Varjo Aero (After two months)

[WIS-Redcoat]

I just wanted to give a quick update on my thoughts with the Aero after two months of use.

 

Bear in mind that I use the Aero for Il2, DCS, and MSFS 2020 and nothing else.  In fact, I bought the index controllers (again) prior to receiving my headset and I have yet to turn them on.

 

I won't go into the previous comments I have made, but merely mention my feeling towards this headset in general and if anything has changed.

 

I love this headset, I still love this headset, and my biggest fear is that this headset abruptly breaks and I can't order a new one and get it quickly  (4 month lead time at least).  I have toyed with getting a "just in case" backup but that seems quite extreme as I don't have any real reason to fear that scenario and I am hoping someone else will announce something even newer and better. 

 

First, it still has a lot of software problems.  They seem to be addressing most of it, but to this day I find the software fickle.  I must confess that my current PC is using 12 gen stuff and DDR5, so its hard to tell if it is entirely Varjo software issues or bigger issues with the new hardware.

 

Don't get me wrong, the software is really nice and sleek... its just lacking some features and seems to be causing issues.

 

Currently I can't use the headset more than once or twice without a PC restart.  Performance goes to hell and the audio (which seems totally unrelated) get crackly etc.  Again, is it my PC or the headset?  I don't know yet.

 

It's annoying that I can't turn off the headset.  I might go to bed and forget to unplug it and lay there thinking "Damn, the lenses are sitting there lit up ALL NIGHT".  They really need to address this.

 

Another weird thing is if I have the software running (which is on by default) I cannot launch "Hell Let Loose" on steam or I get "Another instance of this game is running"....  What the heck?   This sort of thing is 100% repeatable and frankly really weird.

 

Other than that...  this headset is very expensive but simply amazing.  If nothing else, it gives you a glimpse of what is quickly coming for everyone.  

 

 

Edited March 31, 2022 by WIS-Redcoat

[dburne]

IMHO you need to contact support. You should not be needing to restart your PC to continue using it. I game with mine several hours on most days without any restarts or hiccups at all.

Fully agree about it not having an on/off button, it should have. I plug mine along with the Index trackers into smart plugs and power it off after use through an app on my phone.

[chiliwili69]

11 hours ago, WIS-Redcoat said:

my biggest fear is that this headset abruptly breaks

 

You can always play in monitor.... ? 

But don´t worry if that happens. Sometimes, after an abstinence period, many things are enjoyed double.

[WinkleBrowWinkleBrown]

Yes this headset is amazing but I concur with your above points, it really needs to be able to turn itself off automatically  if left on by mistake.

 

I had a similar problem with a SteamVR warning when trying to launch IL-2 in VR, I solved it by deselecting the OpenXR option in the Varjo base software, and only having the OpenVR option selected , a bug in the Varjo Base software?

 

Other than that all good.

[WIS-Redcoat]

It’s astounding that this things doesn’t shut off.  Every once in awhile I walk in and shrewd when I realize I left it on all night.

 

Still, I’m so glad I have it.  I’ve been playing all year with this amazing headset.  Someone proclaimed the Cambria was in production months ago but I have yet to see an aero killer.

[chiliwili69]

On 8/15/2022 at 6:18 AM, WIS-Redcoat said:

Someone proclaimed the Cambria was in production months ago but I have yet to see an aero killer.

 

Cambria is not going to be better than Aero for sure. There has been some non-official leaks about their resolution which is 2160x2160 per eye resolution but only uses 1800x1920 (so like current Quest2). So Aero is still quite above that (2880x2720). And for sims (seated) we don´t worry about the cable.

 

The only Aero killer will be an new Aero with better FOV.  ?

 

Edited August 18, 2022 by chiliwili69

[dburne]

I am in no rush for an Aero 2. With the cost of this thing I fully expect to get at least 2-3 years out of it, will see. I am extremely happy with it though and fully enjoying it every day. And can only grow into it more as more powerful GPU's and CPU's come out. Lots of room to increase resolution.  I had the one instance of a Link Box failure but Varjo jumped on that and get me sorted with a replacement Link Box very quickly. Have not seen much report of that issue over on the Varjo Discord so mine must have been an isolated thing. At least I hope so, I do put a lot of hours on this thing every week. I don't see anything coming close to the Aero especially in clarity at least in the near future.

 

I do hope Varjo has been successful enough with the Aero to want to continue to stay in the high end consumer VR market in future products. So far indications are that is the case.  

[WallterScott]

Finally got my Aero. I agree with all the comments. The main drawback that upsets me is the cropped field of view. Especially the vertical. I see a black stripe below.

But there really is no alternative. The G2 is very close in PPD, but the meager sweet spot and fresnel makes me constantly want to wipe the lenses.

Can someone tell me how to install OpenXR in IL2? Is there an instruction for this?

[dburne]

5 hours ago, WallterScott said:

Finally got my Aero. I agree with all the comments. The main drawback that upsets me is the cropped field of view. Especially the vertical. I see a black stripe below.

But there really is no alternative. The G2 is very close in PPD, but the meager sweet spot and fresnel makes me constantly want to wipe the lenses.

Can someone tell me how to install OpenXR in IL2? Is there an instruction for this?

 

I had it running once some time ago but went back to Steam VR so not sure I remember all the steps.

There is a good thread which is a guide over on DCS forums specifically on running Aero in Open XR via Open Composite. Same would apply for IL-2 only difference would be pointing to the IL-2.exe. Or more dropping the modded file into the proper IL-2 directory which should be the /bin/game directory. Regarding Open Composite I never could get the system wide install working with the Aero so I just used the modded file dropped into the Il-2 directory mentioned. But follow that guide and you should be good to go.

Edited August 20, 2022 by dburne