the pip very well and had to close one eye while trying to shoot.  This is all new and will only get better.  I wish they had put a body in the aircraft.  But here we are fellow WWII flight sim pilots on the cusp of a whole new beginning of flight sim adventure.

 

To fly competitive I will continue to fly 2d, with an occasional flight in VR..... 

[Tomsk]

I could not see the pip very well and had to close one eye while trying to shoot. This is all new and will only get better. I wish they had put a body in the aircraft.

Aiming with both eyes took a bit of practice for me, but when I got used to it I found it superior. The depth perception really helps with judging correct deflection.

[dburne]

Aiming with both eyes took a bit of practice for me, but when I got used to it I found it superior. The depth perception really helps with judging correct deflection.

 

I only did a small handful of quick mission dogfights yesterday, did not really seem to have a problem aiming with both eyes looking.

[Tomsk]

I only did a small handful of quick mission dogfights yesterday, did not really seem to have a problem aiming with both eyes looking.

 

I meant it took practice when I first started flying VR ... obviously it took no practice yesterday as I'm well used to it from almost a year of playing DCS in VR :-)